Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. - National

As reported in the TSC June 2000 newsletter, the NEA Board of Directors submitted a proposed substitute amendment for Bylaw Amendment 2 that if approved would add a $5 assessment to the regular membership dues of Active Members for a newly created Ballot Measure/Legislative Crises and Media Campaign Fund. The bylaw amendment was amended on the floor of the RA to include a $1 assessment for student (college) members. The delegates approved this assessment by a margin of 66.07% to 33.93%.

The $5 dues assessment will begin with the 2000-2001 membership year and continue through the 2004-2005 membership year. This assessment will give the NEA $7.5 million in additional money this year to allocate and assist state affiliates in fighting "hostile ballot initiatives" and for legislative crises. Another $5 million will be available for a national and state media campaign to promote public education.

Through open hearings and debate on the floor of the Representative Assembly, it was very clear that this is a special dues assessment to be used for political activities, though no money from this assessment will go to EPAC functions. According to Mr. Chanin, NEA General Counsel, all of the $5 will be considered allocated to political activities and will be classified as non-chargeable expense to all agency fee payers. The bylaw language did include a statement that "where necessary to avoid legal problems under state law, the Association and a state affiliate may, at the request of the state affiliate, enter into a written agreement providing that the money collected from members of that state affiliate shall not be used to deal with ballot measures, but shall be used only to deal with legislative crises and/or to fund national and state media campaigns." However, even when a member's assessment is designated for one part of the split or the other, the total assessment fund will be split 60%-40%.

Bylaw amendment 4 would have allowed NEA members to designate the allocation of the "political activity" portion of their dues. This amendment failed 24.91% to 75.09%.

As both bylaw amendments were being discuss in open hearings and debated on the RA floor, delegates had to be very careful when wording their questions in order to receive a clear understanding of the NEA financial accounting system in regards to political activities and contributions. There is a difference between the political activity portion of dues money and the monies given specifically to The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education (EPAC). A portion of a member's dues does go for political activity, which include legislative activities, lobbying, and other activities that go to the core of the political process. The NEA Fund for Children and Public Education (EPAC) is a separate entity whose monies go specifically to elect candidates or for any of the political activities conducted to elect specific candidates to office.

On July 6, I was interviewed by an Associated Press reporter who wanted to know why some teachers walked out of the Representative Assembly when Vice-President Gore arrived to speak. I, personally, told the reporter that Mr. Gore has alluded to his caring about the children of this nation, but that he is a part of the administration that has vetoed the partial-birth abortion ban. Mr. Gore, himself, has sworn to fight for continued "reproductive freedom" (i.e. abortion on demand, the killing of preborn children up to, and during, delivery). I left the Assembly, in short, because to me, there is a major discrepancy here, and an unbelievable inconsistency. Later, when New Business and Resolutions were again discussed, I walked back in to continue with my responsibilities as a third-year, elected delegate from Ohio.

Overall, my observations tell me that the NEA -- in some of its New Business items especially -- occasionally reflects the national trend toward conservatism. However, when it comes to abortion, NEA is still far out in "leftist" field."

Sue Nordquist, Minnesota Delegate:
In 1974 (the start of my teaching career) I took the Educator's Oath: "I promise to emulate personally the qualities I wish to foster and to hold and forever honor a democratic way of life that cannot exist without disciplined cultivated and free minds....I recognize that at times I will be opposed by bias and defenders of ignorance....I will remain faithful to the belief that the pursuit of these goals will make me worthy of my profession, and my profession worthy of a free people."

As a first time NEA delegate I was excited to participate because I know that my one voice can make a difference. I chose to become a NEA delegate for my local association (International Falls), at my own expense, because I knew my voice was needed to save children. I did not take money from my local or district, with the understanding that I could pursue the goal of my profession as stated in the "Educator's Oath."

As an individual the NEA convention provided me new pro-life contacts and friends within the teaching profession from Minnesota and other states; the opportunity to learn new information on the operation of the NEA; the power and voice of an individual NEA delegate; a renewed vigor in my mission to preserve and protect the right to life from conception to natural death; and a mission to begin a local "Teachers Saving Children^®" Chapter in International Falls and to work with other teachers and friends in the state to start TSC Chapters.

Carol Richart, Illinois Delegate:
When I entered the cavernous exhibit hall at McCormick Place on Saturday I was surprised and gratified to see the TSC exhibit in a PRIME location among the approximately 150 exhibits. Later, helping to staff the exhibit, I was again encouraged by the very positive reactions to the great teaching aids that TSC had collected and displayed. Many conversations ensued with much interest in fostering a greater respect for life among today's students. We were truly blessed and encouraged.

I had hoped to be able to introduce and speak in favor of a proposal to limit the NEA's support of "reproductive freedom" at the Representative Assembly, but did not have the chance. However, in retrospect, I am grateful that I did have the opportunity to present my thoughts and proposal to about 400 people at the open hearing on Resolutions and to over 600 people at my state's caucus meeting. There were others, too, who spoke in various meeting and caucuses...and there were new delegates who joined us and were willing to help. Combine this with the fact that two delegates did get to speak on the floor of the entire assembly...and we do have reason to be encouraged.

In spite of the overwhelming, unmistakable, undeniable "pro-choice" attitude of the assembly, we do have reason for hope.

Gary Winney, Ohio Non-Delegate:
My many years as an educator taught me techniques and skills in problem solving; this work, which involves intensive human interaction and management, requires that one develop a repertoire of devices for inspiring, convincing and, in some instances, coercing individuals to behave in favorable ways. As we have, over many years, sought to convince our fellow educators/delegates about the importance of keeping the United Teaching Profession on track with education, we have attempted to present a series of rational arguments in favor of steering away from such controversial issues as abortion. Our strategies have been ingenious and varied. The response has, at best, been cold. Just when we were wondering how we could continue the cause, we found an answer to our dilemma; whereas we need to seek resolution to this issue, we also have to demonstrate that we really care about our colleagues - even those who sit on the opposite side of the aisle; after all, are we not ultimately dealing with issues of the heart? Our hope is that we may be the conduits through which many blessings flow, and that those touched thereby may taste and see that the Lord is good.

Judith Zanotti, Illinois Delegate:
As a delegate among 10,000 it was an invigorating exercise in Robert's Rules of Order on a grand scale. The "HOT" topics were testing, merit pay, and members' dues being used for political activities. A special dues increase was passed for media campaigns that assist with NEA's political agenda to fight against their enemies. President Bob Chase, parliamentarian par excellance, allowed everyone to voice their concerns and debate their rights. Delegates representing Hispanics, Hawaiians, retirees, blacks, disabled, service personnel, gays, lesbians, and every other minority were allowed to speak and use the democratic process; everyone that is except Pro-Lifers speaking for the innocent victims of abortion. When a delegate from New York moved to amend NEA's longstanding position on unlimited abortion rights to exclude the partial birth brain suction abortion procedure the President used "Privilege of the Chair" to help pro-abortion delegates to move to "not consider." The theme of the 2000 convention "The Right of All America's Children" does not include protection of the unborn children who silently scream from the most dangerous place in America today - the Womb of their Mother."