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Reports to the 2020 Representative Assembly

May 23, 2020

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TABLE OF CONTENTS WEAC Committee Members 3 WEAC Standing Committee Reports 4

Community Outreach & Family Involvement Committee 4 Education Support Professionals Committee 6 Human & Civil Rights Committee 7

Legislative Committee 9 Quality Education Committee 11

WI Early Career Educators 14 WEA Academy, Incorporated 17 WEA Credit Union 19 WEA Insurance Trust Report 21 WEA Member Benefits Report 25

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WEAC COMMITTEE MEMBERS Community Outreach & Family Involvement Committee DJ Ehrike, Chair Denise Engstrom, Vice Chair Andrew Mente Jessica Galarneau Eric Gullickson Christina Brey, Staff Liaison Credentials & Elections Committee Mary Loeffler, Co-Chair Tiffany Primeau, Co-Chair Deb Bell Mindy Duford Kobao Kong Dianne Lang Joyce Matthews Ann Willis Christina Ripley, Staff Liaison Educational Support Professionals Committee Kay Hansen, Chair Susan Schemberger Catherine Schuett Patricia Sebranek Susan Smits Qiana Wilson Joey Roeth, Staff Liaison Governance Documents Committee Charles Boland, Chair Miranda Beninger, Vice Chair Ronald Brandt Steve Wright Alli Dezurik-Otto Randy Goss Rebecca Ferber Osborn, Staff Liaison Human & Civil Rights Committee Michelle Frola, Chair E-Ben Grisby, Vice Chair Rachelle Gardner Alaura Cook Caitlyn Mohr Carol Heffner Kelly Sullivan Liz Fernandez, Staff Liaison

Legislative Committee Bryan Milz, Chair Colleen Robson, Vice Chair Tammy Johnson Peter Opps Julie Meyer Stephanie Rapach Crystal Ealy Sarah R. Watson Bob Baxter, Staff Liaison Political Action Committee Ron “Duff” Martin, Chair Andrew Martin, Vice Chair Sharon Downey Melissa Rohrbeck Pam Georgeson David Doering Bryan Milz Carrie Bergum Patricia Schmidt Cade Lambrecht Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, Ex. Officio Kim Schroeder, Ex. Officio Bob Baxter, Staff Liaison Quality Education Committee Rick Erickson, Chair Michelle Wright, Vice Chair Lorie Erickson Jeni Giedd Lisa Glaser Allison Murphy Kristen Henningfeld Justin Kamp Gina Pagel Jeff Baas, Staff Liaison WI Early Career Educators Molly Walsh Anderson, Chair Elizabeth O’Leary, Vice Chair Todd Andersen-Goldworthy Jessica Bodart Brooke Bougie Allyson Craft-Henshaw Travis Eales Katelyn Klieve Zachary Geiger Tessa Maglio Barry Walsh Kyle Emmert

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Community Outreach and Family Involvement Submitted by: DJ Ehrike, Chair

The WEAC Community Outreach and Family Involvement Committee strives to improve union connections at the

state level, while also supporting local associations to do the same.

Charge #1: Review and make recommendations to the WEAC president pertaining to current WEAC on-line

communications and publications focusing on enhancing our ability to connect with members, potential members

and the community.

Accomplishments: The committee supported efforts relating to the WEAC web site redesign project underway by

WEAC Public Affairs. Input provided direction in areas including the look and feel of the design and menu creation.

Work to be completed: It is recommended that next year’s committee continue to review and refine the new web

property, as well as provide input on Phase II of the project as the newsletters and communications templates are

transitioned to a format complementary to the web site.

Charge #2: Review scholarship applications according to WEAC Policy Article 5.0, 1.G. and provide selections to

the WEAC president at the February meeting.

Accomplishments: The charge was completed as scheduled. 2020 recipients are:

Anna Claerbaut – Kathy Mann Scholarship winner

Parents: David & Mary Claerbaut, Cedar Grove-Belgium School District

WEAC Region 3

Sophia Sander

Parents: Christopher & Tricia Sander, Cuba City

WEAC Region 6

Samuel Lucas Johnson

Parents: Jon & Jennifer Johnson, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau

WEAC Region 4

Lynsey Anderson

Parents: Dan and Karen Anderson, Holmen

WEAC Region 4

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Charge #3: Review and make recommendations to the WEAC president for any revision to the current scholarship

application.

Accomplishments: Work is ongoing on charge #3.

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ESP Committee Submitted by: Kay Hansen, Chair

Charge #1: Review ESP scholarship applications and make a recommendation to the WEAC president by February 2020. The committee had two scholarship applications to review. Both applicants met all qualifications. Scholarships of $1000 each were given to Ian Sweet from South Milwaukee and Patricia Sebranek from Green Bay. This charge has been completed for 2019-2020. Charge #2: Provide to the WEAC president recommendations for workshops, sessions, and speakers for the 2020 ESP Academy held with the WEAC Professional Development Institute. A list of recommendations for workshops, sessions and speakers was submitted to President Martin. This charge has been completed for 2019-2020. Charge #3: Review the ESP handbook and make recommendations on an online ESP Toolkit. This was the second year of a two-year charge. Changes and recommendations were given to WEAC. All recommendations were approved. WEAC has started the changes to the ESP Handbook (an online handbook) and subsequently an online toolkit. This charge is completed for the WEAC ESP Committee. In addition to the above charges, the WEAC ESP Committee has also been working to create and plan two ESP drive-in, one-day conferences called Recharge Saturday Conferences. In order to reach more ESP throughout the state, one conference will be held in the south central region and another in the northern region of the state.

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Human and Civil Rights Committee Submitted by: Michelle Frola, Chair

