2023 MEA Representative Assembly – Lead the Way With MEA

The MEA held its annual Representative Assembly (RA) in May. The MEA RA is the largest democratic body of the association, made up of educators elected by their local associations to represent their district.

At this year’s MEA RA members:

• Set the course of work for the union in the upcoming school year
• Discussed and took positions on key education issues
• Honored members, education leaders, and students with awards and scholarships

Below are the items voted on by the delegates at the Representative Assembly, MEA’s award winners and the winners of MEA’s Clyde Russell scholarship for students.

From MEA President Grace Leavitt to MEA RA Delegates

Membership is everyone’s job. And engaging members in the association is, too! So please, commit to talking to all potential members about why they too should belong.

Right now, we have ‘early enrollment’. Talk to that person who isn’t a member about why you ARE a member! Tell them about early enrollment—it’s such a deal—pay no dues until September 1st! Like a trial magazine or cable network subscription! Follow up with them if they don’t sign up right then and there. And in the fall, talk to any new folks—and those ‘holdouts’ that still haven’t quite realized how important it is to be a member about all the reasons you BELONG.

Let’s all encourage, urge, and support other members in engaging in our local associations! Look at what some locals have accomplished by organizing and engaging members—MSAD 51, Thornton Academy, Milford, Falmouth—to name a few!

Grace Leavitt, MEA President

From MEA Executive Director Rachelle Bristol

I talk a lot about being strong stable and solid. But I will say-if potential members don’t see the union as relevant then they won’t join and if they don’t join we have a sustainability problem and then we won’t be strong stable and solid and that’s not good for the union.

We have to continue to build on our stability as we navigate the course we have to think differently, and I know people have fatigue I know it’s one more thing-but our power is in numbers.

Rachelle Bristol, MEA Executive Director

Click here to view the photo gallery from the 2023 MEA Representative Assembly and MEA Awards Night.

MEA Award Winners

Each year at the MEA RA, the Union presents awards to members and those in our community to honor the work done to support public education over the course of the school year. Below are this year’s award winners.

2023 New Business Items

1. RESOLVED: the MEA will develop plans to implement professional development that offers opportunities for practice, reflection, and personalized coaching delivered in a series of sessions. This will include investigating compensating members for offering such professional development to fellow members.
2. RESOLVED: the MEA will investigate improving accessibility to all MEA sponsored professional development conferences, such as the Summer and Winter conferences. This will include but not be limited to mileage reimbursement, video conferencing, and/or shared lodging for commutes of 90 miles or more away.
3. RESOLVED: The MEA will provide trainings at least 3 times a year around Maine’s dangerous behavior laws and examples of contract language to help support enforcement thereof. Additionally, these trainings will cover support and guidance to encourage all educators to only engage in acts which promote student & staff physical and mental safety and well being.
4. REFERRED TO RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
   RESOLVED: The MEA supports that all Maine schools prioritize reoccurring equity audits.
5. REFERRED TO RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
   RESOLVED: The MEA supports that all Maine schools commit to responsive action toward outcomes of equity audits.
6. REFERRED TO RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
   RESOLVED: The MEA Supports that all Maine school districts create and maintain positions whose expressed purpose is to improve relations between students, faculty, caregivers, and the community.
7. REFERRED TO RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
   RESOLVED: The MEA encourages and supports culturally and historically accurate responsive curriculum and instruction.
8. REFERRED TO GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE
   RESOLVED: the MEA will protect schools, staff, students, and communities from gun violence by requiring support of an assault weapons ban as prerequisite for endorsement of any individual running for state or federal office.
9. RESOLVED: the MEA will collaborate with legislators to reintroduce “right to strike” legislation.
10. REFERRED TO MEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    RESOLVED: the MEA will commit to become carbon neutral by the end of 2025.
11. RESOLVED: The MEA will pursue legislative action to financially recognize National Board Certified School Nurses with a state funded stipend.
12. RESOLVED: The MEA will work to develop and promote legislation that requires the State to mandate a library in every school with a certified school librarian at the helm.
13. RESOLVED: After endorsing candidates, the MEA will encourage its members to make use of the Maine Clean Election Act.
14. REFERRED TO INSTRUCTION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
    RESOLVED: The MEA will provide trainings for educators working with multilingual students including but not limited to refugees, asylum seekers, and students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE).
15. RESOLVED: The MEA will review its resolutions to make sure they are in alignment with our newly adopted legislative agenda.
16. RESOLVED: The MEA will investigate new ways to support Student MEA membership, such as encouraging local associations to sponsor student membership, creating a voluntary scholarship fund, and/or establishing partnerships with post-secondary level educator preparation programs.

