Eric was born in Wyoming and raised in Oklahoma.

In 1967, he earned a BA in government, history, and economics from the University of Oklahoma. In 1972, he received an MA in American history from the University of Maryland. In 1999, he received an honorary doctorate of education from Montana State University.

1969-70, Eric served in Vietnam in the 4th Infantry Division as an army combat medic.

From 1974-1984, Eric taught English and social studies in the Helena public schools. From 1984-2000, he served as the last president of the former Montana Education Association (MEA). When MEA merged with the former Montana Federation of TEachers (MFT) in 2000, Eric was elected the first president of MEA-MFT.

He has been elected four times since to two-year terms. In 2006, he was first elected an American Federation of Teachers (AFT) vice president and serves on the AFT executive council.

Today, MEA-MFT represents 18,000 professional and classified employees working in public schools, the university system, Head Start, state, and local governments, and private health care all over Montana. (via http://www.mea-mft.org/)

Attached is a copy of the August Trumpeter.  Please note that the Five Valleys Pachyderm Club is having a 2 for 1 member drive from now until Election Day!!!

Here’s how it works:
You, a paid Five Valleys Pachyderm member, bring a guest to one of our regular Friday noon meetings and both of you eat for just $11.  There is a limit of one free lunch per guest of paid member.  But bring as many different people during the promotion as you can.  This is a great opportunity to “take a friend to lunch” on us and grow our membership.

Also, be sure not to miss our Pachyderm meeting next week on August 27.  We will be hosting Eric Feaver of MEA-MFT (www.mea-mft.org), who will speak on the Montana education system.  If you know of any teachers, students or others interested in education, please bring them along.

Have a great weekend!

Allie Harrison
1st Vice President
Five Valleys Pachyderm Club

August Trumpeter 2010

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