The 2019-2020 HCR Committee was a very active and productive group! On top of the charges that are listed below, the group took up a few “extra” duties. We reviewed WEAC’s 3.1(g) Action Plan (required by NEA) and put forth a suggestion for an addition to the plan to the WEAC Board of Directors. The recommendation was approved, and then the revised plan was sent to the NEA Board of Directors, where it also was approved. Then the group decided that we had a candidate that we could submit for the WEAC Friend of Education Award. This nomination was put forth. Lastly, we decided that we wanted to assist the Legislative Committee by putting together a fund-raiser basket for the NEA Children’s Fund. Members of the group purchased an item to donate for our “Diversity” basket. We saw this as another way to help raise awareness of our membership. Charge #1: Promote racial minority membership involvement by recommending appointments to the WEAC President for various WEAC committees, conferences and activities. Accomplishments: HCR Committee members believe that it is a responsibility for EVERY local, region, and urban, leader and member, to put forth members’ names that would help grow our racial minority population. Any names shared with members of the committee have been sent to President Martin for his consideration. Also, a joint email was sent out to all members that selected racial minority categories on their membership form to raise the awareness of diverse members of the state delegate election for the NEA RA. This email encouraged members to consider running for this election. Work to be completed: This charge an ongoing charge for all of WEAC. The only way we as an organization can make sure that ALL voices are heard and represented is to encourage, invite and welcome members of diverse populations constantly. It is the hope of this committee that targeted emails continue to be sent out to make sure that we are reaching as many of our diverse members as possible for all WEAC activities. Charge #2: Encourage members to submit nominations for WEAC and NEA Awards (particularly the WEAC Lewandowski Award). Accomplishments: The committee, through a local connection, found a nomination for WEAC’s Lewandowski Award and the local contact submitted the necessary information for consideration by WEAC. This year’s HCR members reached out to six different possible nominees for various NEA HCR Awards. Contacts were made, and two of the six nominees were able to work with committee members to put together complete applications for two NEA Awards. A third nominee’s application was missing some vital elements in order to submit for this year; however, with further assistance could be a definite submission for next year. Note: One of last year’s NEA Award winners from Wisconsin had a problem with the hotel that he stayed in and his award--it went missing. Working with our NEA Directors and with NEA Executive Committee member Shelly Moore Krajacic, we were able to get a replacement award for this recipient. He was extremely grateful! Work to be completed: This year’s work for charge #2 is complete. At the time of this writing, we are anxiously awaiting the outcome of nominations for both WEAC and NEA Awards.

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Charge #3: Make recommendations of sessions for the 2019 Professional Issues Conference that are focused on minority and racial justice. Accomplishments: HCR contacted Ben Grignon, a WEAC member and a member of the Menominee Nation, to present a session that would help to raise awareness of our Indigenous population. He presented a session that incorporated a traditional beading and story-telling project. Vice-Chair E-Ben Grisby and I attended this session, and we both agreed that the session was well worth our time. HCR also reached out to the group Project 16:49 from Rock County. Project 16:49 works with homeless students in that area. Their session raised awareness of the growing homeless student population in Wisconsin. I attended this session and was appreciative of the work that this group does for students in their area. Many of the services that Project 16:49 is involved with can be replicated in other areas of the state. Work to be completed: The HCR Committee developed a Google file that contains ideas for future sessions and speakers for the Professional Development Institute. This file will be passed onto the new chair of this committee.

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Legislative Committee Submitted by: Bryan Milz, Chair

The WEAC Legislative Committee develops the WEAC Legislative Agenda for consideration by the Board of

Directors, develops recommendations on legislative initiatives advanced by membership, and improves advocacy

opportunities for WEAC Education Activists.

Charge #1: Continue to promote and engage WEAC RA delegates in contributing funds to the NEA Children’s

Fund for the 2020 WEAC RA.

Accomplishments: The committee planned the 2020 fund raiser to be held in conjunction with the 2020 RA,

however, upon postponement of an in-person WEAC RA, the fund raiser was canceled. The committee has

included a promotion for the NEA Children’s Fund as a standing item in the WEAC weekly e-newsletter.

Charge #2: Recommend to the WEAC President the biennial legislative agenda.

Accomplishments: The committee developed its recommendations, which were approved by the WEAC Board of

Directors.

Charge #3: Addition to WEAC Legislative Agenda – New bullet under Equitable Funding: Fully fund bilingual-

bicultural education in public schools. The state currently only funds 8.1% of these costs. (Rationale: The past 24

years has seen the bilingual-bicultural program reimbursement rate decline. In 1995, the reimbursement rate was

32% and in 2018 it was 8.1%. Governor Evers’ budget request asks for the reimbursement rate to increase to 20%

in 2021 and 30% in 2022, an amount still lower than the reimbursement rates in 1995.

Accomplishments: The item is included in the WEAC Legislative Agenda.

Charge #4: Review the NEA Legislative Agenda and identify items that should be promoted in Wisconsin through

our communication platforms.

Accomplishments: The committee received a copy of the NEA Legislative Agenda and began to review it.

Recommendation: Into 2020, the committee will continue to review the document and identify items to be

promoted in Wisconsin.

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Charge #5: Review work of the Task Force dealing with NBI #9 – to make sure it complies with the Legislative

Agenda established for 2019-2021. NBI #9 – WEAC will develop a long-term written strategic plan to restore

collective bargaining in Wisconsin. The plan will include tactics to publicize the harms done to the education

professions by Act 10 and build public and lawmaker support for key elements of collective bargaining such as just

cause. As a part of this long-range plan, WEAC will work with its coalition partners to introduce a stand-alone bill to

restore collective bargaining rights during the fall legislative session. Beyond this immediate action, WEAC will form

a committee made up of representatives of all the regions and urbans that choose to participate. In addition, the

state organization may designate staff and/or officers to participate. Each region and urban local will decide on its

participant. If insufficient funds exist for in-person meetings, then meetings will be conducted by teleconference

and/or Zoom. A draft plan will be submitted to the WEAC Board of Directors by no later than the September

meeting.

Accomplishments: The committee reviewed the work of the task force on NBI #9 and ensured it aligned with the

WEAC Legislative Agenda. Key components of NBI #9 were accomplished including the following (see NBI #9

report for full detail):

• The discussion begun in spring 2019 led to SB 854 / AB 945.

• WEAC increased the number of education activists through online engagement opportunities and created

several WEAC Home Teams of educators to lobby their legislators on collective bargaining, in partnership

with regions.

• WEAC promoted the value of collective bargaining on union platforms and through resources for local

engagement, in partnership with regions.

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Quality Education Committee Submitted by: Rick Erickson, Chair

The Quality Education (QE) Committee met three times during the 2019-20 school year. QE Committee work has been focused on engaging our members, providing quality professional development, supporting Aspiring Educators and supporting members in state initiatives. The committee is supported extraordinarily well by our staff liaison, Jeff Baas. This past year we addressed six charges.

Charge #1: Meet by conference call with the WEAC members of the DPI Professional Standards Council to share the charges of the QE Committee and to get an update on the PSC current work. Accomplishments: The Quality Education Committee Chair shared QE charges with WEAC members of the Professional Standards Council (PSC), and WEAC PSC members shared minutes from their 10-25-2019 PSC meeting. The QE Committee met by conference call with WEAC members of the PSC at 10 am on February 22, 2020 during the QE February meeting. PSC members discussed items from their 02-07-2020 meeting and indicated a current primary focus of the PSC is restoring the teaching profession. They have been discussing recommendations regarding decision making, policies, preparatory time, professional development and supervision.

