Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1313896
ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE 10 ADVOCATE | WINTER 2020 lmost 100 AEA members become a part of the world's largest deliberative body— 8,000 strong—when they are elected by their colleagues to represent them at the NEA Representative Assembly each year. The NEA-RA is the governing body of the 3 million members of NEA. The 2021 annual meeting, to be held July 2-6 in Denver, Colorado, sets objectives, passes a budget, determines direction and votes on guiding principles for the Association, the largest professional organization and union in the country. You can be part of this exciting process by running as an AEA statewide delegate; regional delegate; retired delegate; or as a delegate representing your local association. Nominate yourself to be a statewide, regional, or retired delegate by completing the form on page 11. To run as a candidate representing your local, contact your local president. Local elections are usually held in the early spring, but vary from local to local. AEA-Retired members may be eligible for up to three delegates, depending on the January 15, 2021 membership figures. AEA is allotted a certain number of delegate positions based on the size of statewide membership. NEA-AEA Active members will vote for at least two Statewide Delegate and 14 Regional Delegates depending on the January 15, 2021 membership figures. In the event a candidate is elected to both a regional and statewide position, he or she must declare within ten days of official notification which position the candidate will accept. If a delegate fails to respond within ten days of the date of the official notification, he or she will be declared elected as a regional delegate. Nominees must complete the Delegate Nomination Form on page 11 and must submit it on or before 5 PM on January 29, 2021. Forms may be submitted via mail, hand delivery, fax, or email. Please see the instructions on page 11. Be part of the largest democratic body in the world! Be a Delegate to the 2021 NEA-RA Regional Delegates: Please look for your local association's name and the corresponding Election District (A through N) before completing your nomination form. AEA members will vote online for their 2021 NEA-RA Statewide, Regional, and Retired delegate representatives. Online voting will open on March 3, 2021 and close on April 10, 2021. Individuals may request paper ballots to cast their votes during this period. If you have questions about online voting, please contact Kathryn Shuffield, staff liaison to the AEA Elections Committee, at 602-407-2343 or 800-352-5411, ext. 143. IMPORTANT: Voting Process A AEA Elections Timeline November 2020-January 2021 Nominations accepted for NEA-RA delegates (statewide, regional, retired, local) Local associations should conduct a call for nominations for local delegate positions to the AEA Delegate Assembly and NEA-RA n n January 29 2021 March 1 February 8-12 March 3-April 10 March 23 April 10 May 7-8 July 2-6 Deadline for NEA-RA statewide, regional, and retired delegate nominations NEA RA election reports and AEA Delegate Assembly election reports emailed to local presidents Deadline for AEA Board of Directors nomination publication Online voting available to all members for NEA-RA statewide, regional, and retired candidates Deadline to report 2021 Delegate Assembly elected delegates and alternates Deadline to report 2021 NEA-RA local association elected delegates and successors 2021 Delegate Assembly, Scottsdale Resort 2021 NEA-RA, Denver, Colorado Members of color are especially encouraged to run for AEA leadership positions and as an RA delegate.