10 | KNOW • Volume 9 Issue 1

HOW TO GET THE

out of your GAE MEMbERSHIPmost

Each day, your membership means the world to the 1.7 million students in Georgia’s public schools. It’s because of your membership that GAE is able to continue the fight for quality public schools on the local, state, and national levels. Because of YOU, things are changing for the better.

Our mission is clear. We’re here for you—to help you, protect you, and support you. Educators join GAE for many reasons. Some join to save money. Others join for our legal protection. And still more will join because they believe in the advocacy work that must be done at the Capitol. Whatever your reason for joining, we’re glad you’re a face on educa-tion’s frontline.

Now, we want to help you get the most out of your membership. To get you started, we’ve pulled together a few helpful reminders.

Know your GAE UniServ Director1Help When You Need It, Where You Need It

Across the state, GAE has an expert team of professional advocates. We call them

UniServ Directors (or UDs, for short). Your GAE UDs live and

work in your hometowns. They know your schools and visit

them often. You may or may not have ever met

your UD, but they know you and will

be there ASAP if ever you

need them.

So what’s a UD?

Many things. Part legal ace. Part negotiator. Part friend when you need it most. ALL there for you. Your GAE UniServ Director is a dedicated expert in education policy. They’re skilled in helping you navigate tough situations. And they’re trained specialists in member defense. Most important, they’re fighters. And they’ll be there to fight for you if ever needed. That’s the kind of resource you want in your corner.

In addition to that, GAE UDs are masters at organizing and mobilizing members. When there’s an issue—whether statewide or localized to your school—they’ll be there to share what works and help you mobilize around the issues dearest to your heart.

Want to be the best of the best? Your GAE UDs can help with that. Throughout the year and around the state, your UDs offer specialized workshops and innovative professional teaching and learning trainings—from classroom management to how to handle difficult conversations. And still more UDs are trained to help members learn to lobby and advocate at our state capitol.

Regardless of specialty, UDs represent your best interests at meetings—from TRS to DOE and the PSC. We’ll make sure you’re represented.

0 50 10025 Miles

www.gae.org/know | 11

Meet Your GAE UniServ Directors

* indicates that UniServ Director specializes in Professional Teaching & Learning

** indicates that UniServ Director specializes in Government Relations

How are UD territories divided?Great question. Some local associations are really big. others are still doing their best to grow. A UD’s territory is based on total membership number and not necessarily geo-graphical territory. this means you might have multiple UDs working in one really densely populated member area. You might also have one UD covering multiple local associations. It all evens out. Why do we do that? Simple. every GAe UD must be able to provide the best possible help and service to GAe members. As the number of members increase, so do the number of problems and situations that need addressing. Here’s the bottom line: no matter where you live and work, your GAe UniServ Director will be there to help you build a strong local, organize around issues, and stand with you and for you when you most need an advocate. Promise.

Our North Service Center856 oak StreetGainesville, GA 30501-3570Phone: 770-297-6364 800-275-8094fax: 770-297-6368linda lang, Administrative Assistantlinda.lang@gae.org

Our Metro Service Center100 Crescent Centre Parkway, Suite 500tucker, GA 30084-7050Phone: 678-837-1100 800-282-7142fax: 678-837-1150Sally Swift, Administrative AssistantSally.swift@gae.org

Our West Service Center1916 Dawson RoadAlbany, GA 31707-3806Phone: 229-438-1700 866-861-7262fax: 229-438-1990

Our East Service Center24 Joe Kennedy Blvd., Suite 2Statesboro, GA 30459Phone: 912-681-7451 888-574-5410fax: 912-681-4526elaine taylor, Administrative Assistantelaine.taylor@gae.org

Tricia Audrain*678-837-1101, tricia.audrain@gae.orgAreas Served: organization of DeKalb educators (DeKalb), Rockdale

Shavondra Averett*478-474-9131, Shavondra.averett@gae.orgAreas Served: Butts, Crawford, Griffin-Spalding, Henry, lamar, Monroe, Pike, talbot, thomaston/Upson