Work to be completed: The conference call was positive, and both committees recognized the value of continued collaborative conversations. The QE Committee believes this should be an ongoing charge so that we can work in unity and promote each other’s efforts.

Charge #2: Work with appropriate staff to review evaluations from the 2019 Professional Development Institute to assist in the preparation and planning for the 2020 Professional Development Institute.

Accomplishments: Each year, the QE Committee helps plan the Professional Development Institute (PDI). Additionally, the QE Committee annually reviews PDI evaluations and suggests modifications to the conference to best serve WEAC members. It was noted that several of the poor evaluations were related to sessions led by non-classroom teachers. Based on evaluations from the 2019 fall PDI, the QE Committee recommends reducing the number of total sessions. The QE Committee is working to modify the current session proposal form and create a rubric to evaluate session proposals because proposals will likely outnumber session openings based on trends.

One primary goal is to recruit more active teachers to better balance the attendance of active teachers and Aspiring Educators. Toward that end, we have made arrangements for a keynote speaker for the 2020 PDI who we believe will draw interest as well as effectively address equity and Act 31 issues.

Work to be completed: The QE Committee recognizes this will be an ongoing charge.

Charge #3: Write a curriculum for the Aspiring Educators program that will focus on understanding the profession and professionalism, learning about students, educators as advocates, unionism, and other topics that are of interest. The curriculum will be geared toward a local Aspiring Educator chapter and a yearlong program. Accomplishments: The WEAC Ambassador model which establishes an early career educator liaison for Aspiring Education chapters is a good start toward resolving this charge. Additionally, the QE Committee will assemble

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documents with the WEAC core values and a description of WEAC structure. These documents will provide material for Aspiring Educator chapters to begin discussions about WEAC.

Work to be completed: The QE Committee recommends this charge continue collaboratively with Aspiring Educators, Early Career Educators, and Quality Education Committee members through a temporary work group. The QE Committee would like to develop a list of items that should be included in this “curriculum.” That list of items could provide a framework for Aspiring Educator chapters. The Chair of the Early Career Educator Committee has expressed an interest in working collaboratively on this charge.

Charge #4: New Business Item (NBI) #6 - The QE standing committee will work with the leaders of the Aspiring Educators to develop recommendations related to teacher preparation programs offered throughout the state to be provided to the WEAC president. With the information provided by the submitted recommendations, the WEAC president will work with the WI Department of Public Instruction on program changes related to teacher preparation programs.

Accomplishments: As institutes of higher learning develop teacher preparation program plans, the situations regarding this task are fluid. QE Committee members began searching for recommendations made by other professional organizations in hopes we could have a baseline for discussion. Instead, we primarily found recommendations related to recent licensure changes.

Work to be completed: The QE Committee suggests continuing this charge next year in order to develop and conduct a survey on teacher preparation programs to aspiring educators, early educators, and cooperating teachers. The QE Committee would like to collaborate on this charge with Aspiring Educators and Early Career Educators.

Charge #5: Determine how WEAC will support the efforts of the WI Department of Public Instruction to promote its program for Trauma Sensitive schools.

Accomplishments: The QE Committee made a recommendation to develop a link from the WEAC website to the DPI webpage related to trauma-sensitive schools. That recommendation was approved. The QE Committee will also make a recommendation to include DPI trauma-sensitive flyers in folders handed out to attendees at WEAC conferences. The QE Committee has connected with DPI staff members regarding this charge, and DPI is supportive of the collaborative effort. NEA resources dealing with trauma informed care were also discussed for possible links as well.

Work to be completed: The QE Committee will work to develop the verbiage for the link to the DPI webpage and also work with appropriate WEAC staff to put the link in place. The QE Committee will also submit a recommendation to include DPI trauma sensitive information in WEAC event folders. QE Committee will request additional links to appropriate NEA trauma sensitive information.

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Charge #6: Review New Educator handbooks from other states and create a handbook for Wisconsin.

Accomplishments: The QE Committee has reviewed new educator handbooks from Louisiana and South Dakota. We have begun the development of a Wisconsin handbook. QE Committee members searched for existing Wisconsin handbooks from the past but have not been able to locate any physical copies or readable electronic copies.

Work to be completed: The committee will continue to review the Louisiana and South Dakota handbooks and make recommendations for a Wisconsin handbook. We hope to have a draft version ready by July 2020. We would like to continue this charge in 2020-21 with collaboration from Early Career Educators.

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Wisconsin Early Career Educators Task Force Report

Submitted by: Molly Walsh Anderson, Chair The Wisconsin Early Career Educators Committee met four times throughout the 2019-2020 school year with meetings in October, December (via Zoom), February, and April (via Zoom, as the January meeting was rescheduled to April due to inclement weather). The committee reviewed how WECE can connect and support the Aspiring Educator program, development of a statewide Early Career Educator (ECE) network and events, ECEs and teacher retention, the branding for WECE and presence of ECEs in WEAC publications, building leaders within WECE and WEAC SLA, creating comprehensive labor union education for ECEs, and how to support locals and/or regions in creating an ECE network or committee. Charge #1: Brainstorm ways that the Wisconsin Early Career Educators can connect with the Aspiring Educators in meaningful ways. The committee should review the similarities between both groups of educators as how they are different. The committee should make recommendations to the President of WEAC on how Wisconsin Early Career Educators can help Aspiring Educators see what opportunities exist in the union after graduating from college. Finally, the committee will make recommendations to the President on how the WECE’s can support the Aspiring Educator program. Accomplishments: The committee reviewed the similarities and differences between the Aspiring Educators and WECE. We worked with the Aspiring Educators state leadership to learn more about the Aspiring Educators program, how the Aspiring Educators program supports their members and the transition into WEAC membership. Due to inclement weather in January, we were unable to meet in person and discuss how WECE can support the Aspiring Educator program. We have begun to brainstorm ways how WECE can connect with the Aspiring Educators program and build the bridge between Aspiring Educator membership and WEAC membership. Some ideas include hosting joint events between WECE and Aspiring Educator at the local and state level, connecting with Aspiring Educators about to graduate to support their transition into full-time teaching, and how to engage Aspiring Educator members and leaders in their new locals and regions once they are hired. The committee is excited about the connections that can be created and sustained between the Aspiring Educators and WECE. Work to be completed: The committee can continue to work with the Aspiring Educators leadership to build and solidify connections between the two programs and continue to educate Aspiring Educator members about WEAC, WECE, and the importance of WEAC membership as an active teacher. The committee can also continue to work with the Aspiring Educators and WEAC locals and regions to build leadership and engage former Aspiring Educators in WECE and other leadership opportunities at the state and local levels.

