Q&A with Adena Barnette-Miller, Jackson County Education Association President
How long did it take to prepare for the tailgate event?
I met with my local association leaders and set our goals and budget for the tailgate. I then reached out to the local AFT chapter and asked if they would like to join us for a joint event. They were eager to participate so we met, shared our goals, and then the two groups divided the tasks for the event, such as who was bringing the drinks and the food, who would create our flyers for the event, and who would book the space where we would hold the event.
How did you promote the event?
We promoted the event by sharing it on social media, with the members of both local associations, sharing the details at Faculty Senate meetings, and via building-level communication methods.
Did you choose to cater the event, or did you bring your own food?
We went for simple because that’s what is best for folks who have taught ALL day, especially because the football game was on a Thursday evening during the second week of the school year. We offered different types of pizza, homemade popcorn (with bags to take into the game), water, and pop to drink. We are stewards of our association’s funds so we wanted to keep it affordable and fun. The event was free and open to all educators, both members and non-members.
Were there any games or giveaways?
Because Jackson CEA bought the pizza which was our most expensive cost, our friends from AFT-Jackson offered a drawing for teacher supplies. We also set up cornhole boards that we borrowed from a local school.
What success came from the event?
Longtime members as well as newer members joined in the fun. It was a great way for educators from both sides of our county, both Ripley and Ravenswood and all points in between, to socialize and reconnect. We did not have an opening of school event which brought together everyone from all the schools, so our tailgate was a way to bring folks out and together in a fun, social atmosphere.
What challenges did you encounter during the event?
There are always challenges to any event, but the outcomes far outweigh any issue. I was thrilled with the number of educators who turned out and that 3 of our school board members and their families also stopped by throughout the evening. We have worked hard as an association to build relationships with our school board members and it was rewarding to see both groups come together to have some fun!
What advice would you offer to other locals looking to organize a similar event?
I would advise setting clear and easily achievable goals, setting a strict budget, not stressing out over the details, and finding a good game for tailgating where most of the folks in your county plan to be in attendance. Holding the first of any event is hard, but now that we know how to organize it, we hope to make it a yearly event. This year’s tailgate was a way to bring our county’s teachers together and involve our family members in an association event. As we work together to merge two separate unions, it is more essential than ever to focus on the things we have in common, and that is our love for public schools, our students, and our colleagues. It doesn’t matter if they’re wearing red or blue, what matters is we come together to tackle the tough issues facing our state’s public schools.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We have also ordered some cool steel-grey “Proud Jackson County Public Educators” t-shirts for our members this year. Our members are already wearing them to work and will continue to wear them as a symbol of pride in our profession and as a united union fighting for public education.
