association representative handbook - Alabama Education ...

Someone asked.Few people join anorganization without beingasked. School employeeswill join the associationwhen a knowledgeableand credible recruiterconvinces them that theiremployment interests arebest served by joining.Protection.Public school employeesare very much aware ofthe many demands beingplaced on today’s schoolsystems. They know thattheir job security, salaries,fringe benefits, andworking conditions will beprotected and improvedonly through anorganization that fights toenhance their careers.Why people join the AssociationProfessionalism.Many school employeesknow that theirprofessional interests canbe advanced by addingtheir strength andnumbers to theassociation’s longstandingcommitment tothe goals of Americaneducation. They join tocontinue that commitment.A special service.Some people join theassociation to takeadvantage of one or moreof the Association’sspecial services madeavailable through thepurchasing power of theassociation’s broad baseof membership. Theseservices can savemembers a great deal ofmoney especially whenthey use one or more ofour special services.What do I get for my dues?This question should not be answered as if themember is purchasing a consumable commodity.Membership in a professional association is not apurchase. Dues are the member’s share of the costs ofimplementing the association’s programs that protectand advance the employee’s interests.“What do I get for my dues?” can be answeredtactfully by referring the member to the basic core of theassociation’s programs.“What do I get for my dues?” must be balancedagainst similar questions if they were to be raised inother parallel situations, for example:QuestionWhat do I get for my life insurance premiums?What do I get for my home insurance premiums?What do I get for my automobile insurance premiums?What do I get for my dues?• Protecting employment rights.• Supporting programs to improvemember economic welfare.• Promoting and safeguarding educationand working conditions.• Keeping the members informed.• Enhancing professional development.• Seeking public support of the schools byadvancing the cause of public education.ResponseAn estate for my relatives when I die.Nothing, unless my home burns downor if I suffer some other covered loss.Nothing, unless I have an accident.Literally thousands of volunteers and professionalsworking on my behalf at all levels of governmentto protect my job, to increase my salary and fringebenefits, to protect my retirement system, to makemy views known at all levels, to make my jobeasier to do and more rewarding as anoccupational choice, in short – Career Insurance.13