Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1511993
ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE 12 ADVOCATE | WINTER 2023 What is the NEA-RA? e RA is the primary legislative and policymaking body of the National Education Association (NEA) and derives its powers from, and is responsible to, the membership. Various committees, constituencies, caucuses, leadership groups, and delegates from state and local aliates gather to set policy and chart the direction of NEA business. e RA is the largest democratic deliberative assembly in the world and adheres toRobert's Rules of Order, except as otherwise specied in NEA governing documents. NEA-RA at a Glance RA FAQS Becky Pringle NEA President "Our mission is clear: we will advocate for the rights of education professionals and change the world for our students. With that inner re burning, we will never bend; we will NOT be broken!" e RA consists of approximately 8,000 educator delegates representing state and local aliates, student members, retired members, and other segments of the united education profession. Over the course of eight business sessions spanning four days, RA delegates debate the vital issues that impact American public education and set Association policy and activities for the year ahead. Why does the NEA-RA meet every year? e RA adopts the strategic plan and budget, resolutions, the legislative program, and other policies of NEA. Delegates propose, debate, and take action on new business items for the Association and vote by secret ballot on proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. ose delegates with full voting rights elect the executive ocers, Executive Committee members, and at-large members of the NEA Board of Directors, as appropriate. How do AEA members become delegates? In balloting conducted by local associations, AEA members elect their peers to represent their concerns at the RA. e delegates represent local associations and AEA, student members, retired members, and other segments of the NEA membership. e elected delegates determine NEA's strategic plan and budget, legislative program, and resolutions. Delegates also vote, by secret ballot, on proposed amendments to the NEA constitution and bylaws and elect NEA's executive ocers, Executive Committee members, and at-large members of the NEA Board of Directors. Why is the annual meeting held over the July 4th holiday? Traditionally, July 4 was chosen because it was convenient for many educators. It was a time when most schools had nished the regular school year. In most cases, July 4 did not interrupt summer school sessions, and cities are oen able to oer more availability and lower prices when meetings are scheduled over the holiday. Some educators may have to take days o from work to attend the RA. What is the cost of attending the RA? If a member is elected as a Statewide or Regional Delegate AEA will cover a portion of the cost to attend the RA. If a member is elected locally, please contact your local president to see if there is any nancial support that your local can provide. e cost of the RA can range between $2,100-3,000 per person; this estimate includes lodging, airfare, and meals. What is the NEA Bylaw 3-1(G)? Since Bylaw 3-1(g) was established in the Association's governing documents nearly 50 years ago under our revised Constitution and Bylaws implemented in 1974, NEA has regularly elded a racially and ethnically diverse assembly of member leaders at the Representative Assembly (RA). Bylaw 3-1(g) is the Association's primary policy for promoting and monitoring racial and ethnic diversity across our leader ranks in pursuit of a remarkable goal— to attain representation at the NEA RA among our delegates who self-identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacic Islander, Multiracial, or some other race/ethnicity that is proportionate to our state and national populations. How is the AEA Delegate Assembly dierent from the NEA-RA? e AEA Delegate Assembly is the highest decision-making body within AEA. With over 550 delegates, the AEA Delegate Assembly is also Arizona's largest democratic deliberative body. Local associations attending the Delegate Assembly hold an election among their members to elect delegates. e annual meeting, which is similar to a major political convention, provides a forum where AEA members can collaborate, debate, and vote. Individual members and local associations submit New Business Items, New Resolutions or Amendments to Resolutions, Standing Rules, Bylaws, and the AEA Constitution, which, when passed, set the organizational priorities for AEA for the coming year. e Delegate Assembly is held every year during the rst or second weekend of May in Arizona.