"A Message from the President"
A question has come up regarding what the Union will do for members who end up with pictures and information on Facebook and other Internet sites that they did not wish to have posted where others could see them. It is a concern that there could be something out there that could be a possible job threat in its content. Issues of one’s personal life are not part of the Union’s responsibility. The official answer from MEA is, "What one does during their own time is their business and if it ends up on Facebook, etc. there is not one thing we can do about it. One should think before doing". Being public employees, we have to answer to the public in ways other professionals do not. We must always be cognizant of that fact.
In addition to the Internet, we need to be careful about where we "party" and what we say in public. For example, if you really wanted to "tie one on" or use profanity or discuss a particular student or parent, it would be better to do this somewhere other than South Lyon. This is still a small community, and you’d be surprised what makes it back to Administration. Be aware and be professional. Here is a link to an article from the NEA: "The Whole World (Wide Web) is Watching".
On another topic, Nancy and I get calls and e-mails every day asking us questions we can’t always answer. Usually the answer to, "What does your principal say?" is "I haven’t asked him/her." That is almost always your first step. Your building rep can help you with this if you are uncomfortable, but there is usually nothing we can do or say until you have first given your principal the chance to respond to the issue. Of course, we are always here to assist you, but the principal’s response is almost always where we start.
Additionally, it was announced Wednesday by one of the bill's sponsors, Sen. Wayne Kuipers, that no further action would be taken on the MEA Retirement Proposal, Senate Bill 255. Further, the MEA issued a press release indicating it was clear the proposal "was not going to make it through the legislative process" and the legislation was being "pulled from consideration".
Have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break.
Connie McKinnie
President SLEA