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Candidate Videos
Vice-President
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The Speech for Peter Beck
Good afternoon Executive Board, FTA Staff and, most importantly – you, the Site Reps!
The candidates have said much today, and over the past weeks, but what this election really comes down to is simple…who do you want to represent you?
Two years ago, I stood here and said I believe I have the coolest job in the world as a teacher. I would like to expand that to include serving as your current FTA Vice-President. I think the greatest part of the job has been to continually remind myself that the good Lord gave me two ears and one mouth for a reason. I have been a secondary teacher for 20 years in Fresno Unified. That is why, I decided to make it a priority to get out to elementary schools as much as I could. Their input and assistance was instrumental in preparing for the many issues we took on these past two years. I had respect for them before, but now I realize some superheroes don’t wear capes.
So, what did we accomplish? A reduction in class sizes from elementary to secondary; an end to combo classes; more social/emotional support; more of a voice for our profession in curriculum (as well as safety and discipline); a better health care plan (as well as 13 additional nurses); additional language in the contract involving SPED as well as a $2M commitment toward SPED and, most important, we were able to accomplish all of this without having to strike. That’s collective work and action!
I ran to effect change and to be part of the forward momentum in our union. While we’ve moved forward, unfortunately, my friends, there is much left to do. Our JMHB board has done a great job, but they still need our help to bring us the BEST health plan we can get for our members. Two years ago, I stood here and said, “We (the teachers) used to be the curriculum experts and the admin took care of discipline, but now we’ve switched roles.” Sadly, this is still true. Luckily, Fresno Unified wants to look at making improvements in safety and discipline…and I’d like to be a part of that. Class sizes were lowered, but we can still do better in that area as well.
We also have more immediate concerns we need to focus on. Not least among them is how we are going to focus on weathering the effects of Janus v AFSCME. Most are assuming the ruling will come in June, but it could come sooner. How are we, as a union going to respond to the fiscal challenges this will create? We also have school board elections coming up. There are four seats (Edison, McLane, Bullard and Sunnyside) that are open. We need to focus on walking precincts, phone banking, etc.
All the while, we also need to focus on rebuilding our relationship with the District so we can continue to work TOGETHER toward solutions. We find ourselves today at a crucial juncture for FTA, a time where we can continue to move in a forward direction or regress into failed strategies. Looking forward is what made FTA successful these last 4 years. Finally, I can promise you what anyone who knows me personally knows – I may not be the best looking or the smartest, but NO ONE will out work me!
Thank you for your time today and please encourage your colleagues to vote for Manuel Bonilla, myself, Chris Finley and Kerry Mc-Neal-Roberts.
Secretary
State Council
Self-Nomination Forms
Below are self-nomination forms for the FTA Officer, CTA State Council, and NEA/RA Delegate positions.
Fresno Teachers Association
FTA Officers, CTA State Council, & NEA/RA Delegates
Election Timeline and Procedures
Spring 2018
Jan 9 – Election Timelines and Procedures Presented to FTA Executive Board.
Jan 18 – Presentation of Election Timeline and Procedures to the Rep Council.
Jan 19 – Announcement of Vacancies, Declaration of Candidacy form, Election Timeline and Procedures sent to school sites, posted on website, and sent via FTA Connect.
Feb 9 – Declaration of Candidacy forms for FTA Officers, CTA State Council Delegates and NEA/RA Delegates are due to the FTA Office by 5:00 p.m. as per FTA Standing Rule IV Section (A), (1). Letters will be sent to candidates acknowledging receipt of self-nomination form.
Feb 13 – FTA Rep Council meeting – nominations may be made from the floor for any open position Standing Rule IV (A), (2).
Feb 16 – Notification of acceptance of nomination from the floor due to FTA Office by 5:00 p.m. Letters acknowledging receipt of nomination acceptance will be sent on behalf of the Elections Committee. Standing Rule IV (A), (3).
Feb 16 – Candidate meeting at the FTA Office at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of briefing candidates on election process and answering questions. Candidates not attending the meeting may pick up the packet. Materials will be held at the FTA office. Distribution of candidate materials/information will be governed pursuant to CTA’s Requirement for Chapter Elections Procedures Sections V Campaign Finances and Use of Unit Resources and Section VI Candidates’ Statements.
Mar 5 – Candidate statements to be posted on the FTA website are due to FTA by 5:00 p.m. Members will be notified to check the website for statements. Campaign statements must not exceed 250 words; any words in excess of 250 will be deleted. If we have to run an election, campaign statements for NEA/RA must not exceed 25 words; any words in excess of 25 will be deleted. Submitted statements should be typed, proofread and emailed to electionscommitteechair@fresnoteachers.org Candidates must submit separate 250 word statements for each position for which they are running. If candidates have a photograph they wish published, it is to be submitted with the campaign statement (make sure it is clear with good contrast).
The following will be noted on the FTA website: Photographs and statements of candidates will appear according to the current official CTA alphabet:
B F Z T O X M G A C N L W Q D U J K E V I H R Y P S
If the candidate does not submit a statement, this will be noted.
Mar 5 – Ballots will be prepared with candidate names for proofing by Elections Chair.
Mar 5 – Campaign materials approved by Elections Chair and Executive Director.
Mar 5 – Deadline for establishment of membership list. Bargaining unit members must be designated as FTA members in good standing in order to receive a ballot for this election, as of March 1, 2018.
Mar 5 – Send the membership list to the electronic voting vendor and request the vendor open voting by March 12, 2018.
Mar 6 – Any candidate materials to be delivered at the FTA Office by 5:00 p.m.
Mar 7 – Candidate provided materials to be picked up by courier for distribution to school sites. By FTA Courier needs to be removed on both
Mar 12 – Electronic voting opens at 9:00 a.m. and on-site (at FTA) paper voting opens at 9:00 a.m.
Mar 12 – Candidates allowed to give campaign speeches at Rep Council meeting.
Mar 21 – Notification of observer due to electionscommitteechair@fresnoteachers.org by 5:00 p.m.
Mar 22 – Electronic voting closes at 5:00 p.m. and on-site (at FTA) paper voting closes at 5:00 p.m.
Mar 22 – Ballot verification and counting will take place at the FTA Office at 5:00 pm. The President and candidates will be called once the election results have been verified. Upon verification of the results they will be posted on the FTA Office door.
Mar 23 – Election results will be emailed to the faculty representatives. Faculty representatives shall post results at the school site as soon as results are received.
Apr 9 – Any challenge to the election must be received by electionscommitteechair@fresnoteachers.org no later than 5:00 p.m. unless there is a run-off election. *All challenges must be submitted using the official challenge form provided by the FTA Elections Committee.
Apr 16 – The Elections Committee will report the official results of the election to the Representative Council.
April 18 – If a run-off election is necessary, electronic voting and on-site (at FTA) voting opens at 9:00 am.
April 27 – Notification of observer due to electionscommitteechair@fresnoteachers.org by 5:00 p.m.
April 30 – RUN-OFF BALLOT DEADLINE – Electronic voting and on-site (at FTA) paper closes at 5:00pm.
April 30 – Run-Off Ballots will be counted.
May 1 – Results will be posted at the FTA Office and e-mailed to the faculty representatives. Faculty representatives shall post results at the school site as soon as results are received.
May 15 – If run-off election was held, any challenge to the election must be received by the electionscommitteechair@fresnoteachers.org no later than 5:00 p.m. All challenges must be submitted using the official challenge form provided by the FTA Elections Committee.
*If a run-off is necessary for any race in this election no challenge can be initiated until the run-off has been completed.
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