Committees, Caucuses & Task Forces
UEA Committees, Caucuses and Task Forces are appointed to carry on activities or pursue purposes of a continuing nature. Committees are responsible for the duties set forth in the UEA Bylaws and for such other duties as the Board of Directors may specify.
UEA STANDING COMMITTEES
Bargaining, Professional Rights & Responsibilities (BPR&R)
One of the committees established by the UEA Bylaws is the Bargaining, Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee (BPR&R). The activities and services of the Committee are among the most important provided by UEA to our members. The Bylaws provide:
The Bargaining, Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee: (a) trains members to protect and promote the employment rights of members through bargaining and professional negotiations; (b) promotes and encourages Association members to engage in conduct consistent with the ethical principles set forth in the UEA-NEA Code of Ethics of the Education Profession; (c) directs case studies involving professional conduct and ethical behavior; (d) fosters professional attitudes and stimulates professional performance on the part of each member; and (e) promotes sound personnel policies that will clearly define the civil and human rights of members.
The UEA Board of Directors has assigned to the BPR&R Committee duties to promote membership, educate members about their rights and responsibilities by:
- Hearing and deciding appeals of actions of the general counsel denying or limiting attorney representation of members and appeals of the general counsel to the Committee.
- Making presentations to members in their local associations about the role of the Committee, UEA’s legal services program, and reasons for joining UEA, focusing primarily on teacher rights and responsibilities.
- Training members of their local(s) to promote membership by making presentations to members about the role of the Committee, UEA’s legal services program, reasons for joining UEA focusing primarily on teacher rights and responsibilities.
- Assisting and encouraging the creation of local BPR&R Committees.
- Acting as liaisons between local Committees and the UEA BPR&R Committee. (Liaison means keeping local Committees informed about the activities of the UEA BPR&R Committee, encouraging the local BPR&R Committee to promote the UEA’s BPR&R programs, and keeping the UEA BPR&R Committee informed about these activities. It also includes sharing ideas with other members of the committee to accomplish the objectives of the UEA and local BPR&R Committees.)
- Participating in training sessions or seminars for members of the Committee and the Association. The training sessions should be designed to give Committee members the skills and resources to accomplish their responsibilities as Committee members.
The BPR&R Committee’s responsibilities include informing members about teacher rights and responsibilities. (The Committee’s emphasis on responsibilities has substantially increased in its efforts to address the number of complaints made regarding unprofessional behavior by teachers in the past.) Two pamphlets prepared by the BPR&R Committee describe teacher rights and responsibilities. Copies of the pamphlets are available to members on request. The BPR&R Committee’s newest responsibility is to provide and improve bargaining skills for members and local associations.
The Member Advocacy Guide, designed to provide assistance to local associations and members participating in bargaining, is available to members on request. The BPR&R Committee also publishes UEA’s Professional Agreement Reference Manual—Model Language also available to members on request. The Manual contains a short history of bargaining in Utah, the law applicable to bargaining in Utah and a description of common problems in negotiated agreements. The major part of the Manual is model language for collective bargaining agreements on almost all topics that can be bargained, alternative language and rationales for the language. The objectives of the Model Language include identifying common problems in negotiated agreements, finding solutions acceptable to educators and boards of education, promoting better relations with school administrators, promoting professional development, and involving educators in designing and promoting quality education programs.
UEA BPR&R Committee Members
| Lara Slade | UEA Board of Directors | Board Liaison |
| Lois Johnson | Alpine UniServ | Member |
| Amy Barton | Color Country UniServ | BPR&R Chair |
| Davis UniServ | Member | |
| Eastern Utah UniServ | Member | |
| Paula Nelson | Granite UniServ | Member |
| Tina Martin | High Desert UniServ | Member |
| Gretchen Dugovic | Jordan UniServ | Member |
| Michael Wing | Northern Utah UniServ | Member |
| Randy Bird | Ogden-Weber UniServ | Member |
| Wasatch UniServ | Member | |
| Cheryl Cofie | Woodland Peaks UniServ | Member |
| Tracey M. Watson | UEA General Counsel | Staff |
| Jay Blain | UEA Director of Policy & Research | Staff |
| UEA Legal Assistant | Staff |
Elections
UEA Elections Committee:
| Name | Represented Organization | Position on Committee |
| Karla Kennedy | Alpine UniServ | Member |
| Robyn Brown | Color Country UniServ | Member |
| Anna Larsen | Davis UniServ | Chair |
| Wendy Ashman | High Desert UniServ | Member |
| Delene Jaques | Eastern UniServ | Member |
| Kelly Collett | Granite Education Association | Member |
| Julie Beane | Jordan UniServ | Member |
| Janalyn Duersch | Ogden-Weber UniServ | Member |
| Christy Giblon | UEA Board of Directors | Member |
| Caren Burns | UEA Board of Directors | Member |
| Paul Chadwick | Utah Education Association | Support Staff |
| Kyle-Jay Critchlow | Utah Education Association | Support Staff |
Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC)
The 2016 UEA House of Delegates meeting marked a milestone for the UEA. Delegates that year voted to elevate the Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee to the status of Standing Committee, one of only five such UEA committees. Some stated goals of the Committee are to increase ethnic minority representation in the Association, to educate school districts in the hiring of a diverse workforce, to promote inclusive civil rights programs for students and members, and to advocate ethnic minority viewpoints, concerns and issues to the UEA Board of Directors.
