Leadership

"Leadership is a function of knowing yourself, having a vision that is well communicated, building trust among colleagues, and taking effective action ."

An Effective Leader:
SEES WHAT CAN BE and understands the current conditions, grasps the opportunities and embraces the challenges...

The Novato Federation of Teachers has come a long way in three years under the leadership of President Joe Morgan . During his administration, the union goals have been: 1- to improve salary for all teachers, 2- to establish health care that was more affordable to all, 3-to improve the evaluation process, 4-to support teachers at their worksite, 5- to get recognition for the day to day accomplishments of teachers, 6-to insure fair dealings between the union and administration and 7- to stand strong in negotiations with the district.

An Effective Leader:
KNOWS WHAT IS and believes he can make a difference, has a "can-do" attitude, and is persistent in accomplishing his goals...

Joe Morgan worked with the Executive Board to bring a united message to the administration during negotiations. One small change was to establish a full calendar of meeting dates. One large change was that Novato Unified no longer employs a lawyer to represent their interests during negotiation sessions. Another change was to know the district budget as well or better than the administration’s team. NFT was able to point out areas where money was available for teacher raises. As a result, teachers received an 11.2% raise over a three-year period with an ability to reopen if COLA comes in higher than expected. The medical benefits were changed from composite to 3-tier so that single payers were not bearing more cost per month than family payers. For the very first time, the Novato Unified School District has built teacher raises into the budget. This means that teacher compensation will be a line item in NUSD's yearly budget.

An Effective Leader:
HAS FAITH and works with others to bring ideas to life...

NFT also strengthened it’s relationship with CFT. This NFT Executive Board, under President Joe Morgan, brought resources to Novato’s public school teachers through collaboration with Fred Glass to aid communication, Ken Burt for support in electing teacher-friendly trustees and CFT lobbyist in Sacramento, Mike Weimer. Joe Morgan, representing Novato Federation of Teachers, testified in March, 2005 at a Senate Subcommittee hearing to support Carole Migden’s SB319 designed to rectify the inequity between Novato’s Charter School entitlement and the NUSD’s revenue limit. As a result of NFT’s activism, the bill moved out of Senate Committee and will bring an additional $150,000 to our district.

An Effective Leader:
DOES...

Through the leadership of Joe Morgan a Communications Committee was formed in 2002 and for the first time, teachers were able to get their message out to the larger Novato community. Communication to the school sites was improved via Crisis Bulletins, newsletters, NFT Blog and lively and productive building rep meetings. Union membership is now at an all time high.

With the election of three school board trustees who were endorsed by NFT, open communication with the union has begun and ideas are being shared in ways never before experienced. Novato Unified School District had a large exodus of teachers seeking better pay. By communicating with the trustees, as well as the administration, the union was able to explain that this was indeed a serious problem. As a result, the message from the trustees to the district administration was to do what was necessary to get better pay for teachers to retain qualified, experienced staff.

Joe Morgan has worked tirelessly to open communication between principals and staff. He has repeatedly visited school sites to advocate for teachers and open doors of understanding for the principals. NFT’s message is that the contract is for everyone. It is the guideline for keeping the workplace in balance.

There is now new language regarding teacher evaluations negotiated by NFT. The option exists for a permanent certificated employee to be evaluated on a five-year cycle if the employee meets certain criteria. Through the new and powerful model of shared collaboration, district teachers and administrators have begun an important dialogue which ultimately will create a more meaningful vehicle of communication and support for everyone.

A union is an entity with many parts. Strong leadership brings a focus and mode of execution to achieve the agreed upon goals. Novato Federation of Teachers has been successful in many areas under the leadership of Joe Morgan, NFT Office Manager Arlene Morgan, and the Executive Board since 2003.