Joe bell**912-238-1752/1753, Joe.bell@gae.orgAreas Served: Bryan, Chatham, effingham, evans, liberty, long, McIntosh, Montgomery, tattnall, toombs, Vidalia City

Rachel blankenship*770-607-5857, Rachel.blankenship@gae.orgAreas Served: Bartow, Cartersville City, Bremen City, Cherokee, Cherokee School employees, floyd, GA School for the Deaf, Gordon/Calhoun, Haralson, Paulding, Polk

Deede Chatelain**706-651-9206, Deede.chatelain@gae.orgAreas Served: Barrow, Clarke, Columbia, Commerce City, elbert, Greene, Hancock, Hart, lincoln, Madison, McDuffie, Morgan, oconee, oglethorpe, Rutland Center, Social Circle, taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes

John Dobrenic**912-638-4993, John. Dobrenic@gae.orgAreas Served: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, echols, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, lanier, Pierce, telfair, Ware, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox

Tayia Donald*678-837-1122, ayia.donald@gae.orgAreas Served: organization of DeKalb educators (DeKalb), State Department of education

Karen Floyd*770-783-2000, Karen.floyd@gae.orgAreas Served: Atlanta City, Douglas

Fred Gould706-695-6140, fred.gould@gae.orgAreas Served: Catoosa, Chattooga/trion, Chickamauga City, Dade, Dalton City, fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Pickens Support Staff, Rome City, Walker, Whitfield

Velesa L. Henton**229-438-1700, Velesa.henton@gae.orgAreas Served: Brooks, Colquitt, Cook, Crisp, Grady, lee, lowndes, Pelham City, thomas, thomasville City, tift, turner, Valdosta City, Worth

bob Holland**706-596-0713, Bob.holland@gae.orgAreas Served: Carroll, Carrollton City, Chattahoochee, Harris, Heard, Marion, Muscogee, troup

Ahrien Johnson678-837-1141, Ahrien.johnson@gae.orgAreas Served: Decatur City, Georgia Perimeter College, organization of DeKalb educators (DeKalb)

Karen Jones*770-480-0199, Karen.jones@gae.orgAreas Served: Clayton

Dr. Felecia Lee*706-364-3661, felecia.lee@gae.orgAreas Served: Richmond

Karen M. Lovett*912-681-7451, aren.lovett@gae.orgAreas Served: Baldwin, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Dublin City, emanuel, Glascock, Jasper, Jefferson County, Jenkins, Johnson, Jones, laurens, Putnam, Screven, treutlen, twiggs, Washington, Wilkinson

Wanda Lynn*478-987-2180, Wanda.lynn@gae.orgAreas Served: Bibb, Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, GA Academy for the Blind, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Schley, taylor

Tana Page **678-560-3947, tana.page@gae.orgAreas Served: Cobb. Kennesaw State University

Mark Perez678-837-1131, Mark.perez@gae.orgAreas Served: Cobb eSPs, fayette, fulton, Marietta City, newton, Walton

Michael Sears *678-837-1134, Areas Served: Coweta Certified, Coweta-eSP, Meriwether, Student Program Coordinator

Pete Toggerson **770-367-0744, Pete.toggerson@gae.orgAreas Served: Buford City, Gwinnett, United School employees

Rosa Ward **229-438-1700, Rosa.ward@gae.orgAreas Served: Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Decatur, Dougherty, early, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, terrell, Webster

Willa Vire*706-779-0329, Willa.vire@gae.orgAreas Served: Banks, Dawson, forsyth, franklin, Gainesville City, Habersham, Hall, Jackson, Jefferson City, lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, tallulah falls, towns, Union, White

12 | KNOW • Volume 9 Issue 1

Connect with GAE2

www.gae.org: Our website and your new homepage away from home. Check here daily for breaking news, latest developments, special programs, even scholarships and travel savings. There are two sides to this website: public and private. On the private side, you’ll find member-only information, deals, and resources. To access this special information there are no secret handshakes, but you do have to login.

