Posted on 05/27/2003 11:39:24 PM PDT by Coleus
NJ Teachers: You Can Contribute $546.00 to your Favorite Charity at No Cost
(and encourage morality in the New Jersey Education Association)
Does the title sound too good to be true? A recent court decision means teachers belonging to a National Education Association (NEA) affiliate (NJEA, etc.) can become a "religious objector". The teacher may then contribute to any charitable organization in lieu of their "representation fees" – thus not paying anything to the NEA or the NJEA.
Teachers, here’s how it is done:
Address a letter to the Membership Director of the NJEA:
Ms. Elizabeth John
New Jersey Education Assn.
P.O. Box 1211
Trenton, NJ 08607-1211
Dear Ms. John:
You may not be familiar with EEOC Charge Nos. 220A10859 and 220A11273 filed against the National Education Association alleging religious discrimination. The charges were filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended (Title VII). The National Education Association and its state affiliates agree to:
I do not agree with the NEA and NJEA political choices,... (your advocacy of abortion, and "comprehensive" sex education on religious grounds. In particular,I was appalled at the NJEA’s "dis-inviting" three abstinence speakers to the NJEA Convention. As a teacher of impressionable youth, I can certify that abstinence and telling youth the truth, as required by state law, is preferable to the Network for Family Life Education and Planned Parenthood’s "Safe Sex" messages. Your stance on this issue (as well as the others mentioned) is not in students’ best interests.) Or you can put in another reason or NO reason at all.
Please allow me to resign from the NJEA. You may either re-direct my representation fee or allow me to contribute in lieu of the representation fee to:
(list the name , address, phone number, and website [if any] of your favorite 501-C3 charity. (Catholic School, Scout Troop, etc)
The New Jersey Family Policy Council should qualify (http://www.njfpc.org/www/support.htm), otherwise Catholic Charities, Your local Church, the Boy Scouts, etc. The Family Policy Council (or xyz Catholic school, scout troop, etc.) provides education and resources which strengthen families by encouraging morality. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter and let me know the annual amount of the representation fee. Very truly yours,
Upon receipt of the letter, the NJEA in Trenton will contact your local Business Administrator to cease NEA/NJEA/County/Local deductions from your paycheck. The NJEA will require a receipt from your designated charity by February 1st, each year. If any teachers wish to see a copy of an executed contract between a religious objector and the NJEA, or if you wish to see a copy of the EEOC Conciliation Agreement, please fax 973-543-1092. One last thought, unless your local Education Association also advocates immorality, you may wish to contribute voluntarily the local fee ($40) to retain the goodwill of your fellow teachers, and assist with local representation expenses. If you write your letter now, you may be able to implement this beginning with the new school year and saving about $546 (plus tax write-off) annually. If you itemize deductions, you will even have the benefit of the tax write-off!
Please forward to Public School Teachers who have a "moral compass".
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act allows persons who object, on religious grounds, to paying union dues to give that same money to a charitable organization instead and two U.S. Supreme Court decisions (Beck and Hudson), which protect private- and public-sector union members, respectively, from having their dues misused.
In the past NC teachers could join one or both of these organizations, but then it was changed so that the teachers could not choose to join just one but HAD to join both or none. There was much pressure (here at least) from the administration to join both under those circumstances.
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