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Our AFT MI Rep Erin Lavin joined us at our GMM a few weeks ago, and several members requested more information about the various AFT Michigan committees that are working together to share ideas and facilitate change.
As promised, here is more information about the three committees Erin mentioned. These committees are open to all union members. AFT MI Community College Network Meeting: meet other community college faculty (part- & full-time) & staff to discuss issues of shared concern at community colleges. Dates/times TBD. Contact Erin Lavin if you are interested in attending - elavin@aftmichigan.org Non-tenure track Constituency Committee Meeting: meet with other NTT/part-time faculty union members to discuss common goals around increasing full-time work opportunities and improving working conditions in both universities and community colleges across the state. Dates/times TBD. Contact Sonya Alvarado if you are interested in attending - salvarado@aftmichigan.org AFT MI Queer Caucus: group for LGBTQIA+ union members across the state to build union power, offer professional support, and socialize. This group meetings monthly via zoom and plans in-person events. Contact Erin Lavin if you are interested in Queer Caucus - elavin@aftmichigan.org OTHER AFT OPPORTUNITIES, EVENTS, and REMINDERS AFT & MEA Canvassing for pro-education candidates: Join with other union members on Saturdays leading up to the election to distribute voting information to registered voters. We need AFT union members to participate to help ensure that our interests are protected as educators! Click here to view upcoming dates/times/locations here and register. AFT Statewide Events & Workshops: --Virtual Workshop: Accessing Unemployment in Michigan: Tuesday, December 13, 1:00-2:30 pm (info & registration here) --In-person event: Union Building Institute: Saturday, February 4, 2023 at UM Dearborn. This event is designed for both rank-and-file members and union leaders. Please hold the date in your calendar and stay tuned for registration info. - elavin@aftmichigan.org Student Loan Debt Info As you know, part-time faculty are one of the groups that have struggled to access Public Service Loan Forgiveness because of complications with the way the program was designed and how colleges and universities have chosen to certify employment levels. Overall, the important thing is for part-time faculty to be able to show they were working "full time" at public employers for months they made payments to qualify for PSLF. The AFT put together two very helpful letters: This LETTER can help part-time members understand how to access the process This LETTER communicates with administrators encouraging them to do the right thing. Don't Get Tricked This Halloween! Fill Out Your PSLF Application by October 31! More information is available here: https://www.aft.org/pslf The temporary Public Service Loan Forgiveness waiver expires on Oct. 31. Most AFT members who have federal student loans can qualify for PSLF, which allows you to have the entire remaining balance of your direct federal loans forgiven after 120 qualifying payments. In the last 12 months during the waiver period, thousands of people have had their loans forgiven, and thousands more have gained credit for additional payments that move them closer to forgiveness. But this waiver ends on Monday, Oct. 31. Don’t delay! Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity to get out from under the burden of student debt—start your PSLF application today. Use the Department of Education’s PSLF Help Tool, located at https://studentaid.gov/pslf, and log in to your Federal Student Aid (FSA) account, to start your application today. Need more information? Check our website https://aft.org/pslf and register for an upcoming AFT Student Debt Clinic webinar here https://cvent.me/17XZka.
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Please join AAFMCC from 6-8 p.m. on October 13 for an in-person membership meeting, and please encourage your part-time colleagues to come as well — the meeting is open to both members and non-members. See flyer below for more details. CLICK HERE to RSVP by October 11.  |
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