1. It is the professional thing to do.

• Doctors, lawyers, and other professions have their associations. WEA is yours.

2. In addition to being a member of WEA, you are also a member of UEA and NEA,

• Which also allow you a voice in hot educational trends, debates, and topics at the district, state, and national levels.

3. WEA is the largest employee organization within Weber School District.

• As such, members are represented on all levels of district committees and programs.

4. WEA is the recognized bargaining agent with the district.

• As a WEA member, your voice is part of a collective power to ensure better pay, benefits, and working conditions.

5. Many of the employment benefits and perks that you enjoy are because WEA negotiated them for you.

• Your COLA, duty free lunch, sick and personal leave, steps and lanes, sick bank, and policies that protect you are just a small example of what WEA has done for you.

6. The WEA President, Vice President, and Executive Board are your colleagues.

• Not only are your elected WEA officials representing you, they are invested in the best interest of educators and students because they work alongside you.

7. There are WEA Association Building Leaders (ABLs) in all buildings.

• This direct line of communication with WEA ensures that every member receives information, has access to Association resources, and that you are being heard.

8. With WEA, you have legal protection and advice.

• WEA employs a full-time UniServ Director (teacher advocate) who provides tough and effective representation in job-related disputes. They can work immediately and directly on your issues.

9. As a member of WEA, you also have on-the-job liability insurance of up to $1 million dollars.

• If the incident is within the scope of your employment, the UEA attorney will represent you in your legal matters.

10. The UEA represents all WEA members at the Legislature and Utah State Office of Education.

When our elected officials have a meeting that will impact education, UEA is there speaking up for you!

11. WEA and UEA provides terrific professional development opportunities for members.

• This year a sample of our PD options include Early Leadership Institute, Teacher Leadership Initiative, Loan Forgiveness, Utah Retirement System, Investing 101, and Estate Planning.

12. WEA/UEA/NEA provide money saving and discount program opportunities.

• These opportunities include travel, everyday purchases, continuing education, life insurance benefits, credit cards opportunities, investments, mortgage assistance, etc.

"Unions, by and large, are democratic organizations with freely chosen leaders and policies determined by the membership. They concern themselves with individual dignity not only in their aims but in their method. We have no better example of what is worthy of emulation abroad than the workings of a good union."

-Robert Kennedy