2009 #7 Finance/Membership
The MEA Finance/Membership Department accounts for 7.77%, or $5,903,585 of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The department is staffed by a director, two controllers (one for MEA and one for MESSA), four supervisors and twenty support staff.
The Finance department manages all of the financial operations of MEA, MESSA and MEA Financial Services. Among its duties are preparing all information for the audits of the three companies as well as the agency shop audit, all of the IRS filings and all reports to the Department of Labor. The department also manages payroll for over 900 people, as well as fringe benefits for over 1100 current and retired employees.
Another duty of the Finance/Membership department is managing the accounting for the investment portfolios of MEA, MESSA, MEA Financial Services, the Staff Retirement Plan, retiree health, MEA-Retired, the Building and Site Fund, CAP Fund, Citizens for Education, PAC, the MEA Scholarship Fund and the Emergency Fund.
The department provides training to locals in the areas of accounting practices and fraud prevention and provides services to locals that request fraud investigations. Finance staff members also participate in staff bargaining, providing financial information to the bargaining teams.
The Membership Department manages the membership software system and provides training and support for Local Membership Chairs. The department manages MEA and NEA dues collection and assists with the MEA RA, providing credentials for delegates and support for the Credentials Committee in handling requests for waivers to the 60-day dues policy.
The Finance/Membership Department is also responsible for the “nuts and bolts” of running a business, such as insurance, utility payments, building maintenance costs, and banking fees.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
MEA Budget Bits # 5 & #6
2009 #5 Government Affairs
The MEA Government Affairs Department accounts for $3,459,039, or 4.55% of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The staff of the department consists of one director, six professional staff (four lobbyists, one retirement consultant and one campaign consultant) and five support staff.
The work of the Government Affairs Department includes lobbying government officials on matters related to public education, collective bargaining, and the wages, benefits and working conditions of public school employees. The department also provides opportunities and training to help MEA members get involved in electing and lobbying their elected officials.
The Government Affairs Department is also responsible for managing the MEA Political Action Committee, which raises funds to help elect friends of public education across the state.
2009 #6 Professional Development/Human Rights
The MEA Professional Development/Human Rights (PD/HR) Department, a division of the Field Services Department, accounts for 3.28%, or $2,491,219 of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The PD/HR department provides support services to local leaders, as well as to UniServ staff, in all areas of professional development, including compliance issues related to No Child Left Behind, such as Highly Qualified Teachers, Support Staff Certification and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
The department also provides funding for shared professional development and human rights projects in local districts. In addition, assistance and resources related to special education, certification and critical incidents training are available.
The PD/HR staff is responsible for planning and putting on MEA’s various professional development conferences, including the Instruction and Professional Development Conference, Summer Leadership Conference, Women’s Leadership Training and Social Justice Institute.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
The MEA Government Affairs Department accounts for $3,459,039, or 4.55% of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The staff of the department consists of one director, six professional staff (four lobbyists, one retirement consultant and one campaign consultant) and five support staff.
The work of the Government Affairs Department includes lobbying government officials on matters related to public education, collective bargaining, and the wages, benefits and working conditions of public school employees. The department also provides opportunities and training to help MEA members get involved in electing and lobbying their elected officials.
The Government Affairs Department is also responsible for managing the MEA Political Action Committee, which raises funds to help elect friends of public education across the state.
2009 #6 Professional Development/Human Rights
The MEA Professional Development/Human Rights (PD/HR) Department, a division of the Field Services Department, accounts for 3.28%, or $2,491,219 of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The PD/HR department provides support services to local leaders, as well as to UniServ staff, in all areas of professional development, including compliance issues related to No Child Left Behind, such as Highly Qualified Teachers, Support Staff Certification and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
The department also provides funding for shared professional development and human rights projects in local districts. In addition, assistance and resources related to special education, certification and critical incidents training are available.
The PD/HR staff is responsible for planning and putting on MEA’s various professional development conferences, including the Instruction and Professional Development Conference, Summer Leadership Conference, Women’s Leadership Training and Social Justice Institute.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
Saturday, April 25, 2009
MEA Budget Bit #4
2009 #4 Communication Services
The MEA Communication Services Department accounts for 5.44%, or $4,135,963 of the 2009-2010 budget. The staff in the department includes one director, two supervisors, three professional staff and 15 support staff.
The job of the Communications Department is to manage the flow of information about MEA to members and to audiences outside the organization. Members are kept informed through the MEA Voice magazine and Voice Online e-newsletter, frequently updated articles on www.mea.org, and some new social media technologies such as Facebook. In addition, e-mail updates and news releases are sent out to local leaders several times a week.
Regular news releases highlighting MEA activities or positions also go out to the media around the state, as do radio, TV and print ads. MEA has a monthly radio show on WJR in Detroit; the show is also carried by a number of stations around the state. If you drive the highways of Michigan, you’ve seen numerous billboards touting positive messages about MEA and public education.
