Officers' message
Please plan to attend the August 19, AAEOP meeting. This is your opportunity to voice your opinion about the contract and vote on its ratification. The meeting begins at 3 p.m.; educational office professionals will be released (supervisors will be notified) in order to attend this important meeting. We anticipate many excellent questions and good dialog about the contract. Mark your calendar and be in the north cafeteria at Auburn High School by 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 19, for YOUR contract ratification meeting!
On May 26, I received a note of thanks from Judy Seidmeyer, AAEOP's PSE field rep. Judy extends her thanks to AAEOP members for, ". . . prayers, get-well wishes, and the gift certificate." Although she had a set back, she is out of the hospital and working on getting her strength back.
Our congratulations Dave Halford (ARHS) and Lenny Holloman (WAHS) who have been hired to fill the positions being vacated by long-time professionals, now retirees, Bruce Phillips and Brad Sprague. Best wishes to the retirees as well as the new principals!
Premera rates are increasing 12.5% and Group Health is 9.5% for the 2010-11 school year. Currently, if you have Group Health you will not be able to switch to Premera, nor will you be able to switch from Premera to Group Health, due to the rules of Health Care Reform. Although we are hopeful this will change, for now there is no switching from one carrier/provider to another. You will; however, be able to change plans within Premera. Many thanks to Ann Gilbert (AAEOP's insurance representative) for providing timely information about this important benefit.
You are encouraged to enjoy the journey while you learn; grow personally and professionally; help others reach their potential; earn points for a Professional Standards Program (PSP) certificate upgrade, recertification, or new application; and/or participate in the apprenticeship program. Your elected board members are available to help you take steps toward professional and personal growth--contact either of your co-presidents or any other member of the board for support in reaching your goals!
The first year of my two-year term as WAEOP's Area 7 Director is about a quarter over. I'm not certain about time "flying," but there are days it sure feels I have to run faster to keep up! I attended the WAEOP summer board training meeting (in Connell, at the home of WAEOP's immediate past-president) August 6 and 7. Soon, the WAEOP membership chair will host a meeting to gather ideas about recruiting, serving, and retaining WAEOP members. Ideas from members and non-WAEOP members will be welcomed. Please, contact me today to say you would like to be part of the team that helps develop innovative strategies for the state-level, professional association designed exclusively for employees in educational offices!
Thank you for visiting YOUR association website; we hope you visit it often and find information on the site to be useful. Visit the state (WAEOP) and/or national (NAEOP) association website for more information about services, activities, and learning opportunities. Every AAEOP member who is working on a their apprenticeship program may also be working toward a Professional Standards Program certificate at the same time (if you have not yet earned your PSP certificate). Classes for your apprenticeship may also count for recertification and/or upgrades to PSP certificates. Belonging to the state and national professional associations that make it possible for you to give yourself a pay raise and that support your professional and personal growth speaks highly of the value you place on yourself and your career. Join or renew today! Cris Cruickshank recently sent membership application forms to all members; however, if you would like another one, contact her and she can get one to you right away.
One person. . . one search. . . "one" can make a difference. You can help raise money for the Auburn Food Bank by choosing to search the Internet with GoodSearch. Do you have a favorite search engine? Why not try this one? You may choose to make this a FAVORITE! Click the link that follows, indicate your search is to benefit the Auburn Food Bank (or another favorite charitable cause), and search as you normally do. http://www.goodsearch.com/Default.aspx
Deyanna King, co-president