On behalf ofthe Capistrano Unified Education Asociation, I welcome you and extend best wishes for a rewarding and fulfilling career as a teacher in the Capistrano Unified School District. We hope that your employment in our district will provide you many opportunities for professional growth and success.

The Capistrano Unified Education Association is the elected bargaining representative for the teachers, psychologists, conselors, and speech pathologists of our district. This representation includes bargaining your contract, working with district personnel to solve problems and address teacher concerns, processing grievances, and providing instructional services for you. When you become a member of CUEA, you will join your colleagues who have contributed to the successes that strong membership brings.

As an employee of the CUSD, you pay representation fees to CUEA. By completing a membership form, you can become a member. It costs no more to become a member, but offers you many benefits, including legal protection and representation regarding job-related matters, representation in credential reviews, limited fee legal consultation for private matters, free NEA $1,000,000 professional liability insurance, access to group insurance and discount purchases, opportunities for professional conferences, free accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and the right to vote on your contract and association issues.

By joining CUEA, you are supporting an organization of over 2,300 local members dedicated to professional excellence. Also, as a part of the over 2.4 million members of the National Education Association (NEA) and the 295,000 members of the California Teachers Association (CTA), you are helping to promote the interests of students and teachers throughout the United Teaching Profession.

This New Membership Area of the website describes membership benefits and services, as well as provides you with some helpful instructional and professional ideas. A request for a membership form is in this section for your convenience. When you get your form, just complete the top portion, sign and date it at the bottom, and return it to either your building representative or send it through district mail to CUEA. Sorry, we are not able to sign up members directly through the website yet, however a form can be sent directly to you.

I hope you find the ideas and suggestions in this New Membership Handbook helpful. Once again, welcome to our fine district and have a great year.

Vicki Soderberg, President
 Capistrano Unified Education Association