When? Monday, June 16, 2008
Where? Inglemoor High School Gym (for a map of IHS, click here. For driving directions, click here.)
What time? Doors open at 4:00 pm; the meeting starts at 4:30 pm
IMPORTANT:
- Please CARPOOL with NSEA and NESPA members at your building.
- Please try to make childcare arrangements. However, if you are unable to do so, please bring your children with you and keep them under your supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there enough parking at Inglemoor?
A. There is space for over 500 cars, so there is not enough space if everyone drives alone. Please carpool with one or two colleagues. It will save you from parking away from the school and having to walk a distance.
Q: How do I get to Inglemoor?
A. Inglemoor is located at 15500 Simonds Road NE, Kenmore, WA 98028. For driving directions, please click here.
Q: Why are NSEA and NESPA meeting together?
A: We work together every day, on the same educational team. We are facing similar issues in negotiations. We are both seeking RESPECT as professionals. Last year, in Shoreline, the support association, SESPA, and the certificated SEA joined together to reach a successful conclusion to negotiations. Votes will be done separately. (NSEA members vote on NSEA matters. NESPA members vote on NESPA matters.) Northshore is changing, and we need to change in order to become more effective.
Q: Why should I come?
A. It is essential that you be there, whether or not we have contracts to vote on. As Wood Allen said, “Ninety percent of life is just showing up.” In our negotiations, ninety percent of our success depends on the administration seeing that NSEA and NESPA members actively support their bargaining team. If members are “too busy” to come to this important meeting, it would send them the message that our membership will accept a less-than-favorable contract---that these negotiations are just not that important.
The administration has proposed cuts. We want to improve our professions. If you want to improve your work, be there. It is a simple matter of respect for your Bargaining Team and your colleagues, and understanding that your work-related future is being decided.
Q: What will we do at the meeting?
A: It depends on whether or not we have contracts to vote on. If we have contracts to vote on, we’ll open the meeting together, and then NESPA will move to the cafeteria. We will then review the contracts and answer questions before voting. If we do not have contracts to vote on, it’s still imperative that you be there. You’ll hear updates, meet the Bargaining Teams, and vote on a motion for autumn plans. Your presence shows support for your bargaining team, and respect for your colleagues. Simply being there is, in itself, important, as it sends a message to the administration that you are actively participating in the efforts to secure a good contract.
Q: Will we be able to see the agreement prior to the general membership meeting?A: No. NSEA and NESPA do not release the contract settlement prior to the general membership meeting. We need as many members to attend this meeting as possible to hear the details of the tentative agreement, ask questions, and discuss ratification. If the agreement is released in advance, the tendency is for those who are pleased with it to simply stay home. This can cause the final ratification vote to be skewed.
Q: I can't make the general membership meeting. Can I vote by absentee ballot or by proxy?
A: No. Please make every effort to attend this meeting. According to our bylaws, we need a quorum of at least 20% of our members to attend the general membership meeting.
Q: What happens if we don't have a tentative agreement to vote on? Do we still need to have a meeting?
A: Yes--a general membership meeting is essential regardless of the status of a new contract. If there is no agreement by June 16th, we will be making plans for actions in August and the Autumn that will require your support and active participation. We may be making motions at the general membership meeting about such activities. If no agreement is reached by June 16th, the NSEA and NSD bargaining teams will schedule bargaining sessions in August.
If you have any more questions about the General Membership Meeting on Monday, June 16th, please contact Lydia King at lking@washingtonea.org or 425-486-7101 ext 12.
