September 21, 2019 Board of Directors Report
MISSOURI NEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MNEA HEADQUARTERS -- JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
September 21, 2019
President Murray and Vice President McIntosh shared their Back To School activities and trainings - please connect with MNEA leadership on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MNEALeads/?ref=bookmarks) and Flikr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mnealeads/albums).
Executive Director, DeeAnn Aull, shared that Educators Rising has over 190 members this year, twice last year’s enrollment. There will be NEA trainings in Lee’s Summit and Poplar Bluff on implicit bias and cultural compentency. MNEA has a new partnership with Phi Delta Kappa at the college level.
There is a hearing for summary judgement regarding HB1413 in October. The UMC Graduate Workers won their three-year fight around bargaining rights at the lower court level and the case has been appealed to the Supreme Court. Columbia NEA won a preliminary injunction and ratified their contract in September. Parkway is involved in a suit to affirm their right to bargain while HB 1413 is enjoined. North Kansas City Schools has agreed, with the injunctions in St. Louis County and Columbia, to return to negotiations with NKC-NEA. The 2015 Hickman Mills NEA lawsuit has been settled. MNEA was unsuccessful in court fighting on behalf of Springfield NEA technology specialists.
Field managers Chas Young and Patrick Layden reported strong back-to-school membership work across the state. Final enrollment numbers will be available in October. The managers shared ongoing organizing goals for 40 targeted locals state-wide and the continuing process of renewals and recruiting new members.
Locals are encouraged to work with their UniServ Directors to follow up with contacting new and potential members in October and November.
Karen Struemph presented a solid financial position in the Financial Report. She shared that staff is preparing for the annual audit. She presented and the Board approved the proposed capital budget for next year. Proposed capital projects include replacing some staff computers, upgrades to the St. Charles and Springfield offices, repurposing the print shop space at Headquarters.
Delegates at the MNEA Fall RA will elect an NEA Director to serve until April of 2020. An election will be held at the MNEA Spring RA for a three-year term.
Pam Koetting shared information about the upcoming Fall Representative Assembly. Registration is now open. Board members debated proposed changes to the RA standing rules and constitution/bylaws.
President Murray is recommending the addition of a designated ethnic-minority seat on the MNEA Board of Directors. Currently, the ethnic-minority directors are elected at-large. Delegates at the Fall RA will debate and vote on the constitutional amendments necessary to designate a permanent seat on the Board.
The licensing agreement between NEA and Seuss Enterprises has ended. Materials that carry the Cat-in-the-Hat or Seuss logo and trademark can no longer be used by locals as part of our Read Across America. Regional offices and locals that have previously used official Cat costumes are no longer permitted to do so. Watch for upcoming information about Missouri NEA’s Read On Missouri events. President Murray and Vice President McIntosh will be touring the state and celebrating children’s literature.
Reminders:
Shirley Cromer Award nominations are due October 1.
Leila Medley QLA submissions are due October 1.
Horace Mann Teacher nominations are due December 15.
Fall RA registration is open:
Submit delegate names by 10/1
Hotel reservations are due 10/31
Lunch reservations are due 11/13
Dates to remember:
American Education Week 11/11-15/19
Pre-RA meetings (5:30 dinner, 6:00 meetings):
Kansas City 11/18/19
St. Charles 11/19/19
St. Louis 11/20/19
Hilton St Louis Frontenac, 11/22/19, 8:00 pm
MNEA Representative Assembly 11/23/19 St. Louis, MO
Illinois Minority Leadership Training 11/1-2/19 Springfield, IL
Minority Leadership/Women’s Leadership Training 12/6-8/19 Los Angeles, CA
NEA Higher Ed Conference 3/12-13/20 Orlando, FL
NEA Leadership Summit 3/13-15/20 Orlando, FL
NEA Retired Conference 3/15-16/20 Orlando, FL
NEA ESP Conference 3/20-22/20 New Orleans, LA
MNEA ESP Conference 4/4/20 St.Louis, MO
Next MNEA Board of Directors meeting 10/19/19