Dennis-Yarmouth Regional Secretary and Assistants Association

DYRSAA

END OF THE YEAR REPORT   June 2008 

It is with great pride that I submit the End Of the Year Report for the 2007-2008 school year.  This past year has been the best and worst of times for our members.  Despite the worst of times I believe we have made great strides in moving our group forward. 

Throughout the year we continued our fight to eliminate the Social Security laws that will affect all of us when we retire from this District.  In August we sent all members post cards asking them to stop by their buildings and sign MTA petitions that called for the elimination of the Social Security laws GPO/WEP.  Many members took copies of the petition to collect additional signatures and with their help we were able to collect well over 400 signatures and the MTA expressed their appreciation to us for our work on this very important matter.   In November I was contacted by the MTA for information regarding the Social Security laws and how these laws affect our members.  I was quoted at the Senate hearings, which Senator John Kerry presided over.  I was also quoted in the Dec/January issue of the MTA Today and in the Dec/January MTA Reporter for retired members.  This kind of exposure can only help us in our fight to change these unfair laws.  It also gets the word out that the DYRSAA is a leader in the fight to change these laws. 

On September 25^th we held our first meeting of year at the Baker School.  At this meeting we offered a light dinner of sandwiches, salad, and cookies.  This was a well-attended meeting and we were able to discuss some very important issues.  The most important thing that came out of this meeting was that members voted to award a $200.00 scholarship annually to a member’s child who would graduate from any high school in June.  The winner will be announced in Mid June on our website.

We held what I consider the most important meeting of this school year on October 29^th at the High School Library.  At this meeting, DYRSAA member Beverly Haley, District Benefits, and Deborah Cohen, Executive Director, and Mark Foley, Elected Member from the Retirement Board spoke on retiring from this District.  We extended an invitation to all District cafeteria and custodian employees to join us in learning about the laws that govern our retirement. 

In late October we announced that we had started a website. This site has been a great help in getting monthly newsletters and other information to all members and we hope that all members will continue to visit the site at dyrsaa.massteacher.org.   

During the year many of our members attended workshops. In October MaryAnn Mulhern and I attended a Cape and Island MTA Presidents meeting at the Paddock.  This was a wonderful opportunity for us to meet other Union officers from the Cape and Island.  Also in attendance at this meeting was Anne Wiss, MTA President and Paul Toner, MTA Vice-President. 

We applied for and received full funding for Mary Ann Mulhern and myself to attend the Northeast Regional NEA Conference in New York City during the weekend of January 18^th.   At this meeting we had the opportunity to meet NEA Officers as well as members from all over the Northeast and we took part in many different workshops and classes.  It is our hope that two members will apply for funding next year to travel to Vermont in January to attend the 2009 Northeast Conference as we found this conference to be very rewarding.   

In November Meri Colbert and I attended an MTA workshop on bargaining where we learned a great deal that we hope will help us as we head into negotiations and Sandy Clifford attended the February MTA workshop on bargaining.  In addition we were able to cover the cost of registration ($75.00 each) for Sandy Cashen, and Sandy Clifford Administrative Professional II, and Eileen Martins and Sandy Bryson SPED Assistants at DY High to attend the May ESP conference in Plymouth Ma. 

On December 6^th we celebrated the holidays at the Sea View.  As always this was the highlight of the season and many members attended.  As we had done in the past we extended an invitation to all District cafeteria staff to join us.  The food was great, and Sue Barczak did an outstanding job keeping us under control during the Yankee Swap. 

January brought us building meetings and we were able to visit four buildings.  This was a way for MaryAnn Mulhern and me to get out into the buildings and meet members.  The response to this type of meeting was overwhelmingly positive.  We had hoped to visit all buildings by the end of this school year but with the budget cut meetings, etc. we found that there just wasn’t time to do this.  We hope to get to the other buildings during the 2008-2009 school year because we found that these small building meetings are a way for us to hear building issues and concerns. 

There were many major issues that needed to be brought to our attention by Administration throughout the year.  In November we learned that a position at Central Office was being eliminated and that one of our members would lose her position.  Due to a new computer position in our District this loss of a position at Central worked out fine.  The member involved was so good about the change of position and her understanding was very much appreciated. 

There were several other major issues that took up a great deal of our time and required Henry Burbine to come to Central Office for meetings.  Henry negotiated what we saw as a fair exit settlement for a member.  While Administration may not have been happy with the outcome, we as a Union believe that the MTA and Henry did their jobs in representing our member in a very serious issue. 

