COPE

The Federation has a political action program spearheaded by its Committee on Political Education (COPE). The AFT 1388 COPE reviews candidates for office and ballot initiatives and makes recommendations to the Executive Board for action. Recommendations may include “endorsements” or support, or to contribute to candidates or initiatives. This includes the ECC Board of Trustees, the State Legislature, and local elections. COPE members also get out the vote on election day, and attend rallies and town halls.

For ECC BOT information, including elections, contact information, and district maps, click here.

Please consider making a monthly COPE donation ($8 is great!) along with your regular AFT dues. You can do that here by filling out the membership form again.

The COPE Constitution and By-Laws can be found here.

For more information on how you can help, contact 1388COPE@gmail.com

For more information about COPE, see below FAQs.

How do I join the COPE or change my monthly deduction?

Just fill out the online membership form on the 1388 website and click the COPE dues check off box and select the amount.

If I am a member of AFT 1388, am I member of the COPE?

You are only a member of the COPE if you have a monthly COPE deduction taken out of your paycheck.

How do I know if I am a member the COPE?

If your paystub has an "AFT COPE" deduction, you are a member. This will also show the amount of your monthly COPE contribution.

Do I have to be a member of the COPE?

No, you do not have to be a member of the COPE.

Does the COPE use any AFT 1388 dues for political activities?

Regular 1388 union member dues are not used for the COPE--there is a distinct separation of Federation funds and duties from the COPE funds and expenses.

COPE in Action

How do we make the COPE as effective as possible?

As with many organizations, the more people who are actively involved and engaged, the more power we will have.

How does the COPE make decisions about spending funds and selecting candidates and campaigns to endorse?

The COPE members vote on the candidates and campaigns to support. For the COPE Constitution and By-Laws, click here.

Does the COPE only work on ECC BOT elections?

The COPE can work on all things legislative, including lobbying, and sometimes we will endorse political candidates. In general, we will keep our work to local races and statewide education-related ballot measures.

How do I get involved?

Send us an email and we will give you different options for helping out.