Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/129419
S T R AT E G I C P L A N N I N G > CTA members say…! Focus on transforming the profession, remain student-centered CTA is moving into the next phase of its strategic planning process, and you're invited to participate. Begun last August, the process helps CTA build a long-term plan for CTA that engages all members and staff, embraces new ideas, sets priorities, focuses organizational resources, and builds the CTA we want for our future. After months of talking with and listening to CTA members and staff, eight key areas are emerging as the focus for a strategic plan to lead CTA through the next three to five years (see sidebar). To identify these eight key areas, CTA reached out to members in different ways: two member surveys, including an online survey that was open to all members, retired members and student members; discussions at CTA conferences, State Council meetings, Service Center Council meetings and local chapter meetings; and one-on-one interviews. The 55-member Strategic Planning Group also reviewed CTA's current practices and structures and talked to parents, education partners, community groups, state labor unions and business groups. Committee members learned much during the research process. "As an organization, we are doing many things right, but there is more that we can and should do to make CTA even better," says Christal Watts, Vallejo Education Association. "I learned that CTA takes the democratic process seriously," says Kei Swensen, Oakland Education Association. "A motion made at State Council officially began this process, and no matter how difficult it may be to analyze, criticize, or make changes to our current structures or practices, our leadership is committed to providing the space and time in seeing it through." "The goal, in my mind, is to have active, engaged, members," says Jesse Aguilar, Kern High School Teachers Association. What does active engagement mean? "CTA provides a lot of services, like an insurance company. Members pay dues, CTA comes in and fixes a problem, then goes away. CTA is its members. We want members engaged in setting goals and reaching common goals." "I learned how little we know about our Native American/Alaska Native population," says Mary Levi, Upland Teachers Association, noting that both internal and external scans showed few native educators while the last census showed California has a significant number of native students in public schools. "If reports are correct and we have so few educators in our schools, we have a lot of work to do. If our native educators are just not speaking up, then we need to help them find their voices." Bill Wertz, who represents California Associate Staff (a CTA employees union), says the general public polling results "surprised me in the overwhelming support that is out there for teachers, and for students to achieve." "The process is moving forward, but we are all actively seeking to check our assumptions and make sure that our interpretation of the data is on track," says Chuck King, California Staff Organization (a CTA employees union). "Personally, I'm reminded that there are very smart people at every level who are committed to the CTA mission." The results of member input will be shared at upcoming meetings, online and in future print and electronic publications. You are invited and encouraged to hear and participate in discussions. See cta.org/strategicplan for more. The California Teachers Association exists to protect and promote the well-being of its members; to improve the conditions of teaching and learning; to advance the cause of free, universal, and quality public education; to ensure that the human dignity and civil rights of all children and youth are protected; and to secure a more just, equitable, and democratic society. Based on member input, CTA's mission will be carried out by focusing on these areas: • Building an organizing culture that engages CTA members at every level of our union. An organizing culture is one where members have a relationship with their union that is active and involved, rather than seeing the union simply as a place from which to receive services. Leaders and staff seek to engage members in strategy and problem solving. • Leadership and leadership development that supports the recruitment, retention and development of effective, responsible and accountable leaders at every level of our union. • Community engagement and coalition building that creates effective and authentic partnerships with parents, other unions and community organizations. • Transforming our profession for teachers and other educators by supporting the highest standards of quality in studentcentered education. • Standing up for social justice, equity and diversity inside our organization and in the greater community. • Structure and governance. Aligning CTA staffing and governance structures with these strategic objectives and assuring effective representational democracy in CTA. • Advocacy on education reform. Changing the education reform discourse to being proactive and student-centered on education policy issues. • Organizing unrepresented education workers. Engaging in new member organizing, including charter school workers, Education Support Professionals and college faculty, to advance our goal of quality education for all. May 2013 www.cta.org 41