MEA Elections

The MEA is always looking for new people to join in the conversation! Be a decision maker and run for an open seat in our MEA Elections.

 

Elections Conducted by the Maine Education Association

 

MEA President

An election for MEA President (Be advised: the office of MEA President is a full-time position) for a three (3)-year term will take place at the 2024 MEA Representative Assembly. The President is the chief policy officer of the Association and the duties include:

  • The President acts as the official spokesperson
  • Presides at all general sessions, all sessions of the Board of Directors, and the Representative Assembly
  • Fulfills constitutional duties of the office
  • Promotes the MEA Legislative program in the Legislature
  • Provides testimony to the Legislature for all MEA bills
  • Appoints members to committees
  • Serves as the First Alternate National Education Association Director
  • Serves as delegate to the Representative Assembly
  • Attends PROM meetings
  • Visits and communicates with local affiliates
  • Attends NEA Board meetings
  • Serves as an ex officio member on all standing committees, ad hoc committees, and Board of Directors sub-committees
  • Attends all MEA conferences, and NCSEA meetings
  • Participates in NEA Zone 1 activities
  • Plans caucus meetings at the NEA Representative Assembly

All candidates for the office of President 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. Experience in Association leadership is recommended. All candidates should have flexible schedules for evening and weekend meetings and be available to travel extensively on weekends, on school breaks, and during the summer. Public speaking and meeting facilitation experience are highly recommended.

For publication in the Maine Educator, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Biographical Sketch Form (part of the Notice of Intent) – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication (OPTIONAL)
  3. Submit a color or black and white photo – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication to [email protected] (OPTIONAL)

To be considered as a candidate for any Association office elected by the Representative Assembly, Notice of Intent must be filed with the Executive Director no later than April 18, 2024.

Conduct of Elections:

Elections for candidates for MEA President will be conducted by the MEA at the MEA Representative Assembly on May 19, 2024. Unopposed candidates will be declared elected by the MEA Representative Assembly.

MEA Vice President

An election for MEA Vice President for a three (3)-year term will take place at the 2024 Representative Assembly.

Duties of the Vice President include:

  • Presides at all general sessions if needed under the direction of the President
  • Attends all sessions of the Board of Directors and the MEA and NEA Representative Assembly, Leadership Team meetings
  • Fulfills constitutional duties of the office
  • Attends PROM meetings
  • Visits and communicates with local affiliates
  • Serves as an ex officio member on all standing committees, ad hoc committees and Board of Directors sub-committees
  • Serves as Trustee on the MEA Benefits Trust
  • Attends MEA conferences and NCSEA meetings
  • Participates in NEA Zone 1 activities
  • Promotes the Legislative program in the Legislature
  • Serves on the MEA PAC committee
  • Serves as second alternate NEA Director
  • Fulfills all other duties as assigned by the President

All candidates for the office of Vice President 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. Experience in Association leadership is recommended. All candidates should have flexible schedules for evening and weekend meetings and be available to travel extensively on weekends, on school breaks, and during the summer. Public speaking and meeting facilitation experience are highly recommended.

For publication in the Maine Educator, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Biographical Sketch Form (part of the Notice of Intent) – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication (OPTIONAL)
  3. Submit a color or black and white photo – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication to [email protected] (OPTIONAL)

To be considered as a candidate for any Association office elected by the Representative Assembly, Notice of Intent must be filed with the Executive Director no later than April 18, 2024.

Conduct of Elections:

Elections for candidates for MEA Vice President will be conducted by the MEA at the MEA Representative Assembly on May 19, 2024. Unopposed candidates will be declared elected by the MEA Representative Assembly.

MEA Treasurer

An election for MEA Treasurer for a three (3)-year term will take place at the 2024 Representative Assembly.

