Bring More civility into our lives

As we reflect on the horrors of Arizona and look forward to honoring the peaceful contributions of Martin Luther King, I hope we can look at bringing more civility into our lives. As you interact with students, parents, colleagues and administrators...please add a dose of kindess to the discourse. I do believe that kind acts do pay forward...like the movie and that neat commercial on tv. Enjoy your long weekend.

NEW BLOG CONTEST: Or as Christine Heslop calls it "No, Rick you don't look 59". Sorry Christine...you don't win.

To enter, go to www.nea.org and Click on the "Tools and Ideas" icon at the top and email me: rick@ogdenweber.org with ideas you find there.

Thanks Rick

Fact Finding Process for OEA negotiations

Letters were delivered to President Don Belnap and State Supt. Larry Shumway informing them of our intentions to mutually (with the OCSD) request the appointment of a "Hearing Officer" for our fact finding. The OEA also gave both parties a list of possible Hearing Officers. It is now up to Supt. Shumway to work with the OEA and OCSD to determine who will serve as the Hearing officer. I am visiting with Jordan Education Association's staff today to discuss their fact finding procedure and look at their "hearing evidence". We will start working on our presentation now as we wait for a hearing officer to be chosen.

Today's "Blog Contest 2.0:"60 is the new 50 contest" entry is to visit the Future Educators website at www.futureeducators.org and email me (rick@ogdenweber.org) with the location of the FEA International Conference. Our association (your dues dollars) are sponsoring two of our FEA advisors, Suzy Davis (OHS) and Joan Iverson (Bonneville H.S.) to the conference. WSU is also sending their advisor, Stephanie Heath and several WSU students.

OEA Negotiations to Ask for Fact Finder

OEA President Doug Stephens requested that the State Supt. of Education, Larry Shumway, appoint a hearing officer to facilitate "fact finding" for the Ogden Education Association and the Ogden City School District. We have failed to reach an agreement through the use of mediation. Letters were also sent to OCSD Board President Don Belnap and Supt. Zabriskie asking for fact-finding. OEA sent a list of acceptable hearing officers and the district and the OEA will mutually agree on one. Jordan Education Association was the first local association to go to fact finding earlier this year and reached an agreement with Jordan School District to receive "steps and lanes" on the salary schedule. OEA members rejected the negotiations proposal at a "general membership" meeting last Monday evening at BLHS. We will keep you informed as the process moves forward.

Today's blog contest entry: Go to the NEA Member Benefits website: http://www.neamb.com/ and email me with the most popular part of the site (hint: lots of savings) Make sure you register if you have not already. Thanks Rick

NEA Western States Regional Conference to be held in SLC this Weekend

Several members and leaders from WEA and OEA will be spending Friday, Saturday and Sunday in SLC at our annual NEA Western States Regional Conference. They will hear speeches from our NEA President, attend local meetings, leadership sessions and open hearings.

To enter today's Blog Contest...better know as "heal Palmer's broken ego". Go to the UEA website at www.myuea.org and click on the "member login" icon to see some of the many ACCESS savings. Email me your favorite savings or coupon. Another good place to access savings for members only is www.neamb.com

If you have lost your ACCESS UEA Membership card or never received a new one, please call Tina at 399-4746 at our UniServ office.

Thanks

OEA membership rejects negotiations proposal

Last evening the OEA membership rejected the district proposal for negotiations after much debate, questions and answers. We will now investigate the next step which is fact-finding. Thank you to all that attended the OEA membership meeeting. If you have any questions please email me: rick@ogdenweber.org or Doug Stephens: stephensd@ogdensd.org

I will post more info on this blog as things happen.

To enter our new and improved 2011 "make Rick forget he is turning 60 this year" contest, please go to the new UEA Website: www.myuea.org and click on the politics and legislation icon. Go to the "Under the Dome" site and click on "contact your legislator". If you do not know who your Utah State Representatives are (Each of you has a house member and a senate member) use the tool located there to find them (you put in your address and it does it for you).

Please email me with your Utah State House member and Utah Senate member to enter the blog contest. Gift cards will be drawn for at our February meetings. Multiple entries are encouraged...I am hoping you bookmark my blog site or make it your homepage to keep up on legislative news daily.

Thanks Rick

Also if you ar

Enter the Blog Contest Today

Today marks the first day of our new and improved 2011 Blog contest. Please email me with your entry at rick@ogdenweber.org

To enter please answer this question: Would you rather receive the "Great Harvest Bread and Cookie Coupons" or would your rather have us sponsor a "movie day" where we rent a movie (Walker Cinemas in North Ogden) for a family morning of free movies and reduced refreshments.

Each email entry will go into the drawing at our February WEA and OEA AR meetings.

We will give away 25.00 gift cards.

Thanks for reading the UniServ blog.

Rick

Please Attend OEA's Negotiations Ratification Meeting, Monday, January 10, 4:15 pm @ Ben Lomond High Auditorium

Please access all OEA Negotiations proposals, salary schedules, and ratification meeting information at our website: www.ogdenweber.org

See you Monday.
Rick