While you enjoy your hard-earned time off this summer, remember that advocating for your profession is a year-round job. ATPE makes your role as a public education advocate easy.

Join ATPE’s Legislative Alert Network (LAN) to stay plugged in to the political scene. A free e-mail service, the LAN keeps you informed on the latest legislative news and helps you communicate directly with your legislators on the issues that matter to you. To learn more and to sign up, or to update your information with a home e-mail address for the summer, visit www.atpe.org/Advocacy/LAN/lanpromo.asp.

Attend Leader U, ATPE’s annual leadership training conference, July 15–17 at the Austin Convention Center. The event includes political involvement training and is free for first-time attendees, college students, teacher trainees and university sponsors. Leader U includes presentations by entertaining speakers, sessions that will help you become an expert on all things ATPE, chances to win fabulous prizes and opportunities to earn up to 7.5 continuing professional education (CPE) credits. For more information on the event, visit www.atpe.org/LeaderU. Contact your local unit president if you’re interested in attending.

2010 is an election year. Try getting involved with a campaign. Involvement is a good way to stay politically active and a great way to build relationships with elected officials. You can find information on how to get involved at www.atpe.org/Advocacy/ElectionResources/
campaigning.asp.

Donate to ATPE-PAC, ATPE’s Political Action Committee. ATPE-PAC accepts voluntary donations from ATPE members and makes financial contributions on a nonpartisan basis to officeholders and candidates who support public education and ATPE’s philosophies. ATPE-PAC expands your influence beyond your own legislative district by directing money to candidates and officeholders who support your issues and need our support. Learn more about ATPE-PAC at www.atpe.org/Advocacy/ATPEPAC/pac.asp.

Visit atpe.org for regular updates on legislative news, ATPE priority legislation, agency hearings and association business. You’ll also find in-depth issue analyses, tips on communicating with elected officials and ATPE’s Legislative Program on the site.

Questions? Contact ATPE Governmental Relations.