How do you sign in to the member’s only site? Easy.

Okay, for the sake of argument, your name is now Jane Smith. Take the first initial of your first name. Add that to your full last name (jsmith). That’s your username. Your password is the last four digits of you social security number.

We’re also on Facebook. Join GAE—and members from around the state—for a little chatter on what’s happening in the world of public education. On any given day, you can join in on conversations about politics, share what’s working in your school, talk about what kind of educator you want to be, and along the way find plenty of inspiration. It’s a great way to get instant updates and cutting-edge news while becoming part of our community. Plus, it’s just fun to be friends. Check us out. Go to Facebook and search for Georgia Association of Educators.

Love to communicate in 140-characters or less? We do, too. In fact, GAE is rocking the world of Twitter these days. This is a great way to get instant news on what’s happening at the Capitol or about educator events right in your area. Find us at GeorgiAEducator.

www.voicesforrealchange.org

Really want to make a difference in the future of public education? Boy do we have the group for you. Half website, half social network. All advocacy. Voices For Real Change connects you directly to other GAE members who want to make an impact. We’re mobilizing, organizing, and doing all we can on behalf of public schools. Here you can learn how to be an effective advocate. Ask burning questions. Share brilliant ideas. Brainstorm with other educators. This is the place for ACTION.

TM

Voices for Real ChangeRallying together to support funding for Georgia’s public schools

Knowledge is POWER. The best way to know what’s happening in your profession is to get connected with GAE. We want to make sure that you have access to all the information and resources you need to make informed decisions—on everything from your career to how to save the most on life insurance through special educator-only programs.

So let’s take a look at ways to connect with GAE.

Have you updated your GAE Profile today?

one of the most powerful tools for change you have is your email address. funny, but true. never underestimate the power of a good email address. to stay informed, you need to update your GAe profile with your personal email address. there’s lots of sensitive in-formation that we can’t send to your work email—for your protection and ours.

If you want to know what’s happening in YOUR Association, give us your EMAIL.

How will we use your email address? first of all, we never, ever share your email address with anyone else. from time to time—when the news is urgent or action is needed—we’ll use your email to keep you in the loop. other than that, you choose how often you hear from us.

GAe offers a number of super informative e-newsletters. Choose from Professional teaching & learning tips; new teacher tips; Deals and Savings; legislative Alerts; and Get Involved at GAe. Just sign in to your profile and select what you want.

www.gae.org/know | 13

Members receive two, free 30-minute legal consultations through the GAE attorney referral program. Get help with wills, consumer protection, even traffic violations.

GAE funds more than $600,000 per year in legal defense fees and funding for member cases. A typical school board or PSC hearing can cost up to $12,000.

Relax. We’ve got your back.

Save Real $$$ Grow through innovative workshops.

4

3 5

Focus on doing your job. We’ll focus on keeping you protected. Sometimes bad things happen to good educators. If there’s ever a problem, your GAE UniServ Director will be there—backed by the full force of your GAE’s legal protection. Yes, we’ll be there to help you navigate any sticky situation. GAE will automatically defend you and provide $1 million in liability insurance.

We can’t say it enough. If there’s a problem, know what to do:

Remain Calm. Hold your temper. Resist the impulse to vocalize an immediate defense. Take careful notes of any discussions. Tell your immediate supervisor that you will think things over and respond later.

Don’t RESIGN. Once your resignation is accepted, you may have canceled any further rights you might otherwise exercise. In some instances, resignation can be used in civil or criminal action as evidence of an admission of guilt.

Don’t Sign Anything Under Pressure. Politely refuse, saying you need time to think it over. If you are ordered to sign under threat of insubordination charges, sign the document, adding a statement that you disagree with the contents and are signing under duress.

Don’t Involve Others. Until you talk with GAE, it’s best to keep quiet.

Contact GAE ASAP.

Being a member of GAE means having access to some fantastic savings, special deals, and programs designed just for you. We know you have a lot of things going on in your world, but we highly recommend you find a few minutes with a computer to peruse the savings your membership brings.

