Student PSEA provides numerous
leadership opportunities to members at the annual Student PSEA State Conference
and Convention. Some of these opportunities include leadership positons at the
state, region, and chapter level. Other opportunities include being a student
representative on a PSEA committee, attending the NEA SLC/RA, or attending the
PSEA Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference Student Track. Information about
all of these opportunities are below. Links for more information and to apply
for positions are located at the end of this post.
State Level Leadership Opportunities
(2016-2017 Student PSEA Committee)
Nominations for the
positions of President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and PACE Coordinator
are made during the Student PSEA House of Delegates, held in conjunction with
the annual convention. Nominees must be present to accept the nomination and
complete the candidate nomination form to be declared a candidate for the
position in question.
State President: The
president presides at all meetings, appoints all committees, and serves as an
ex-officio member of committees. The president is a member of the PSEA Board of
Directors and must be able to attend all
scheduled Board of Directors meetings (10 meetings a year). He/she is the
spokesperson and the representative for Student PSEA at meetings and
conferences.
State Vice President: The vice president assists the president, as needed. He/she will assume the office of president in the event of absence or a vacancy or will substitute for the president when necessary at statewide meetings. The vice president also serves on the IPD committee.
State Vice President: The vice president assists the president, as needed. He/she will assume the office of president in the event of absence or a vacancy or will substitute for the president when necessary at statewide meetings. The vice president also serves on the IPD committee.
State President-elect: The president-elect must have two years of schooling remaining upon election. The president elect serves as the president’s shadow, learning the responsibilities and duties of the position they assume the following year.
State Secretary: The secretary assists the president and the vice president as needed, records the minutes of all meetings of the Executive Council and State Convention, replies to correspondence, and maintains a file of all communications.
State PACE Coordinator: The PACE coordinator will attend two meetings (three if the Political Institute takes place that year) of the PSEA-PACE Board of Directors as the Student PSEA representative and perform duties delegated. Following these meetings, it is the responsibility of the PACE representative to report procedures from the meeting to the president of Student PSEA.
Region Level Leadership
Opportunities
(Northwest Region Board Pictured above
with Northwest region at the 2017 Western Conference)
with Northwest region at the 2017 Western Conference)
During the annual convention, each region shall
conduct its own caucus at which it shall elect its officers. Officers shall be
nominated and elected in the order of President, Vice President, Secretary,
Student PSEA Liaison to the House of Delegates, and PACE Coordinator.
Region President:
The president
presides at all region meetings, plans region meetings and events, works on the
Student Executive Committee, and builds and develops relationships within their
appointed region. The president is the spokesperson and the representative for
their region and its members during meetings and conferences.
According to Article IV of Student PSEA Constitution,
responsibilities of the region president include: submitting a region report to
the president of Student PSEA by the start of every month, distributing this
copy of monthly reports to local chapters, conducting at least one region
meeting and region event, and updating a region directory
Region Vice
President: The
vice president assumes all responsibilities assigned by the region president.
He/she works to enhance relations among chapters in the region and performs
such duties as prescribed in the region constitution and bylaws.
Region Secretary:
The
secretary assists the president and the vice president as needed, records the
minutes of all meetings of the Executive Council and State Convention, replies
to correspondence, and maintains a file of all communications.
Region PACE Chair: The PACE chair shall
plan region political workshops and voter registration drives to raise
awareness for pro-public education candidates.
Region House of Delegates Representative: If
you are elected to represent Student PSEA at the PSEA House of Delegates, you
can expect to witness democratic process in action. Although student delegates
are not eligible to vote on items at the House of Delegates, you will join with
active members from the region you represent.
The PSEA House of
Delegates is held twice a year – in May and December. Like the Business Meeting
portion of the Student PSEA Conference and Convention, the House of Delegates
is where the official business of PSEA is conducted. Elected delegates vote for
state officers, and proposed changes to the Constitution and Bylaws; propose
items for consideration; and vote on new and proposed business items.
Chapter Level Leadership Opportunities
Shippensburg University Chapter Executive Board & Edinboro University Chapter Executive Board
Nominations for chapter level positions are taken
at individual Student PSEA chapter meetings at the chapter’s discretion. Each
Student PSEA Chapter must have a President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer.
