Much of the union’s work is accomplished by PAT members serving on committees, benefiting all our colleagues and every Portland student. We would love to have you join us on a committee that interests you!

Committees meet semi-monthly at PAT (345 NE 8th) from 4:30 – 6:30 PM, and we provide dinner. Upcoming dates are listed below. If you are interested in joining a committee, please fill out this interest form and we will put you on the right mailing lists!

• Social Justice and Community Outreach (SJCO) Committee members strengthen ties with other labor and community organizations and conduct open forums on topics like Special Education, Immigration Rights, and Climate Justice. Next meeting: September 13th
  
  
• Racial Equity Committee is composed of educators of color whose goal is to build organizational capacity within PAT to honor, acknowledge, and center the lived experiences and stories of educators, along with students of color, within our union and inside PPS. Next Meeting: September 20th
  
  
• Substitute Teacher Committee discusses best practices for substitute teachers and supports the bargaining team. Their work, along with our collective efforts, helped PAT win the strongest Substitute Teacher contract in Oregon. Next meeting: September 27th
  
  
• Membership Committee offers workshops to help PAT members with issues such as student loan forgiveness, retirement planning, and interview skills for the transfer process. It also plans member activities such as the annual PAT “Party in the Park” and Retiree Reception. Next meeting: September 27th
  
  
• Instructional and Professional Development (IPD) Committee meets with PPS leadership monthly to advocate for better district-wide programs for all PAT members. Next meeting: September 13th
  
  
• Legislative Committee works to support local legislation, elected leaders, and candidates for elected office who share our values, so that educators can influence our government to recognize the needs of our students and our profession. Next meeting: September 14th
  
  
• PAT PAC is Portland Association of Teachers' Political Action Committee. It is a voluntary, nonprofit, unincorporated association of individual educators and others and is not affiliated with any political party.  PAT PAC's purpose is to elect to office candidates who are interested in the development of a better educational system in Oregon and Portland Public Schools. Next Meeting: September 14th
  
  
• Nominations and Elections Committee ensures that each PAT member has a fair and easy process for the election of PAT leaders and for the ratification of collective bargaining agreements. Next Meeting: September 20th
  
  
• Bargaining Committee* supports the Bargaining Team, including helping to develop, research, and vet bargaining proposals. It consists of members who work in a variety of job roles, with various lived experiences. Next meeting: September 27th
  
  
• Advocacy Committee* reviews contract exceptions, and ensures that our contract is being followed. They meet with the district monthly to discuss widespread issues around the contract. Next Meeting: September 13th
  
  
• Contract Action Team (CAT) is the vehicle that leads our contract campaign to win a transformative contract. CAT is open to interested members at each school who want to get involved in bringing together educators and parents in collective action to win a new contract. Sign up below on the form to be connected with your CAT Zone Captain and Site CAT leads.

If you are interested in learning more, email PAT Vice President, Jacque Dixon at [email protected].