In the last issue of the FOCUS, I addressed the topic of your rights to representation. Detailed were the circumstances in which it is wise for you to contact one or more of the levels of representation available to advise and assist you as an SVEA member—your SVEA Site Representative, the SVEA Grievance Chairperson, or the local CTA professional staff person. In this issue, I will explain to you what you might expect from any of these individuals should you run into a problem and need their assistance.

In the event you find yourself in any kind of difficulty with either the SVUSD administration (or a parent or student should your administrator fail to provide you with support), your representative, at all levels has been trained to serve as your advocate. One of the cardinal rules in that training is that an advocate is there to defend, not judge you. He/she will listen to your explanation of the situation, work to attain all of the relevant facts, including examination of any documentation that may have been created, perhaps talk to witnesses, if any, and research the wording of any applicable laws and/or contract language that may apply to the situation. Next, he/she will counsel you regarding possible remedies, and advise you about strategies for getting the problem satisfactorily resolved. The prime responsibility of your advocate is to protect your rights and defend you against any violation of them or any unwarranted or harmful actions an administrator might try to impose.

Your representative will respect your point of view. His/her job is to offer encouragement, provide support, acknowledge and attempt to resolve the problem. He/she will consult with you, perhaps also consult with the administration, investigate the problem and work with you to find a suitable resolution to the matter that protects your integrity and your rights. At a meeting with the principal or other supervisor, your advocate should make it clear that he/she is there to protect your interests and to defend you. For the most part, SVUSD administrators are aware of and respect your rights to representation, so there is no need to feel reluctant to ask for such assistance.

Another important role for your SVEA advocate is to recognize and acknowledge when a situation goes beyond the scope of his or her expertise. Most problems and grievances can be resolved at the site level or at the District office, but not always. Occasionally, a case will need to proceed to arbitration or be heard in a court of law. Your Site Representative, the SVEA Grievance Chairperson, and our CTA staff person have all been trained to recognize when it is necessary to "call in the big guns." In the event an attorney is needed to defend a member in employment related matters, CTA will provide that assistance. The help of your local advocates and the availability of legal counsel are two extremely important benefits that SVEA/CTA/NEA provides to its members.

Thankfully, most SVEA/CTA/NEA members go through their careers never needing the direct assistance of their Site Representatives, the SVEA Grievance Chairperson, or CTA. Perhaps that is you—at least so far. But if not, it is reassuring to know that you have an advocate in your corner should you ever need him or her—your Site Representative, the SVEA Grievance Chairperson, the local CTA staff professional, and CTA legal services.