Organize to Lead: Strong Worksite Leadership
Offered: January 19 - 22, 2017
Audience: Local Affiliate Teams
Educators must have a voice in the issues that matter most for students and for great teaching and learning. This begins with a firm belief that those closest to the work must have meaningful participation in decisions affecting their work. Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) changes provide many more opportunities to use teacher leaders in shaping policy and regulations impacting teaching and learning. The work requires a broader definition of leadership and must include diverse representation. Strong locals are created by engaging the membership in a strong worksite development strategy. Association leaders, no matter how strong they are, cannot single-handedly win the types of change that matter most to our members and potential members. Nor can individual leaders or staff reach members, potential members and activist needed to move the change. When structures are intentionally built to support organizational goals that grow a broad, diverse leadership, then locals create a stronger, more engaged membership.
Learn how one union has expanded, distributed and supported leadership opportunities in the worksite. Teams will learn how to build the credibility and value of union membership through the intentional identification and development of leaders and their engagement in a variety of programs and structures. We will highlight programs that develop leadership, leadership structures and leadership practices to broadly distribute leadership and engagement among members.
Teams in this training will:
· Explore leadership definitions, practices and beliefs
· Learn to intentionally identify, develop and engage leaders to determine the issues that matter most to them
· Understand structures and processes for engaging the maximum number of people in the work of the union
Local affiliates are required to attend as teams with 3 – 5 members. The teams may consist of local leaders, parents, policy partners, district partners and we strongly encourage the inclusion of local or state association staff. Each member of your team should come with a commitment to advance the project in their organization. Teams will be expected to share their progress and success after the training.
As a condition of being accepted to participate in the Institute, teams agree to share their organizing plan, dedicate resources to implement the plan, and provide reports on the team's progress.
Cost: NEA will cover the cost of hotel for 4 nights (January 18 - 21, checking out on the 22nd), breakfast and lunch on session days for participants, and program materials.
All additional costs are the responsibility of the participant. Session limited to 60 participants
APPLICATIONS: Applications are being accepted from affiliate teams via the following link:
https://goo.gl/forms/mR2qlVX9gDmVrJYr2
The application process also requires a letter of support. Details are explained in the online application form. Participants should not make travel arrangements until after a letter of acceptance is received.
Deadline for submitting applications is COB ET December 2, 2016.
Selected teams will be notified by December 9, 2016.
TEAMS
We encourage careful, intentional consideration of the make-up of teams and attention should be given to establishing a team that reflects diversity in ethnicity, gender, age and roles and responsibilities. We recognize that each organization has unique needs, so teams could include: association members, leaders, committee members, association staff and managers, school district representatives, and community representatives.
Teams should consist of individuals that can advance the project in their organization and will be expected to share their progress and success after the training. NEA will fund teams of 5 participants.
If space is available and the affiliate assumes the expense, additional team members may be welcomed.
LOCATION
The training will take place Thursday, January 19th through Sunday, January 22nd at the Montgomery County Education Association Center for Teacher Leadership in Rockville, MD.
SCHEDULE
The training will begin at 9:00am on January 19, 20, 21 & 22. The training ends at 4:00pm daily, except for January 22nd. On January 22nd we will end by 12:00pm and a box lunch will be provided.
TRAVEL
NEA will provide funding for affiliate teams consisting of up to 5 participants. The funding will cover the hotel costs, breakfast, lunch and snacks on days the Institute is in session, program materials and transportation from the hotel to the MCEA Conference Center.
All additional travel costs are the responsibility of the affiliate and are not covered by NEA.
Participants are expected to cover their own flight and transportation costs.
Participants will be expected to arrive on Wednesday, January 18th. The training concludes on Sunday, January 22nd at approximately 12:00pm ET.
Participants should not make travel arrangements until after a letter of acceptance is received.