Charge #2: Develop and recommend to the President of WEAC ideas for ECE Conferences and how to establish a statewide network of ECEs. Accomplishments: The committee discussed multiple options for engaging ECEs in a statewide conference such as having an ECE-focused statewide conference, smaller regional conferences for ECEs, and creating a tract for ECEs at the WEAC PDI. After much discussion, the committee recommends the creation of an ECE tract at the WEAC PDI to begin the establishment of a statewide network of ECEs and create a space for ECEs to convene, network, and engage together. The committee discussed ideas for potential presentations and social events focused on ECEs that could be a part of the ECE tract at WEAC PDI. The committee is willing to work with the Quality Education Committee in planning an ECE tract at the 2020-21 WEAC PDI. A statewide network of ECEs

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can also be built from the WECE social media presence on Facebook (see charge #4), allowing ECEs from across the state to engage with each other when they are not able to gather at events together. Work to be completed: None. Charge #3: Review data for teacher retention, specifically looking at early career educators who join the union and stay teaching vs. those who do not join and leave the profession. The committee should then develop a survey for Wisconsin Early Career Educators on specific needs related to the teaching profession. The committee should analyze the data and make recommendations to the President on teacher retention (statewide WEAC goals). Accomplishments: In January, the committee planned on reviewing data from NEA around teacher retention for ECEs and union membership. We also planned on reviewing data from the NEA New Educator cards regarding interests and issues of importance to ECEs to help create a survey for WECE members on specific needs related to the teaching profession. Due to inclement weather in January, this work was pushed to the April meeting and has not been completed as of yet. It will be worked on by the committee at the April meeting. Work to be completed: The committee will review the data regarding teacher retention for ECEs and union membership from NEA at the April meeting and make recommendations to the President following the meeting. The committee will also create a survey for WECE members on specific needs related to the teaching profession based on the NEA data and the NEA New Educator card data at the April meeting, Charge #4: Develop the WECE branding for WEAC Early Career Educators (create the elevator speech on why to join, etc.). The committee will also review WEAC publications analyzing the material to check to see if they recognize Early Career Educators in the publications; the results should be shared with the President. Accomplishments: The committee worked to create the branding for the WECE group through the creation of a WECE logo, slogan, mission statement/elevator speech. The committee also began work on the WECE social media presence, working with WEAC to create a Facebook page and content for ECEs and a WECE webpage on the WEAC website. The committee also plans on expanding the WECE social media presence after establishing a presence on Facebook (Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc.). The committee also reviewed all WEAC publications and social media accounts to see if they recognized ECEs in the publications and determined that the WEAC Education Today & Tomorrow and WEAC Saver’s Club both connect well with ECEs and reflect ECEs interests and needs in their content. Also, the committee determined that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube are all social media platforms that are great ways to connect with ECEs, but are not currently being utilized effectively to engage with ECEs. The committee recommends adding more ECE photos and content to the WEAC publications and social media pages to reflect ECEs and better connect with ECEs. Work to be completed: The committee plans to launch the WECE branding (logo, slogan, mission statement/elevator speech and Facebook page) at the WEAC RA in April and the committee will continue to update the content on the WECE Facebook page and WECE webpage on the WEAC website regularly. Charge #5: Develop and recommend to the President of WEAC ideas to build leadership skills within the Wisconsin Early Career Educators. The committee should review the NEA Leadership Competencies and work with WEAC Vice President in developing a special tract for individuals who wish to complete a leadership training program through our SLA. The committee will also review the past WEAC Emerging Voices and make recommendations to the WEAC President for a potential revival of the program for Early Career Educators.

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Accomplishments: The committee worked with WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen regarding ECEs and WEAC SLA. Different options to engage ECEs at WEAC SLA were discussed, but the committee recommends not creating a special tract for ECEs who wish to complete a leadership training program through WEAC SLA. Instead of creating a special tract, the committee recommends that locals are encouraged to bring ECEs with them as a part of their leadership teams to WEAC SLA to engage and develop ECE leaders without separating them from other WEAC SLA attendees. The committee also recommends that there should be some sort of gathering or time as a part of WEAC SLA dedicated to ECEs for socializing, networking, etc. The committee also reviewed the WEAC Emerging Voices program and recommends reviving the program with the WECE committee adjusting the program to meet the current needs of ECEs in WEAC and leading the implementation of the program. The recommendation is for the revised program to start in the summer of 2021, giving the committee time to review the program in depth and make changes as needed, as well as providing the committee time to prepare to lead the program. Work to be completed: Next year, the committee can continue to work on the Emerging Voices program to make it fit the needs of WEAC ECEs. The committee can also continue to work with the WEAC Vice President regarding WEAC SLA and the engagement of ECEs. Charge #6: Develop the next components of a comprehensive education about labor unions. Accomplishments: The committee reviewed the work of the WECE Task Force, focusing on the video produced by the task force. The committee recommends moving forward with the creation of two new videos to continue the education about labor unions for ECEs, building off of the information presented in the video created by the WECE Task Force. Discussions regarding the focus of the videos included ideas such as education on union structure and roles, the different levels of union engagement (local, regional, state, national, etc.), union perceptions, and union involvement and activities/how to discover your role within the union. The committee also recommends that the revival of the Emerging Voices program would also include education on labor unions, allowing ECEs to receive this information in more than one format and potentially reach more ECEs, or reach ECEs more than once with this important information. Work to be completed: The committee will continue to create and develop the videos and Emerging Voices program to provide the next components of a comprehensive education about labor unions. Charge #7: Develop and recommend to the President of WEAC a how-to manual for locals and/or regions to create a network or committee of Early Career Educators. Accomplishments: The committee has begun to work on a presentation that can be used by locals and/or regions to help explain what WECE is and why it is important to engage ECEs in leadership at all levels of the union. It also explains how ECEs view the union, ECE interests and passions, and how to use these tools to engage and recruit ECE members. At the April meeting, the committee will look at examples of local ECE networks and use that information to supplement the presentation materials for locals and/or regions regarding how to engage ECEs in the union. Work to be completed: The committee will continue to work on this charge at this year’s April meeting and then will be able to provide these materials to locals and/or regions to use during the summer and during back-to-school days when they are recruiting new hires, etc.

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WEA Academy Board Members

Heather Mielke, President Jennifer Voigt, Secretary

Steve Wright, Treasurer Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, WEAC Board Liaison

Jessica Galarneau

Diane Slivka

Tom Zigan

Our mission: To promote high quality public education by providing access to professional and personal learning, education resources, and collaboration.

Our values: We value collaboration and credibility with a commitment to quality.

