Frequently Asked Questions
About MEA-MFT COPE

Q: WHY is MEA-MFT involved in political campaigns?

A: Because we care about children, public schools and public services. Political decisions impact every aspect of our professional lives. That's why MEA-MFT must affect political campaigns.

Q: HOW is MEA-MFT involved in political campaigns?

A: MEA-MFT supports candidates who support quality schools and quality public services regardless of party. We contribute to these candidates' campaigns through MEA -COPE.

MEA-MFT contributes to ballot issue campaigns through our Ballot Issue Fund (BIF).

Q: What's in it for me? Why should I contribute?

A: If you care about kids and education, you should contribute. If you care about quality public services and the Montana people who need them, you should contribute. If you care about fair pay, benefits and working conditions, you should contribute.

Funding, state pay, health care, bargaining rights, and retirement benefits are just a few of the decisions made by politicians.

MEA-MFT COPE gives us a strong voice in political campaigns that affect education and public services. If we don't speak up for public schools and public services, who will?

MEA-MFT dues dollars do not go to support candidates. MEA-MFT only source of political contributions is through voluntary contributions from members.

Q: How can I afford it?

A: The suggested contribution for the state COPE is only $2 per month and $1 per month for the national. That's just $3 per month, or less than a dime a day!

Q: What is MEA-MFT COPE and NEA-FCPE/AFT-COPE?

A: MEA-MFT COPE (MEA-MFT Committee on Political Education) is an elected committee of MEA-MFT members from around the state dedicated to improving education and public services through political action. It is the political action committee of our union. Each MEA-MFT district chair serves on the MEA-MFT COPE Board to assure your opinions and ideas are heard.

NEA-FCPE and AFT-COPE are the political education committees of the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers. The MEA-MFT president represents Montana on the national boards.

Q: What is BIF?

A: BIF is the Ballot Initiative Fund. These funds are used to support good ballot initiatives and defeat bad ones. No one in Montana has done more to defeat bad ballot issues for public education and public services than MEA-MFT. In 2006, funds were used to support an increase in the minimum wage and to defeat CI-97, the initiative designed to starve public education and public services.

Q: Why should I contribute to the national affiliates' political education committees?

A: MEA-MFT raises funds for our national unions so we can have a voice in congressional and presidential elections. Those funds come back to us when NEA-FCPE and AFT-COPE contribute to recommended federal candidates in Montana, like Jon Tester.

NEA-FCPE and AFT-COPE also hold elected officials on the national level accountable for:

• school lunch, Head Start, safe schools, technology in the classrooms, & professional development;

• pension rights, social security, health care funding, welfare reform, tax policy;

• lower class sizes, adequate school funding, and opposition to vouchers and privatization.

Q: What if COPE supports candidates who are not from my political party?

A: MEA-MFT COPE, NEA-FCPE and AFT-COPE are nonpartisan. They measure candidates of both parties by one standard: Their commitment to public schools and public services.

MEA-MFT COPE invites candidates to interview with MEA-MFT members, who look carefully at candidates' positions, public statements, and voting records, on key issues affecting schools, public services and public employees. Decisions are made based on the candidate's positions, NOT on the candidate's political party.

Q: Shouldn't I contribute directly to the candidates?

A: Please contribute to candidates of your choice. However, individual contributions don't have the same clout as when we pool our resources. Also, MEA-MFT COPE can affect crucial legislative races in areas of the state far from your legislative district.

Q: Are there more ways I can help good candidates win?

A: Yes, every campaign needs people willing to help. Here are three good ways.

1. Word of mouth is powerful. Talk about the candidate with family, friends & colleagues.

2. Put up a yard sign so people know who you support.

3. Volunteer your time, whether going door to door, doing mailings, or planning a fundraiser.

Want to know more? Contact Terry Minow, MEA-MFT political director, at tminow@mea-mft.org.