SODA Council Nancy Rutkowski, Executive Director 248-585-3723 30701 Barrington Ave. Suite 125 Madison Heights, MI.

48071 nrutkowski@mea.org

MEA UniServ Field Update

October 2013

Getting Your Teaching Certificate and Keeping It Current

Beginning on September 1, 2013, the following requirements must be met in order to renew a Provisional certificate: Each renewal is valid for up to 3 years. First renewal requires completion of ONE Of THE FOLLOWING: o 6 semester hours in a planned course of study* since the issuance of the Provisional Certificate at an approved educator preparation institution; OR o 180 State Continuing Education Contact Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level and content endorsement(s) of the certificate held since the issuance of the Provisional Certificate; OR o combination of semester credit hours and SCECHs (30 SCECHs equate to 1 semester credit hour) since the issuance of the Provisional Certificate; OR Second renewal requires completion of ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: o 6 semester hours in a planned course of study* since the issuance of the FIRST Provisional Renewal at an approved educator preparation institution; OR o 180 State Continuing Education Contact Hours (SCECHs) appropriate to the grade level and content endorsement(s) of the certificate held since the issuance of the FIRST Provisional Renewal; OR o combination of semester credit hours and SCECHs (30 SCECHs equate to 1 semester credit hour) since the issuance of the FIRST Provisional Renewal; OR Third renewal requires sponsorship by the local school district or private school, completion of all academic requirements for the Professional Education Certificate, and approval of the MDE. This renewal will not be issued to individuals who meet all the requirements for the Professional certificate. An individual who holds an expired Provisional, Temporary Vocational Authorization, or Interim Occupational Certificate, and who has not met the credit requirements for a first or second renewal may qualify for a 3-year renewal of the certificate if he/she: o holds a valid certificate from another state; and o has taught in that state within the grade level and subject area endorsement or endorsements to the validity of the certificate for at least 1 year in the preceding 5-year period. * Credit completed outside the State of Michigan must be in an approved Ma sters degree program or in an endorsement program (minimum 20 semester credit hours to obtain endorsement) at a state approved teacher preparation institution.

We are moving On October 30, 2013, the SODA Office will be relocated to the MEA Bloomfield Office. The present phone number, 248-585-3723 will have a recording for 30 days stating the new phone number. The address is: 43252 Woodward Ave., Suite 200 Bloomfield Hills, MI. 48302

E-Dues Update
Last month, the Attorney General sent a letter to school districts telling them to report to him by Sept. 13 whether they were still payroll deducting dues. The letter was meant to intimidate and discourage the practice. MEA responded that dues deduction by payroll was allowed if contracts were settled before July 12, 2013. MEA has yet to receive a response. The impact of the Right to Work legislation on MEA has been very minimal. State wide, MEA has 99% of the members signed up for dues deduction. Here in the Eastern Zone, we have the highest percentage of locals that have reached 100% and this doesnt include the
locals, who are using direct deposit or other collection methods.

Local Lamphere Secretaries Oak Park Teachers Troy Teachers Troy Parapros

Signed Up 6 169 787 45

Members 6 196 795 62

Percent 100% 86% 99% 73%

Troy Secretaries and Lamphere Mechanics and Transportation are in the process of signing up their members. Congratulations to all!!!!

MEA members can save thousands through exclusive discounts

Think of the items and services a household regularly purchases groceries, clothing, meals, oil changes, entertainment it all adds up over time. Thankfully, MEA members have access to numerous member-only discounts that can save thousands of dollars each year on the items they buy most. By logging on to the Members Only section of www.mea.org, members have peruse a wide array of deep discounts on things like dining, eye care, home supplies, vacations, health products, golf and much more. MEA members can also download the My Deals mobile app on their smartphones to find discounts in their neighborhoods. By just using their member-only discounts just a few times a month by no means extreme couponing MEA members can offset the cost of dues and save additional money on products and services they use every day. To learn more and start taking advantage of member-only discounts today, visit the Members Only section of www.mea.org.