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CORE stepping into the fray... CORE fundraiser opens school year

Jackson Potter - September 12, 2009

It was a good night after a hard first week at school. More than 50 members and supporters of the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) swarmed Andre’s Sports Bar on the 1800 west block of 87th street on Friday, September 11, 2009, for the first CORE social event and fundraiser of the 2009-2010 school year. The evening began calmly with CORE members buying up raffle tickets and socializing with many of the teachers who attend the bar regularly. Suddenly, the entire room got up and started stepping and the party was in full effect.

The dancing was briefly interrupted by speeches from CORE co-chairs Karen Lewis and this reporter (Jackson Potter) and two of CORE’s pension trustee candidates, Lois Ashford and Jay Rehak. The first major election of the 2009 - 2010 school year for active duty teachers is on October 30, when teachers vote for two trustees to serve on the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund (CTPF). Karen Lewis, who teaches at King College Prep High School, implored the audience join CORE and fight back against the attacks on the union and public schools. At one point Lewis said we “have to take the earrings off” to preserve our rights, our union and public education. She then proceeded to take her earrings off. Lois Ashford and Jay Rehak let the audience know that if we want to save our pension, they have to vote for the CORE slate on Friday, October 30th. The election for pension trustees will be held in all Chicago public schools and in all charter schools (charter schools teachers are part of the pension).

By the end of the evening, over 350 raffle tickets had been sold. The bartender won the grand prize and graciously treated the crowd to a round on him. CORE raised well over $2,000 for the evening. The funds raised will be used to promote CORE pension candidates. CORE is supporting Lois Ashford and Jay Rehak for the trustee slots representing active duty teachers and Howard Heath, former vice president of CTU, for the spot representing retired teachers.

CORE teacher Jim Vail said later that selling the tickets wasn't difficult. "I set a goal of ten and came up short because I did not make a couple more calls," Vail told CORE by e-mail, noting that it is currently easy to encourage teachers to support CORE. "Several teachers I sold tickets to did not come, but they want to support CORE..." He said that one successful sales pitch was simple: " We need to raise money now to get Marilyn Stewart out next May - please help!..." Whitney Young teacher Jay Rehak, who is being supported by CORE in the October 30 pension trustee election, added thanks. "Thanks to all who helped make the event a success," Rehak added via e-mail. "I think of Zulma, Lee, Rosita and Jackson, specifically, but I'm sure there were many more people..."

After noting that the event was a huge success, Carol Caref was very specific: "We raised $2023," she told CORE by e-mail. "It was a fun time and we had a really terrific, diverse crowd. Karen, Lois, Jay and Jackson all made inspiring (short) speeches. Various people attended who've not attended CORE activities in the past. We are growing!"

While the party was going on, Al Ramirez was videotaping much of the event. CORE is hoping to distribute more video bulletins and reports during the coming school year.

CORE had other news during the opening week of school. On October 11, CORE treasurer Carol Caref reported that CORE's paid membership had exceeded 200, for a total of 207 members. CORE reports its membership based solely on the number of people who have paid dues.

CORE members reported that even with the inconvenience of having to leaflet in traffic before the CTU House of Delegates meeting on September 9, two people paid their CORE dues to one of the caucus's leafleters.

In addition to active political campaigns, CORE will be fundraising throughout October. Upcoming fundraisers will be on October 2nd and October 30th.

The October 2nd event will be at 7:30 PM at La Decima Musa, 1900 S. Loomis in Pilsen. Two exciting, passionate partisans of public education/popular struggles will sing for and with us— Anne Feeney and David Rovics. Tickets are $20.

On October 30th, CORE has tickets to Rosa’s Blues Lounge where Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues will play a sold out show for CORE. Tickets will be $25 each. Further information on CORE activities can be gotten by contacting coreteachers @gmail.com or at the CORE website (coreteachers.org). Following the September 11 event, many people said: Let's keep up the fun, money, and organizing going.

CORE has also been producing its newsletter and leaflets for distribution in the schools. Teachers and PSRPs who want information to distribute to their colleagues should contact CORE. Further information is available at www.coreteachers.org. 

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