The Communications Department provides public relations advice and training to MEA and its local affiliates to improve public images and manage crisis situations. Also within the department is the Creative Projects Team that designs, prints and distributes a wide range of materials for locals and the statewide organization.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
The MEA Communication Services Department accounts for 5.44%, or $4,135,963 of the 2009-2010 budget. The staff in the department includes one director, two supervisors, three professional staff and 15 support staff.
The job of the Communications Department is to manage the flow of information about MEA to members and to audiences outside the organization. Members are kept informed through the MEA Voice magazine and Voice Online e-newsletter, frequently updated articles on www.mea.org, and some new social media technologies such as Facebook. In addition, e-mail updates and news releases are sent out to local leaders several times a week.
Regular news releases highlighting MEA activities or positions also go out to the media around the state, as do radio, TV and print ads. MEA has a monthly radio show on WJR in Detroit; the show is also carried by a number of stations around the state. If you drive the highways of Michigan, you’ve seen numerous billboards touting positive messages about MEA and public education.
The Communications Department provides public relations advice and training to MEA and its local affiliates to improve public images and manage crisis situations. Also within the department is the Creative Projects Team that designs, prints and distributes a wide range of materials for locals and the statewide organization.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
MEA Budget Bit #3
2009 #3 Human Resources
The Human Resources Department (HR) accounts for $1,956,232, or 2.57% of the 2009-2010 MEA budget. Employees in this department include two directors, four administrative assistants and two support staff.
One job of the Human Resources Department is to represent MEA, MESSA and MEA Financial Services in bargaining with the staff unions, as well as maintaining staff contracts and supervising employment-related litigation. All grievances and arbitrations are handled by the HR Department; in addition, HR hires any actuaries and consultants who provide information for bargaining.
The Human Resources department is also responsible for all recruiting, hiring and testing of employees, as well as providing orientation for new employees. Staff members who take work-related classes receive their tuition reimbursement through HR.
The Minority & Women’s Intern Program and the UniServ Pre-Employment Intern Program have traditionally been managed by the HR department; beginning with the 2009-2010 budget year these programs will become part of the Field Services Department because these interns do UniServ work and are supervised in the field by UniServ managers.
Finally, the HR department provides training and development programs for MEA, MESSA and MEA Financial Services staffs and plans occasional special events for the staffs of the three companies.
Please feel free to call or write if you have questions.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
The Human Resources Department (HR) accounts for $1,956,232, or 2.57% of the 2009-2010 MEA budget. Employees in this department include two directors, four administrative assistants and two support staff.
One job of the Human Resources Department is to represent MEA, MESSA and MEA Financial Services in bargaining with the staff unions, as well as maintaining staff contracts and supervising employment-related litigation. All grievances and arbitrations are handled by the HR Department; in addition, HR hires any actuaries and consultants who provide information for bargaining.
The Human Resources department is also responsible for all recruiting, hiring and testing of employees, as well as providing orientation for new employees. Staff members who take work-related classes receive their tuition reimbursement through HR.
The Minority & Women’s Intern Program and the UniServ Pre-Employment Intern Program have traditionally been managed by the HR department; beginning with the 2009-2010 budget year these programs will become part of the Field Services Department because these interns do UniServ work and are supervised in the field by UniServ managers.
Finally, the HR department provides training and development programs for MEA, MESSA and MEA Financial Services staffs and plans occasional special events for the staffs of the three companies.
Please feel free to call or write if you have questions.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
MEA Budget Bit #2
2009 #2 Legal Services
The MEA Legal Services Department accounts for 6.67%, or $5,071,367 of the total MEA 2009-2010 budget.
The staff of the Legal Services Department consists of five attorneys, three support staff, one administrative assistant, and the MEA General Counsel, who manages the department and represents MEA as an organization in legal proceedings.
The staff attorneys provide representation to local affiliates and their members in any employment-related disputes (tenure cases or violation of due process, for example), and they give legal advice and assistance to UniServ Directors in grievance processing, arbitrations, employee representation, and collective bargaining. The department also provides legal training and updates to staff, local leaders and members.
The association liability insurance that protects affiliates in the case of embezzlement or fraud by leaders or staff is administered through the Legal Services Department.
The MEA Legal Services Department does not represent members in non-work related traffic violations or criminal offenses. However, some limited reimbursement of approved legal fees may be provided in the case of traffic offenses or criminal activity alleged to have occurred in the workplace or during the course of the member’s work day.
Please call or write if you have questions.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
The MEA Legal Services Department accounts for 6.67%, or $5,071,367 of the total MEA 2009-2010 budget.
The staff of the Legal Services Department consists of five attorneys, three support staff, one administrative assistant, and the MEA General Counsel, who manages the department and represents MEA as an organization in legal proceedings.
The staff attorneys provide representation to local affiliates and their members in any employment-related disputes (tenure cases or violation of due process, for example), and they give legal advice and assistance to UniServ Directors in grievance processing, arbitrations, employee representation, and collective bargaining. The department also provides legal training and updates to staff, local leaders and members.
