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| As I watch the political debates and campaigns on television, I am reminded of a common misconception among members as well as nonmembers....that of political contributions. It is thought by many educators and taxpayers that NEA distributes millions of dollars in mandatory dues payments to candidates and political parties without the consent of its members. NOT TRUE!!!!! In fact the money NEA uses to support political candidates comes from a separate, segregated voluntary campaign fund. Federal law prohibits NEA from using dues money to make contributions to federal candidates or political parties. Instead, the money comes from the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. This special fund consists of voluntary contributions from NEA members, not membership dues. And, it just so happens that the Government Relations Committee of WEA is currently sponsoring a contest among school sites to see which school can get the most new donations/subscribers. If you are interested in national politics, we have a fund for you. If you want to support local candidates in state and county elections, there is also a fund that you can contribute to. If this is not enough of an offering, you can also contribute to a portion of the fund that supports county, state, and national politics. These various contributions all fall under the umbrella of TIP (Together in Politics). When contributing to these funds, no amount is too small. I started, believe it or not, with a monthly contribution of 50 cents a month. Over the years I have slowly added to my contribution. Now that I am no longer a “new” teacher, I have increased my contribution by a dollar every time I am asked. My thinking is that a dollar can hardly buy all the security and benefits I receive back as a member. My contributions have aided in lobbying for pay raises, a new salary scale, a contract that protects me in my school environment, state laws addressing the removal of a child who’s constant disruption to the flow of learning, attendance requirements, and retirement safe guards to name just a few. Without TIP contributions it would be impossible to fight for the casino tax initiative that we are undertaking at present. It is very costly to present a case to the Nevada Supreme Court. |
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