We are happy to let you know about a new member-led committee focused on Ending Student Homelessness. A great benefit of being a union member is having opportunities to facilitate cross-school collaboration and advocacy for important issues!

We have over a dozen active BTU Organizing Committees that bring together union members and help us build POWER as a union by creating a space for members to advocate around the issues they care about. Committees exist to build community and solidarity, share resources and best practices, and to organize campaigns that elevate educator voices. Learn more about our current efforts in the events section below and on our website. If you’re interested in joining any of our committees, contact Natalia Cuadra-Saez.

BTU Events & Committee Meetings

TODAY — Election Committee Meeting: Tuesday, October 16
The Election Committee wishes to remind all active and retired members that 2018-19 is a BTU election year. There will be an election for all union offices in the spring. All meetings of the committee are open to observers, and each meeting will include a period set aside for member questions. You may access meeting minutes by signing into the BTU Member Portal at members.btu.org. All meetings will be at the BTU at 5 PM. Our next meetings will be October 16 and November 13. See a full list.

TOMORROW — BTU Solidarity Picket with Local 26 Hotel Workers!
The BTU calls on our members to turn out in solidarity tomorrow October 17 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the Westin Copley Hotel (10 Huntington Ave, very close to Orange and Green line stops!) to walk the walk with workers on the picket line! Please come out and support for all or part or part of the time. Help us know how many members we can expect by emailing BTU organizer Liliana at lgutmann@btu.org or RSVPing on the Facebook page. Liliana can also let you know other times and locations you can support the striking workers.

Equity Committees Meeting: Thursday, October 18
Please join us at the BTU from 4:30-6:30. Our Equity Committees include: Unafraid Educators, Puerto Rican Educators, Haitian Educators, LGBTQ Committee, and the Committee on Teachers in SPC Roles. We will meet throughout the year on the THIRD Tuesdays of the month (special exception this month). Email Natalia atncuadrasaez@btu.org to learn more and to RSVP.

BuildBPS Forum: October 18
Please join us for a BuildBPS forum for BTU members at the BTU on Thursday, October 18 from 5:30-7:30 PM.

Puerto Rico: Disaster, Recovery, Resistance: October 20
Join us on October 20 at 1:30 PM at the BTU to hear from Gilberto Diaz of Puerto Rico. Gilberto will talk about the recovery effort, the organizing, and the need for support. Discussion and questions will follow. Donations would be appreciated. For more info, contact Heidi Winston at heidicwinston@gmail.com.

NEW — New Educators Canvassing Day: October 21
The New Educators Committee will be canvassing to support the Yes on 3 vote in support of transgender rights this Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM (come for as long as you can!). The canvassing team will be leaving from 784 Tremont Street. If you can join us,please RSVP so we know how many to expect.

Education Town Hall with Councilor Essaibi-George: October 23
This fall City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George is holding a series of Town Halls across the city. Please plan to join us for a special Town Hall for Educators with the Councilor at the BTU on October 23. Contact Johnny McInnis with questions at jmcinnis@btu.org.

Paint Night at the BTU: November 2
Come celebrate beating the October Blues! Join fellow Boston educators and friends for a fun, relaxing evening of painting, snacks, music, a raffle, and cash bar to support the Rollins Griffith Teacher Center of Boston. Read more and download a flyer, and reserve your space.

NEW — Ethnic Studies Now Meeting and Ethnic Studies PD for BPS Educators: Sunday, November 4 and Friday, November 16
Join a group of BPS educators working to bring Ethnic Studies curricula to BPS. Our next meeting will take place on Sunday, November 4 from 2-4 PM. To learn more and RSVP please contact Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org. Interested in taking PD on Ethnic Studies? The AEP Ethnic Studies Institute scheduled for November 16 from 8-4 is the first in a yearlong series of interactive institutes that aims to prepare and support BPS educators to grow and nurture Ethnic Studies in their classrooms and schools. Register on MyLearningPlan.

NEW — Academics Committee Meeting: November 8
Our Academics Committees (Inclusion, ELL, Climate Change, Early Ed, PLAB, and Arts) usually meet throughout the year on the FIRST Tuesdays of the month (special exception this month because of election day). To learn more and to RSVP please contact Natalia at ncuadrasaez@btu.org.

NEW — BTU Digitizing Oral Histories Day: Saturday, November 17
Please join us on November 17 from 10-3 at the BTU and help us preserve the history of the BTU! UMass Boston staff and a team of BTU volunteers will scan photographs and documents recording individual stories. Additionally, there will be a video station for people to record their memories of involvement with the BTU and working in BPS. Everything will be included in a digital open access archive. Interested in contributing or volunteering? RSVP at btu.org/digitizingday.

Teacher-Powered Schools National Conference in Boston
The 2018 Teacher-Powered Schools National Conference will be held this year in Boston from November 30 to December 2. The BTU is proud to be a co-sponsor and is excited to bring this national event to the east coast and connect with teams using collaborative leadership and shared decision-making structures. The conference is led by practitioners nationwide who reimagine teaching and leading. These teacher-powered teams use their autonomies and collaborative practices to create student-centered learning environments and improve schooling. Register today on Eventbrite!

Community Organizing Events

NEW — College Access Workshop: Applying as an undocumented student: October 26
Join the Student Immigrant Movement and MIT Admissions on Friday, October 26 from 6-7:30 PM at the MIT Campus. The event is free, and dinner will be provided. Read more and register online.

NEW — Professor Yong Zhao at Wellesley: November 1
We invite you to Wellesley College to hear Professor Yong Zhao, University of Kansas, discuss his new book, What Works May Hurt: Side Effects in Education, for the annual Diane Silvers Ravitch Lecture. The talk is free and open to the public. See the flyer for more.

Activating the Massachusetts Electorate: October 22
Join the Edward M. Kennedy Institute this Monday at 6:30 PM for a free event about how we can activate and expand the Massachusetts electorate. Learn more and register.

Join the Peace Flag Mural on the Common: October 20
All school children are invited to join Children’s Services of Roxbury as they attempt to create the largest peace Flag Mural ever! Learn more.