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Summer Academy 2009: Sessions
SUMMER ACADEMY TRAINING SESSIONS
Course 1) Bargaining A-Z

This course will help both inexperienced and experienced bargaining committee members deepen their understanding of the entire bargaining process, from beginning to end. General course topics will include: promoting union values through bargaining, committee selection, surveying members and setting priorities,drafting proposals, bargaining law, table techniques, communicating with members and the public, and building bargaining power through member mobilization and action.

If minimum enrollment levels are met, participants will be split into specialized courses tailored specifically for ESP, Teacher, and Technical College bargaining committees. These specialized workgroups will include topics such as: interest arbitration, bargaining strategies for part-time workers, negotiating professional development and PI-34, bargaining group benefits, costing, and understanding school funding and budgets. Course participants will also take part in mock bargaining and other interactive exercises emphasizing strategies to build union power through member mobilization and action.
Note: This course will cover changes to the collective bargaining law should they be enacted in Wisconsin. WEA Trust will participate in this course.

Bargaining Certificate Credit: 16.5 hours of Bargaining Skills Core (Any credit hours earned in excess of the 20-hour Bargaining Skills requirement may be applied to the Elective requirements).
Course 2) Contract Enforcement-Basic

Bargaining great contracts is useless if we can't enforce them. Local leaders and building representatives can help build stronger local unions by learning the advocacy skills needed to effectively enforce local collective bargaining agreements.

This course covers: the elements of the grievance process; how to write, file, and process a grievance; and how to organize around a grievance utilizing member-to-member communications. This course is designed for those with little or no grievance experience.

Bargaining Certificate Credit: 10 hours of Contract Enforcement Core and 6.5 hours Elective
Course 3) Contract Enforcement-Advanced

Bargaining great contracts is useless if we can't enforce them. Local leaders and building representatives can help build stronger local unions by learning the advocacy skills needed to effectively enforce local collective bargaining agreements.

This course covers: complex grievance issues and evolving case law, preparing for higher step grievances (school board and grievance arbitration levels) and related WERC issues. It will also include information on organizing members around complex grievances. This advanced course is designed for those with experience filing grievances or who serve as a primary local grievance officer or committee chair.

Bargaining Certificate Credit: 10 hours of Contract Enforcement Core and 6.5 hours Elective
Course 4) Bargaining Group Benefits

Bargaining over benefit issues is always a challenge. Understanding the basics of plan design, risk pooling, factors affecting premiums, state, and national trends, regulation and common employer strategies will help negotiators meet the challenge.

This workshop will review these basic concepts as they apply to health insurance, post-employment benefits, dental, life, long-term care and other commonly negotiated benefits. It will also include interactive exercises on building the union's case for quality benefits at the table, arbitration, and public arenas. WEA Trust and WEA Trust Member Benefits will participate in this course.

Bargaining Certificate Credit: 16.5 hours of Bargaining Skills Core (Any credit hours earned in excess of the 20-hour Bargaining Skills requirement may be applied to the Elective requirements).
Course 5) Emerging Voices

You are an Emerging Voice if. . .you are a new member of the Association or are contemplating getting more involved; you do not hold an officer position but might commit to one after knowing more about the organization; you believe that being a teacher or ESP goes beyond your classroom/building duties; you believe in social justice and want to be involved in ensuring that Wisconsin maintains quality public schools; you want to know how the Association can help you to become a better professional, leader, and advocate for quality public schools, the children who attend them, and the staff who work there.
This course will emphasize hands-on learning to better understand and experience the organization. It will include covering the Association structure, organizing, professional development issues of your choice, and programs and resources within the Association in engaging, informative, (and yes, fun!) ways. WEA Trust Member Benefits will participate in this course.
Course 6) Activists and Advocacy: Uniting Members for Action

THIS COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED
You are an Activist if. . .you are already involved with the union and you are ready for change; you are ready to be more active in your local; you are interested in working with fellow members to get things done; and you want to learn more about building local action teams.

We know that change won’t happen unless we unify our members and communities to act for change. This course will explore ways your local can create strategies for success.

Topics include: understanding and framing the issue (such as our union's priorities); creating a local action plan (getting started)' "member-to-member" communications, volunteer recruitment techniques and planning events; turning out member participation, organizing local actions, post-action review, and recognition and follow through. Participants will take part in a variety of interactive exercises emphasizing strategies to build union power by unifying members for action.