2023 New and Amended Resolutions
New A21.
RESOLVED: the MEA believes it is critical for our government officials to take further actions towards preventing acts of violence, both in our places of education as well as in our communities. Such measures to prevent acts of violence, however, must be consistent with a welcoming and caring climate that our students need and deserve in order to be successful. Any measures such as the installation of metal detectors, arming educators, and the like would create unsafe and harmful conditions for both students and educators. (Adopted 2023)

Amendment to B2.
RESOLVED: That the MEA supports a maximum class size/teacher ratio of 8:1 for Pre-Kindergarten, 15:1 for Kindergarten, 18:1 for grades 1-6, and 18:1 for grades 7-12 per instructional classroom. The MEA believes that during a state health crisis, a maximum class size/teacher ratio should reflect the guidelines provided by the Maine State CDC only when lower than the ratios provided above. (Adopted 1987; Amended 2013; Amended 2015, Amended 2023)

Amendment to B14.
RESOLVED: That the MEA believes that all routes to educator certification should provide equitable access to the profession, offer the needed supports, and include both traditional and/or competency-based modalities. (Adopted 2001; Amended 2008; Amended 2009, Amended 2023)

New B35.
RESOLVED: the MEA believes that in order for students to become informed citizens, to develop critical thinking skills, and to be prepared for the complex world in which we live, they need access to books and materials that include representation of all people and their identities. Educators are trained professionals who have the expertise and knowledge to select age-appropriate materials that help support a welcoming learning environment for all students. Parental/guardian involvement and support in their student’s learning are essential elements of a student’s success. Parents/guardians have many ways to communicate with their child’s teachers and are encouraged to discuss with them any questions they have regarding materials. However, the concerns of an individual should be addressed through a clear, established district policy that includes teachers and staff in a fair, objective process. (Adopted 2023)

New B36.
RESOLVED: the MEA believes the practice of rating books for the purpose of restricting access in school and public libraries should be discouraged. (Adopted 2023)

New B37.
RESOLVED: the MEA believes professional development that offers opportunities for practice, reflection, and personalized coaching delivered in a series of sessions is superior to “one and done” and “one size fits all” approaches to professional development. (Adopted 2023)

Amendment to C27.
RESOLVED: That the MEA supports an increase in minimum salary to $50,000 for certified teachers in the 2027-2028 school year and indexed for inflation in subsequent years. (Adopted 2016, Amended 2023)

New C35.
RESOLVED: the MEA believes that mentors assigned to teachers with conditional or emergency certification should be compensated in accordance with the increased responsibility and time needed to provide the necessary support and guidance that is above and beyond what is needed to mentor teachers who have a professional certificate. (Adopted 2023)

Amendment to section E Title
E. HUMAN/CIVIL RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE (Amended 2023)

Amendment to E2.
RESOLVED: That the MEA supports its members to retain personal freedom as individuals, parents, and school board members. (Adopted 1990; Amended 2005; Amended 2014, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E5.
RESOLVED: That the MEA affirms the importance of education regarding issues experienced by people of historically marginalized groups; furthermore, the MEA believes that members of historically marginalized groups should be fostered to take on leadership roles. (Adopted 1993; Amended 1996; Amended 2015, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E9.
RESOLVED: That the MEA opposes cuts in the Medicare, Social Security systems, and the State of Maine’s Medicaid program known as MaineCare system. (Adopted 1996; Amended 2020, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E13.
RESOLVED: That the MEA believes the definition of family includes an individual’s child(ren), spouse or significant other, parent(s), step-relationship(s), sibling(s), grandparent(s), grandchild(ren), in-law(s), custodial child(ren), and others with a familial bond; significant other is defined as a sole domestic partner who has lived with the educator for the 12 months, not related by blood, not covered by another domestic partner or legal spouse relationship for the last 12 months, and who is jointly responsible for the educator’s welfare as evidenced through a joint deed, joint mortgage, joint lease, joint credit card, joint bank account, and/or powers of attorney authorizing each domestic partner to act on behalf of the other. (Adopted 1997; Amended 2002; Amended 2014; Amended 2020, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E15.
RESOLVED: That the MEA supports services for eligible elderly residents living at home who need assistance. (Adopted 1997; Amended 2012; Amended 2020, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E22.
RESOLVED: That the MEA believes that public schools should have the necessary resources and properly trained staff in order to ensure all students receive culturally competent and trauma-informed services offered by the Response to Intervention (RTI) process. (Adopted 2010, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E24.
RESOLVED: That the MEA believes that all students should be able to use the bathroom or locker room of the gender with which they identify, including non-binary students. The MEA supports the goal of creating gender neutral public restrooms in all Maine educational institutions. (Adopted 2018; Amended 2021, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E26.
RESOLVED: That the MEA believes in the importance of Social and Racial Justice for all people.

advocates for respect, fairness and dignity in our society;
supports the opposition of hate-based bias, racial profiling, religious intolerance, socio-economic stereotyping, and bullying;
advocates for a culture free from hate and racism;
supports the opposition of systems that reinforce white supremacy culture;
supports the condemnation of a culture that disrupts the mental, emotional, and cognitive needs of our students and educators by means of oppression;
supports the eradication of institutional racism and the school-to-prison pipeline;
supports restorative practices;
promotes awareness of and appreciation for multiculturalism and diversity.
amplifies voices of historically marginalized people within schools and communities;
supports the formation and facilitation of affinity groups.

