Additional Membership Categories

Many years ago MEA offered a life membership. Persons who purchased that membership are active members for life. If the membership was purchased on or after July 1, 1961, local association membership is required, where such fees are levied. NEA membership is required for those who enrolled in this category after July 1, 1967. MEA life memberships are no longer available.

The membership fee for members who are on lay-off or unpaid leave shall be 25 percent of the full-time MEA membership dues plus 50 percent of the active NEA dues. This would include those members on worker’s compensation.

Available to all Michigan school employees and retirees. Lifetime dues are $500, subject to change by the RA, and are payable within three years.

Substitutes who are not included in local bargaining units may become MEA/NEA members upon payment of a United Profession fee set annually by the MEA Board of Directors. The MEA dues are $36 and NEA membership dues are $15.

Any person who is preparing for the teaching profession in any of the institutions of higher education in the state and who is not regularly employed as an educator by an educational institution or agency may become a student member (undergraduates). The fee is $27 and includes membership in the MEA and the Student National Education Association.

General

Any person interested in advancing the cause of education who is not eligible for categories of membership as provided in the Association’s Constitution and Bylaws may join the Association by paying an MEA fee of $30 (MEA membership only, not NEA).

Teacher Re-Entry/Substitute Membership

Teacher Re-Entry/Substitute membership is open to any person who is working towards teacher re-certification and is otherwise ineligible for MEA Active Membership. Upon eligibility for MEA Active Membership, the Teacher Re-Entry/Substitute membership will cease.

The dues rate for Teacher Re-Entry/Substitute membership is $100 per membership year. If during the membership year (September-June) one becomes eligible for and becomes an Active member a pro-rata portion of Teacher Re-Entry/Substitute membership dues will be credited towards MEA Active membership dues.

Note: Teacher Re-entry/Substitute membership does not provide legal representation for legal disputes that may occur nor other benefits that are reserved for Active members. Nor does it provide liability insurance, unless one is employed as a Substitute by a local board of education and applies for and is approved for NEA Substitute Membership.