If you have read Click, Clack, Moo -- Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin you know that Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears click, clack, moo…click, clack, moo…click, clack, moo. But Farmer Brown’s problems really begin when his cows start leaving him notes. This bunch of literate cows turns his farm upside-down. They begin to demand a safe work environment in the barn -- heaters and blankets at night. When the demand is not met, they strike -- no more milk. The hens also voice their concern over the work conditions. Since there is no resolve -- the hens stop laying eggs. Farmer Brown tries to put the cows and hens in their place. He tells them they are cows and hens and he demands milk and eggs. Duck is sent in as the mediator. Farmer Brown soon realizes he will no longer get milk, nor eggs until a resolution can be reached, so he sends a letter of compromise to the barn through the duck. The cows willingly exchange the typewriter specified in his letter for the heat and blankets. The next morning, Farmer Brown receives a note from the ducks -- they are requesting a diving board since the pond was so boring.

Life in a school system is much like the life that Farmer Brown’s animals were accustomed to. We have participated in collective bargaining and mediation and have engaged in compromise for many years in the education profession. Many of our locals require crisis bargaining and community support at times, as well as the right communication tools before we even go to the table to bargain. We may have demands for safer working conditions, materials for students and a voice in the decisions that impact education or the condition of the building, along with our lunchrooms. In the end, however, we have a Master Agreement that both sides abide by for the term of the contract. As members, we need to be aware of our rights, the opportunities we have as employees and the hot issues other locals are encountering -- because we know those same hot issues will be headed our way.

NEOEA's Summer Leadership Conference offers the professional development and education necessary for each member to take an active role in their local and in their district in order to achieve their goals at the bargaining table, or to become more aware of what our Association and the profession have to offer. Join us in July at Lakeland Community College in beautiful Kirtland. You will have the opportunity to attend numerous workshops on Wednesday in order to develop and strengthen the leadership potential of your local. You can learn how to build the community support necessary for any thriving local. Our keynote speaker, Kim Langley, will inspire all of us on Wednesday evening by discussing how to find the balance in work and life. Thursday will include breakout sessions for each designated profession in NEOEA and you will be able to select three sessions to address your needs and enhance your skills -- rather than just participating in what Farmer Brown decides for you. You will see firsthand what the hot issues are for NEOEA members. The two days also include networking opportunities, give-a-ways, and kiosks from various providers specific to our Association. See the attached registration form for more details and session descriptions. This is a fabulous (and cost effective) opportunity to become more involved as a member of NEOEA, as well as a chance to develop yourself as a well rounded "farm animal" in order to impact change in your building, your local, and your life this September.