Dear FWISE Members,

As we move into the new school year, there are several important things happening within FWISE. I want to make sure all members have the information they need regarding our upcoming General Membership Meeting, Representative Elections, and Conference Procedures.

Our next General Membership meeting will be held Thursday, October 15, 2026, in Vogels A & B from 4:00–6:00 p.m.

General Membership Meetings are an important opportunity for members to stay informed, ask questions, participate in discussions, and have a voice in our Federation.

At this meeting, the officers will provide updates on current topics and provide information about the conference money request process. Our Treasurer will present the budget and be available to answer questions.

The meeting is also a great opportunity to put faces to names and meet our current officers, representatives, and committee chairs.

This meeting will also be an important part of our Representative Election process, as nominations will be accepted during the meeting.

We encourage all members to attend and participate. Pizza and beverages will be provided, and there will be door prizes for those who stay until the end. You must be present to win!

The election for our 15 representative positions will take place this fall. Election Chair Jamie Spaulding will be sending out the official call for nominations and additional election information.Representatives play an important role in connecting our members with Federation leadership and helping ensure that members have a voice within FWISE.Representatives receive a $599 stipend/ year for their service to the Federation.

The nomination period will open shortly before the October 15, 2026, General Membership Meeting and will remain open until the conclusion of the meeting.Staff Representatives may be nominated in either of the following ways:

• From the floor during the General Membership Meeting; or
• By submitting a written nomination to the Elections and Nominations Committee prior to the meeting.

Members may nominate themselves.Nominees must affirmatively accept the nomination before they can be placed on the ballot or voted in by acclamation.

According to the recently revised FWISE Constitution, Article XI, Section 3(a-b), a member must meet the following requirements to be eligible to serve as a Representative:

• The member must be a member in good standing for at least six months prior to the date of the election.
• The member must be employed within the work group they are seeking to represent.

For example, a member interested in serving as the Unit I High Point Representative must be a Unit I member who works at High Point.If no member from a specific work group chooses to run for that Representative position, the position will then be opened to any member in good standing within that bargaining unit.

What Happens If Only One Person Runs?

If a Representative position is uncontested, the position will be filled by acclamation rather than requiring a contested election.If more than one eligible member runs for the same position, an electronic election will be conducted.

WHAT DOES A REPRESENTATIVE DO?

Being a Representative is an important responsibility. Representatives are the connection between their coworkers and the Federation. They help make sure members receive important information and have an avenue for bringing questions and concerns forward.

Representing and Supporting Members

Representatives:

• Keep the appropriate Vice-President and the Federation informed of items of special interest or concern to the Executive Council.
• Answer questions regarding the contract and other policy issues for their membership group.
• Communicate member concerns regarding the contract to the appropriate Vice-President and/or negotiating team during preparation for negotiations.
• Serve as the Federation spokesperson for their representative group, including attending discipline meetings, hearing grievances, and serving as a liaison between members and the Executive Council.

The 15 Representative positions are divided among the following work groups:Unit I

• High Point – 2 positions
• Progress Park
• Local Based Programs/Early Childhood Parent Educators
• Young Adult West – Chelsea, Dexter, Young Adult Transition Center, Wash News
• Young Adult East – Carpenter, Ypsi, EMU, WCC, and YAP
• Red Oak

Unit II

• High Point
• Progress Park
• Local Based
• Red Oak/YA/CIY
• Support Services
• Early Childhood
• TC A – DHH, VI, YAP, O&M
• TC B – Transition, LRE, WEOC

 Supporting the Grievance Process 

Representatives:

• Notify the appropriate Grievance Chair (Vice-Presidents) when necessary.
• Attend at least Step 1 of the grievance process.
• May serve on the Grievance Committee if requested by the Vice-President of their group.

Keeping Members Informed

Representatives help ensure members receive important Federation information, including:

• Pertinent information from Executive Council and General Membership meetings.
• Upcoming meetings, conferences, activities, flyers, surveys, and other Federation communications.
• Relevant AFT and Local notices and information.

Supporting Federation Activities

Representatives are also expected to:

• Attend Executive Council, General Membership, Federation/Administration, and other Federation meetings—usually around 15 meetings per year.
• Be present at the Federation table on Opening Day to greet members, collect sign-ins, distribute materials, encourage non-members to join the Federation, and assist with membership paperwork.
• Encourage members to support one another and the Federation.
• Communicate the benefits of Federation membership to new staff.
• Attend at least one Representative training each year.

Representatives may also be asked to assume other responsibilities assigned by the President, Vice-President, or Executive Council.

Serving as a Representative is one of the most direct ways to become involved in FWISE and support your coworkers.You don't have to know everything about the contract or how the Federation operates. Representatives work with the Executive Committee and other Federation leaders to address questions and concerns and to keep members informed.If you are someone who likes to listen, communicate, help others, and be involved, we encourage you to consider running for a Representative position.You don't have to be an officer to make a difference in your Federation.

MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING

Because being a member in good standing is an eligibility requirement for serving as a Representative, it is important to understand what that means.Under the FWISE Constitution, a member in good standing is a member who:

• Is up to date in payment of dues to the Federation; and
• Complies with the Federation's Constitution, bylaws, and rules.

A member who is more than 30 days delinquent in dues will be considered not in good standing and will be promptly notified of their status.A member will be removed from membership in the Federation, with notice, following three months of dues nonpayment, unless a plan to repay back dues is made and approved by both the Executive Council and the member.If you have questions about your membership or dues status, please contact the Federation before the nomination period closes.

CONFERENCE PROCEDURES

We are also providing updated Conference Procedures to help members better understand the process for requesting and attending conferences and other professional development opportunities.The procedures are designed to make the process easier to follow and provide clear information about:

• Requesting conference or professional development opportunities.
• Required approvals.
• Registration and travel arrangements.
• Reimbursement procedures.
• Required documentation.
• Responsibilities before and after attending a conference or training.

GET INVOLVED IN YOUR FEDERATION

There are many ways to be involved in FWISE, and serving as a Representative is one of them.Whether you attend a General Membership Meeting, vote in an election, become a Representative, participate in a committee, or simply stay informed and encourage your coworkers to be involved, your participation strengthens our Federation.We encourage everyone to attend the October 15 General Membership Meeting, learn more about the Representative positions, hear about current topics, and meet your Federation leadership team.Thank you for your continued support of FWISE and for everything you do for our students, coworkers, and school community.In solidarity,Jacqui Coluccy President Federation of Washtenaw School Employees (FWISE) Local 3760