Monday, January 08, 2007

Large 8 Local Presidents and Unit Presidents Meet During Annual Legislative Kickoff


ISEA's Annual Legislative Kickoff is a great opportunity to bring together leaders that are already attending the conference to meet over a meal and discuss issues critical to their membership.

On Friday evening, January 5th our Large 8 Local Associations came together for dinner prior to the beginning of our Legislative Kickoff. Leaders representing their local were: Gary Anhalt, president of Cedar Rapids EA; John Kealey, president of Davenport EA; Dianne Pickel, representing the Dubuque EA; Donna Walsh, president of Sioux City EA; Cookie Clapper, representing the Council Bluffs EA; Alan Young, president of the Des Moines EA; Jean Seeland, president of the Waterloo EA; and Jake Cummer, representing the Iowa City EA. Also a part of the group was Team ISEA's elected leadership team; Executive Director Jan Reinicke and Associate Executive Director Randy Richardson.

The Friday night agenda included: ESP Dues proposal; Fair Share; Membership update; School funding; and Lobbying with the Urban Education Network.

Saturday, January 6th we asked our Unit Presidents to rise early for a breakfast meeting that brought together their colleagues from across the state. Leaders representing their UniServ Units were: Kathy Williams, representing Great River UU; Kevin Ericson, president Mid-Iowa UU; Roberta Hass, president NEIEU; Alan Young, president of DMEA; Joel Bishop, president of Hawkeye UU; Mary Siepker, president of Lincolnway UU; Geneva Grooters, representing Northern Pride UU; Rodney Hilpipre, president of Polk Suburban UU; Mendy Bringman, representing Unit 9 UU; Dan Meyer, president of Unit 2 UU; Marlin Jeffers, president of Siouxland UU; Tom McLaughlin, president of Southwest UU; Diane Blom, president of Unit 10 UU; Nancy Notton-Stumpff, president of East Central UU; Oscar Ortiz, representing South Central UU; Tom Petaros, president of JDC UU; Sunny Story, representing Cedar Wood UU; and Gail Myers, president of Geode UU. Again our elected leadership team, Jan and Randy were a part of the group.


Our agenda for the UniServ Presidents was: Regional cooperation (and training); Budgeting and carry-overs; NEA offer for Unit Board training/operating on a "strategic" level.

Both groups--Large 8 Local Presidents as well as the UniServ Presidents had a great exchange. Team ISEA is fortunate to have such committed leaders working on our behalf throughout the state! Thanks Team ISEA leaders for all that you do every day!
***PLEASE NOTE: AEA and Higher Ed members present at Legislative Kickoff also took advantage of meeting for meals while at the weekend conference!***

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