Our vision: Within two years, WEA Academy will increase its visibility while responding to individual and district needs with innovative and diverse offerings. - Adopted December 2, 2018

This past year, the WEA Academy has continued to strengthen our strategic plan and define our new role in professional development. This process has led us to fresh mission, vision and values statements that more accurately reflect our current initiatives. It has led us in a new direction to better serve our members needs with the changes to educator licensing and renewal along with Educator Effectiveness Plans. This new direction has many tiers to it and will take several years to fully implement all components. The WEA Academy is mindful of the investment and commitment that WEAC members have made in the Academy, and we will continue to strategically advance the Academy in a fiscally responsible manner.

As part of our new strategic plan, we are working on marketing our new courses, webinars, micro-credentials, and book studies to both members and non-members as a way to draw our non-members into becoming WEAC members. We are dedicating ourselves to providing professional development offerings that are valuable to our members in easily accessible and affordable ways. We are working on developing a new promotional video, redesigning our website, marketing ourselves to key advocates, designing new postcards/flyers, and creating and developing new mini courses by members and for members. These are some of our priorities in creating a new WEA Academy that we hope will become our members’ first choice for professional development.

The WEA Academy is working in conjunction with WEAC in highlighting ethnic studies in the WEAC Direct, Education Today and Tomorrow, and in our web content. We co-sponsored Jesse Hagopian, the lead editor of Teaching for Black Lives, to speak in January. The WEA Academy will continue to make professional development in equity and racial justice for all students a priority in our offerings.

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We continue to evaluate and update course offerings and in doing so now offer virtual book studies, micro credentials, and Flash courses. WEA Academy is also marketing our courses to school district leadership, recognizing that educator-led professional development is more effective and fiscally sound for districts as well. Going forward, we hope to continue to grow our course offerings, especially offerings that meet the needs of ESP members, and to feature more member educators as instructors.

Some examples of our progress/development are:

• Heart Health & Self-care for Educators

• Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) Preparation

• Presence at WiRSA Conference in October, WSAA Conference in January, WSRA in February, WEAC Professional Development Conference in November and WEAC RA in April as well as various other marketing opportunities.

• Increased presence on social media to promote our own courses as well as to provide educators with social and economic educational materials relevant to the time period.

• Addition of a Classroom Management Course in March created by a group of current educators.

• 2019 Book Studies: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking & Drive

• Science of Happiness face-to-face sessions have been scheduled for various dates and locations from September through January.

• Distinguished Educator Series – where educators share their knowledge, expertise, and experiences via a video—in progress

• Micro-credentials personalized learning experiences for educators at WEAacademy.org/online-courses/micro-credentials

The Academy is committed to being the vehicle through which members and potential members of WEAC can have a voice in their professional development, especially as our Union continues to expand its advocacy around professional practice issues, National Boards, and Educator Effectiveness.

Respectfully submitted,

Heather Mielke President, WEA Academy

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WEA Credit Union was established by WEAC in 1931 as a member cooperative that would offer a wide range of financial services to the teachers of Wisconsin. The credit union would provide them with a safe place to deposit their savings and obtain reasonably priced loans. The reasons for developing a credit union in 1931 during the Great Depression hold true even today. There are still predatory payday lenders who take advantage of unwary borrowers and profit-hungry banks who charge high fees for services. WEA Credit Union serves its members by offering them a safe place to save, a low-cost place to borrow while keeping fees minimal. All deposit accounts are federally insured by the NCUA up to at least $250,000 and IRAs are separately insured up to $250,000. All income that the credit union earns from loans and investments is returned to its members after reserve requirements and office expenses have been funded. WEA Credit Union members elect a volunteer board of directors to govern the credit union. Since credit unions are democratic organizations, each member has one vote regardless of the amount of money they have on deposit. During 2019, the credit union granted 1,567 loans for a total of more than $7.3 million. Reserves of the credit union are very strong with a net capital ratio of 12.8% - far above the regulatory, well-capitalized minimum of 7%. The credit union also opened 190 new member accounts during the year. With all of our mobile apps, WEA Credit Union offers our members 24 hour access to their accounts. With these services, members can make deposits, transfer funds between accounts, apply for a loan, pay bills, or check a balance anytime from anywhere. They can even receive a text message or email when balances change in their accounts. Members can also pay their bills online with our Bill Pay service or snap a picture of the bill and pay using our Picture Pay feature. Our app allows members to keep tabs on their debit card balance and block or unblock their card. As always, WEA CU is actively researching ways to improve service to members and is committed to providing convenient, safe, and secure ways for members to manage their money. WEA Credit Union offers many ways for our members to save money. Firstly, fees are minimal or non-existent. For example, the WEA CU MasterCard and Gold MasterCard programs have no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and a very competitive interest rate. We even pay you to use the card by offering 1% cash back. In 2019, MasterCard users earned more than $17,000 in cash back rewards! In addition to our free Basic Checking, the Premiere Checking account is fee free as long as members keep at least $100 in the account. Premiere account holders also enjoy a .25% discount on personal loans in addition to 1% APY on the first $2,000 (minimum balance of $500). WEA Credit Union members enjoy some of the best rates in the state! Another advantage of being a member is that we belong to the CO-OP Shared Branch Network. There are over 5000 shared branches nationwide where WEA CU members can transact business just like they were in our office. There are more than 60 shared branch locations in Wisconsin alone. Members can locate a shared branch on-line at www.weacu.com.

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Many other services are available through WEA Credit Union including:

Savings Plans

Daily Deposit Savings Premiere Share Draft – checking (free if balance remains above $100) Basic Checking (no monthly fee, no minimum balance) Money Market account—higher yield account Christmas and Vacation accounts Traditional & Roth IRA’s and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts Share Certificates—3 months to 5 years

Loan Programs

New and used auto loans

Personal loans MasterCard & Gold MasterCard Kwik Cash-overdraft protection First mortgages Second mortgages Interest free loan to obtain National Board Certification Retirement mortgages Home equity line of credit loans (HELOC)—no annual fee

Special Services

Shazam debit cards—no annual fee Domestic wire transfers Notary – free service for members Medallion signature guarantee – free service for members Payroll deduction and direct deposit Automatic loan payment Automatic Transfers Credit score counseling Loan application on-line (www.weacu.com) ART, telephone banking (1-888-455-4754) Internet home banking (www.weacu.com) Mobile banking Online membership application Bill Pay Board of Directors Chairman Russ Allen Director Joanne Fitzgerald

Vice Chair Terrance Craney Director Ross Hampton Treasurer Douglas Fritsch Director Michael Stoll Secretary Kathryn Nauta