Committee Goals
- Increase ethnic minority representation in all levels of the Association;
- Assist ethnic minority members to be elected to positions of Association leadership so they can experience the NEA RA, help the Association meet the NEA Bylaw 3-1(g) goal, advocate for and train potential ethnic minority leaders and increase active involvement of ethnic minority members;
- Educate school districts in the hiring of a diverse work force and increase the awareness of diversity in our schools;
- Educate our members on inclusion education and other issues affecting students, e.g., school to prison pipeline, immigration reform, institutional racism and privilege using crucial conversation skills, etc.;
- Promote more inclusive civil rights programs for students and members;
- Collaborate with the UEA Board of Directors on programs including mentoring programs that recruit, support and retain ethnic minority educators;
- Advise, recommend and advocate ethnic minority viewpoints, concerns and issues to the UEA Board of Directors; and
- Maintain, edit and implement the UEA Minority Involvement Plan.
Committee Members
- Denise Lake, Chair, Ethnic Minority Director on UEA Board of Directors
- Moani Revoir, Alpine
- Brittany Stull, Color Country
- Caray Long, Davis
- Marsha Curtis, Eastern
- Kamron Reese, Granite
- Gerlit Buffington, High Desert
- Chelsea Chauca Villar, Jordan
- Mandy Gordon, Northern
- James Smith, Ogden-Weber
- Gregory Mohammed, Wasatch
- Jeremiah Tuerina, Woodland Peaks
2022-23 Meeting Schedule
| Date | Time | Modality |
| Wed 9/7/2022 | 6:00pm | Virtual |
| Sat 10/1/2022 | 10:00am | in person (@ HQ) |
| Wed 11/2/2022 | 6:00pm | Virtual |
| Wed 1/11/2023 | 6:00pm | Virtual |
| Sat 2/18/2023 | 10:00am | in person (@ HQ) |
| Wed 3/22/2023 | 6:00 pm | Virtual |
| Wed 4/19/2023 | 6:00pm | Virtual |
| Sat 4/29/2023 | @ HOD | in person (@ HOD) |
Organizing and Membership Capacity Building (OMC)
The Organizing and Membership Capacity Building Committee is tasked with overseeing various membership development programs, implementing new and innovative ideas to support local affiliates’ efforts to recruit new members, maintain current members, recapture former members, and to engage educators in the work of the Association.
Leads of the committee are:
OMC Chair
Holly Lee
UEA Vice President
Renee Pinkney
OMC Staff Liaison
William Spiegel
Meetings
OMC Meeting Dates Poster | for a printable Meeting Dates flier.
Rules and Resolutions
It is the responsibility of the Rules and Resolutions Committee to: (1) review proposed actions before they are considered by the House; (2) prepare and present to the House proposed resolutions for adoption; (3) hold hearings on all bills, resolutions, new business items, amendments to the legislative program, and amendments to the budget prior to their presentation to the House; (4) annually review governance documents and Board policy statements to determine whether they are current and to avoid conflicting statements; and (5) report any recommendations to the House.