(Adopted 2019, Amended 2023)

Amendment to E30.
RESOLVED: That the MEA believes and advocates that all students should be able to play and participate in school sports teams, clubs, and activities that match their gender identity best, including non-binary students. (Adopted 2021, Amended 2023)
Amendment to E31.
RESOLVED: that the MEA believes that each student’s choice of moniker, inclusive of their self identity, should be respected and extended to all student approved instances that are not legal documents including but not limited to: email, yearbook, lunch card, marquee, educational software such as attendance systems, and public announcements. (Adopted 2022, Amended 2023)

New E34.
RESOLVED: the MEA believes that educators who experience physical, verbal, cyber, and/or emotional abuse and/or harassment, related to employment, should be provided with time off, counseling, medical care, and other supports they deem necessary. (Adopted 2023)

New E35.
RESOLVED: the MEA believes all district employees, including administration, should have the necessary training to do their job effectively in order to treat all employees with respect and dignity. (Adopted 2023)
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2023 Constitution Changes
CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI, SECTION 1
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. Officers
The officers of the Association shall be: President, Vice President, and Treasurer. All candidates for the office of President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall have been active or active education support members of the Maine Education Association for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the election. All officers shall maintain membership in the Association.
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2023 Bylaw Changes
BYLAWS ARTICLE II, SECTION 2, PART D AND E
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
Section 2. Terms of Delegates and Alternates
D. In multi-delegate governance affiliates, the alternate delegate with the longest term, as determined by the local governance affiliate president, shall be designated the first alternate delegate. The alternate delegate with the next longest term shall be designated the second alternate delegate, and so forth, until all seats are filled.

E. The delegates who represent the governance affiliate shall be seated in the Maine Education Association Representative Assembly at the annual meeting only if the governance affiliate has transmitted sixty (60%) percent of the dues receivable by May 1. Any delegate from a governance affiliate who is denied a seat at the Representative Assembly due to the application of this paragraph may appeal the matter to the full Representative Assembly which may, by majority of its membership, vote to seat the delegate.

BYLAWS ARTICLE V, SECTION 2, PART B-1
ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 2. Duties
B. Members of the Board of Directors shall:

1. attend meetings and the annual Board of Directors Retreat, and be encouraged to attend UniServ District wide meetings and Governance meetings within their district, all MEA-sponsored conferences, the MEA Representative Assembly, and national governance meetings and training sessions as approved by the MEA President;
   BYLAWS ARTICLE V, SECTION 4, PART A
   ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   Section 4. Vacancies
   A. A seat on the Board of Directors shall automatically become vacant when such member holding such position leaves the profession, resigns, is impeached, is no longer employed in that governance district from which elected, or whose change in membership category makes such member no longer eligible to represent that governance district. Vacancies in all seats shall be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors present at a regular or special meeting according to procedures outlined in the Policy Handbook. Such appointment shall be effective until the next July 15.
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   2023 Standing Rules Changes
   STANDING RULE 2, SECTION 1, PART D
   RULE 2. ELECTIONS PROCEDURES
   Section 1. Elections Conducted at the MEA Representative Assembly

D. Candidate Speaking Order

If there is more than one (1) candidate for any vacancy elected by the Representative Assembly, each candidate shall be allowed five (5) minutes to speak at the time of official nominations. A question and answer period of not more than ten (10) minutes for each contested office shall be allowed. The time may be extended at the discretion of the Representative Assembly delegates. During the question and answer period, each candidate shall be allowed one (1) minute to answer each question. The candidate speaking order shall be determined by the order of nominations as stated in this Standing Rule. The candidate speaking order within each vacancy shall be determined by the order of names during an election year (alphabetical or reverse alphabetical). Subsequent responses shall be in a rotating order (the first to respond to the second question shall be the second candidate in the order of appearance on the ballot and so on until the end of the question and answer period).

STANDING RULE 2, SECTION 6, PART B
RULE 2. ELECTIONS PROCEDURES
Section 6. Balloting/Voting

B. In elections conducted by MEA prior to the Representative Assembly, ballots shall be distributed to active, active education support, student, and retired members as of January 15th of the current year. Ballots shall be distributed on or prior to a date selected by the Elections Committee at least forty-five (45) days prior to the first day of the Representative Assembly and shall be returned no later than the date established by the Elections Committee.