Bargaining Certificate Credit: 10 hours Elective
Course 7) Local Leadership Development

You are a Local Leader if. . .you are an elected officer and you want to know more about running your local. This course is specifically designed for local governance officers to provide a framework to develop a plan for the upcoming year and understand the tools and resources available to assist their local. Topics will include: understanding the local's participation in actions around the strategic priorities; fiscal roles and responsibilities of all officers; local, state, and national political action; reaching members with effective communications; the NEA, WEAC, and UniServ interrelationship and more.

In breakout sections, leaders can learn more about how to run a meeting and parliamentary procedures; how to develop a budget, establish good internal controls and form a review committee; how to develop a local PR plan; how to develop and modify your constitution, bylaws, and policies for an effective local; leadership recruitment and development and using technology and social media. Local leaders will return with ideas and plans to organize and build the capacity to be successful in meeting the needs of their members. Teams are welcome, but space is limited; all registrations will be forwarded to the WEAC President for approval in order to distribute participation across the state. WEA Trust Member Benefits will participate in this course.

Note: This is a "green" course - no paper handouts! If you sign up for this course, you will need to bring a laptop or arrange to share one with another participant. We will provide a memory stick with all handouts and presentations.

Course 8) NBPTS Candidate Preparation

This course is designed for members interested in pursuing National Board Certification. Participants in this course will learn: 1) A general overview of the assessment process including making a manageable timeline and creating a support system; 2) The kinds of thinking and writing expected for the NBPTS process; 3) The power of videotaping your teaching; 4) Analyzing student work; 5) The assessment center exercises; and 6) Your contributions to the profession. In other words, this course will focus on the key points of preparing candidates before the school year begins.
Course 9) NBPTS Facilitators Institute

THIS COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED
This course is designed for National Board Certified Teachers. Participants in the Facilitators Institute will learn to provide assistance to teachers seeking National Board Certification. The course will be facilitated by National Board Certified trainers and will focus on all aspects of candidate support. Individuals who participate in this course will be able to conduct quality candidate support. This is for NBCTs currently providing support, as well as NBCTs who are planning to provide candidate support.
Course 10) WEAC Licensure Support Toolkit Training

This course is designed for members interested in professional development organizing and support. Participants will learn to provide assistance to teachers and pupil services professionals in meeting the requirements of their licensure process. Participants will receive a Toolkit including a flash drive and a CD with all relevant information necessary to provide union-sponsored high-quality licensure support. Features of the course include: Professional Development Plan (PDP) Overview & Goal Writing Courses, PDP Overview and Goal Writing Training Materials, Goal Approval Courses, and PDP Verification courses.
Course 11) ESP Professional Growth

Here is your opportunity to work towards your ESP Certificate in this course full of professional development, and to learn how to negotiate rewards for your professional development efforts.

Learn how to work closely with another professional (support staff or faculty) in the highly animated and sometimes stressful conditions of the classroom, especially the special education classroom, which can give rise to relationship issues. Discuss the best ways to maintain a positive, productive, and enjoyable working relationship in the context of the classroom and school community. You will learn how to enhance your presentation skills. Whether you are presenting your point of view to a colleague or presenting a new product or program to the school board, you'll be prepared. Learn the techniques and skills to bring you the confidence of Barack Obama when speaking.

This course will provide practical skills on some of the technology that continues to spread into our professional and personal lives. Learn more about the differences in Microsoft Office Suite 2003 and 2007, particularly focusing on Excel, Publisher, and loading digital images. Participants will have the opportunity to explore these programs hands-on in a computer lab. Come prepared with specific questions should you have them.

Finally, you will discover how you can be rewarded for your professional development efforts and dedication to your career. Learn how to negotiate incentives into your contract for your continuous effort to enhance your profession and your school.

PDA ESP Certificate: 5 hours Communication Core and 5 hours Elective (Technology)
Course 12) Creating a Campaign Success

THIS COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED
This course will cover strategies and best practices for referendum, issue, and community outreach campaigns. Emphasis will be on effective communication techniques with both members and the community. From practical knowledge to skill development, you'll work through the process to develop and implement a successful campaign.

This course will focus on a practical example, how to create a successful referendum campaign. Using this practical example, the skills and knowledge can be applied to other types of issues or community outreach campaigns.

The course will include: exploring referendum options and alternatives; understanding the law; laying the groundwork for a successful campaign; mapping a communications plan; shaping your message; communicating through the news media and new media; and coalition-building strategies (panel discussion). WEA Trust will participate in this course.