2008 Minority Involvement Program
MEA members receive training, inspiration at Minority Involvement Program conference
Marsha Smith, a health and physical education teacher and team leader from Rockville, Md., talks with Pam DeGryse, a member of MEA's Board of Directors, at MEA's Minority Involvement Program event April 19. Smith, who serves on the National Education Association's Executive Committee, led a workshop, encouraging members to use their life experiences to build leadership skills. "Find a role that fits best for you," she said
As a newer MEA member, Robert Gaines III didn’t waste time getting involved in his local association.
He stepped up right away—and now he wants other young members to do the same thing.
On April 19, Gaines attended MEA’s Minority Involvement Program, where he hoped to learn more about the association and leadership. About 45 members attended the event, which offers training and networking opportunities for members.
“I’d recommend this event to anybody,” said Gaines, a Farmington paraprofessional who joined MEA about a year ago. Gaines is a local association steward who attended the event to learn how to help other newer members get active in the union.
Presenters Delores Penton, left, and Chuck Mendoza led a workshop about message development at the Minority Involvement Program, which was held at MEA's headquarters building in East Lansing. Penton and Mendoza are part of an NEA training cadre that helps members learn how modern advertising can alter the public's attitudes about public education.
Theresa Stokes, a Portage bus driver for almost 20 years, attended the Minority Involvement program to learn more about MEA. She said she received a lot of information, plus a dose of inspiration from presenters.
“(They told me to) just keep striving for your dream,” Stokes said, “to just keep working towards it.”
Workshops on message development and leadership were offered.
Marsha Smith, a member of the National Education Association’s executive committee, led the leadership session. Recounting her life’s experiences, Smith said each person can learn from successes—and challenges—to develop leadership skills.\
“You have to find what you feel you can do and determine how far you can go,” Smith told participants. “Find a role that fits best for you.”