In another serious problem there was very little we, or the MTA, could do to help, as the member involved was a probationary member and the member was ultimately removed from the position.  This kind of thing is very sad and we find it necessary to once again stress to all members that it is very important that you read and understand your contract, ask questions, and most importantly make sure they are paying Union dues or the Serve Fee.  

In January we started to plan for negotiations.  While we do not officially open talks with Administration until the fall, the MTA suggested that we get our committee together early in order to have everything ready to go.  At a meeting the following members where elected to serve on this committee.

Suzy Meyer                Meri Colbert              Sandy Cashen                        Sandy Clifford

Karen Mauro             Linda Fanning           Karen Beauchemin

We used our new website to collect information from members as to what they would like to see brought to the table.  The MTA processed the information and presented us with a complete report of all information collected.  While only 67 members responded to the survey the information collected will be very helpful to us as we move forward with negotiations.    

In late March we held a scholarship fund raising event and raised a total of $415.00.  It was voted to not only give $200.00 to a child of a member but to also offer a $215.00 scholarship to a member.  It is hoped that we will be able to continue both scholarships in the future. At the May meeting it was announced that Jennifer Nickerson, an Assistant at M.E. Small, was the winner of the member scholarship.  Jennifer is pursuing her Masters in Education and plans to use the money to cover the cost of books. 

Throughout the year many members preformed deeds that were noteworthy.  One in particular that was brought to our attention was that Administration commended LCM member, Kathy Lammers for her heroic efforts in helping a child who was choking during his daycare lunch.  This happened during the April vacation and the nurse was not on duty during this time.  Kathy’s quick response and calm management was key to avoiding a very serious outcome. 

Due to District budget issues we lost 12 SPED Assistants (all probationary members) and 5.5 Administrative Assistants.  In addition 2 additional SPED Assistants that were on the cut list were moved into positions that were available due to other members leaving the District.  Each of these members will be missed by all of us.  These types of cuts affect all of us and many of our members found the time to attend School Committee meetings and to help the parents group that worked to have the school budget passed in both towns. 

Throughout the year we continued to struggle with the lack of member interest. While we can understand that everyone is busy with their families, etc. we know that this group cannot continue with all the work being done by a very small handful of members and we began to explore the possibility of changing and going under the umbrella of the Teacher’s Union.  This is something that we will need to look at very carefully next year and we hope to form a committee to take on this task soon. 

In closing I would like to thank Tara Holt, Suzy Meyer, and Karen Mauro for their work as Board members.  Thanks also go to Sandy Cashen for her help with the website and for keeping me in line, and to MaryAnn Mulhern for her continued support and help in collecting information for negotiations.  In addition a huge thanks to all of the Building Representatives, and Committee members and to those that have attended our meetings.  Without the help of these people I could not have made it through the year!  

I look forward to the challenges of the 2008-2009 school year and to working with you.  I ask that you check our website during the summer for news and updates, become involved, attend meetings, voice your opinions and remember we are here to support you.  Have a wonderful summer, get plenty of rest because before we know it September and the start of another school year will be here!   

See you in September, 

      Karen Beauchemin 

Karen Beauchemin

2007-2008 DYRSAA President

Newsletter   2007-2008 Calendar 2008-2009 Calendar
PLEASE READ:  Tax Initiative Information   Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program Information Other Organizations: Please contact cashen508@comcast.net if you would like any other organizations listed.	President: Karen Beauchemin 810 Route 28 W.Dennis, MA  02670 508.398.7690  Fax number 508.398.7693 E-mail address: beauch@comcast.net   Home Phone: 508.778.6020   Cell:  774.212.0092
Photo Album    Send your pictures to cashen508@comcast.net	Memos from your president   To All Members:   I have received a few emails regarding the 2008-2009 school calendar and I just want to make sure you are aware of the 2008-2009 school calendar.  When I saw the draft copy I sent a letter to Carol Woodbury but the response I got wasn't what I hoped for.  Please note November with all the days off four our members, three weeks later is Christmas with more days off without pay for members.   If you are unhappy with this now approved calendar I ask that you write a short note to the School Committee and Carol Woodbury.  They are not thinking about our members, and even after I questioned the calendar and all the days off without pay for our members in November and December they didn't hire my concerns.  For those that work in building with parent/teacher conference days scheduled there is additional time off without pay in November!  As I told Mrs. Woodbury there is a two week pay period in November where many members will only get paid for 4 days!  I don't know if they will change anything but they should hear from those of you and your concerns.  Thanks so much!  Karen Beauchemin, President
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