1. Now That I’m President, What Do I Do? (offered Sessions I & II)
PART 2 – 9/27-28 – 1-½ Day Workshop
For: Newly elected presidents
The job of an effective local president is the most challenging you’ll ever face in your association. This workshop is designed to help newly elected presidents identify those challenges, develop strategies to deal with them, and build a strong, effective association. We will discuss advocacy topics so you leave empowered and with all the information you need to lead your association.
This training begins prior to the start of the conference at 1:15 p.m. Participants should plan to arrive by 12:45 p.m.
* Since an additional training occurs in September the costs are higher for this workshop.
Commuter: $400
Double Occupancy: $500
Single Occupancy: $675
2. Vital Skills for Local Leaders
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: Local association presidents and leaders
This workshop is redesigned to include not only presidents but members of your executive committee, as well. As local leaders one of the most vital roles you play is that of organizer. In this workshop, you will learn skills from the presenters as well as from each other that will enhance your organizing skills to make your association not only survive but thrive! With the lens focused on membership, advocacy, and communication, you will work to create an organizing plan to implement in your association.
3. Leadership Development 101 – A Beginner’s Guide for Association Leaders
(offered Session II only)
For: All members
In this workshop, we will explore principles of effective leadership and team building, effective communication and listening skills, time and stress management, facilitation skills for leaders, the importance of change management, and leadership scenarios for association leaders.
4. Basic Treasurer’s Training
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: Local treasurers
In this workshop, you will learn the ABCs of being a local treasurer, including the fiduciary responsibilities of this important association role. We will cover building a budget and fiscal issues, implementing time management tools, taking the fear out of treasury audits and payroll, and laying the foundation for a computerized treasury. Lastly, we will go over the benefits of the Local Association Financial Assistance Program (LAFAP) form and learn how to complete a LAFAP through our online system.
5. Advanced Treasurer’s Training
(offered Session II only)
Prerequisite: Treasurers who have completed Basic Treasurer’s Training
This course is designed for the experienced treasurer interested in using Quicken® to maintain the association’s books and conform to Local Association Financial Assistance Program (LAFAP) reporting requirements.
Enrollment limited to 18 participants (one per local). Computers will be provided.
6. Grievance Processing I – Grieve, Don’t Gripe
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: Any member who is new to grievance processing
This workshop will introduce participants to the basic vocabulary, essential tools, complete process, and changing laws of grievance work from the local association level through court appeals. Problem-solving ideas and strategies will be reviewed through case studies illustrating specific solutions to real problems. Members will be asked to determine whether gripes are grievable or should be handled in other ways.
Participants need to bring a copy of their collective bargaining agreement.
7. Grievance Processing II
(offered Session II only)
Prerequisite: Grievance I workshop and/or knowledge in processing grievances
Participants will learn the following grievance processing concepts: past practice, clear versus ambiguous contract language, just-cause standards, management rights, maintenance of benefits, and duty of fair representation. Participants also will be trained on the differences between grievance, an unfair labor practice, a PERC hearing, or a commissioner’s case.
8. Grievance Processing III
(offered Session I only)
Prerequisite: Grievance II workshop and/or experience in processing grievances
Learn the skills needed for the local association to present grievances effectively at the board of education level—and learn why such presentations are necessary. Case studies and role playing will be utilized in group activities in order for participants to present a grievance to a board of education. Participants will write and present multiple grievances before simulated boards and make decisions on whether to settle or go to arbitration. This workshop is intended for members currently serving or training to be on a grievance committee.
9. Legal Issues Affecting School Employees
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: All members
This workshop is an in-depth review of pertinent provisions of school and labor laws and administrative and legal decisions affecting members. We will examine the impact of school and labor laws on employment, analyze techniques for proper forum selection for dealing with disputes (i.e., role of PERC, the commissioner of education, courts, and agencies), review decisional law and legislative enactments, recognize statute applications/interpretations through case-by-case determination, and examine, analyze, and review association roles.
10. PERC Law
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: Negotiators, grievance committee representatives, and other association leaders
To assist in negotiations and representation, this workshop will focus on unfair labor practices and court cases outlining negotiability/arbitrability disputes including discipline, transfers, extracurricular assignments, and duty of fair representation. What constitutes past practice, just cause, and relief from unilateral changes in working conditions will be explored in depth.
