The Advocate - May 15, 2019

1. President's Message: This is Only the Beginning
2. School Board Elections: Vote by May 21^st
3. Election for PAT Executive Board Director Position
4. Building and Classroom Moves - Article 19 of Our Contract
5. Student Debt Workshop – Monday, May 20^th
6. Social Justice Social: Building Sanctuary - Thursday, May 23^rd
7. Educators of Color - End of Year BBQ – Thursday, May 30^th
8. LGBTQ Summit – Friday, June 21^st
9. Don't Miss the OEA Summer Conference!

May 8^th was electrifying—over 25,000 teachers, parents, students, and community supporters rallying on the waterfront and marching through downtown.

Thousands more filled the streets in Eugene, Medford, Bend, and Klamath Falls. Educators even took over the Capitol in Salem driving home our message, that it’s time to fund the schools our students deserve.

The Portland Association of Teachers Political Action Committee (PAT PAC) is proud to announce its endorsements for the May 2019 School Board election.

The PAT PAC endorsement panel consisted of eight educators along with OEA staff. The panel considered the following criteria while making their endorsements: support for collective bargaining; commitment to educator voice; knowledge of education issues such as standardized testing and disrupted learning; commitment to racial equity; advocacy for strong, fully-funded public schools; and electability.

The PAT Nominations and Elections Committee announces that an election will be held for one Executive Board Director position.  This is necessitated by a mid-term vacancy.  The term of the interim position is August 19, 2019, through June 30, 2020.

A nomination form (including the Candidate Statement) is due by 4:30 PM, June 12, 2019 at the PAT office, to be included in a flyer for distribution at the August 19, 2019, PAT RA.

Per PAT bylaws, the election will be by vote of the elected representatives at the August 19, 2020, PAT Representative Assembly.  Any PAT member may run for election to this position.  Nominations close at 10:00 AM on August 19, 2019. 

The nomination form and the Election Handbook are available at the PAT office or under "Forms" on the PAT website.

The PAT Advocacy Committee reminds you that Article 19 provides compensation for packing and unpacking if your move is due to a District reconfiguration or change. Within your building, you are entitled to payment if your administrator directs you to move classrooms/offices after the school year has begun or for the second year in a row.

If your move is the result of typical Spring unassignments because of a reduction in positions in your building or program, or is the result of your voluntary decision to apply for a transfer, payment is not required.  See the FAQ on Building and Classroom Moves and Article 19 of our contract for specific information.  

Is student debt dragging you down? It is one of the most serious financial challenges facing educators today. 

NEA Member Benefits and PAT want to help. Join us to learn how to:

• Take advantage of the Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs (Teacher Loan, Perkins Loan, & the Public Service Loan Programs)
• Use the new NEA Student Loan Forgiveness Navigator Tool (SAVI) to determine if you are eligible for a federal forgiveness program and how much you could potential reduce your loan debt
• Focus on some basic financial essentials and basic financial planning

This event is free to all PAT members. A light dinner will be served. 

Date: Monday, May 20, 2019 
Time: 4:30 - 7:00 PM
Location: PAT Office,  345 NE 8th Ave., Portland, OR 97232)

Find out more - download the event flyer.

RSVP here.

The rise of anti-immigrant policies, hate speech, and violence in our communities affects all of us in the classroom. This impacts our students whether they are immigrants themselves, belong to mixed status families, or are disturbed by these threats. Educators know how important it is to make classrooms more inclusive and welcoming. This event is the second part of a continued work session on building toolkits for classrooms and talking with other educators about our experiences.

By talking about immigration in positive, productive ways educators can disrupt the xenophobic messages around us!  We hope to see you there!

Thursday, May 23^rd  at PAT
4:30-6:00 PM

RSVP here. 

Join Diamond Law Training and LGBTQ union leaders, staff, and members for our 5^th annual ACUTE training. Participants will learn the current legal landscape for LGBTQ and trans issues, deepen bargaining and organizing skills, develop and create affinity caucuses with new friends and allies from across the Pacific Northwest, and more! Special guests include our keynote speaker, the Honorable Fay Stetz-Waters, and Intisar Abioto of The Black Portlanders taking event photos. Allies welcome.

The event is Friday, June 21^st, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM at SEIU 49, 3536 SE 26^th Ave. View the full agenda. 

PAT is sponsoring fifteen spots for members. If you are interested in the code for free registration, please email: Suzanne Cohen [email protected]. Lunch provided.

Are you an educator of color? Don’t miss the end-of-the-year mixer and BBQ, Thursday, May 30^th. The event starts at 4:30 PM at the PAT Office, 345 NE 8th Ave.

RSVP here.

From our buildings to our school boards to the state capitol, OEA members have made it clear this year that we are ready to stand up and fight for our students, our communities and our colleagues.

Join fellow OEA members from across the state at the OEA Summer Conference from July 30^th to August 1^st at the Riverhouse on the Deschutes in Bend, Oregon to build on this momentum, and to make plans for the 2019-2020 school year.

This year the Summer Conference will include sessions on: professional practice, organizing, advocacy, bargaining, equity, leadership development, and communication skills.  Building reps, PAT committee members, and PAT members who are simply looking to get more involved in the union should consider attending.  You can review the conference brochure to view all of the conference offerings. 

Registration ends June 26^th.