Greetings,

JOINT MFT MEMBERSHIP MEETING

May 27th, 4:30-6:30
MFT Offices
67  8th Ave NE

Agenda:
1.  Opening Warm Up and Approval of Minutes
2.  Visit from Dr. Green for Q & A - 45 minutes
3.  Sharing and approval of 2009-2010 MFT Budget - 45 minutes
4.  On the Radar with President Nordgren - 20 minutes
5.  Door Prizes!

Please note:  During the sharing of the MFT 2009-2010 budget, we will be asking for approval of an assessment for a new roof, internal building repairs (e.g. - ceiling tiles, carpeting), sand blasting and painting of building exterior and resurfacing of parking lot.  Our current budget does not have funds available for these much needed improvements even though we have cut the 2009-2010 MFT operating budget to the core.  It is important to maintain our collectively owned property so this assessment is necessary.  FYI - the roof has already been repaired because it was starting to leak through and cave in.  Silver lining: the new roof will save us a lot in energy costs because it provides more insulation for the entire building.

Our teacher/ESP owned building is a  gathering place for many activities - meetings, courses, negotiations, supporting members, providing resources, and so on. It is a very busy place and has provided a strong foundation for so much of our collective work.  We need to ensure it stays a viable place to do business.
 
The assessment will be outside of the dues structure so that we do not have to pass through any of the money to the AFT, NEA, or EM.  Currently, we pass through 66% of dues collected to these parent organizations.  All of the building assessment dollars will stay, however, in the MFT budget.

Proposal:  Over the next two years, every teacher and related service professional will be assessed $1.00 per check and ESPs will be assessed $.50 per check for 20 paychecks each year.   Total assessment over 2 years per person:  $40.00 and $20.00 respectively.  Approximate total raised: $140,000.  Note: the roof alone was $108,000.  The remaining money will go towards the other items listed earlier in this email.

We will hold a vote on this assessment at the May 27th meeting.  It needs a 2/3 majority vote of those present in order to pass.  We are asking for your support of the assessment.  A full disclosure of the entire MFT budget will be presented at the meeting so that you can see why this assessment is needed.   If you would like to view a copy of the budget prior to the meeting, please email the MFT treasurer
Donald.Kaler@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Thank you.

Lynn Nordgren, President
Brionna Harder, First Vice President
Janet Kujat, Second Vice President
Jim Barnhill, Secretary
Don Kaler, Treasurer, and
the MFT Executive Board