Ramble from Jo

Yeah, more folks sharing. This one is from Jo!

Confession time - I'm an activist. That's right - an activist.

The whole activist thing has crept up slowly on me - but after this last week I have to conclude that I'm now there - full blown activist!

Let me explain. Here in NZ we have a primary teachers union called NZEI (NZ Educational Institute) and I'm an active member. Briefly the structure works like this. Each school has a worksite rep who reports to the local branch. Each branch has a District Council that it reports to - there are 12 of these throughout NZ. I'm DC Chair for my DC. Each DC meets around 4 times a year to discuss issues and policies etc. We also plan and run professional development seminars for teachers (and principals, support staff and early childhood educators).

Then, once a year, we have our Annual Meeting where representatives from branches and district councils (and the Maori equivalent) meet in Wellington to debate, endorse and plan. We represent around 49,000 people in our union.

This year we celebrated 125 years of our union (complete with birthday cake) as well as debating an organisational review, rule changes, policy amendments and resolutions. Every representative there can participate in the debate and for the first time I got up to speak - twice! Very scary - first time spontaneously, the second time I had written and re-written what I wanted to say. (I stand to oppose this resolution ... )

The thing about being an activist is that you actually look at the issues/policies/resolutions etc - you research them and you make informed commentary on them.

New Zealand is in the build up to a general election (we do it very differently to the USA buildup) and, unlike previous elections, I will be scrutinising what the various parties are actually saying - I know I'll vote Labour/Green - (ironically our Labour colours are RED and National colours are BLUE) - but I will be informed and will debate with candidates when and where possible.

yours politically,

Jo

In reality I think more of us need to become activists, so good luck and good job, Jo!

Now back to the regularly scheduled programming, enjoy.

Elisa

BtVS

• Chapter 14 of Voices From The Past by Rebelrsr (her web site).
  
  
• Chapter 22 of Revelations by Mark Warren (Hellmouth Revisited).
  
  
• Chapter 21 of Crashing Down by Asher (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 8 of Cave Fears by slayertash (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 6 of A Love Beyond the Stars: A Race Through Dark Places by Dax (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Comics
  
• 10/06/08 of Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Law & Order: SVU
  
• Part 4 of Thin Frames by Patricia L. Givens (A.D.A.'s Office).
  
  Murder In Suburbia
  
• Happy Anniversary! by Ann (Subtext In Suburbia).
  
  Original
  
• Part 2 of Clear Conscience by Jynaki (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Chapter 13 of Fortress at the Edge of the World by Mickey Minner (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• How to Go from a Medium to an Extra-Small Without Losing the Family Jewels by Aurelia (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• One Two Oh by A.C. Henley (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• I Remember by Cam Taylor (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Part 3 of Clear Conscience by Jynaki (The Athenaeum).
  
  Stargate Atlantis
  
• Mortality by teh_gandu (Saffic).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• Meant to Be by SJSlashfan (Area 52).
  
  Wizard of Oz
  
• Part 6 of Surrender Dorothy by Artemiscall (Saffic).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Lady Warrior by Grasshopper (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Part 6 of Our Family by Lissa (The Athenaeum).