Documents that are considered by the Rules & Resolutions Committee for inclusion to the House of Delegates are:
- UEA Articles of Incorporation, Constitution and Bylaws
- UEA Resolutions
- UEA House of Delegates Standing Rules
- UEA Legislative Program (includes the Legislative Platform, Support Positions and Priorities)
Rules & Resolutions Committee Members
| Kristie Reinstein | Alpine UniServ |
| Madelynn Hendrixson | Color Country UniServ |
| John Brumbaugh | Davis UniServ |
| Danny McKenna | Eastern Utah UniServ |
| Kerry Bishop, Parliamentarian | Granite UniServ |
| Elinda Nedreberg, Chair, NEA Resolutions | High Desert UniServ |
| Rebecca Kirkman | Jordan UniServ |
| Jessica Littlefield | Northern Utah UniServ |
| Isac Ernest, UEA Board | Ogden-Weber UniServ |
| VACANT | Wasatch UniServ |
| Christy Giblon, UEA Board | Woodland Peaks UniServ |
| Renée Pinkney | UEA President |
| Brandon Baca | UEA Vice President |
| Jennifer Boehme | UEA Executive Director – staff |
| Tracey M. Watson | UEA General Counsel and Legal Services Director – staff |
| Heather Shepherd | UEA Governance Support and Administrative Director – staff |
UEA Political Action Committee (UEA-PAC)
The following members participate as the Executive Council for the UEA Political Action Committee:
| Voting Members of the Committee – Effective July 15, 2021 | |
| Heidi Matthews | President |
| Renee Pinkney | Vice President |
| Jeanie Papiernik | UEA Board Member |
| Tyler Lamming | UEA Board Member |
| John Paynter | Alpine UniServ |
| Jake Shewmake | Color Country UniServ |
| Chera Fernelius | Davis UniServ |
| Delene Jaques | Eastern Utah UniServ |
| Haley Kelley | Granite UniServ |
| Hank Postma | High Desert UniServ |
| Sarah Chirichigno | Jordan UniServ |
| Michele Bowden | Northern Utah UniServ |
| Wendy Van Dyke | Ogden-Weber UniServ |
| Tyler Lamming | Wasatch UniServ, UEA Board of Directors |
| Chelsa Roberts | Woodland Peaks UniServ |
| Sheryl Allen | UEA-Retired |
| Ex Officio Non-Voting Committee Members | |
| Jennifer Boehme | UEA Executive Director |
| Chase Clyde | UEA Director of Government Relations |
| Sara Jones | UEA Director of Educational Excellence |
| Tracey M. Watson | UEA Director of Legal Services & General Counsel |
| Carrie Call | UEA Government Relations Associate |
General Resources for Committee Members and Committee Chairs
Release Time / Lodging/ Mileage
As indicated in UEA Board Policy:
Release Time:
Substitute pay may be provided as necessary for committee or task force members. Scheduling of meetings should take into consideration the time necessary for travel and released time constraints. The Budget & Audit Committee will monitor the expenses during the year.
Lodging:
If a committee member attending an evening meeting lives more than 120 round trip miles from the UEA office, he/she may elect to voucher one night’s lodging and one extra meal in addition to the meal provided at the meeting. (Up to the current IRS per diem rate)
Mileage:
Transportation will be paid at the current IRS mileage rate. (Forms will be provided by UEA staff when you arrive to in-person meetings. It’s good practice to note your mileage on your odometer before you head out and once you arrive.)
In order for committee members of the Rules and Resolutions Committee to be reimbursed for travel to the House of Delegates, they must attend at least one meeting of the Rules and Resolutions Committee and also attend the House of Delegates.
Roberts Rules of Order
Unless as otherwise decided by the Committee, meetings are generally conducted using Robert’s Rules of Order.
How to do a Land Acknowledgement
If you have a land acknowledgment on your agenda, or are asked to present one, check out some resources here.
UEA RECOGNIZED CAUCUSES
Educators of the Blind Caucus
The Educators of the Blind Caucus was approved by the UEA Board of Directors in May 2019.
Contact: Suzy Blackham, USDB Education Association
Purpose:
Provide input to the Utah Education Association Board of Directors regarding all professional issues for Utah educators of BVI students, including but not limited to policies and procedures, standardized assessments, and curriculum.
Goals:
Specialized group collaboration on “neutral ground.”
Topics might include:
- Caseload analysis
- Advocating for the needs of students/educators
- Standardized assessment review
- Unique traveling circumstances
- Ideas for difficult situations
- Question/Answer sessions
- Policy review and study sessions
Possible Future Goals:
- Professional development and training
- Mentoring
- Other ideas
LGBTQ+ Caucus
The LGBTQ+ Caucus was approved by the UEA Board of Directors in August 2021.