Chapter
President: Works
closely with the chapter advisor, seeking advice and help in the promotion of
an effective state and chapter program. Maintains communications with the state
student chairperson/president. Provides for the chapter by being informed,
interested, considerate, and dedicated to local, state, and national student
program. Presides at regular and special meetings and at chapter committee
meetings. Plans each meeting carefully, and answers all correspondences promptly.
Reports activities and sends newsletters to state organizers.
Chapter Vice
President: Assists
the president when requested. Picks up ideas from members and pass them on to
the president and advisor. Assumes official host duties unless someone else has
been assigned to do so, especially with guest speakers. Is involved in
membership development.
Chapter
Secretary: Works
closely with the chapter advisor. Keeps notes during the meeting and types
minutes soon afterward (within 10 days and distributes to officers). Records
names of persons who make and second motions, and reports all action items. Has
minutes of previous meeting, a list of committees, copies of the state and
local constitution, and the bylaws on hand at each meeting. Reads the minutes
of the meetings and calls the president’s attention to unfinished business.
Chapter
Treasurer: Transmits
dues to the state association. Keeps financial records up-to-date, including
addresses of members. Disperses chapter funds for local expenses. Works with
other officers to establish annual chapter budget.
Student Representative to a PSEA Committee
Nominations for student representatives to a PSEA
Committee are taken on the floor at the Student PSEA State Conference and
Convention. PSEA has a number of committees which encourage student
participation. Committee meetings are typically held in Harrisburg three times
a year (Sept. 1-Aug. 31) and authorized travel expenses are reimbursed.
(Cindy Severi, Student PSEA Representative to the
PSEA Special Education Board)
Communications
Committee: The
Communications Committee assists the association with gathering and
disseminating information related to challenges to teaching materials,
resources, and techniques from any organization with an agenda to dismantle
public education.
Intergroup
Relations Commission: The
Intergroup Relations Commission (IRC) initiates proposals for improving
intergroup relations in schools and for ensuring equal educational opportunity
for every child in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It performs other duties
and assignments as delegated to it by the PSEA Board of Directors.
Leadership
Development Committee: The
Leadership Development Committee (LDC), through careful planning and direction,
develops, monitors, and enhances leadership training to provide services for
our members, who foster quality public education for all students.
Legislative
Committee: The
Legislative Committee is one of two elective committees established by the PSEA
bylaws. The purpose of the committee is to prepare the association’s
legislative program for presentation to the House of Delegates, after approval
by the Board of Directors. It scrutinizes all proposed legislation, which may
affect education in the state and seeks and executes the instructions of the
Board of Directors concerning that legislation.
Resolutions
Committee: The
Resolutions Committee is one of two elective committees. The purpose of the
committee is to review, develop, and revise PSEA resolutions. The Committee
reports its proposed resolutions and amended resolutions to the House of
Delegates at the December and May Houses of Delegates. A PSEA resolution is a
statement of belief, intent, or position of PSEA. Currently, PSEA has four
specific goal areas: (1) to promote the general educational welfare of the
state; (2) to advance educational standards; (3) to foster professional zeal;
and (4) to advance educational standards.
Minority Affairs
Committee: The
Minority Affairs Committee (MAC) increases awareness and encourages involvement
on the part of ethnic minority members in programs on the local, regional, state,
and national levels. The committee provides input into the association’s NEA
bylaw 3.1 (g) plan and the Gettysburg minority scholarship program. The committee
also reviews and assesses association goals, objectives, programs, and
long-range plans to ensure that ethnic minority concerns are addressed.
Professional
Rights and Responsibilities Commission (PR&R): The PSEA Professional Rights and
Responsibilities Commission’s (PR&R) promotes professional conduct and
defends member rights under the Code of Ethics/Bill of Rights and due process
guarantees.
Special Education Board: The Special Education Board provides representation of
district and intermediate unit special education teachers on a committee which
provides communications to and seeks appropriate feedback from the membership,
and serves in an advisory capacity to PSEA leadership.
