4. Meet regularly to ensure members are supported.

Why do this?

Regular meetings between the school district, local union, and Desjardins help to ensure members receive the JEIS support they are entitled to. These meetings also provide an opportunity to collaboratively address any issues affecting members and develop effective solutions as a team.

What to do:

  • At the start of the school year, schedule all meetings and allocate adequate time for each session. Monthly meetings are effective for most school districts, while very small districts may find quarterly or bi-annual meetings sufficient.

  • Before each meeting, review the list of absent members provided by Desjardins a few days in advance. Identify any members requiring additional information or attention, such as members having return-to-work difficulties, members suspended from JEIS, members with delayed LTD decisions, or any other concerns.

  • Use the meeting as an opportunity to collaborate and address any member-related issues. The combined input from the school district and local union is often invaluable in finding solutions, such as a care call from the union, and ensuring members receive the support they need.