Contact: Reece Jacobsen, Washington County Education Association
Purpose and Goals:
The Utah Education Association Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ Caucus is hereby founded to provide a means of professional support for our colleagues and allies. The UEA-LGBTQ+ Caucus works to provide educators, education support professionals, and students with safe schools free of anti-LGBTQ+ bias and intolerance, and to provide sound educational programs for all students.
The UEA-LGBTQ+ Caucus, in order to eliminate institutional discrimination, homophobia, and transphobia, shall monitor and participate in the development of UEA policies and activities, provide resources, and foster better communication among educators, students, and communities. The UEA-LGBTQ+ Caucus shall also monitor and make recommendations to the UEA-PAC and UEA Legislative Team.
The UEA-LGBTQ+ Caucus shall align in purpose and philosophy with the Utah Education Association, the National Education Association, and the NEA-LGBTQ+ Caucus.
Mission:
UEA’s LGBTQ+ Caucus’ mission is to protect and advocate for LGBTQ+ students, affirm and support LGBTQ+ educators, and to develop and educate allies, building bridges that make Utah’s schools places of safety and fulfillment for all who enter.
Resources
https://www.nea-lgbtqc.org/
Rural Caucus
The Educators of the Blind Caucus was approved by the UEA Board of Directors in December 2021.
Contact: Rodney Hurd, Sevier Education Association
Purpose:
The Utah Education Association Rural Schools Caucus is hereby founded to provide a forum and a means of professional support for educators who serve schools in rural districts.
Goals:
The Rural Schools Caucus will work to provide educators, education support professionals, and other educational partners information and a forum for topics that directly impact smaller schools and districts.
The Caucus shall also monitor and make recommendations to the UEA-PAC and UEA Legislative Team.
The Rural Schools Caucus shall align in purpose and philosophy with the Utah Education Association, and the National Education Association.
Social Justice Caucus
The Social Justice Caucus was approved by the UEA Board of Directors in June 2019.
Contact: Caren Burns, Granite Education Association
Requirements:
All members must be in education profession, AND a member of the education association
At least 25 voting members*
Other non-voting members are welcome
Defined purpose and goals
Communication with UEA Board
Purpose:
Provide a means of professional organization and unification towards action for members who are interested in furthering Social Justice work and equity practices in public schools and to provide a collaborative space for leaders creating and running Social Justice committees at a local level.
Goals:
Specialized group collaboration in a neutral space with access to Zoom or other meeting related technology.
Engage and encourage members of the Utah Education Association in Social Justice work, allyship, and activism.
Topics might include, but are not limited to:
| Restorative Practices Institutional Racism and the School to Prison Pipeline Racial bias/inequity LGBTQIA+ community Equal accessibility Income disparities Mental health Gender equity Athletic equity Diversity Family structures Indigenous land rights Missing and murdered indigenous women Chronic illness Disability rights Suicide prevention Trauma informed practices Social/Emotional learning Bir-racial adoption Refugee/immigration issues |
Food and housing instability Incarcerated parents or family members ACES Addiction issues Ideas for difficult situations Question/Answer sessions Policy review and study sessions Creating and disseminating member resources or professional development Social Justice book club or film studies Organizing Social Justice groups in local associations Inclusivity Multicultural education practices Culturally relevant pedagogy Activism: human rights, local, and political in reference to human rights Empowerment of students and members Ally trainings Fundraising for Social Justice causes Organizing for activism and advocacy Grant applications |
Provide organized, educator-specific input regarding pertinent policies/procedures, standardized assessments, curriculums, etc. to state and local school boards, legislators, and any other interested parties.
Create caucus specific bylaws and materials for the Utah Education Association Social Justice caucus with a quorum of caucus members. These will be shared with and approved by the UEA Board of Directors.
Special Education Caucus
The Special Education Caucus was approved by the UEA Board of Directors in October 2020.
Contact: Suzy Blackham, USDB Education Association
Membership:
Membership is open to all UEA members who have an interest in supporting special education.
Requirements:
All members must be in education profession, AND a member of the education association At least 25 members*
Defined purpose and goals
Communication with UEA Board
Purpose:
Provide input to the Utah Education Association Board of Directors regarding all professional issues for Utah special educators, including but not limited to policies and procedures, standardized assessments, and curriculum.
Goals:
Provide organized, educator-specific, input regarding pertinent policies/procedures, standardized assessments, curriculums, etc to state and local school boards, legislators, and any other interested parties.
Work to connect our Utah caucus with the NEA CEEC (Caucus of Educators of Exceptional Children).