(Student PSEA Members at the 2017 PSEA Special Education Conference)
Running for NEA
SLC/RA
(Student PSEA Members at the 2016 NEA SLC)
What is the NEA SLC/RA? NEA SLC/RA stands for the National
Education Association Student Leadership Conference and Representative
Assembly. At the NEA SLC, aspiring educators from across the United States come
together with one thing in common – their passion for public education! Each
year aspiring educators receive professional development in a variety of
sessions. They hear from amazing keynote speakers, and have the opportunity to
run for national level positions.
At the NEA RA, aspiring educators blend in with current and
retired educators, also known as EA members. We sit with our respective regions
in our states and we experience the democratic process that takes place to
encourage high quality, public education for all students. Each year those who
attend make great connections and network with other educators and aspiring
educators from across the United States. It is one of the most exciting and
thrilling opportunities that you could experience. I highly recommend running
for a spot to attend.
For a second year in a row, we have decided to provide this
opportunity to more members. Each year, around 15 student members attend the
NEA SLC and RA. Last year and again this year, we will also be sending another
15 students to the NEA SLC. The top 10 nominees who receive the most votes
during the voting process will attend the NEA SLC and RA with the incoming
Student PSEA Executive Board. The next 15 nominees with the top votes will have
the opportunity to attend the NEA SLC portion of the conference only.
This year, we have decided to adapt the nomination
to create a smoother nomination process as well as provide more time for
nominations of state-level officers. This year’s nomination process for the NEA
SLC/RA will be as follows:
1. Each student member interested in attending the NEA SLC/RA will sign
their name
on a list for their region indicating interest.
on a list for their region indicating interest.
2.
Each student member who signs the list indicating interest will then
be required to
fill out the Google form with contact information and a short description of why you
are interested in attending.
fill out the Google form with contact information and a short description of why you
are interested in attending.
3. Nominations will then be taken on the floor. The Nominating Committee
from each
region will nominate all members from that region.
region will nominate all members from that region.
(Student PSEA Members at the NEA RA)
Running for the
Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference
*Must be 21 by
the time of the conference to apply*
(Student PSEA Members at the
PSEA Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference)
For the second year in a row, the PSEA Gettysburg Summer
Leadership Conference will be featuring a Student Track! Last year we were able
to take 14 student members. This year, we are hoping to take more! We have
scholarships provided to pay for the conference. Some regions also graciously
provide scholarships to student members should Student PSEA give out all of
their scholarships.
All meals on campus are paid for, the dining options are the
food court or the lunch tent that provides different lunches throughout the
week. You get to stay in a dorm on the Gettysburg College campus with other
Student PSEA members. This experience teaches you so much about the union that
supports you through your career. I truly believe that this conference is
something that every aspiring educator should attend in the year before they
graduate. You learn so much more than what you would learn in a classroom about
your profession. Look below for more information and how to apply!
All of these opportunities have provided to be invaluable
experiences. I have learned so much about my union and I became more passionate
about public education through each of these experiences. The Student PSEA
State Conference and Convention is just the beginning of a world of possibilities!
More information
about the Student PSEA State Conference and Convention, NEA SLC/RA, and
Gettysburg, including testimonials! – http://studentpsea2013.wixsite.com/studentpseaconf
More information
about the Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference – https://prezi.com/fnde8_6smd8n/psea-gettysburg-leadership/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Region Level
Officer Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecPHnIKDuoVTzDJsfurdhB3hdwtrg7zaNEcXFdUW_TzynvCA/viewform
Student Representative to a PSEA Committee Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15RXbZhhhw1V5tmwOSI0fjBmKYIhnElaWMXIHJuGll_I/viewform
NEA SLC/RA Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pNRGst69J6eZoMUAVIzD7vwJ-tYzdicrLX534BdYOn4/edit?usp=drive_web
PSEA Gettysburg Summer Leadership Conference Application Form – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pNRGst69J6eZoMUAVIzD7vwJ-tYzdicrLX534BdYOn4/edit?usp=drive_web
Shelby Pepmeyer,
State
President