Need a car? Through your membership, you have access to Car Connection. They’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for at the price you want to pay…and they do all the leg work. Or maybe you’d like a better deal on your cell phone. Yep, we’ve got that covered, too. From cleaning services and oil changes to travel discounts and special financing options…there’s

a world of options for you to consider. Before you make your next purchase, check to see if your membership will help pay for it. Chances are, it will.

Okay, okay…just one more resource for you: NEA Member Benefits. Visit www.neamb.com when you’re looking not only for great deals, but for sound advice. From helping you make the best decision on everything from life insurance to home financing options, Member Benefits has you covered. You’ll also find special programs designed just for NEA members. Save on car insurance, credit cards, and even pet insurance.

To start saving, log on to gae.org.

GAE offers professional teaching and learning workshops around the state and throughout the year. We keep the calendar posted at GAE.org, so check it out.

We offer a slew of trainings—from Bullying and Sexual Harassment Prevention to the Art of Difficult Conversations. Plus, we’re constantly adding new workshops to the list. We can even bring trainings right to your school.

A few of our workshopsNEA’s KEYS to Excellence for your schools

C.A.R.E. (Culture, Abilities, Resilience, Effort)

Bullying and Sexual Harassment Prevention

Classroom Management

Find the Right Balance: The Ideal learning Environment for Success

Special Education Strategies: Meeting the challenges of teaching students with academic and behavioral difficulties

The Art of Difficult Conversations

Reaching the Struggling Learner

True Colors

GAE GACE Workshops

Need to expand the areas you can teach and want to pass the GACE test on the first try? Sign-up for a GAE GACE training today!

Did you KNOW?

14 | KNOW • Volume 9 Issue 1

12 NEA Click & Save

This program pulls together some of the best deals out there. Take advantage of hundreds of exclusive offers available every day through NEA Click & Save. Just register or sign in to start shopping! New offers are added every day and you can set e-mail reminders for your favorite merchants so you’ll be notified in advance of upcoming sales and discounts.

Push for change.6Whether you’re a classroom teacher or a bus driver, we’re all united by our commitment to and passion for our students. We believe in public schools and in the professionals who work for them. Not only are you experts in your field, but you’re also the chief advocates for the changes you want to see.

Yet it’s hard to be in two places at once: your school and the Capitol. Enter GAE. We’re here to be there when you can’t; to

carry your voices to the decision makers; to push for change and to protect against anything or anyone determined to destroy public schools.

GAE will be there at the Capitol to lobby on your behalf. We will be your watchdog, guardian, and champion. While we’ll be there when you can’t be, we do still need you to become a advocate. Start by being informed on the issues. When we call on you to take action (for example, sending emails to your legislators), make it a priority. And when we call for members to join us to lobby at the Capitol, be there.

A Crash Course on How to Use Your GAE Membership Card.

The GAE ACCESS Program

Find discounts at local restaurants. Save on services like your cell phone or home remodeling. You can even clip online coupons for your next grocery store run. Eager to cut your costs, use your card.

ACCESS SAVINGS PLAN

membership cardwww.gae.org

M E M B E R S H I P N U M B E R

VA L I D T H R U

Janice Member12345 678910 1234508/31/11

A n A f f I l I At e o f

membership card

ACCESS SAVINGS PLAN

Carry it. Use it. Save with it. Your GAE membership card doesn’t just give you access to great savings, it’s a symbol of your dedication to your profession and your belief that every child deserves the opportu-nity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Share NEA Click & Save with Your Friends and Family. Give the gift of NEA Click & Save to your friends and family. Click & Save members can invite 4 friends to join. Just register or sign in and click on the “Invite a Friend” button.

Two Things You Gotta KNOW

Professional teaching & learning Conference

feb. 18-20, 2011Savannah, GA Register today!

Apply for a 2010-2011

GAe foundations Scholarship.

to learn more, check out

www.gae.org.