The association liability insurance that protects affiliates in the case of embezzlement or fraud by leaders or staff is administered through the Legal Services Department.
The MEA Legal Services Department does not represent members in non-work related traffic violations or criminal offenses. However, some limited reimbursement of approved legal fees may be provided in the case of traffic offenses or criminal activity alleged to have occurred in the workplace or during the course of the member’s work day.
Please call or write if you have questions.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
MEA Budget Bit #1
2009, #1 Executive Office
Since some of our members often wonder what they get for their dues dollars, I’ve decided that this year’s Budget Bits will focus on the various departments at MEA and the services they provide. The first of the departments I’ll detail is the Executive Office, which accounts for 5.18% of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget, or $3,934,405. The Executive Office department comprises all of the governance operations of MEA. Let’s break it down a little.
The Executive Office budget funds the MEA Board of Directors and the MEA Executive Committee (the officers plus a group of 6 members elected by and from the MEA Board that hear legal appeals and act as the personnel committee; their decisions are subject to review by the MEA Board). Funding includes travel costs, loss-of-time and/or substitute costs, and meals for 6 meetings of each body per year.
The MEA Fall and Spring Representative Assemblies, as well as the NEA RA, are also funded out of this department. That includes the lodging, travel, meals and loss-of-time/substitute costs for around 600 RA delegates, in addition to rental of the Lansing Center and costs of printing and mailing RA documents.
All MEA Commissions, Committees and Task Forces are funded out of the Executive Office. This includes mileage, meals and lodging for members of 17 standing committees and various ad hoc committees. The Board of Reference, a panel of MEA members who render decisions on disputes within local associations, is also covered by the Executive Office budget.
The Executive Office is where affiliations with pro-education think tanks and alliances are funded. Membership dues for the National Council of State Education Associations, an organization that provides training for state association leaders, come from here as well.
Building Full Capacity Locals, a program that provides training for local leaders on a variety of topics, is now a part of the Executive Office; prior to this BFCL was part of the Field Services Department.
The Executive Office budget also pays the salary of the president of the United Staff Organization, the union that represents all of MEA’s professional and associate staff. The USO president is comparable to a full-time release local president whose salary is paid by his/her school board.
And yes, there is an actual place called the Executive Office; it’s home base for the three officers, the executive director and four administrative assistants. And while those four assistants do provide support for the officers and exec, they also handle all expense vouchers from the MEA Board, the Executive Committee, and the MEA and NEA RA’s; they plan and make arrangements for the MEA and NEA RA’s as well as the NEA Midwest Leadership Conference; and they coordinate all region elections and region council subsidies.
Please feel free to call or write if you have any questions.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
Since some of our members often wonder what they get for their dues dollars, I’ve decided that this year’s Budget Bits will focus on the various departments at MEA and the services they provide. The first of the departments I’ll detail is the Executive Office, which accounts for 5.18% of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget, or $3,934,405. The Executive Office department comprises all of the governance operations of MEA. Let’s break it down a little.
The Executive Office budget funds the MEA Board of Directors and the MEA Executive Committee (the officers plus a group of 6 members elected by and from the MEA Board that hear legal appeals and act as the personnel committee; their decisions are subject to review by the MEA Board). Funding includes travel costs, loss-of-time and/or substitute costs, and meals for 6 meetings of each body per year.
The MEA Fall and Spring Representative Assemblies, as well as the NEA RA, are also funded out of this department. That includes the lodging, travel, meals and loss-of-time/substitute costs for around 600 RA delegates, in addition to rental of the Lansing Center and costs of printing and mailing RA documents.
All MEA Commissions, Committees and Task Forces are funded out of the Executive Office. This includes mileage, meals and lodging for members of 17 standing committees and various ad hoc committees. The Board of Reference, a panel of MEA members who render decisions on disputes within local associations, is also covered by the Executive Office budget.
The Executive Office is where affiliations with pro-education think tanks and alliances are funded. Membership dues for the National Council of State Education Associations, an organization that provides training for state association leaders, come from here as well.
Building Full Capacity Locals, a program that provides training for local leaders on a variety of topics, is now a part of the Executive Office; prior to this BFCL was part of the Field Services Department.
The Executive Office budget also pays the salary of the president of the United Staff Organization, the union that represents all of MEA’s professional and associate staff. The USO president is comparable to a full-time release local president whose salary is paid by his/her school board.
And yes, there is an actual place called the Executive Office; it’s home base for the three officers, the executive director and four administrative assistants. And while those four assistants do provide support for the officers and exec, they also handle all expense vouchers from the MEA Board, the Executive Committee, and the MEA and NEA RA’s; they plan and make arrangements for the MEA and NEA RA’s as well as the NEA Midwest Leadership Conference; and they coordinate all region elections and region council subsidies.
Please feel free to call or write if you have any questions.
Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org
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