 Live from the NEA Representative AssemblyEach year during the week of July 4, National Education Association members from across the country gather for the Representative Assembly. With more than 9,000 delegates representing NEA’s 3.2 million members, the RA is the world's largest democratic, deliberative body. These delegates make decisions that drive NEA’s direction, including budgets, policies and official positions of the association. In this critical election year, the delegates meeting in Washington, D.C., will be voting on NEA’s recommendation for President of the United States. Delegates will also be electing new NEA officers and Executive Committee members. Throughout the week, we’ll be updating this Web site with news and information from the RA, highlights about the RA experience in Washington, and features about the delegates who are giving up their July 4 holiday to serve the interests of America’s public schools. |
Daily Delegate Dialogues
Each day of the NEA RA, a different Michigan delegate was profiled discussing various aspects of the RA and why it was important for them to be in Washington, D.C. representing their members. Read more.
Top Stories from the 2008 NEA Representative Assembly
July 6: Go inside the process of proposing a new business item to the NEA RA
Grand Rapids Education Association President Paul Helder came to the NEA RA in Washington with an idea for a study about the effectiveness of reconstitution in improving school performance under No Child Left Behind and its effects on members and communities. Go inside the process of getting an new business item to the RA floor.
July 5: ‘High rollers’ go ‘all in’ for PAC
“Pit boss” Joyce Lalonde wants to make sure everybody wins this year. And the best way to do that is by contributing to the NEA Fund for Children and Education. Lalonde and her team of volunteers used a Vegas theme for PAC fundraising activities to encourage delegates to contribute to the NEA Fund, which helps elect friends of public education to national office. The 2008 RA PAC effort was a great success, resulting in $85,437 in contributions from Michigan delegates, which was the 3rd highest amount raised by a state delegation this year in D.C. Read more.
July 4: “The Commitment Continues” for retired RA delegates
MEA-Retired’s motto is “The Commitment Continues.” That commitment has brought 27 MEA-Retired members to the nation’s capital for this year’s NEA RA. These dedicated retirees come to the RA to stay connected to the association and its members, help guide a new generation of members and continue serving the best interests of Michigan's public school students. Read more.
July 4: Sharing their holiday for a higher cause
Each year, hundreds of MEA members forgo Independence Day barbeques and fireworks near home with the family and friends to be with their NEA family as delegates at the Representative Assembly. Why do Michigan’s delegates give up their July 4 holiday to be RA delegates? Read their answers.
July 3: Student delegates get first taste of RA
Five Student MEA members are getting the experience of serving as delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly. They're gaining valuable experience for their future career and helping ensure the voices of the education profession's future are heard loud and clear in D.C. Read more.
July 3: Behind the scenes: How do you run a 9,000 person meeting?
Aside from being a miracle of democracy, the 9,000-delegate NEA Representative Assembly is a miracle of logistics. Find out how this annual event is pulled off by a group of committed staff and volunteers. Read more.
July 2: Dropout crisis discussion at NEA RA echoes sentiments at Michigan hearings
Recent MEA-sponsored hearings about the dropout crisis are far from the only effort going on in the United States to graduate more students from high school. On Wednesday, more than 500 NEA Representative Assembly delegates gathered to hear from national experts on the issue and share their thoughts and concerns as they experience this crisis from the front lines. Read more.
July 2: NEA EXPO: From politics to pencil sharpeners
A huge range of exhibitors display their products and services at the annual NEA EXPO at the Representative Assembly. Delegates from across the country scour the exhibit hall for the best ideas – and the best freebies – to bring home. Read more.
July 1: New delegates get oriented at their first NEA RA
More than 50 new Michigan delegates to the NEA RA got some serious – and some humorous – advice about representing their members this week in Washington from MEA Vice President Steven Cook (pictured) and other RA veterans. Read more, including what some new delegates are looking forward to most about their first RA experience. Also, check out what NEA President-elect Dennis Van Roekel had to say to the Michigan Caucus Tuesday afternoon.
June 30: Capitol sights, history inspire Michigan RA delegates
About 30 Michigan RA delegates were treated to a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol courtesy of Michigan’s own Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Her legislative staff shared Capitol history and humor throughout the 90-minute tour of the center of American democracy. Read more.