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WEA Trust Report WEAC Representative Assembly The WEA Trust was formed 50 years ago by WEAC as a small, yet needed company with the goal of providing quality and affordable benefits for public school teachers. At that time, the company endorsed insurance products. In its history, the insurance products offered included health, dental, life and long-term care. Eventually, the WEA Trust sold and administered its own plans. Today, the WEA Trust has two subsidiary insurance companies—the WEA Insurance Corporation, a non-profit insurance company which provides health insurance for public employees in Wisconsin, and Health Tradition, a for-profit health insurance company which provides insurance for private sector employees. 2019 was a new chapter for the WEA Trust. We made great progress in providing new care options for our members, began competing in new markets, and positioned the company strategically for the future. Enhanced Care Solutions—Additions and Outcomes In 2019 The WEA Trust has multiple Enhanced Care Solutions that are provided to our members that directly help members manage their health conditions—Epharmix, Kiio, Interlink CancerCARE, Livongo, Amwell-Primary Care and Amwell-Behavioral Health (described below). These programs not only reduce health costs and re-admissions, but also improve patient outcomes and provide support for WEA Trust members. Epharmix, launched in 2019, is a tool that helps with medication management for members with depression, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure and hospital discharge issues. Kiio, our low back pain management application, available to WEA Trust members since 2018, provides a virtual physical therapy digital app for members experiencing low back pain. Two years after we launched Kiio for members, medical spend for program participants decreased 64%, and members reported positive feedback and results. In addition, the instances of emergency room/urgent care visits, spinal injections and pain prescriptions in Kiio participants were dramatically reduced. In 2018, the WEA Trust began a partnership with INTERLINK CancerCARE, an organization that assists our medical management team in evaluating the cancer treatment plans prescribed for members. Out of all of our member cancer cases in 2019, Interlink altered 15% of them due to a wrong initial diagnosis. We work with Interlink, our members, and our providers to get members on the correct trajectory for care. Our focus on getting the best outcomes has improved the lives of our members and averted over $18 million in unnecessary care. In 2015, we added Livongo, a diabetes management program, and Amwell—Primary Care, a primary care program that provides video visits with a physician. In 2017, we added Amwell—Behavioral Health, a telehealth program that provides a behavioral health counselor within 48 hours. These, along with the other Enhanced Care Solutions programs, provide our members with high-quality, convenient and affordable care options.

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2019 Financial Results Final investment returns for 2019 were 12.8%. Cash and investments totaled $692M, of which the reserves account (funds necessary to pay claims) was at $473M—twice the minimum required by the state’s insurance regulations. Despite the good news on the investment and reserve fronts, WEA Insurance Corporation’s health plan experienced a net loss of $30 million due to lower than expected results in our medical loss ratio (MLR)— the difference between premiums collected and benefits paid. In 2020, the company is implementing intense focus on increasing membership and improving the MLR. WEA Trust Membership Remains Strong 2019 proved to be a successful sales cycle in terms of new membership and retention; however, we were sad to see Kenosha Unified School District, one of our long-standing customers, leave us. At the end of the year, WEA Trust insured 108,314 members. 53,076 — Wisconsin State Employees 35,687 — Wisconsin School District Employees 5,780 — Wisconsin County and Municipal Employees 8,087 — WEA-MedPlus—secondary insurance for Retired Public Employees on Medicare 5,684 — Private Sector Employees on the Health Tradition Health Plan Health Tradition Health Plan (HTHP)—New Company—Expanded Network In November 2018, WEA Trust moved into the private-sector insurance business by acquiring Health Tradition from the Mayo Clinic, an insurance company with a network in the Western region of Wisconsin. Membership growth in 2018 was not as expected, so in 2019, extensive efforts were put forth to expand Health Tradition’s network to include the northern and the eastern regions of the state. By expanding the networks, we can better meet member needs and have more opportunities for growth. The expansion means that Health Tradition members in the eastern part of the state will have the opportunity to access providers at Aurora Health Care and Ascension Health Systems, along with other select local providers. Health Tradition members in the western part of the state will still have access to the Mayo Clinic Health Systems and new access in northern Wisconsin to Essentia Health System and Health Partners, along with other select local providers. NeuGen—A newly formed “Shared Services Organization” On January 1, 2019, WEA Trust employees officially became employees of NeuGen, a shared services organization.

NeuGen provides services to both WEA Insurance Corporation and Health Tradition Health Plan. Additionally, forming NeuGen allows us the opportunity to provide administrative services to other health-related companies.

We are currently in communication with other NEA affiliates about opportunities to contract out the Trust’s services.

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Employees recommended, and the Board approved, new vision and mission statements to guide all companies (WEA Trust, WEA Insurance Corporation, Health Tradition and NeuGen):

Mission: Ensuring peace of mind along the healthcare journey through compassionate employees who proudly deliver exceptional services.

Vision: Leading the way forward with innovative health solutions and heart.

In May 2019, NeuGen employees were awarded the first-place prize (a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choosing) for winning a community-based fitness challenge. Other employee events throughout the year include bowling and cornhole tournaments, office Olympics, summer picnic and more. In October 2019, the Director of Clinical Pharmacy, Alan Lukazewski, RPh, CDE, CGP, was appointed to serve on Governor Tony Evers’ Task Force on Reducing Prescription Drug Prices. The Task Force is charged with making recommendations to help address one of the nation’s most persistent problems—rising drug prices. The Task Force is comprised of 21 members from multiple industries and will convene monthly until September 2020, when they make a formal recommendation to the governor. Committed to Community Involvement During 2019, staff donated a total of $7,716 to Community Shares of Wisconsin, a workplace donation program that connects donors to Wisconsin non-profits. We also donated more than $71,940 to United Way throughout the year through employee donations and our corporate match program. In January 2019, we collected over 100 entries for the annual Forward Together Award which grants $3,000 to each of three Wisconsin teachers in recognition of an inspirational student-teacher project. This year’s winners were: Kira Morrissey and Megan Lassa from the School District of Iola-Scandinavia for the restoration of their school green house; Tracy Bartels of Chilton Public Schools for an aquaponics project (a-trout-in-the-classroom) where students will learn how to manage and maintain a commercial aquaponics system; and Mary Thompson of Neenah Joint School District for their summer backpack program. Last fall, the WEA Trust and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities partnered to support the Local Spark Award, where awards of $3,000 are given to three Wisconsin cities and villages. The 2019 winners were: the Village of Osceola for their “Let’s PLAY Program” (Promoting Livability All Year); the City of Rice Lake for a project to enhance their downtown Main Street crosswalk and increase pedestrian safety; and the City of West Allis to support the West Allis Fire Department in providing fall prevention hardware in the homes of at-risk populations. Adopt-a-School—a Valued Partnership 2019 marks our fourth year as Nuestro Mundo’s Adopt-a-School partner. Employees volunteer at the school, participate in a pen pal program, host a fifth-grade career day and engage in other activities that support the school and teachers. In addition to providing resources and support to students and teachers, the adopt-a-school partnership has brought great joy, companionship, and employee engagement in the program. From creating department-led initiatives to volunteering individually, employees are excited to be involved with and help Nuestro Mundo in any way possible.

