2012 ESP Handbook - Alabama Education Association

Ten Reasons to Join and Be Active in Your Association
As you begin your career, one of the actions you should take early is to join the
Alabama Education Association. Here are some of the reasons you should join and be active:
Legal Assistance. The association’s legal advice goes
far beyond liability insurance and attorneys. Any time
you have a question about your employment rights or
benefits, a local UniServ staff member is immediately
available to answer those questions. UniServ staff will
also go to bat for you with your administration when
you have questions and concerns. And if you need
legal assistance, AEA’s attorneys are the best in the
state in employment-related law and school law. And it
is all free to AEA members.
Liability Insurance. If you are sued, AEA’s liability
insurance will provide you with an attorney and $1
million in coverage for any judgment against you
relating to your job.
Networking. Through the association and especially
the AEA and NEA online, you will be connected to
other education support professionals from across the
state and nation who are dealing with the same joys
and frustrations you deal with. In addition, you will
have the opportunity to network with other education
employees in your local. AEA’s Web site is www.
myAEA.org.
Lobbying. The association is recognized as the
single most effective voice in Alabama. Members are
encouraged to be involved in this process at the local,
district, state, and national levels.
Information. AEA is education support professionals’
best source of timely information. The association
There is a Big
Difference
Between
Members and
Non-Members
If you have not joined, do so!
You can join today!
Contact your
Association Representative,
UniServ Director,
or call 800.392.5839
for details.
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keeps on top of all current laws, regulations, and
policies about education. Information is as close as a
toll-free telephone call for any member. Information
is also available in the AEA newspaper, the Alabama
School Journal, and on the AEA Web site at
www.myAEA.org.
Professional Development. The association
provides its members with training sessions on all
aspects of education, in human and civil rights, in
political action, in communications, in discipline,
and in almost any other area of concern to members.
Association workshops are consistently high quality
and at little or no cost to members.
Public Relations. The association tells the public
education support professionals’ views and builds
ESPs’ image in the public through advertising and
public relations activities.
Publications. All association members receive
regular national, state, and local publications with the
latest information about education developments.
Representation. Whether it is the State Board of
Education, a legislative committee, or an education
coalition, whenever decisions about ESPs and students
are being made, AEA is there representing ESPs’ views.
Discounts. Many members save more than their
annual dues through association discounts on
everything from computers to hotel rooms to
insurance.
Members Non-Members
$1,000,000 association liability
insurance protection
None
Staff help for on-the-job problems None
No-cost legal assistance for job problems None
Group insurance programs: auto,
life, home, disability
None
Attorney referral program None
Local, state, and national newsletters None
Aggressive representation in the Alabama
Legislature, at the State Board of Education,
and at local boards of education
None
Free training in job rights and other
job-related topics
None
Special group discounts on a wide variety
of products and services
None