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State of the Association Address
by LEA President, Arlene Rea
FR Council, Calvert Elementary
May 15, 2008
As I reflected over the 2007-2008 year, I realized there were two main themes—ProCom
and the study of workload and Bargaining a Contract. All the activities that occupied the
work of the Association seemed to revolve around the workload study and bargaining a
new contract. In between those two activities, Association members, volunteers and the
community collected and distributed 13,000 books to the first and second graders of the
public and parochial schools of Lincoln. The Association advocated for members and
their rights under the contract.
Building Membership Coordinators recruited enough members to replace the ones who
retired or moved away plus 40 more members. The I Can Do It cadre offered flex time
classes three times during the year. The LEAdvocate, with timely bits of contract
information, was sent out 16 times. The LEA Express, a compilation of news, tidbits of
information, Board minutes and FR Council minutes, was sent out weekly in one
publication. Roger Rea led the Retirement seminar twice for members preparing for the
next stage in their life. In the meantime, the Association advocated for members and their
rights under the contract.
The Association met formally with the Drs. Gourley and Biggs twice monthly, and
sometimes weekly, to discuss and resolve issues around member concerns. The LEA
Board met during the summer of 2007 to strategically plan for the 2007-2008 year and
met twice monthly to insure that the rights of members are secure and their dues are
wisely spent. The seven School Board Contact teams met monthly with their school board
members to keep them informed of their working conditions. The seven legislative contact
teams kept in touch with their legislators during the legislative session. Association
members were introduced to the many financial benefits that are available to members. In
the meantime, the Association advocated for members and their rights under the contract.
LEA-PAC members interviewed 11 legislative candidates from four districts in Lincoln. All
but one of the endorsed candidates won a place on the ballot for November’s election.
The fourth annual LEA Foundation fundraiser was held in conjunction with NSEA Delegate
Assembly this spring. This fundraiser insures that members have the opportunity to apply
for scholarships and grants. A record number of members participated with the
fundraiser by designing baskets for the auction, or buying raffle tickets or soliciting gifts
from vendors across the city. In the meantime, the Association advocated for members
and their rights under the contract.
ProCom met for a period of three or four hours monthly. Each facilitated session gave
both LEA and LPS members the opportunity to look deep into the issue surrounding
workload. Workload is not simply resolved. LEA is anticipating that the final report with
long and short term resolutions will be published before the end of the school year. The
LEA Negotiations team prepared all year by participating in interest based bargaining
training with LEA members and then again with the district team members. The team met
throughout the year poring over tons of information and data before meeting with the
District in a three-day bargaining marathon. In the meantime, the Association advocated
for members and their rights under the contract.
by LEA President, Arlene Rea
FR Council, Calvert Elementary
May 15, 2008
As I reflected over the 2007-2008 year, I realized there were two main themes—ProCom
and the study of workload and Bargaining a Contract. All the activities that occupied the
work of the Association seemed to revolve around the workload study and bargaining a
new contract. In between those two activities, Association members, volunteers and the
community collected and distributed 13,000 books to the first and second graders of the
public and parochial schools of Lincoln. The Association advocated for members and
their rights under the contract.
Building Membership Coordinators recruited enough members to replace the ones who
retired or moved away plus 40 more members. The I Can Do It cadre offered flex time
classes three times during the year. The LEAdvocate, with timely bits of contract
information, was sent out 16 times. The LEA Express, a compilation of news, tidbits of
information, Board minutes and FR Council minutes, was sent out weekly in one
publication. Roger Rea led the Retirement seminar twice for members preparing for the
next stage in their life. In the meantime, the Association advocated for members and their
rights under the contract.
The Association met formally with the Drs. Gourley and Biggs twice monthly, and
sometimes weekly, to discuss and resolve issues around member concerns. The LEA
Board met during the summer of 2007 to strategically plan for the 2007-2008 year and
met twice monthly to insure that the rights of members are secure and their dues are
wisely spent. The seven School Board Contact teams met monthly with their school board
members to keep them informed of their working conditions. The seven legislative contact
teams kept in touch with their legislators during the legislative session. Association
members were introduced to the many financial benefits that are available to members. In
the meantime, the Association advocated for members and their rights under the contract.
LEA-PAC members interviewed 11 legislative candidates from four districts in Lincoln. All
but one of the endorsed candidates won a place on the ballot for November’s election.
The fourth annual LEA Foundation fundraiser was held in conjunction with NSEA Delegate
Assembly this spring. This fundraiser insures that members have the opportunity to apply
for scholarships and grants. A record number of members participated with the
fundraiser by designing baskets for the auction, or buying raffle tickets or soliciting gifts
from vendors across the city. In the meantime, the Association advocated for members
and their rights under the contract.
ProCom met for a period of three or four hours monthly. Each facilitated session gave
both LEA and LPS members the opportunity to look deep into the issue surrounding
workload. Workload is not simply resolved. LEA is anticipating that the final report with
long and short term resolutions will be published before the end of the school year. The
LEA Negotiations team prepared all year by participating in interest based bargaining
training with LEA members and then again with the district team members. The team met
throughout the year poring over tons of information and data before meeting with the
District in a three-day bargaining marathon. In the meantime, the Association advocated
for members and their rights under the contract.