11. AR – Key to a Strong Organization
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: Association representatives; open to all members
Learn the fundamentals and develop skills to become an association advocate. This program concentrates on contract enforcement, basic school law, member benefits, membership promotion, emerging instructional issues, legislative action, and your state and national association.
12. Basic Collective Bargaining
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: New and inexperienced negotiators
Master the essential phases of bargaining with particular emphasis on the role of laws in the negotiations process; organization of and preparation for negotiations; negotiations tactics and techniques; the use of mathematics in negotiations; the 2010 bargaining law; impasse resolution including mediation, fact-finding, and superconciliation; job actions and communication; and ratification.
13. Advanced Collective Bargaining
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: Experienced negotiators who have completed Basic Collective Bargaining or members who have actively participated in the bargaining process as a member of a team
Advanced Collective Bargaining workshop topics include hot topics at the table, how to get to where we want to go, salary guides (alternative methods of distribution), what to do when the going gets tough, legislation affecting bargaining, and bargaining health benefits.
14. Basic Salary Guides
(offered Session I only)
For: New local negotiators preparing for successful salary negotiations
Methods of costing, analyzing, and understanding salary guides will be presented. Successful salary negotiation techniques such as developing comparisons, member input, district’s ability to pay, planning salary guide workshops, and planning a successful ratification will be emphasized. Challenges facing ESP and inclusive local associations will be stressed. We will discuss current issues of importance and present successful strategies.
Participants must bring their current scattergram and collective bargaining agreement, including all salary guides.
15. Advanced Salary Guides
(offered Session II only)
Prerequisite: Basic Salary Guides
The workshop will give participants an understanding of how salary guides are constructed and calculated. Participants will construct a base-year cost-out and salary guides for three additional years on an Excel spreadsheet. Knowledge of how a spreadsheet functions is essential. This training will expand on issues raised in Basic Salary Guides, as well as explore additional concerns and techniques.
Enrollment limited to 18 participants (one per local). Computers will be provided.
16. Health Benefits and Pensions for Your Local
(offered Session I only)
For: All members
Become your local’s go-to person for all your members’ health benefits and pension questions. Learn the ins and outs of what you need to know when assisting your members in understanding health plan options, minimizing out-of-pocket health care costs, premium sharing contributions, preparing for retirement, understanding their pensions, and more.
17. Managing Conflict Effectively
(offered Session II only)
For: All members
This workshop is designed to increase personal and association effectiveness in dealing with conflict in a positive fashion. Participants will learn a variety of techniques that enhance this process by developing new strategies for identifying and handling conflict. Discussion will focus on what causes conflict and how better communication can help prevent or resolve conflict.
18. Understanding Your Union: Governance Fundamentals with an Equity Lens
(offered Session II only)
For: All members
Knowledge is power. Understanding the organizational structure of our local, state, and national affiliates help to empower both new and seasoned union members. In this training, participants will unpack their understanding of the fundamentals including knowing your constitution and bylaws, and equity-centered policies.
19. Honest Conversations Around Undoing Racism
(offered Session II only)
For: All members
Participants will engage in honest conversations around race and racism and the role of educators in understanding and undoing these systems of oppression. Conversations will be based on topics broached in the interviews of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Bryan Stevenson. Finally, there will be an introduction/review of anti-racist principles that we hope will guide participants in their work and journey to becoming anti-racist educators.
20. NEW! Civil Rights & Racial Justice: History and Current Issues in Education
For: All members
This immersive workshop will focus on racial justice and civil rights history and further discuss issues impacting public education and unions today. Participants will hear stories about the long and ongoing struggle for racial equality and equity from NJEA staff, community partners, and a representative from the National Park Service Little Rock Central High School Site. Learn how NJEA and NEA members were and are involved in movements for racial justice and civil rights.
21. Membership Chair Training
(offered Sessions I & II)
For: All membership chairs: novice and experienced
During this course, we will examine the calendar of yearly responsibilities, as well as best practices and new techniques to help you meet those requirements. The course will be broken into four parts that will include redesigning your new employee orientation, how to make the membership ask, authentic engagement and follow-up, and member retention.
22. NEW CONTENT! Educational Support Professionals (ESPs): You Are Essential, You Matter!
(offered Session I only*)
For: ESP members
Join fellow ESP members and experts on ESP issues in this lively workshop where you’ll gain the tools necessary to build your career and safeguard your interests. Just as you play an essential role in your school, your contribution to this workshop will ensure its success. Don’t miss out!
