Determined MEA members brave elements to attend Bargaining/PA/PR Conference in Detroit
MEA communications consultant Rosemary Carey offers advice in the Getting Out Your Message on Bargaining session at the Bargaining/Political Action/Public Relations Conference.
Baldwin teacher Stewart Nasson drove through sleet, ice and heavy snow last week to attend the MEA Bargaining, Political Action and Public Relations Conference in downtown Detroit.
He spent 5 ½ hours negotiating the 250 miles to the Cobo Conference Exhibition Center Hall on the Detroit River.
MEA board member Susan Russell of Oakland University’s Professional Support Association covered fewer miles but endured the same hazardous driving conditions. “I came in from Rochester, and just that took two hours.”
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Pam Schultz from the Columbia EA in Jackson County was involved in an accident en route to the conference that totaled her car. She escaped injury but hitched a ride with the State Police into Detroit.
And so it was, as 1,300 determined MEA members braved the elements to attend the association’s premier conference Feb. 7-9, there were only a handful of cancellations.
Members came to learn new skills that will help them shape the future of public education. And they weren’t disappointed.
“This has just been wonderful,” said Nancy Grigsby, a third-grade teacher from Muskegon Mona Shores attending her first Bargaining/PA/PR Conference. “As a newcomer, it’s interesting to see how everything works and to see how really strong we are as an association.
Olivet teacher Doug Thering, chair of the MEA Republican Caucus, and Almont teacher Sigrid Grace, chair of the MEA Democratic Caucus, explain why MEA members from both parties should get involved in political action.
“I’m leaving the conference thinking that all of us are in good hands with MEA. The sessions I attended proved to me that we sure have good staff people, who provide us with great support, sound advice and good legal counsel. This helps us all stand together to promote and support public education.”
The conference also exceeded the expectations of Paw Paw elementary school teacher Derek Vanderburg, attending for the first time. “Excellent. I’m going to be on our bargaining team in the future, and this training has been invaluable. I hope to return next year.”