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The Year Ahead In 2020, the company’s main focus is to align company efforts around reduction of MLR (the difference between premiums collected and benefits paid). Company projects and initiatives will focus on this throughout the year. Specific initiatives include:

• Maximizing Member Engagement: One of the proven ways to reduce medical costs for our block of business is to engage more of our members in the solutions that we offer.

• Growing HTHP: A primary focus for 2020 will be growing HTHP’s membership, with a focus in the newly expanded Eastern Wisconsin service area.

• Guiding Members to High Value Providers: By helping our members identify which providers deliver the best quality care for the best price, we can both help improve our members’ health and also reduce overall medical costs. One way we will be leveraging this strategy in 2020 is by implementing provider scoring in our online Find-a-Doctor tool.

Although the company and organizational structure has changed over the last 50 years, the WEA Trust is committed to serving Wisconsin’s public and private sector employees by providing high-quality insurance at a competitive price, maintaining personalized customer service, and working to improve our members’ health and quality of care. The company and the Board is committed to “serving the members.” We look forward to living up to that commitment in 2020, as we also continue to position our company for success in the ever-changing environment of healthcare.

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WEA Member Benefits

At Member Benefits, we believe in helping public school employees and their families achieve their financial goals by providing personal insurance, retirement and investment, and financial planning programs that are designed specifically for the education community. Our vision, “every member financially secure,” is at the heart of what we do, and we’ve been helping public school employees become financially secure for over 45 years. Because we are a member-focused organization, our personal insurance, retirement savings, and financial planning programs are designed with unique qualities that set us apart from other providers.

Member Benefits offers competitively priced, high-quality auto, home, condo, renters, additional liability, equipment breakdown, and flood insurances; long-term care insurance and financial planning services; an industry-leading IRA retirement savings program; and a world class 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) program. We also offer financial education and 403(b) plan sponsor consultative services to school districts free-of-charge. Year after year, we continue to receive high customer satisfaction ratings and we are proud of the exceptional service we provide our members.

WEAC Events

We continued to have a presence at WEAC board meetings with a Trustee and a staff person attending to provide information and answer questions. In addition, in 2019 we attended most of the regional representative assemblies. In March, communications representatives attended the Aspiring Educators event at the Concourse Hotel. Representatives from all Aspiring Educators chapters were in attendance. The “Rachel’s Challenge” presentation sponsored by WEA Member Benefits was also presented at this event. We talked with representatives, were given the opportunity to talk in front of the group, and handed out marketing materials. In October WEA Member Benefits hosted and sponsored a dinner for all WEAC local presidents from around the state. At the event, Dave Kijek spoke about our organization and the benefits we have to offer WEAC members. Personal Investment Accounts

Member Benefits continues to offer a Personal Investment Account program that can be used for nonqualified money such as an inheritance, proceeds from the sale of a property, and required minimum distributions. It’s a way to invest money outside of a retirement account without using a cash account such as savings, checking, or certificates of deposit.

Managed Accounts

We launched our Managed Account program in 2019. The managed account solution allows a registered representative of WEA Financial Advisors, Inc., to manage members’ 403(b) and/or IRA accounts on our platform. The Managed Account program provides diversified managed account solutions that are personalized to an individual’s financial goals and needs.

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Customer Experience

Member Benefits once again hired Business Development Directives (BDD) to help us gauge and measure members’ perceptions of our organization. The results will help us streamline processes and better provide A+ service to our members. In 2019 we implemented a phone survey option that members can take immediately following their service call. We continue to collect and maintain data in our customer relationship management system so we can improve our understanding of our members’ experiences, preferences, and expectations to better serve them. Best Places to Work Award

Once again, Member Benefits was named a winner in Madison Magazine’s Best Places to Work competition. We were one of ten companies to earn the honor in the medium-sized company category.

eBooks

Member Benefits has created a series of eBooks available for download on our Web site. The popular series includes topics like the Wisconsin Retirement System, ten financial tips for new educators, student loan forgiveness, what to do when you lose a loved one, and buying a home. We launched two new digital eBooks in 2019: a home inventory workbook and a new financial eWorkbook. Updated Web Site

Our new, improved Web site launched in June with an updated look and feel, features easier navigation, highlights our products and services, and continues to promote our brand. your$™

Each year, we distribute our quarterly your$ magazine to over 55,000 member households and other critical publics. The magazine provides financial information relevant to Wisconsin public school employees and includes member stories. Past issues of your$ are available on our Web site at weabenefits.com/yours, or by requesting paper copies. Member Benefits continues to offer a free one-year subscription to nonparticipants as a way to introduce Wisconsin public school employees to our programs. Student Art Contest Member Benefits sponsored our fourth annual student art contest in 2019. We received over 260 submissions (K–12) from across Wisconsin that included drawings, paintings, photographs, 3-D art made from recycled items, and jewelry. Eleven pieces were selected to be on display at our office for twelve months. Ten individual student finalists were honored at a soiree in August and received $500 each. In addition, one student artist whose art exemplified originality, expression, use of artistic elements, principals of design, overall presentation of artwork, and message was awarded the “Loeymae Lange Memorial Best in Class” award and received $1,500. The “Best in Class” award is named in memory of Loeymae Lange, who taught art at Cooper Elementary School in Burlington, Wisconsin, for 30 years. Her brother, Dr. Paul Lange, and his wife June have graciously honored Loeymae’s legacy and love for art by providing this memorial gift to the WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc. Our fifth annual contest is currently underway.

