NVEA/CTA/NEA

Site Representative Council Minutes
August 29, 2016


Executive Board Members Present:  

President - Gayle Young, Vice President - Mary Duenow, Secretary - Debbie Kmiec, Treasurer/Chief Negotiator - Ginger Dunne, Directors-at-Large - Kristin Pruitt (Elementary), Karen Fleming (Middle), Director Human Rights - Courtney Garcia Director of Communication - Mike Willmarth

Site Reps Present:  
American Canyon HS:  Dave Hollman, Elizabeth Hawkins, Jordan Kieschnick, Scott Hayburn, American Canyon MS:  Steve Dierker, James Landis, Alta Heights:  Ginger Dunne, Canyon Oaks:  Kristin Pruitt, Donaldson Way:  Maureen McCullough, El Centro:  Corey Morton, Harvest MS:  Deb St. Clair, Scott Scharff, Independent Studies:  Jessica Farrell, McPherson:  LeeAnn Buntman, Mt.George:  Annie Tisher, Napa HS:  Sean Gregory, Sharon D. Anderson, Melinda Miller, NVLA:  Sarah Miller, Marliese Esquivel, New Tech High:  Andre Baldauf, Northwood:  Kim Vichi, Redwood MS:  Kathy Newman, Lorna Dekker, River MS:  Louann Talbert, Salvador:  Barbara Noll, Shearer:  Amy Riggiero, Silverado MS:  Patty Wyman, Valley Oak:  John Mautner, Vichy:  Debbie Cates, West Park:  Laura Zinser, Yountville:  Carl Elias, Itinerants:  Sue Helms
Absent:
Exec Board:  Erin Reilly(excused), American Canyon HS:  Devin Reza, Bel Aire Park:  Lauren Reindeau, Browns Valley:  Angela Oster, Harvest:  Sara Kvidahl-Schmitz,  Napa Junction:,  Napa HS:  Maria Vega, Rick Underwood, Phillips:  Ann Brown, Pueblo Vista:, Snow:, Vintage HS:  Deyango Harris, Chris Auld, Ted Ward, Kelli Watkins, Michael Alger,   
  1. Welcome
  2. Adoption of the Agenda
  3. Norms - were decided and agreed upon.  Additional norms will be added as necessary.
  • Start and end on time
  • One designated speaker
  • Silence cell phones
  • Keep a sense of humor
  • Assume positive intent
  • Problems on the wall not the people
  • Ask clarifying questions

       4.  Who’s who in NVEA
  • When we work and stand together we have more power and have a better voice.
  • We ALL are NVEA!
  • Gayle Young shared her cell phone number with everyone (707-363-1828)
  • Exec board was introduced
  • Our field agent Diana Lisi retired our interim field agent is Jim Gitman (until permanent replacement is hired) and he will be at our next meeting.


      5.  Treasurer’s Report
  • We were banking with Travis Credit Union, however they do not offer a  business credit card, therefore it was necessary for NVEA to switch to a bank that had one.
  • We are now banking with Umpqua.  
  • Fiscal year for NVEA ends at the end of this month.

a) Budget committee formation
  • if you are interested in being on the committee contact Ginger Dunne.

      6.  President’s Report
a) Retreat Report
  • Bylaws were reviewed and are on line for site reps to review.
  • Goals and directions were reviewed and information will be shared with site reps.  
  • There are 6 exec board members going to leadership conference

b) Benefits Fair
  • An email was sent from Jennifer Hinson to all members
  • There will be CTA vendors present (Standard Disability and California Casualty).  
  • The district is now offering an Employee Assistant Program (brochures were in our boxes)
  • Any benefit questions be sure to ask payroll

c) Wellness Committee
  • Our committee’s Ideas have been shared with the district and we are looking to develop programs district wide
  • More information to come probably around January.

d) STRS (State Teacher Retirement System)
  • A STRS Rep will be in Napa at the NVEA office on Sept. 26, 2016
  • Call 800-228-5453 to set up appointment
  • They have group appointments (for members under 55 years of age) and individual appointments (for members over 55)
  • They book 6 weeks out.

e) 3 things you want your union to do
  • everyone was asked to write three words describing what they want their union to be
  • Strengths and challenges were identified from these words
  • Goals will be developed to help make us a stronger, better union for our members  
  • The exec board did the same activity and a wordle was shared with the site reps

f) AVID
  • Job description questions came up and what was required of AVID coordinators at Elementary, Middle, and High School
  • Job descriptions were  delineated between elementary and secondary.
  • Every school looks different.  
  • The 3 day summer training without pay was mentioned
  • Some schools were told they had to commute back and forth every day while others were given lodging

g) Bylaws
  • Last looked at in 2011
  • Changes were made but those changes never made it to CTA
  • Exec board updated them and they are currently on the website (17 pages)
  • Site reps were asked to review the bylaws and they will be voted on at the next site rep meeting so they can be sent to CTA

      7. Bargaining Chair
a) Negotiations
  • Input from Reps was gathered
  • Continued topics to be discussed include workload, evaluations (nurses and counselors), discipline, and grading
  • First Council meeting is Tuesday
  • Site reps were asked to identify additional topics that need to be addressed.  
  • Question was asked about potential raise, district’s fiscal year ended July 30.  As of right now we do not have any information since formulas and numbers are still being reviewed
  • Our contract covers all teachers, counselors, nurses, sped teachers, TOSA’s, Academic Specialists
  • More information will be included in the newsletter that will be addressed under communications report
  • Agency fee payers cannot vote, don’t get any of the benefits from CTA/NEA, etc.

      8. Vice President
a) Membership
  • CTA membership cards are available
  • If there are members who retired or who are not at your site it is important that the cards are sent to Mary Duenow at Vintage so site lists for voting purposes are kept current.   
  • New teachers to the district membership cards are not in yet
  • Their cards will be sent to the sites as soon as they come in.

      9. Elementary Director - nothing at this time

      10. Middle School Director
  • K-8 teachers there is an Animal grant available through PETCO.  
  • Michael’s offers at 15% discount to teachers w/NVEA card

      11. High School Director - absent

      12. Human Rights Director - nothing at this time

       13. Communications
a) Website - make sure to check out the website
b) Home emails
  • Make sure home email listed on CTA card is current
  • If it is different please send your new email to CTA
  • If you didn’t get the welcome back email from Gayle that means NVEA does not have your home email address
  • Please send home email to NVEA.CTA@gmail.com
c) Newsletter
  • There will be a monthly newsletter coming out
  • Site reps are encouraged to check with staff to see if teachers at their site received the email
  • It is important that we have your home emails to send out information that can’t be sent out through district mail.

      14. State Council
a) RA Reports
  • Mike Willmarth attended the Representative Assembly in Washington DC  
  • Social Justice was the focus.
  • We have a responsibility to make sure all students get a good education regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, etc.  
  • We can own the fact that all kids who pass through our door get a quality education

      15. Other
  • New Site Rep Meeting:  Monday, 9/12/16 at 3:30pm in the NVEA office 2160 Jefferson St.

Next Site Rep Meeting:  Monday, 9/26/16 at 3:30pm in Room 205