We Celebrate You!
Thank you!
I truly appreciate all who were able to join us this morning for our virtual ESP Celebration. I hope you felt seen, heard, and valued because you are. Thank you to all education support processionals who make a difference every day in our schools, universities, and communities! Learning couldn’t happen without the work we do.
#iearespect #onejobshouldbeenough #neaesp
Operation Swing State
The Illinois Education Association has partnered with a group called Operation Swing State to help connect our members with Harris/Walz election efforts in Wisconsin and Michigan.
On Friday, the IEA Board of Directors voted to concur with the NEA’s decision to recommend Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for president and vice president in the upcoming election. As you probably know, most believe the decision on who succeeds President Joe Biden in the oval office will come down to seven swing states – Wisconsin and Michigan are two of the seven.
If you’d like to help in the effort, IEA and Operation Swing State will be providing buses to bring volunteers to Wisconsin and Michigan to knock on the doors of fellow likely voters and encourage them to vote for the Harris/Walz ticket.
Here are the details for meeting spots and registration links:
- Oct. 12 – Michigan: Meet at the IEA Matteson office (4747 Lincoln Mall Dr.) by 8 to leave by 8:30 a.m. Register here.
- Oct. 19 – Wisconsin: Meet at the IEA Rockford office (7029 Rote Rd.) by 8:30 to leave by 9 a.m. Register here.
- Oct. 26 – Michigan: Meet at the IEA Matteson office (4747 Lincoln Mall Dr.) by 8 to leave by 8:30 a.m. Register here.
If you’d rather take part in other actions, visit the Operation Swing State website for additional opportunities.
Relational Organizing and the One-on-One Conversation
Two Sessions | 6 to 8 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 16 and Wednesday, Sept. 18
| Relational Organizing and the One-on-One Conversation examines how personal relationships and interactions enhance leadership capacity, engage members, and drives successful organizing and contract action campaigns. In this course, we will learn the basic principles of relational organizing, why it is important to leverage strong and weak networking ties, and how to build strong coalitions that drive successful campaigns. We will also delve into the specifics of various 1:1 conversations, including the ISHUAY method of engaging. This course is broken into two parts, and will be delivered through on-line lecture, videos, role-playing activities and group discussions, offering a comprehensive learning experience that provides opportunities for 1:1 conversation skills development. Although not required, there will be several videos we strongly encourage you to watch to prepare for each session to enhance your learning journey. Participants will: Learn basic relational organizing principles, Learn the importance of relational organizing in the workplace and community, Learn how to leverage strong and weak networking ties to build capacity and power, Gain practice experience through case study and interactive exercises. Target audience: This workshop is ideal for union activists, local leaders, committee chairs, building representatives and anyone interested in developing personal relationships and networking strategies that can drive change. Facilitators: IEA UniServ Director Crystal Bush and IEA Organizer Ursula Gruber Location: Zoom |
September Board Meeting Advocacy
Happy Weekend
Each month many education/member advocates travel to Springfield and come together to bring issues effecting members and advocate for the changes and results we seek to improve the climate and working conditions of educators from across Illinois.
- NAMI Illinois – National Alliance on Mental Illness presentation
- Legislative Report – Legislative Update, Supporting upcoming election, Undo Tier 2
- Committee Report share out – Aspiring Educators, Early Career, Education Support Professionals, Higher Ed, NEA Directors, President’s Support Team, Retired
- Sub-committee’s Report share out – Mental Health and Wellness, IEA Budget, IEA & NEA Representative Assembly Planning, Internal Operations, New Chair Discussions, Organizing, Racial and Social Justice
Thank you to all who give up their valuable time with family and self to support and advocate for their union family.
Strategic Communication Skills for Education Leaders
Participants will receive a $500 STIPEND upon program completion.
| Registration is open for a first-of-its kind professional development program created exclusively for Education Leaders and is being offered through the IEA Palatine Region Office. Strategic Communications Skills for Education Leaders: Supports lifelong learners who are committed to continuing personal and professional development. This innovative program develops intercultural leadership skills to cultivate inclusive and productive relationships in increasingly diverse and complex environments. Focuses on individual critical thinking skills and self-reflection. In this program, participants learn to (1) analyze difficult personal and professional situations and (2) enhance their ability to work effectively in uncertain times with individuals of diverse backgrounds and beliefs. Training Program Schedule: Five sessions beginning Sept. 28. Four in-person sessions and one shorter online Zoom session: Sat., Sept. 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 12, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 2, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Nov. 23, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. TBD, online Zoom (approximately 1-2 hours) |
| Learn more about the program and share the brochure with others who may be interested! Any questions? Please contact Sandy Wall, associate staff in the Palatine IEA office. |
Early Fall Workshops
| The Art of Organizing: Core Skills, Basic Principles and Strategies for Building Power Tuesdays | Sept. 10 and 17 | 6 to 8 p.m. Location: Zoom Whether you are new to organizing or looking for a refresher, this course will provide you with a basic understanding of the fundamental principles and practices that drive successful mobilization and power-building campaigns. This course will address barriers to organizing, provide an understanding of basic organizing terminology and examine the crucial distinction between goals, strategies, and tactics. This course introduces the concept of power and how to leverage power to engage and mobilize members. Participants will: Learn the basic principles and terminology of organizing. Learn the difference between goals, strategies, and tactics and how these elements interrelate and contribute to effective organizing. Gain an understanding of the concept of power, how power is built and maintained, and the role power plays in organizing. Who will benefit? This workshop is for those new to the concept of organizing and those seeking to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance their ability to mobilize and engage union members. All members are invited to participate. Facilitators: Lakilia Bedeau, IEA Organizer, Springfield Office and Crystal Bush, J.D., UniServ – ESP |
ESP Insider
Happy Labor Day! Thank you for all you do for our students, families, and colleagues!
And The Fight Still Continues!
Unions have won many benefits for workers, including:
- Eight-hour work day
- Higher wages
- Improved health care
- Safer working conditions
- Better pensions
- Employment protections
- Paid sick leave
- End of child labor
- Weekends
If you enjoy any of these…you can thank a union!
IEA Education Support Professional Council 