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THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS A VITAL ROLE IN EXPLAINING TO TEACHER COLLEAGUES,ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO THE SCHOOL, THE ADVANTAGES OF EISMEMBERSHIP. MEMBERSHIP AND RECRUITMENT PUBLICITY ARE MAILED TO SCHOOLSFROM TIME TO TIME. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PACKS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM EISHEADQUARTERS AND AREA OFFICES.Representatives should also approach students on placement in schools to ensure thatthey are members of the EIS. Membership for students and for teachers on exchange visitsfrom abroad is FREE. Membership is also free for teachers taking part in the inductionyear. Qualified teachers from overseas who are seeking GTCS registration are also entitledto free EIS membership.From time to time you may feel there is a particularly good opportunity to recruit newmembers. You may well wish to enlist the help of your Local Association or Area Officer inthis. OFFICERS ARE AVAILABLE TO VISIT SCHOOLS TO EXPLAIN THE PARTICULARADVANTAGES OF EIS MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL.UPDATING MEMBERSHIPIt is important that our membership details are kept up-to-date. You will receive an annualreport with the names and membership numbers of members in your school. If there areany staff changes, eg staff moves or retirals, you should note this on the form and return tothe Membership Department. There is also a section to record email addresses so thatmembers can receive information electronically should this be their preferred option. Eachmember is also sent an annual report, either by mail or email, so that they can advise theEIS of any changes in their circumstances. In addition they can update their details at anytime in the members section of the EIS website at www.eis.org.uk.SUPPORTING AND HELPING MEMBERSAll EIS members, whether promoted or unpromoted, are entitled to EIS assistance in timesof difficulty. For example, an EIS member may turn to the EIS for assistance andrepresentation at a meeting with senior staff within the school where the individual mayfeel him/herself under particular pressure. Such a meeting may involve discussion on anissue such as possible future transfer to another school. Equally a member may want todiscuss concerns he/she may have on some professional matter. At such meetings the EISRepresentative is not required to act as a "lawyer" or to seek to construct a case on behalfof a colleague. The important thing is for the representative to have a clear idea of whathas happened at any meeting/discussion which takes place. Equally, the representativemay wish to ask questions at the meeting. In all cases some private written note or recordis useful in case there is to be a follow-up by either party.In exceptional cases the headteacher may be moving in a direction which will mean use ofthe disciplinary procedure. In other cases, an EIS colleague may wish, or be advised, tomove in a direction which would mean invoking a formal grievance. These two proceduresare described in part 5 which follows: “Protocol on Case Handling”.Also, nearly every council has its own disciplinary and grievance procedures, usually agreedwith teacher unions.We describe here, in general terms, the role of the EIS Representative in these processes.It is important to stress at the outset that whenever a disciplinary or a grievance routeseems likely, advice should be sought from the Local Association Secretary. His/her nameis available on the EIS website and information is updated regularly and in the ScottishEducational Journal. Local Associations may wish on some occasions to contact the AreaOfficer on the matter.19September 2012