Spring RA
Peggy McLellan, For MEA secretary-treasurer
MEA Secretary-Treasurer Peggy McLellan, a teacher from Reese, has served
many key roles over a 30-year career in education, including: president, vice
president, secretary, negotiator and grievance chair for the Reese EA; secretary
and nominations committee member in her region; MEA Board member,
president and vice president of the MESSA Board, MEA Communications
Committee chair, Legislative Commission and Summer Leadership Planning
Committee member; member of the Midwest Leadership Conference Planning
Committee.
I believe that the key to leadership lies not in making decisions for members, but in assessing where the members want to go and finding the best way to take them there. I am very much aware of my role as a “servant leader” who works for, and is accountable to, all members.
I also believe that good communication is at the heart of my service to members and to that end I initiated a series of “Budget Bits,” articles about various aspects of the budget process, to help RA delegates make informed decisions about the MEA budget.
This year, I conducted listening sessions around the state to determine our members’ priorities, and I developed a budget that invests in those priorities while reducing the needed revenue and allowing for a sizable contingency fund.
Building the budget is only one part of my service to members. I have also had the opportunity to train local treasurers, conduct budget hearings, serve as an alternate NEA director, visit locals to discuss MEA services, and demonstrate with members in crisis.
That personal contact with members is essential, and while I will continue streamlining the budget and allocating dues to member priorities if re-elected, I will also take every opportunity to meet and communicate with members in person. That’s a promise.
MEA members gave me a tremendous challenge and a tremendous honor in electing me two years ago. They also made a huge investment in me—an investment of time to get up to speed in a very challenging job, of trust that I was capable of doing the job, and of funds to allow me the training and the travel necessary to serve them.
I have embraced the challenge and worked hard to give members a return on their investment. I now have two years’ experience on the job, and I am equipped to continue serving members in an even greater role. I am eager to bring MEA members, leaders and staff together to set and achieve the goals that will make us the strongest and clearest voice for public education in Michigan.