Building Representatives
Building Representatives hold a very important role in not only our union, but in our schools as well. In general, there are five main roles of Building Representatives. These roles are described below:
Leader
Building Representatives, by definition, represent our members and the Boston Teachers Union. Our building representatives must be effective leaders that other members feel comfortable turning to for support in a variety of ways. It is important to be approachable and to model professionalism as a lead educator so that you are in the best position possible to advocate for what is needed to improve the school, support our members, and best serve our students. It is important to lead by example, take initiative, and act as a team player.
Communicator
Building Reps help other staff to understand BTU positions and policy, to learn about changes that are happening in the field, to learn about opportunities to become more engaged, and to help members make their voices heard in the union and policy world. To be a great communicator, it is important to STAY INFORMED! It is absolutely important that Reps attend membership and Building Rep meetings; open, read and respond to emails and mailings you receive; and read the E-Bulletin each week. It is also important to become familiar with the contract, read the BTU Newspapers, and above all ASK QUESTIONS if you don’t understand something or need help! The union depends on building reps for two-way communication.
Organizer
That means having your building structured so that there is a visible, functioning Union network that can be used to not only enforce the contract, but to advocate for positive changes to improve our schools and beyond. There should be structures for members to meet regularly, communicate information between members, and to engage members in larger efforts to improve not just your own school, but beyond. It is our job to educate our new members about the importance of the Union and to encourage their participation. We must build organizational capacity by signing up new members, listening to what our members need, having conversations to build community, and taking action as needed.
Problem-Solver
As a problem solver, Building Reps help to mediate conflicts, overcome challenges, and facilitate productive communication between our members and the administration. Serving as an active member of the Faculty Senate is one way to do so. You can help in the day-to-day school activities and keep the Senate informed about Union policy. But it may go beyond the Senate. You may be required to meet with the building administration to iron out school problems, especially as they relate to areas of the contract. And, of course, it includes handling grievances at Step One. The Field Reps are always available to support you in this aspect of your role.
Friend
Especially for members new to a building, Representatives act as someone they can turn to for help and to get questions answered, and to feel welcomed into a new environment. Reps should be the first to welcome new members. The BTU is a collection of all of us sharing our common hopes, and aspirations, and our friendship. Alone and isolated we are just employees. Together, we are the Boston Teachers Union.
Be prepared! Make sure you have the following tools handy to help you. Anything you’re missing can be picked up at the BTU office:
- Contracts, including Election to Work Agreements, Innovation Plans, or Charter MOUs if applicable
- Building Rep Handbook
- Membership Applications/COPE cards
- Voter Registration Cards
- List of all BTU members at your school including phone and personal email
- Lists: members of your school’s current School Site Council, as well as, your school’s By-Laws, ILT members, SST members, and Parent Council members.
- Website addresses:
Each school or group is allowed one (1) representative for every twenty-five (25) Union members or portion thereof. Elections should be held and the results reported in writing to the Union office by June 1. Thereafter, the attendance sheets for meetings will be set up to determine eligibility for the Building Rep stipend.
School Governance
The BTU Building Rep, the School Site Council (SSC) , the Faculty Senate, the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), along with the principal/headmaster, make up the school governance community in every school. Their actions and decisions affect the quality of the teaching and learning that goes on in our buildings every day and the degree of personal and professional satisfaction we derive from our jobs.
Building Rep FAQ
Back to School Building Rep Resources
As a building rep, you are the backbone of this 10,000 member-strong union. You also are never alone – there are many resources and a union family here to support you. Below you will find materials to support you in your role and to keep members plugged into BTU activities as the new school year begins. Hard copies of these materials are also being mailed to your home address. If you don’t receive them by Labor Day, please contact Natasha (nmoore@btu.org) to make sure we have your correct mailing address on file.
30 Minute Meeting: Remember that every school needs to run a BTU 30 minute back-to-school meeting during PD hours. Most schools will hold this meeting on Wednesday, September 6 (as spelled out in the red contract book on p. 49). A slide deck presentation can be found HERE. Make sure to look at the speaker notes for more guidance on how to run the meeting and feel free to make a copy so you can modify the presentation to meet your school’s needs.
Building Rep Orientation: All building reps are strongly encouraged to attend a building rep orientation on Wednesday, August 28 from 10-11:30am or Thursday, August 29 from 4:30-6:00pm. This orientation is designed to benefit all building reps, not just new ones. At this meeting we will review slides for the BTU 30 minute back-to-school meeting and go over what you need to know to start the school year strong. In addition, you will learn requirements to earn your stipend for the year. Please RSVP HERE.
- BTU member application cards (Anyone who has switched bargaining units or has switched schools needs to sign a new card. Return newly signed cards to the BTU office!)
- Change of address cards (Completed cards can be returned to the BTU office)
- Building rep handbook
- Sign-up sheets (Collect non-BPS emails and phone numbers to create member listserv and CAT phone tree)
- Fall Conference 2023 Flyer
- Back to School Fair flyers (Sign up to volunteer! Share with BPS students and families!)
- Homework Helpers
- List of Organizing Committees
- Sick Bank Info
- An Open Letter to All New Provisional Educators
- Health & Welfare Fund – Summary for Teachers and Summary for Paraprofessionals
- Calendar for the year