SCRIBE-Election Issue Inside this issue: Positions Overview Candidates for NJEA Delegate Assembly Candidates for NEA RA reps 1 2-3 3-5 SCEA Officers Steve Beatty President 1st Vice-President Dan Epstein 2nd Vice-President Laura Bockner Recording Secretary Dave Yastremski Treasurer Patti Robbins Office Manager sceaoffice@yahoo.com Volume XXXXVI, Number 1 This year, there will be five uncontested and two contested positions for you to cast your ballots for; SCEA 1st Vice- President, Treasurer, Delegate Assembly 1 year position and Delegate Assembly alternate, (uncontested), representatives to the Delegate Assembly, and SCEA representatives to the National Education Association Representative Assembly (contested). Elections will be conducted by direct mail between April 3 and April 18. Ballots must be received at the address indicated in the mailing. This issue contains candidate information and job descriptions for each office so that you may better familiarize yourselves with the positions and the candidates vying for each. Please remember to vote!! SCEA 1st Vice President - Hillsborough SCEA Treasurer Dave Yastremski - Bernards Delegate Assembly The Delegate Assembly determines the policies of the Association; approves the Association budget; acts upon reports from the NJEA officers, the Executive Committee, and all standing committees; and elects New Jersey representatives to the NEA Board of Directors. DA members are elected by members of their counties and units of representation. SCEA Elections 2014 Delegate Assembly (1 for a 1 year Term) Andrew Coslit Somerset County Vo-Tech (2 for a 2 year Term) Dan Epstein Franklin Fran Blabolil Warren Hillsborough Delegate Assembly Alternates (2 for a 2 year Term) Kristina FallonTamaino - South Bound Brook Maria DeLucia - Hillsborough Responsibilities: The RA is convened every July during the Annual Meeting. At this meeting, representatives to NEA s highest deliberative body debate issues that impact American public education, elect top officers, and set policy for the 3.2 million-member Association. NEA RA Representatives Candidates (6 for a 1 year term) Gwendoline Duralek - Franklin Andrew Coslet - Somerset Co. Vo-Tech Kristina Fallon Tomaino - South Bound Brook Carolyn Tyler Franklin Laura Bochnar - South Bound Brook Patrick Frain - Somerville Election Issue 2014 Somerset County Education Association Karen Ellis - Franklin Kim W. Edwards - Franklin Virginia D. Hawkins - Franklin David A. Yastremski - Benards NEA RA Minority Concerns 1 for a 1 year term Karen Ellis - Franklin BALLOTS WILL BE MAILED TO YOUR HOME, VIA NJEA, BEGINNING APRIL 3. HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT BY APRIL 18!
Candidates for NJEA Delegate Assembly Page 2 Page 2 Dan Epstein For NJEA Delegate Assembly Dan Epstein I am the SCEA Second Vice President, NJEA Government Relations Committee member, and an officer in my local association. I have a BA and Ed.M. from Rutgers University. I have been an elementary special education teacher in Franklin Township for eight years teaching second, third, fourth, and fifth grades. As a classroom teacher I understand the challenges our members face with many of the new laws, regulations, and initiatives. On the Delegate Assembly I will help to ensure that the policies and practices of the NJEA match the needs and perspectives of ALL of our members, regardless of job title. With my involvement in the state, county, and local associations I see the importance of clear communication. It is my goal to improve communication throughout the levels of the association so we can collaborate more effectively, organize and respond to our members needs more quickly, and share useful skills and experiences more readily. I am also a believer in increasing our positive community outreach. We need to let the entire state know the wonderful work our members do each day and gain back the public respect we deserve! Frances Blabolil For NJEA Delegate Assembly Fran Blabolil I am currently a Somerset County representative to the NJEA Delegate Assembly and would like to continue to serve the county in this capacity. A little background information about me I have worked in Warren Township for 25 years initially as a special education teacher and then as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDT-C) for the past eight years. I earned my Bachelors degree from William Paterson University and my Masters degree in learning disabilities from Rutgers University. I am an active member on the local, county, and state level of the association. I have been President of the Warren Township Education Association (W.T.E.A.) since September 2008. Prior to becoming President, I served as Vice-President and Negotiations Chair for seven years. I have been an active Somerset County member for over 13 years regularly attending SCEA Representative Council meetings, Executive Council meetings, President Council meetings, and LAT meetings. I also attend NJEA Summer and Winter Leadership conferences and represent Somerset County on NJEA s UniServ Committee. I have attended every Delegate Assembly meeting and take my role as your representative seriously. Please vote for me as your Delegate Assembly representative so that I can continue to serve you!
Candidates for NJEA Delegate Assembly Page 3 Re-Elect to the NJEA Delegate Assembly 1 st Vice President SCEA President Hillsborough EA NJEA Delegate Assembly NJEA Public Relations Committee Former NJEA Government Relations Committee Former NJEA Congressional Contact Committee Dear SCEA Member: The NJEA Delegate Assembly is the policy making body of the NJEA. I have served you as DA member for a total of 8 years. I look forward to continuing my service as a Somerset County representative to the delegation. As an officer of the SCEA, and a local president I bring the concerns and viewpoints of Somerset County to this statewide policy making group. I would like to thank you for your past and continued support! Sincerely, Candidates for NEA Representative Assembly Vote for Gwen Duralek for SCEA Representative Vote for Andrew Coslit for SCEA Representative
Candidates for NEA Representative Page 4 Vote for Kristina Fallon Tomaino for SCEA Representative Published advocate for public education and educators. Active association member: Association Rep, Local Negotiations, LAT, County Rep, Working Conditions and Editorial Committees. NJEA Apprentice. A proven committed informed candidate ready to represent all members in these challenging times. Kristina Fallon Tomaino. A Vote For Kristina Fallon Tomaino is a vote for Your Concerns to be Heard! Vote for Carolyn Tyler for SCEA Representative Laura Bochner SEND LAURA BACK to the NEA/RA! Your SCEA Secretary Somerset County Delegate to the NEA/RA for past several years and serve as the NJEA State Contact for Alabama Chair of the NJEA Member Benefits Committee Member of the NJEA Constitution Review Committee NEA Director-Alternate SCEA Executive Committee, Rep. Council, and Legislative Action Team Local SBBEA Vice-President and Negotiations Chair Please send me back as a Somerset County Delegate to the NEA/RA Thank you always for your continued support Vote for Patrick Frain for SCEA Representative
Candidates for NEA Representative Assembly Page 5 Vote for Karen Ellis for SCEA Representative Vote for Kim Edwards for SCEA Representative Vote for Virginia Hawkins for SCEA Representative Vote for Dave Yastremski for SCEA Representative After serving as an NEA delegate for ten years, I hope to continue bringing the voice and mission of the SCEA to the national arena. So many issues affecting New Jersey Public Education are brought to the RA floor. As your representative, I pledge my goal to you, all SCEA members, that your voice and mission will be heard. We all share the same goal, our passionate support and investment in New Jersey Public Education. Vote for Dave Yastremski. Dave Yastremski