Membership Services Representatives Help You Tap the Vast Resources of PAGE By Nancy Ratcliffe, PAGE Membership Services Representative, District 7
October/November 2014
is for educators to not have the information they need to do their best. Thus, we often refer them to people within PAGE or others who can answer questions. When we can’t help you directly, you’ll hear us say, “I don’t have the answer to that, but I will certainly try to find one.” MSRs stay in close contact with the PAGE office in Atlanta, and we travel there frequently to be schooled in such matters as TKES/LKES, TRS and SHBP— the “alphabet soup” that is your profession. Through PAGE, the MSR team has been schooled in “Working on the Work” and the value of student engagement. We also stay current on issues such as the effects of poverty and funding cuts on Georgia’s public schools. In fact, many of us have helped launch what we are calling “Community Conversations” in our schools and communities to help citizens become more aware of the successes and challenges schools face. Finally, MSRs are always available to assist those who wish to join PAGE. Applicants may sign up electronically, but many people still prefer pen and paper, and we happily forward applications to the membership office for processing. Once a building contact or MSR signs a paper application form, or once someone signs up online, coverage begins that day. Remember, your PAGE membership services representative is here to support you in your vital role as a Georgia public school educator. Be sure to take advantage of the vast resources availed by PAGE, and if you need anything, just ask your MSR! Q Photo by John Varner
W
highlighter pens and lanyards. hen I’m asked about my School visits are an especially fun part of job with PAGE, and I reply the MSR role. I enjoy providing treats, and that “I’m a member services I always travel with my chocolate “first-aid” representative (MSR),” the usual reaction kit. However, preparing for a visit is quite is, “What do you do exactly?” In short, involved. We coordinate months in advance MSRs are the “face” of PAGE, and most with building contacts, school secretaries or of us are former educators. PAGE has 14 administrators to plan a time that is convemembership services representatives, each nient for the entire school. But just as school of whom covers a region of Georgia. Each schedules are interrupted by fire drills and MSR district has about 175 schools. In metro Atlanta, the service areas are smaller unplanned pep rallies, our calendars are often juggled at the last minute due to testbecause of the concentration of schools. ing, weather or an unexpected meeting at The opposite is true in south Georgia. the district office. We’re also careful to miniIn our frequent travels throughout the mize mileage and maximize scheduling to state, we often arrive at schools before make the most of our PAGE resources. most of the staff to set up breakfast snacks and prepare to meet current and prospective PAGE members. Later in the day, in another system, we may be the last to drive away following a late faculty meeting. We are well acquainted with the food providers in our areas, and we shop at Sam’s Club and Dollar Tree as regularly as most people shop at their local supermarket. However, in service to our 85,000 members, we are much more than hosts. We ensure that each school has a PAGE contact to provide colleagues with membership information, as well as timely news regarding PAGE MSR Melanie Evans welcomes Paulding education legislation, evaluation County’s newest teachers. requirements, health benefits and more. Beyond building and system contacts, an MSR’s contact list includes WANT TO KNOW? JUST ASK YOUR MSR! principals, human resources directors and When we arrive at a school, we superintendents. unload carts of materials, and in short order, transform a table in the cafeteria or teacher workroom into a tempting THE AMBASSADORS OF PAGE spread of food, goodies and information. PAGE is known for warmly welcoming During our visit, we help members sign every new teacher in Georgia, and as such, up for informative PAGE emails, provide the MSRs serve as PAGE ambassadors. In contact information for our legal departfact, often the first gift teachers receive is ment and field questions on everything one from the PAGE district MSR welcomfrom pending legislation to changes in ing them to the profession during orientation. Teachers throughout the state proudly certification and teacher evaluations. MSRs understand how frustrating it display their PAGE “easy quiz graders,”
Nancy Ratcliffe taught English/language arts and was a graduation coach in Northwest Georgia for 35 years. She also helped develop Georgia’s graduation and EOC tests. She is now mentoring her second generation of students who have become educators. PAGE ONE 25
