Should we be politically active?

Should we be politically active?

The answer is a big YES!!!!

Every decision is a political decision and politicians remember what organizations and who helped them get elected.

What can you do? Volunteer to make phone calls, knock on doors, help with mailings or hold a house party to raise awareness about a pro-education NCAE endorsed candidate.

Are You an Active Member or do You Just Belong?

I had an opportunity to hear the outgoing NEA President Reg Weaver speak recently. I had to ask you the question he asked all of us. The question was in the form of a poem he had written.
It's titled:
"Are You an Active Member or do You Just Belong?"

Are you an active member the kind that would be missed?
Or are you just content that your name is on the list?
Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock?
Or do you stay at home to criticize and knock?
Do you take an active part to help the work along?
Or are you satisfied to only just belong?
Do you work with your committee and get right in and mix?
Or leave the work to just a few and talk about the cliques?
Think it over, member --you know right from wrong!
Are you an active member or do you just belong?

Effective Leadership

Hey guys, it has been a while since my last post. So here goes!!!
I get so many questions about leadership. There are many books written on the subject, but one I reccomend is "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John C. Maxwell.

Here is some info that I found that may be helpful:

How to Be an Effective Association Leader

• An Effective Leader give direction, set an example, and share risks equally.
• An Effective Leader seeks to win respect without courting popularity.
• An Effective Leader leads by example; practices what he/she preaches.
• An Effective Leader listens with understanding; is willing to discuss and solve problems; is open to ideas; gives time to listen.
• An Effective Leader supports and helps; backs people up; effective leader are on their members side; remembers their problems.
• An Effective Leader uses a team approach; help members reach better decisions; facilitates cooperation.
• An Effective Leader avoids close supervision; does not over boss; does not dictate or rule by the book.
• An Effective Leader delegates authority; trusts members; relies on members judgment; permits group decisions; have faith in the creativity of others
• An Effective Leader communicate openly and honestly; tells people what you think; wins trust of the people.
• An Effective Leader brings out the best in members; have common touch with the members.

Happy New Year

Hey Guys: It has been a long time since we last talked. I wish all the staff and NCAE members, the happiest of new years. As I flip over the calendar page to the opening day of 2008, a leap year, I hope that the next 366 days bring you happiness and prosperity as NCAE members no matter what your job may be you are very important to us.

A very special moment

Sorry it took so long to get back to you guys. I want to take some time and share with you the unbelievable experience I had last month.


The NCAE Government Relations Department held a political action conference. They had an overflow crowd and the sessions were awesome. The many speakers were excellent especially Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue. I can’t begin to tell you how we felt at the mock Oprah show. Karen Archia from the Communications Department was the “Big O” and she had some very interesting guest on her mock show. The guests were all a past NCAE Presidents, Karen Garr, Frances Cummings, Julia Kron, and Dean Westmoreland. While the amusing it also let educators of today understand what educators of the past had to go thru. From the training they received at NCAE, they all have gone on to do great things for educators and education in North Carolina.

The entire NCAE team worked very hard to make this conference a success. I’m so proud of the NCAE team. Their hard work, determination and selflessness are keys to the NCAE success.

Thanks for reading. I just wanted to share my special moment with the people who really make NCAE possible – the members. For the rest of you who weren’t there– thank you for your support and thank you for sharing in my very special moment!

Thank You

As a UniServ Consultant I spend a lot of time logging hundreds of miles as I cross back and forth across my Service Area and the state of North Carolina, visiting schools, talking to members, stressing over every issue I hear that I cannot fix with my magic wand. One meeting ends, the next meeting begins and the cycle, at times, seems never-ending.

It is so easy to get caught up in my own busy life that sometimes I forget about other matters that are important in life.

Therefore, I would like to take a minute to say thank you to all of the following who make a difference in the lives of children, educators and education in North Carolina:
All Association Representatives (A/R’s), all NCAE Members, all NCAE Staff, all politicians who truly support public education, and all of the family members of those listed above. You give so much because you care.

It’s an awesome opportunity for me to serve you and serve public education with you.

Robert

The Next Governor of North Carolina

On Monday, October 1st I had the opportunity to be shoulder-to-shoulder, packed into the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center with about 800 other supporters of our Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue who kicked off her 2008 bid for Governor of North Carolina.

This was a special and exciting day because in attendance were NCAE members for all of the surrounding counties. (Lenoir, Carteret, Onslow, Jones, Pamlico, and of course Craven) There were many administrators and retired educators in attendance also.

I believe so many people support Beverly Perdue because she delivers what she promises. For 20 years she has been a strong supporter of children and public education.

Now that the rally is over we all must work hard to make Beverly Perdue the next Governor of North Carolina.