Friday, September 17, 2010

Welcome New Members

Welcome New Members
Kent County Education Association


The Kent County Education Association (KCEA) is inviting all new and not so new association members to a New Member Welcome Night.

New Member Welcome Night is to be held:

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

KCEA/MEA Building
Assembly Room
3205 Eaglecrest Drive NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49525

There will be food and beverages provided for your enjoyment.

The program will consist of Information, Questions and Answers regarding:
MESSA Field Services
Wellness
Legal
The Executive Office

Reservations deadline September 21, 2010 to:
Gloria Klyce, KCEA Field Assistant
Phone: 616-957-1944 or 800-472-7857
Or-
Email:
gklyce@mea.org

We hope to see you there!

Friday, September 3, 2010

MEA PAC Information

MEA-PAC needs your help!

Support candidates who support public education.

Every decision that impacts public school employees is made by an elected or appointed official. That's why it is so important that local associations and individual MEA members get involved and stay involved in the political process.

Your contributions to MEA's political action committee (PAC) help support pro-education candidates in local, regional, and statewide races. If you choose to contribute to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education, that money is spent on federal candidates.

Here's the 411 on PAC:
Federal campaign finance laws do not allow for dues money to be used for PAC. The law also prohibits the mingling of dues dollars with PAC dollars, which is why PAC money must be contributed separately.

MEA-PAC money is spent on recommended candidates. Recommendations come from local, regional, and statewide member screening and recommending committees, the MEA-PAC Council, and the state president. In short, candidates are chosen by members just like you!

PAC money is also given to both the Republican and Democratic House and Senate caucuses. Candidates receive support based solely on their positions on issues pertaining to public education and public school employees.

Forty percent of all MEA-PAC money collected is returned to the local coordinating council PAC to support candidates in local races, including school board, city council, and judge races.

NEA PAC money is spent on federal candidates, including president, U.S. senators and representatives. This year, Michigan's 15 representative seats are up for election.

Independent PACs, like MEA-PAC, are limited in the amount of money they can give candidates. For each statewide candidate in a statewide race, such as governor, MEA-PAC can give up to $34,000. For state Senate candidates, the candidate limit is $10,000, and for state House candidates, the limit is $5,000 each.
You can make your MEA-PAC contribution online at www.meavotes.org .

Thursday, September 2, 2010

MEA Election Recommendations

MEA Votes E-Newsletter -- Sept. 2, 2010
Election 2010: MEA announces recommendations in several statewide races

Our collective political action makes a difference and helps us improve our students' lives, public education, and the education profession. And don't forget: Nearly every decision that impacts students and staff in K-12 public schools, colleges, and universities is made by an elected or appointed official.

So, when it comes to the Nov. 2 general election, we want you to know which candidates support public education. And which candidates are recommended by MEA members who screened them and decided whether to recommend them to you.

Check out recommended candidates at www.meavotes.org.