BFTSP

Who was that man…

One or two people tried to steal  the Forum on Tuesday night.  However, they were nabbed shortly thereafter.  If you didn’t make it to the meeting, I wish you had. 

Friday starts our GOTV project.  We need help from all to make it successful.  It is not political, so it can be done on campus.  To help you do not have to be a BFT member.  See the building rep. on your campus/site or a member of the BFT Leadership Team.  They have the details.  Or call me/email me and I will set you up.

Remember this election is important for the future of BISD.  Even if you have to hold your nose to vote for some parts of it or if you have bad feelings about the last bond project, DO NOT CUT OFF YOUR NOSE TO SPITE YOUR FACE.  If we don’t get money for the maintenance and improvements.  the money will have to come from the general fund which is where your position, salary and health benefits are funded.  An a/c chiller could be several positions.  Carpet and roofs for our buildings instead of a raise?  How about increasing your health premiums to pay for the technology infrastructure that must be done, soon? 

We all have to Get Out To Vote-Early and take your registered family members with you.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY.  That is a disaster waiting to happpen for the bond election.

The pen is mightier than the sword….

The time may be on us to rebut with letters to the editor.  The fair and factual article in the Facts today may bring out the opposition and the naysayers.  The best counter would be to have a couple of letters in support for the bond election.  It is your turn to step up and write a letter, especially if you have some personal anecdotes of conditions or needs at your school.  Be vigilant and don’t let criticism go unanswered.  See all of you on Tuesday.  Please come and bring your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to have new carpet, buildings, and roofs.

Please no excuses….

The public forum that BFT is sponsoring is very important to our membership.  We need all of our members in support of the bond election and knowing the facts will convince members and their families.  But the other part of it is that we need “positive” people at the meeting to overcome any “negative” people that show up.  It is a public meeting.  BFT will have a short meeting after the public meeting to discuss our activities for the bond election.  Mark your calendar for the Forum on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 a.m. at the LJ Civic Center in the Terrace Room 2.   Please bring your colleagues, friends and families.  Word-of-mouth is great communication in our world.  Fired up, ready to go.

Herding cats…

Dr. McNaughten showed an interesting video last night on herding cats.  What?  Yes, in describing the enrollment, membership and trends in BISD school enrollments he likened it to herding cats.  I found it interesting that everyday about 90 students come and go in BISD.  Other interesting agenda items were non-existent but included tax collections, funding update and the consent agenda.

And she is your lawyer…

I received this message today from Linda Bridges, president of  TxAFT

Just wanted to let you know that Texas AFT General Counsel Martha Owen was recently named a 2009 “Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly Magazine in the field of Labor  and employment law, and also, as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” for 2009.

Martha  is our lawyer, too.  She is a wonderful lawyer and a great lady.  Those of us in BFT who have worked with her are not surprised at these honors.  Watch Texas Monthly and if you have a copy share it with your colleagues.

Yard Art….

This time with meaning and feeling.  The yard signs FOR the Bond Election will be available tomorrow at Brian’s BBQ from 1:00-2:30.  I will pick some up for our BFT Leadership Meeting or you can pick one up at the Tailgate party on Friday at the Freeport Muncipal Park from 5-7.   Remember….I know where you live and I will be out checking the neighborhoods to be sure you have a beautiful yard decorated with appropriate art…LOL.

 If you would be willing to pass out “factual” information at the football game, please call me.

Mark your calendars….

for a very important event.   BFT will sponsor a Public Forum for the BISD Bond election.  It is crucial that our membership be present, for several reasons.

• We need a positive meeting that highlights the needs of our students and our teachers.
• We need to offset any negative participation as this is a public meeting that will be advertised in The Facts.  If the naysayers come to the meeting (they are invited, too) we have to have the positive force and good vibes to change their attitudes or at least to quieten their discontent.
• We will hold a BFT membership meeting after the public portion, to put our game plan together and elicit participation of a greater number.

So be there, please.

Tuesday, October 13 ***6:00 p.m.***at Lake Jackson Civic Center (Terrace Room II)

It is time to step up to the plate…

Barbeque that is.  For BISD Kids is hosting a Tailgate Party on Friday, October 2^nd from 5-7:00 at the Freeport Municipal Park (at Pavilion) It is a fundraiser to support the bond election.  Brian’s BBQ will cater.  The plates are $8, the cause is good, the fun is free.  Even if you don’t plan to attend the game come early, eat and support our cause. 

If you can help an hour or two to make this a success, let me know.  Remember if you value something, lip service is the lowest level of exhibiting value, then it is monetary contribution and the highest value is shown by giving of your time and effort.  This bond election is very important to education in our community.

Calling all voters….

We have an important task to accomplish by October 5th.  That is the deadline for voters to register to vote in the November 3rd BISD bond election.  BFT is committed to contact those BFT members and BISD employees who are not registered to encourage them to register to vote.  This is a very important step in the process to pass the bond.

Other strategies to accomplish our bond goal is to contact all BFT members to be sure they understand the facts of the issue,  to support the bond and to vote early “for” the bond.  We will personally contact all members, prior to or during the early voting.  We will also follow up on members to determine if we were effective.

We will also use our resources to use the above strategies with other BISD employees and retired educators in the community. 

BFT will host a public forum at the Lake Jackson Civic Center on October 13th at 6:00 to provide information to our members, other BISD employees and the community.

With these strategies we will meet our goal….$166 million for education.

PAC Committee on the go…

Last evening a group of community members who are supportive of the BISD bond met at Brian’s BarBQ.  It was an organizational meeting.  Kim Starr is the chair and our own Rachel Seymour is the treasurer.  The reason for the committee is that BISD cannot promote the bond they can only present factual information.  This committee will be the community group that will promote it. 

The BFT Leadership Team will meet on Thursday the 24th to discuss our role in this endeavor.  Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend especially if you would like more information or you would like to get involved in promoting the bond.

Call the BFT office if you plan to attend.