CAT Tracks for March 5, 2005 IEA RA REPORT

The Illinois Education Association has concluded its 151st Representative Assembly...

DUES INCREASE

Last year, the delegates were faced with resolving a financial crisis brought about by a major loss of investment revenue due to the collapse of the stock market in 2000-01 and a leveling off of membership growth. To avoid a one-year membership dues increase of $100, the delegates focused on a two-year "fix" which combined budget adjustments and less drastic dues increases. The increase last year was $37. On Friday morning, the delegates voted the second installment...a dues increase of $12 for the 2005-06 school year. The "good news" was that the delegates voted down a proposal to implement a $17 dues increase. (The "good news" is in quotes because the additional $5 was to have paid for the hiring of UniServ Directors in Regions which are having to share services due to a "freeze" on new hiring in the "budget adjustments" from last year. Those regions do NOT consider this "good news"!)

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

On the local front, Julie Newell came up short in her bid to represent Illinois as a member of the National Education Association's Board of Directors. Julie ran a strong campaign and drew rave reviews for her efforts. All of the candidates ran "high road" campaigns, stressing positives ideas for the future of the NEA and avoiding any negativity...for which they are to be complimented. The delegates to the IEA RA voted in "the men" over "the women"...the "certified" over the "non-certified". This is NOT to discredit the delegates - the IEA has shown strong inclusiveness over the years on a state level. It's just the FACT...the three men who ran were teachers and the two women who ran were Educational Support Professionals. Women broke into the ranks of NEA Directors years ago, but if Julie had been elected, she would have been the first ESP. Hopefully, Julie's efforts will make the next attempt by her...or another ESP...a bit easier!

Run-off elections dominated the day. However, the ultimate winners were:

-President: Ken Swanson
-Vice President: Bob Blade
-Secretary-Treasurer: Cinda Klickna
-NEA Director: Al Llorens, Gary Miller, and Mike Orr (who lost an attempt last year by 1 vote!)

The electees will take office this summer...following the NEA Representative Assembly.

Weaver Wows Crowd The featured speaker on Saturday was NEA President Reg Weaver. Admittedly "preaching to the choir"...Reg gave his usual stirring performance, challenging the United States to place a monetary priority on public education to match its rhetoric...in other words, to put its money where its mouth is!

Incumbents Bid Farewell

Tearful farewell speeches were given by Secretary-Treasurer Martha Bowman (who chose not to run for re-election) and President Anne Davis (who served the maximum two terms). Both shared their fond memories of over 30 years of service and their sadness at leaving their educational "family". WELL DONE...and BEST WISHES...to Martha and Anne! They will be missed...

From the IEA web site...

Ken Swanson Elected IEA President

3/5/2005

ROSEMONT, Ill., - An elementary school science teacher from Belvidere has been elected to head the state's largest education employees union.

Delegates to the Illinois Education Association's (IEA) annual Representative Assembly elected Ken Swanson president of the 120,000-member organization that represents teachers, school support staff, and higher education instructors and support staff.

Swanson said he was honored by the delegate's vote.

"With the rights and benefits of education employees under attack, this is a difficult time for our organization, and I am honored that IEA members have chosen me to lead the fight. As president, I promise to work tirelessly on behalf of education employees," he said.

Delegates to this week's meeting in Rosemont also elected other officers and IEA delegates to the Board of Directors for the National Education Association (NEA).

Robert Blade, a language arts teacher from Greenup, was elected IEA vice president and Cinda Klickna, a high school English teacher from Springfield, was elected secretary- treasurer.

Al Llorens, a high school mathematics teacher from Taylor Ridge, Gary Miller, a high school physical science and astronomy teacher from Williamsville, and Mike Orr, a driver's education instructor from Rockridge, were elected members of the NEA Board of Directors.

Swanson will assume the IEA presidency from the retiring Anne Davis on July 15, 2005.