Meeting Minutes for Sept. 13, 2011

Attendance: Barr, Bayor, Blackwell, Brandle, Callahan, Cumba, Curcio, Dehler, DiStefano, Einbinder, Feingold, Franzese, Friedman, Garcia, Gloskin, Gottlieb, Greenberg, Halstead, Hoffman, Jance, Johnson, Karwowski, Kellerman, Leventon, Lowenfels, Mann, Martin, Masur, Millstein, Nobles, Pagnozzi, Rattien, Ristorucci, Rosenblum, Rosenstein, Rosenstrauch, Schkrutz, Shulman, Silvera, Singletary, Smith, Spielvogel, Stulberg, Tokar, Weinstein, Zuckerberg

Agenda: School Budget/Galaxy - Amy Arundell; Organizing Committee 2011–2012; Internal Communication - Deidre McFadyen; Reaching New Teachers; Revisiting Our Survey - the ABCs; Political Action; Good and Welfare

Amy Arundell - School Budgets: Amy passed out four handouts, which can be downloaded, from Chapter Leader Tools - Budget Guide:

Appendix B Galaxy Allocation Table
Appendix C School Budget Summary
Appendix D Galaxy Table of Organization- School Leadership View
Guide For School Budget Consultation

Amy said that we must emphasize that principals have a contractual obligation to meet in the spring and fall to discuss the budget with the chapter committee. The spring meeting is to discuss the projection for the next school year and the fall discussion is about what actually is in the budget. The budget should be part of monthly consultation. Things are always changing. The committee should be part of the discussion about modifications to the budget. Monthly meetings are a good way to influence decision-making.
The CL should get Appendix D- Galaxy Table of Organization from the principal. The document is password protected and the CL should not distribute it to members. Appendix B and C are for public consumption and may be distributed. If a principal does not give The Table of Organization to the CL, the DR should be advised that the principal is an obstructionist and refuses to cooperate.

The three most important parts of the document are:

Per Diem
Per Session
OTPS

These are the most fluid funds.

Amy had to leave the meeting early. She was called to Tweed on an emergency. Before she left, she discussed the situation at P S 114 in Brooklyn where there was gross mismanagement. The CL had data and prevented the school from being closed. The case won the UFT friends on the City Council. We must emphasize the importance of keeping records.

Remember, if the principal refuses to cooperate about the budget then article 8C is violated and the DR will advise if a grievance will be filed.

Organizing Committee 2011 – 2012 - The upcoming meeting schedule was distributed. The November 1 meeting must be rescheduled.

Internal Communications - Director of Member Communications Deidre McFadyen was introduced to the group. It was suggested that DRs add Organizing Committee members to their email distribution list. Michael said that there should be more discussion on the narrative and how it would be helpful to the group. We will be meeting to discuss ways to enhance communication for the Organizing Committee.

Reaching New Teachers: Several members suggested ways to reach out to new members:

Portfolios
Speakers
Buddy System
Read NY Teacher
Visit cafeteria for a Q & A
After School Happy Hour
Talking Points

Revisiting Our Survey: The members felt that it was a good guideline for yearly evaluations. We should begin to work on these ABCs immediately, as we go into schools.

Political Action: Members were urged to go to the phone banks to show support for the UFT candidates. Queens Organizing Committee members were given sheets to make phone calls following the conclusion of our meeting. Several members went to Wisconsin and discussed their experiences. If anyone is interested in going to Ohio for the upcoming elections, let Mike or Leroy know. The emphasis will be on legislation and not recall. There is a 12-14-day commitment.

Good and Welfare: Time sheets and expense reports were distributed. New members were introduced to the group.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

Respectfully,

Judy Rosenstein