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2019-2020 BTU Committees

 

 

The Baltimore Teachers Union wants you to be involved in all facets of the work of the Union. You have the opportunity to do this by joining at least one the 19 BTU Committees that have been established to help us to be a more successful Union.

Each Committee is led by a representative from both the Teacher and PSRP Chapters, as well as a member of the BTU staff. All Committees meet at the BTU (5800 Metro Drive, 21215) unless another location is stated. If you are interested in joining a committee, please email the committee’s email address.

Click here to download the list of Committees

Committee

Description

Meeting Dates

Committee
Leaders

Safety Committee

safetycommittee
@baltu.org
 

This committee addresses and responds to conditions that affect the physical safety of BCPSS worksites; develop and implement short-term and long-range plans to eliminate violent and disruptive behavior in the BCPSS; involve segments of the community so every child has the opportunity to learn in a safe environment.

Every 4th Tuesday at 4:30pm

Sep 24, Oct 22,

Nov 26, Dec 17,

Jan 28, Feb 25,

Mar 24, Apr 21,
May 26

Teacher Chair
Brittany Johnstone


PSRP Chair

Sita Chaitram  


BTU Staff

Cliff Denby

COPE (Committee on Public Education)

cope@baltu.org 

Promotes COPE, reviews voting records, recommends political endorsements, runs voter registration, education, and the get-out-the vote drives (meets with Legislative Committee).

Every 3rd Wednesday at 5pm

Oct 16, Nov 20

Dec 18, Jan 15

Feb 19, Mar 18

Apr 15, May 20

Jun 17

Teacher Chairs
Corey Debnam

Caroline Schmidt
Harry Preston, V
Zach Taylor

PSRP Chairs

Darlene Brown
Shawn McKay

BTU Staff 

George Hendricks

Legislative Committee
legislativecommittee
@baltu.org
 

Inform members about legislation in Maryland General Assembly that impacts education and educators (meets with COPE).

Every 3rd Wednesday at 5pm
Oct 16, Nov 20

Dec 18, Jan 15

Feb 19, Mar 18

Apr 15, May 20

Jun 17

Teacher Chairs
Corey Debnam
Caroline Schmidt
Harry Preston, V

PSRP Chairs

Darlene Brown
Shawn McKay,

BTU Staff

George Hendricks

Organizing Committee
organizing
committee@baltu.org
 

Works with BRs and field representatives on school based and district wide educational issues.

Every 2nd Wednesday at 5:15pm

Sep 17, Oct 9

Nov 13, Dec 11

Jan 8, Feb 12

Mar 11, Apr 8

May 13, Jun 10

Teacher Chairs
Corey Gaber
Irene Booze

 

PSRP Chair
Larry Gaines

BTU Staff
Natalia Bacchus

Special Education Committee
specialeducationcommittee
@baltu.org
 

Discusses special education issues and develops policy for the BTU and in the area of special education, the Consent Decree, inclusion, and other issues.

Every 2nd Thursday at 4:30pm

Oct 10, Nov 14

Dec 12, Jan 9

Feb 13, Mar 12

Apr 2, May 14

Jun 11

Teacher Chair
Steve  Mednick

Tangie Smith 

PSRP Chair
Sandra Davis  

BTU Staff
John Casey

Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Committee

civilhumanandwomens
rightscommittee@baltu.org
 

Identifies and supports issues and events relating to civil, human, and women’s rights.

Every 3rd Monday at 4:30pm
Sep 23, Oct 21

Nov 18, Dec 16

Jan 21, Feb 18

Mar 16, Apr 20

May 18

Teacher Chairs
Carla McCoy
Shelly-Ann Higgins

PSRP Chairs
Deborah Crockett
Sophia Carroll
Darlene Brown

BTU Staff
Sandra Davis

New Teacher Steering Committee
newteachersteering
committee@baltu.org
 

This action group works to identify and concerns of new teachers and implement organizing solutions to those concerns.

Every 1st Saturday at 11:00am
Sep 7, Oct 5,
Nov 2, Dec 7,
Jan 4, Feb 1,
Mar 7, Apr 4,
 May 2, Jun 6

Teacher Chairs
Geralda Thompson
Melissa McDonald

BTU Staff

Cindy Sjoquist

Educational Issues Committee

educationalissuescommittee
@baltu.org
 

Works to discuss and disseminate research relevant to classroom practitioners.  It offers opportunities for members to publicize Best practices and reform issues. 

