Fall Colors and the Changing Times
I am one of those folks who hates the end of summer and the cooler temperatures. While I love the beautiful treescapes and the colors that nature gifts us this time of year, I am always a little melancholy for the warmth of the sun and longer days. Daylight savings time is upon us, bringing much shorter days and more strategic decisions on how to use the little light we still enjoy. This time of year also signals change – the end of summer, the start of fall/winter, and the way we approach our lives and schedules. I am reminded of how change is inevitable and necessary for rejuvenation and growth as the leaves drop all over the lawn.
As with nature, all good organizations change and evolve over time to remain relevant, visionary, and vibrant. As the external world is a little chaotic at best right now, your MEA is thinking about how we continue to provide you the best support from your union and communicate with you in a timely and efficient way without potential interference. To do that, your union needs to change how it provides you essential information and updates. To that end, MEA is asking you to provide us your personal email address and personal cell phone number. There is a QR code on page 30 in this issue of the Maine Educator that will take you to a form to provide your union with an accurate way to contact you on issues of importance to you as educators and union members – your contract, Maine or federal legislative action, breaking news, etc.
Why are we asking you for your personal email and personal cell phone number?
Because we want to make sure we can contact you with sensitive information in a secure and direct way – in a way that is private to you. Your work email is a public email and not subject to any expectation of privacy. Your union wants to provide you with timely and complete information about issues of the moment. The most efficient and secure way to do that is via a personal email address or personal cell phone number.
Will MEA protect my personal information?
Absolutely. MEA has always held member information as confidential and only uses it for union business and purposes. We do not sell contact information or other data we collect to outside third-parties. We value the trust you place in us to represent and support you.
What happens if I don’t provide MEA this information?
While we do our best to provide updates to all our members, there may be some topics that we only communicate via personal email addresses or personal cell phone numbers to protect the relationship between you and your union. MEA wants to be a trusted source of accurate and timely information. Providing us your personal contact information allows us to be ahead of the curve on breaking or sensitive information.
As a community, we have lots of challenges ahead, and we need to be connected more than ever. Please scan the QR code on page 30 in this magazine to update or provide your personal information today.
As always, MEA is here to help navigate turbulent times. We appreciate all you do for your students, public education and your communities.
Together, we will continue our mission!
All the Best,
Rachelle
