Geode Education Association Spring UniServ Assembly

On Monday evening, April 30th, Associate Executive Director for Field Services Randy Richardson and I headed south on Hwy 216 (then east on Hwy 34) to Mt. Pleasant for Geode's Spring Assembly. It was a special treat for me (not to drive), but it is so great to have someone to visit with on the long stretches of highway. Randy is "good company"! The meeting was held at Tazza Bella (a neat coffee shop with lots of antiques) right on the town square in Mt. Pleasant.

Geode UniServ President Gail Myers (seated at left/listening to a speaker) led the assembly. Also pictured (on the right) is Geode's Secretary, Ed Basow. Both Gail and Ed are teachers in Keokuk.













My message centered around "What a Difference an Election Makes". I shared a few of the educational successes of the 2007 General Assembly and connected that to the importance of contributing to both ISEA-PAC and NEA-PAC. We had an increase of 10% of members contributing to ISEA-PAC this year. We hope to build upon the successes of this General Assembly and have a minimum of 70% of our members contributing to ISEA-PAC next year! Participation in NEA-PAC contributors grew by 25%.

Associate Executive Director Richardson (standing at right) shared details of the "new and improved" Teacher Quality Law with Geode members. In addition, Randy challenged all of us to build our membership. Setting the statewide goal of 1,000 new members, Randy shared with each Geode local exactly how many new members that would mean to them.


President Gail also led the effort in raising funds for expenses for Geode delegates that participate in the upcoming NEA Representative Assembly in Philadelphia. Geode UniServ Board members and UniServ Director Suzy Card all donated items used for a "silent auction". After writing a check for my two items, they let me leave town!










I love visiting Geode--so many good friends and great leaders! I have visited so many of you on your Community College campus and in your classrooms, you are indeed a special group! Thanks for all you continue to do as leaders on Team ISEA!