Tivoli Hunt – Tuscan	Cameron Parke – South Orange Middle	Barbara Bracey – Tuscan
Carol West – Seth Boyden	Sarah Haldeman – Seth Boyden	Rosemary Connell – Seth Boyden

Brenda Ross (SOMS), Cameron Parke, Tivoli Hunt, Sarah Haldeman and Carol West. Also thank you to Cynthia Vengraitis (Tuscan), Tiffany Barnes (Office of the Registrar)

This is a VOLUNTARY position that provides a $500 yearly budget which will serve to reimburse the host(s) for monies spent on food or activities (excluding alcohol). SOMEA offers this position and budget to help to support teachers and staff of color to create networks and support systems within the union, the district and the individual schools. SOMEA recognizes that our current staff demographics mirror that of the nation in that our membership is over 80% white. Working in this environment can be taxing and isolating for POC and SOMEA wants to provide the opportunity for networking and relationship building. SOMEA also understands that cross-racial relationships will and must occur but they do not always provide the safety and liberty that affinity groups can provide.

Any staff member or teacher may volunteer for this position and it may also be shared between volunteers. The number of days, the times of the meetings and the meeting dates are to be determined by the host(s), but this should act as ongoing support throughout the school year. There is no pre-determined minimum or maximum amount of time. Due to laws that govern how a teachers’ union can spend its money, a report must be generated in order to reimburse monies spent. To achieve this, a sign-in sheet for every meeting must be turned in to Laurie Pham at someatreasurer@gmail.com along with a BRIEF report of what was discussed.

SOMEA encourages a social atmosphere that is inclusive to all People of Color but limited ONLY to SOMEA members. Please reach out to Pat Hurley, pmhur@aol.com if you are interested.

A reminder, if you need to change your password go to https://charlie.somsd.k12.nj.us. If your password has expired you will be prompted to change your password.  If your password is not expired, at the bottom right is the link to change your password.

SOMEA President, Rocio Lopez, addresses new faculty and staff at the 2018-2019 New Staff Orientation

SOMEA welcomes new faculty and staff to the South Orange-Maplewood School District at the 2018-2019 NEA Staff Orientation

All of our members are winners in the fight for worker rights!

And thanks to donations from Staples of Vauxhall, Target Store Union-North, and Starbucks of Maplewood, many of our SOMEA Reps were winners at our special “Last Rep Council of 2017-2018” raffle!