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CAT Tracks for September 26, 2009
FAREWELL BOB CHANIN |
On this slow news day...
Passing along a "farewell article" that appeared in the "Summer 2009" edition of the IEA-Retired publication "The Informer".
An NEA legend retired this past summer, giving his "Farewell Address" at the Annual NEA Representative Assembly...this year in San Diego. My wife, Julie, used to drag me kicking and screaming to these annual events. I somehow failed to appreciate the 12-hour-day "working vacation".
However, the one highlight that even I could enjoy were the occasions when the NEA Chief Legal Counsel Bob Chanin would be called upon by the Chair to explain the legal niceties of some issue before the body. Bob Chanin, without fail, would use his great sense of humor to lighten the mood of what could be a tedious exercise indeed.
The man was a hoot!
Another "dinosaur" bites the dust...
The new generation(s) of teachers need to pay attention and listen to this man...and take his remarks to heart.
A lot of "Association" members like to straddle the fence of unionism...don't want to get their hands dirty...don't wish to be likened to steel workers, teamsters, and the like.
Well, as "Professionals", we may rightly dismiss the use of baseball bats and chains to win our arguments, but we must never hesitate to employ every legal means to stand up for our rights.
Sometimes, the fur must definitely fly!
In the words of Bob Chanin...
I offer my personal congratulations and thanks to a legend in his own time for a job well done...
Atta Boy, Bob!
"When all is said and done, NEA and its affiliates must never lose sight of the fact that they are unions - and what unions do first and foremost is represent their members."