*This workshop has a special schedule. Registration is at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26 and the workshop concludes with lunch on Sunday, July 28.
23. NEW! Nuts & Bolts of Local LAT Chairs
(offered Session I only)
For: Legislative Action Team (LAT) chairs and members aspiring to fill that role in the future
Learn the basic requirements of the role and best practices for increasing member engagement in PAC, campaigns, and other political initiatives. Learn about the Snowflake Model of organizing and how to use it to supercharge your local’s LAT while reducing the workload and stress on the LAT chair.
24. Calling All Policy Wonks!
(offered Session II only)
For: All members
Are education issues and education policy on your mind? Do you consider yourself a wonk? Learn about the policymaking process and hear from experts on current issues facing public education. Hear from lobbyists and policymakers who work on education policy and join the discussion on why we need to be part of the organizing and lobbying process in order to achieve good outcomes.
25. NEW! Trust the Process: Making the Most of Educator Evaluation
(offered Session II only)
For: All members
With a focus on action planning and goal-setting, this workshop will delve into AchieveNJ, TEACHNJ, and other aspects of the educator evaluation system. Through conversations and scenarios, attendees will craft a dynamic yearlong timeline that can be used by individual members or as part of larger association work around professional development advocacy. We know members invest a great deal of time in the evaluation process; join this workshop to make the most of it.
26. Teacher Leadership: Organizing and Advocating for Instructional Practice
(offered Session I only)
For: All members
Teacher leadership is the process by which teachers as individuals or collectively influence their colleagues, administrators, and school districts on issues of teaching and learning. This workshop will explore the Teacher Leader Model Standards, which have been adopted by the state of New Jersey as the basis of the teacher leader endorsement. Ways in which members can organize to influence professional practice with their colleagues, in their schools, and in their school districts will also be explored.
27. Advocating and Organizing Around School Culture: Strategic Thinking and Planning (offered Session II only)
For: All members
Schools continue to reacclimate to in-person learning, addressing challenges that existed before the pandemic as well as challenges that have emerged or been exacerbated by the last few years. This workshop will focus on ways that local associations can organize and advocate around various issues related to school culture. We will guide participants on convening relevant stakeholders, diagnosing challenges, and accessing, understanding, and utilizing relevant school and district data in order to develop action plans.
28. NEW! Labor Management Collaboration: The Ultimate Tool for Member Empowerment, Involvement, and Organizing
(offered Session II only)
For: All members
By creating an avenue for members and administrations to work jointly, labor management collaboration gives power to members’ voices and creates an environment where their perspectives are sought after in making district decisions. This session will teach practical skills, tools, and strategies to engage your full membership through collaboration by establishing a clear process for joint district decision making and problem solving. Through collaboration, members no longer need to sit in their own sense of dissatisfaction. They now have a practice that honors the full diversity of their experiences and concerns.
29. Digital Communication Tools with NJEASites
(offered Session I only)
For: Association editors and webmasters with an NJEASites website in the newest Ocean theme
This session will cover how to customize your website and build pages using Page Builder with custom NJEA Modules. Other topics covered include creating posts, events, galleries and forms, sending email with Sendy Creator, text messaging tools, and other digital communications resources.
Enrollment limited to 18 participants (one per local). Computers will be provided.
30. How to Be a Powerful Public Speaker (offered Session II only)
For: All members
Learn how to look and sound your best when presenting to a group. Participants review techniques for preparing and delivering a speech. Each participant will be videotaped for a self reflection and group feedback.
Enrollment limited to 18 participants (one per local).
31. Social Media for Local Associations
(offered Session I only)
For: Local association social media editors
Learn how to create and optimize a social media presence for your local association. Once established, social media can support your ability to activate your membership, engage
your community, and maximize your organizing efforts. This workshop is for advanced social media users.
Enrollment limited to 18 participants (one per local).
32. Moneywise Members
(offered Session II only)
For: Member Benefits coordinators and all members
This training will encompass all programs and services offered through NJEA Member Benefits. Attendees will learn more about the full referral service of AID-NJEA and important financial matters including life insurance, income protection, supplemental retirement income, and member discounts on everyday items and services.