The MTA Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee will hold its annual conference in person on Dec. 2 and 3 — the first such gathering to be held face to face in three years.
Details of the conference, including a location and guest speakers, were still being finalized as MTA Today went to press.
But the general theme is set: "From the roots up, shifting our culture with your union power, it starts with you."
The context is intended to draw broad attendance by MTA members.
Among other areas and topics that will be addressed, this year’s conference is expected to include sessions on leadership development, along with workshops on social, racial and economic justice; how to form coalitions to creatively solve problems in communities; and accessing grants and funding.
All workshops will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3. The committee wants to encourage members to take part in the union in ways that make sense to them as individuals, said EMAC Chair Candace Shivers, who is president of the Mount Wachusett Community College chapter of the Massachusetts Community College Council. Not everyone will want to take part in a demonstration, for example, but many educators may feel comfortable with legislative advocacy.
The conference is intended to appeal to every member, not only those who identify as members of the global majority or as BIPOC.
"The conference is not meant to be for one group of people," Shivers noted.
Educators who are new to the profession — as well as their more veteran colleagues — should find sessions that are of interest, Shivers said.
"The important thing to remember is there is a space in the union for everyone to do what they’re comfortable doing," she said.
For more information on the upcoming EMAC Conference, including workshop descriptions and registration details when they become available, please visit massteacher.org/emac.
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