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1. REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

In an effort to reduce our Carbon Footprint the Association intends to use email for communication when practicable. If you are willing to participate in this Carbon Footprint reduction please email the office info@ssta.org.uk with your name and email address.

2. ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE FOR MEMBERS

Other teaching unions may stipulate that the school representative be the first point of contact in any enquiry. The SSTA is different. The SSTA school representative can be an invaluable source of information, especially on local issues, however, if in need of any advice, members are encouraged to contact our Professional Officers at SSTA Headquarters by email or telephone.

3. LAWLINE SERVICE

Members are reminded of the Association's free legal advisory service, Lawline. Morton Fraser Solicitors provide SSTA members with a free confidential legal advice by telephone or email. The service permits members to seek legal advice on any issues affecting them (excluding employment matters which should be directed to the General Secretary). The advice given is prompt, comprehensive, impartial and covers other jurisdictions as well as Scots law. Advice can cover consumer matters, domestic issues, contracts, family law, estates and travel to name but a few areas. To make use of the service you can telephone on 07770 748556 or email at: Lawline@morton-fraser.com.

4. COUNCIL 3 OCTOBER 2009

Council heard reports on the latest progress on the following issues:

• CfE- Building the Curriculum 5 (on Assessment);
• SSTA opposition to SNCT paper "The Role of Chartered Teachers";
• Proposed methods of dealing with any impending swine flu pandemic. These proposals will be discussed at the next LNCT - advice will be circulated to District Secretaries in the next few days.

  Due to concerns over the workload associated with Curriculum for Excellence, Council agreed to conduct a workload audit of all members during November.

  The following motions were approved:

• This Association notes with alarm the high level of underemployment among newly qualified teachers and implores local authorities urgently to make use of their potential lest they be lost to the Profession
• The SSTA acknowledges the prompt action taken by the SNCT on their prompt action in providing National guidelines for schools to deal with the possible consequences at schools of a swine flu pandemic. The Association demands that Local Authorities across Scotland resist any attempted unilateral action outwith the national framework.

5. PRE-RETIREMENT COURSE 2010

The Association pre-retirement courses will be held as usual in 2010. Two of the venues are identified as being Glasgow and Stirling which have suitable venues. It is possible that the third course would be held in Inverness but only if the number of members wishing to attend warrant this choice.

Members who would wish to attend a course in Inverness (on a Saturday in May or June) are asked to telephone the Association offices (0131 313 7300) or to email to info@ssta.org.uk in order to express an interest in the venue. Please note that this does not constitute the booking of a place. Members may book places in the two courses which are arranged. i.e.:

Stirling-24 April 2010

Glasgow-29 May 2010

Application is available online at the SSTA website or by post. Members should contact the office for an application form. Members should apply as soon as possible. Closing date for applications is 31 January 2010.

6. GTC ELECTIONS

We are delighted to announce that the following candidates were successful in the GTC elections:

• Catherine Nicol (Ayrshire)
• James Forbes (Lothian)
• Margaret Smith (Fife)

We are confident that Catherine, James and Margaret will represent all teachers with determination, flare and vision.

7. RETIRED MEMBERS

Members who are about to retire are asked to note that they may maintain membership of the Association after retiral at one half of the usual rate. Members in this situation should contact this office giving their retirement date. If it has not already been done, membership will be transferred to the home address and the school membership deleted. Retiring members who have paid a full rate subscription for the whole year will receive a rebate by cheque. Retired membership entitles the member to all the usual services for members except access to those external services limited by age, such as access to the travel insurance scheme. Such members receive all information at their home address. Members who have retired during the course of this year and who have not informed the Association (and hence who may not be currently benefiting from the reduced subscription rate) are asked to notify the office.

8. CHANGE OF ADDRESS

Members who have changes to their personal details are asked to notify the Association office in writing or email info@ssta.org.uk.

9. PENSION INCREASES 2010

It is significantly likely that the RPI increase for pensioners in April 2010 will be nil. Pensioners are not, however, subject to any reduction in pension if the RPI shows a decrease over the relevant calculation period.

10. CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR CLOSURE OF THE SSTA OFFICE

Members are asked to note that the Association office will close at 3pm on Tuesday 22 December and will re-open for normal business after New Year on Wednesday 6 January 2010 at 9am. An emergency service will be in operation during the office closure.

11. DIRECT DEBIT PAYMENTS IN DECEMBER

Members who pay their subscription by monthly direct debit are advised of the following payment dates for December's subscription. The Association will input data to BACS on Tuesday 29 December which will be processed on Wednesday 30 December for payment on Thursday 31 December.

12. INDUSTRIAL ACTION

In the event of a strike by Post Office employees, all written communication with members will be by email.

PETER WRIGHT President

ANN BALLINGER General Secretary