This July Fourth, some of your Connecticut colleagues are busy in Washington, D.C., serving as members of the world’s largest democratic deliberative body: the NEA Representative Assembly (RA). From July 4-7, 130 CEA members are joining the over 7,500 elected delegates who are representing three million NEA members. Delegates will debate the vital issues that affect American public education and set NEA policy and activities for the year ahead.
Earlier this year, CEA members elected their peers to represent their concerns as delegates to the NEA RA. Delegates represent state and local affiliates, student members, retired members, and other segments of the NEA membership.
CEA delegates meet prior to the start of the NEA RA.
Every year new delegates mix with those who have attended the NEA RA in the past. Delegates regularly say the chance to meet and talk with new people, from Connecticut and around the nation, is one of their favorite parts of the RA.
The days at the RA are busy ones for CEA members, with meetings that last from 7:00 in the morning until 6:00 at night. State delegation meetings precede the NEA RA every morning.
Delegates will adopt the strategic plan and budget, resolutions, the legislative program, and other policies of the Association. By secret ballot, they vote on proposed amendments to NEA’s Constitution and Bylaws.
Jahana Hayes, a Waterbury high school social studies teacher and the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, will address delegates later this week.
Stay tuned for more NEA RA news here at BlogCEA, and by visiting http://ra.nea.org.
