New Hire Events!
New educators never forget the friendly face on orientation day who made them feel welcomed. Walking onto a new campus—or into a new profession—is an exciting and overwhelming time. Personal connections matter. This fall MEA locals around the state hosted new hire events to welcome new educators in their districts.
*TIP: Don’t forget to debrief and follow up! New Hire Orientations are only the first impression, they should not be your ONLY impression. Make sure to create a plan with your locals and building representatives to engage with all new hires throughout the year.
Union Bulletin Boards
A union bulletin board at school is a great space to share about your local and all things union organizing. Some contracts guarantee locals get bulletin board space to communicate with bargaining unit members. Make sure you take advantage of this key opportunity to communicate with your unit!
*TIP: Keep your board fresh and relevant. Post updates about upcoming meetings, give shoutouts to members, and highlight wins or workplace issues. It’s also a great way to spark interest from non-members and invite them to join!
Community Engagement
To kick off the school year and the first football game of the season, members of the SAD 49 Teachers Association turned game night into a celebration of community and connection. With food trucks, family-friendly activities, and plenty of school spirit, the event brought together students, families, educators, and community members for a fun and meaningful start to the year.
*TIP: Our voices are stronger when they’re raised together. Whether you want a show of force at a school board meeting or help with a community event, think about ways to build community-wide solidarity.
Whether it’s your nature to speak up loudly or to work behind the scenes, everyone has a role to play in our unions. Not sure where you fit in? Take this quiz to find out: https://bit.ly/NEAwhatunion
Your Fall Union Checklist
First appeared in NEA Today, August 2024. Edited by Samantha Burdick, MEA Communications Director.
A bigger union means a stronger voice for educators. Take these steps to build your team, flex your union muscles, and grow your union!
→BUILD YOUR TEAM
- Identify your site representative—also known as a building or union rep or steward. Say hi! And mark your calendar for the next building or site meeting.
- Introduce yourself to your new hall or department colleagues. Make them feel welcome!
- Join our online community. Find your local, state, and national unions on social media and follow them.
→FLEX YOUR MUSCLE
- Read your union contract. Circle parts you have questions about and meet with your union rep to learn more.
- Show that you are a union member. Get an awesome poster for your classroom and wear your local union t-shirt.
→GROW YOUR UNION
- Take the next step. We build union power by increasing membership. Talk to your building rep about getting involved in fall membership drives.
- Build your toolbox. Use NEA’s Organizing Toolbox Generator to get personalized tools and tips to support your union work—no matter where you are in your journey.
- Stay in touch. Text ORGANIZE to 48744 and NEA will send you monthly messages with the latest resources, seasonal campaign support, and tips to make your organizing work stronger.
→MEMBERSHIP TOOLKIT
The purpose of this toolkit is to help local associations grow their membership so, together, we can fulfill our
mission to work and educate students in the schools they deserve.
Visit: maineea.org/toolkits/