Every 3rd Thursdays at 4:30pm

Oct 17, Nov 21

Dec 19, Jan 16

Feb 20, Mar 19

Apr 16, May 21

Jun 18

Teacher Chair
Cristina Duncan Evans

PSRP Chair
Sophia Carroll 


BTU Staff
Wanda Dew

Public Outreach/ Community Relations

publicoutreachcommunity
relationscommittee
@baltu.org
 

This committee will plan and implement community outreach projects and act as a liaison between the union and  student, parent and community groups with the goal of supporting grassroots organizing work in Baltimore City.

Every 1st Tuesday at 5:00pm

Oct 1, Nov 5

Dec 3, Jan 7

Feb 4, Mar 3

Apr 7, May 5

Jun 2

Teacher Chair
Antonio Mason

PSRP Chair


BTU Staff
Chandra Carriere

International Committee

internationalcommittee
@baltu.org
 

Meet with BCPSS officials periodically to keep union informed on progress made to renew visas of international teachers.  Also assist international teachers with problems on the job and in the community.

Every1st Thursday at 4:30pm

Oct 3, Nov 7

Dec 5, Jan 2

Feb 6, Mar 5

Apr 2, May 7

Jun 4

Teacher Chairs
Rogie Legaspi
Diana Desierto

PSRP Chair
Sita Chaitram  


BTU Staff
Natalia Bacchus

Clerical Committee

clericalcommittee
@baltu.org
 

Discuss issues and concerns of clericals, and identify solutions to organize around.

Every 3rd Wednesday at 5:15pm

Sep 18, Oct 16,  Nov 20, Dec 18Jan 15, Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 15, May 20, Jun 17

PSRP Chairs
Terry Harper
Celia Elliott

BTU Staff
Jessica Aldon-Jackson

Charter School Committee

charterschoolcommittee@baltu.org 

Address issues impacting charter schools and monitor proposed charter school legislation.

Every 3rd Thursday at 5:00pm

Sep 19, Oct 17

Nov 21, Dec 19
Jan 16, Feb 20

Mar 19, Apr 16,
May 21, Jun 18

Teacher Chairs
Corey Gaber
Raymond “Jay” English

BTU Staff Natalia Bacchus

SRP

srpcommittee
@baltu.org
 

Address concerns and problems confronting SRPs and construct workshops and seminars to enable PSRPs to be more effective.

Every 1st Wednesday at 4:30pm
Oct 2 at PDC, Nov 6, Dec 4

Jan 1, Feb 5, Mar 4, Apr 1

May 6, Jun 3

PSRP Chairs
Donte Givens
LaKeisha Purnell


BTU Staff
Sandra Davis

Teacher

Negotiations Committee

negotiationscommittee
@baltu.org
 

This committee designs and implements the strategy, research and organizing necessary to maximize the power of collective bargaining. (For Teachers)

Every 1st Wednesdays at 4:30pm

Oct 2, Nov 6

Dec 4, Jan 1 

Feb 5, Mar 4

Apr 1, May 6

Jun 3

Teacher Chairs
Zach Taylor

Angela Campbell
 BTU Staff
Chandra Carriere

Publications

publicationscommittee
@baltu.org
 

This committee coordinates and liases with the other committees to promote union activities and increase member engagement.

Every 3rd Monday at 4:30pm

Sep 23, Oct 21

Nov 18, Dec 16

Jan 21, Feb 18

Mar 16, Apr 20

May 18

Teacher Chair
Jocelyn Providence
 

BTU Staff
Candance Greene

Benefits
benefitscommittee
@baltu.org
 

This committee conducts research on member concerns related to benefits, and proposes solutions pursued through collective bargaining.

Every 2nd Wednesday at 4:15pm

Nov 13Dec 11, Jan 8, Feb 12

Mar 11, Apr 8, May 13, Jun 10

Teacher Chair
Ara Shishmanian

PSRP Chair
Tiffanie Murray

BTU Staff
Marisha Ingram

Fundraising Committee

fundraisingcommittee
@baltu.org
 

Plans and coordinates fundraising efforts for the union.

Every 3rd Thursday at
4:30pm

Oct 17, Nov 21, Dec 19, Jan 16

Feb 20, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 21

Jun 18

Teacher Chairs
Harry Preston, V
Antonio Mason


PSRP Chairs
Arshay Bacon

Shawn McKay
Kellie Knight
Juanita Ware
Tangela Moore

Special Events Committee

specialeventscommittee
@baltu.org
 

This committee plans the Holiday Party, Casino Night, Spring Break Cruise, and other special events.

Every 1st Thursday at 6:30pm
Feb 6, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4

Teacher Chair
Harry Preston, V


PSRP Chair

Sandra Davis