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WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc. The WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc., launched in March 2019 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity that supports Wisconsin public education through grants and charitable donations to public educators, public schools, and the communities they serve. More information about the foundation can be found at weabenefits.com/foundation. Financial Literacy Member Benefits continues to promote financial literacy to our members and in our public schools. We worked with districts and provided free financial seminars, financial workshops, on-site individual financial consultations, and more geared specifically toward Wisconsin public school employees. Don’t Be JackTM Financial Literacy Game for the Classroom Don’t Be Jack—High School Edition was created in response to requests from educators to release a student version of the game that could be used in the classroom. The game content is written to meet the Wisconsin Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy for grades 9–12 as set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The game focuses on financial literacy topics and provides educators with the tools and expertise they need to teach financial literacy in the classroom and is provided at no cost. The goal is to assist educators in helping future generations become better prepared to make sound financial decisions. The game recently won an Excellence in Financial Literacy (EIFLE) award for “game of the year” from the Institute for Financial Literacy. U News Member Benefits continues to distribute U News—an electronic newsletter for regional directors. It provides important benefit information, program changes, and offerings, as well as articles that can be downloaded for use in newsletters and on their Web sites. Community Service Member Benefits staff members participated in various community service efforts in 2019. For the seventh year, staff members participated in United Way’s Schools of Hope program. In addition to participating in the United Way campaign, our staff hosts several fund raisers throughout the year. In 2019, Member Benefits’ community giving, which includes United Way and other special events, totaled approximately $37,000. We also continued our support for Whitehorse Middle School through the Foundation for Madison Public Schools’ Adopt-a-School program in 2019. We participated in the foundation’s annual fundraising luncheon as well as the principal-for-a-day experience. We worked with Whitehorse on several teacher appreciation events and other

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outreach opportunities for their students in 2019, including designing and underwriting the cost for t-shirts for their staff and raising money to purchase three-ring binders for their students. Preferred Pricing

Member Benefits continues to add value to WEAC membership by offering preferred pricing for members. Programs with preferred pricing for WEAC members include: IRA—Annual Fee Cap: WEAC members have a reduced annual fee cap that is $150 less than nonmembers. Financial Planning Services: WEAC members receive up to a $100 discount on the Retirement Income Analysis service. WEAC-Retired members receive an additional $50 discount on this service for a total savings of $150. Auto and Home Insurance Discount: WEAC members receive an additional 3% base premium discount on their auto and home insurances. The discount applies to condo and renters insurance policies as well. This discount is in addition to the other 13 available discounts, including an auto insurance young educator discount where educators under the age of 25 receive a 25% discount. Highlights of 2019 Through the dedicated efforts of the Trustees and staff and the invaluable communication and support of union leadership and members, every Member Benefits program experienced growth during 2019. Highlights for the year include the following:

• The total number of accounts in the retirement savings programs increased 3.5% to 58,670. Account balances in these programs total over $4.6 billion.

• The annual premiums for our personal insurance programs are $26.2 million. Our insurance programs total 25,608 policies, which is a 3.1% increase. In 2019 we began including EPOQ, an online legal document service, with all our home, renters, and condo policies and began offering specialized insurance for classic cars and trucks.

• We paid 19,622 claims in 2019 totaling $11,504,000. Claim losses were up by 32% compared to our five-year average. This was caused by severe weather events, increased bodily injury claims, and increased repair costs.

• We provided 452 financial planning services to assist members in managing their retirement accounts and planning for their retirement. Many of these, 88.7%, are the complimentary one-hour consultation. Our financial planning services include the complimentary one-hour consultation and the following fee-based services: Portfolio Analysis, Retirement Income Projection, and Retirement Income Analysis.

• The retention rates for our programs remain high with the insurance program at 90.3%, the TSA program at 95.6%, and IRA program at 95.8%.

• In August 2019 we began using a short two-question survey at the end of phone calls to determine a customer satisfaction rating. Callers were asked how likely they are to recommend WEA Member Benefits’ products and services to a friend, family member, or colleague. Post-call survey results are exceptional with a score of 4.8 out of 5.

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• We expanded our surveying practice from surveying when people have transactions to an annual random sampling survey. In December 2019 we conducted our second annual perception survey. The net promoter score, which is a measure of customer satisfaction that considers how likely members are to recommend our organization to others, improved from a 49 in 2018 to a 53 in 2019. This compares to 2019 industry average scores of 39 for insurance carriers and 46 for brokerage and investment industry. Scores above 50 are considered excellent.

• Our TSA program is in 431 school districts and is the sole 403(b) provider in 60 districts. In addition, there are 276 districts using our plan documents (as opposed to an outside third party) to comply with IRS regulations.

• The Roth (after-tax) TSA program is offered in 370 school districts. There are 6,124 accounts, and the assets in the program total $18.9 million.

• Since 2015, we have been offering model portfolios as an investment option in our TSA and IRA programs. Model portfolios are a predefined portfolio based on your age, risk tolerance, and retirement timeline. Model portfolios automatically rebalance each year so your investment mix aligns with your investment goals. At the end of 2019, 2,097 TSA accounts invested $181.3 million in the model portfolios. In addition, 1,076 IRA accounts have invested $66.8 million in the model portfolios.

• In 2018, we began offering Personal Investment Accounts. Personal investment accounts provide investment opportunities outside our 403(b) and IRA programs. At the end of 2019, there are 224 open accounts with assets totaling $10.6 million.

• During 2019, Member Benefits offered 152 financial wellness seminars, 516 days of individual one-on-one consultations, and presented to or met with more than 7,000 school district employees.

Looking Forward The future is exciting for Member Benefits. Without a doubt we will face our share of challenges, but we are optimistic that we are positioned well and with the talent and commitment of our staff, we will succeed. As we look forward to the future guided by our vision, our efforts will focus on making it simple and convenient for every public school employee to do what is necessary to achieve her/his dream of financial security. Competitors continue to push into our market space. Some of their advertising and marketing material have caused distractions and confusion for members. By working together with union leaders, we can spread the word that Member Benefits is the only financial services organization created by WEAC for the benefit of their members. Please make this a priority and help us spread the word. In 2019, we will continue to investigate new strategic partnerships and look for opportunities to expand existing strategic relationships. These partnerships will allow us to grow our existing programs and provide new programs to help us achieve our vision of Every Member Financially Secure. In addition, we will continue to position our nationally recognized 403(b) program to serve members. This includes leveraging our relationships where we are the sole provider to add an automatic enrollment feature, continuing to work with districts who decide to offer a 403(b) contribution matching benefit or extended vesting schedule, and promoting our common remitter program and third-party administrative services.

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As we prepare for 2020, we are focusing on the best and most efficient ways to grow out of state. In 2020, we will begin selling IRA products to members who reside outside of the state of Wisconsin. We will evaluate products, services, and platforms we can most easily implement, as well as evaluating the possibility of partnering with other state member benefit groups and NEA Member Benefits. We will continue to partner with the union leadership to expand benefit offerings. We believe that Member Benefits can play a large part in your organizing efforts as our programs add value to WEAC members’ lives. Our success is due to our commitment to and our strong partnership with members, union leaders, and others who work in public schools. We appreciate your ongoing support and ask that you refer your colleagues to us for all of their retirement savings and insurance needs. Together we can ensure every member is financially secure.

Clayton Smits, Chairperson WEA Member Benefits