Duties of the Treasurer includes:

  • Chairs the Strategic Budget Committee
  • Attends all sessions of the Board of Directors and present the monthly Treasurer’s Report at those sessions
  • Attends the MEA Representative Assembly to present the proposed Strategic Budget and to chair the Strategic Budget Committee for amending said budget as needed
  • Attends Leadership Team meeting
  • Attends PROM meetings to present the proposed Strategic budget
  • Visits and communicates with local affiliates
  • Serves as an ex officio member on all standing committees, ad hoc committees and Board of Directors sub-committees,
  • Attends MEA conferences
  • Attends the NEA Representative Assembly
  • Promotes the Legislative program in the Legislature
  • Fulfills constitutional duties of the office
  • Fulfills all other duties as assigned by the President

All candidates for the office of 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. Experience in Association leadership is recommended. All candidates should have flexible schedules for evening and weekend meetings and be available to travel extensively on weekends, on school breaks, and during the summer. Public speaking and meeting facilitation experience are highly recommended.

For publication in the Maine Educator, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Biographical Sketch Form (part of the Notice of Intent) – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication (OPTIONAL)
  3. Submit a color or black and white photo – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication to [email protected] (OPTIONAL)

To be considered as a candidate for any Association office elected by the Representative Assembly, Notice of Intent must be filed with the Executive Director no later than April 18, 2024.

Conduct of Elections:

Elections for candidates for MEA Treasurer will be conducted by the MEA at the MEA Representative Assembly on May 19, 2024. Unopposed candidates will be declared elected by the MEA Representative Assembly.

Board of Directors

DEADLINE: 4:30pm on January 19, 2024

Board of Directors vacancies for election year 2024 exist in the following MEA Board of Directors Election Districts:

1-year term: Districts B, J

2-year terms: Districts C, G, P, ESP (statewide)

3-year terms: Districts E, F, M, O

See Elections Resources forms below for a list of all local associations within each Board Election District, or the “MED” column on Attachment I, which lists the Board District.

The Board of Directors duties include:

  • General interest of the Association
  • Carry into effect all orders and resolutions of the Association not otherwise provided for
  • Appoint and fix the salary of a full-time Executive Director
  • Provide input to the preparation of the Association budget
  • Manage the business and property affairs of this Association.
  • Charter governance affiliates: censure, suspend, or expel a governance affiliate pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board; communicate with and report to their constituency policies and actions of the Board of Directors
  • Decide questions arising as to the interpretation of the provisions of this Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules
  • Attend meetings and the annual Board of Directors Retreat, UniServ district-wide and Governance meetings within their district, MEA-sponsored conferences, the MEA Representative Assembly, and national governance meetings and training sessions as approved by the MEA President
  • Act as liaison to or serve on various MEA and other committees as requested by the MEA President and shall attend meetings associated with those committees

Experience in Association leadership is recommended. All candidates should have flexible schedules for evening and weekend meetings and be available to travel occasionally on weekends and during the summer. Public speaking and meeting facilitation experience are highly recommended.

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Biographical Sketch Form (part of the Notice of Intent) – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication (OPTIONAL)
  3. Submit a color or black and white photo – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication to [email protected] (OPTIONAL)
  4. Candidate Campaign Statement (part of the Notice of Intent) – to be published on a separate sheet to accompany the ballot if there is more than one candidate.

Conduct of Elections

MEA will distribute the ballots to local presidents the week of February 5, 2024 if necessary. Unopposed candidates who seek election to the MEA Board of Directors will be declared elected by the MEA Elections Committee.

MEA-Representative Assembly

Higher Education, Maine Public Broadcasting and Student MEA Delegate/Alternate Openings

The following vacancies exist for members of higher ed and Maine Public Broadcasting for delegates and alternates to the Maine Education Association Representative Assembly.

  • ACSUM 3 delegates 3 alternates
  • AFUM 5 delegates 10 alternates
  • CCAA 1 delegate 1 alternate
  • CCFA 3 delegates 3 alternates
  • UMPSA 6 delegates 6 alternates
  • MPBC EA 1 delegate 1 alternate
  • Student MEA 0 delegates 0 alternates

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Candidate Campaign Statement -to be published on a separate sheet to accompany the ballot if there is more than one candidate.

Conduct of Elections

MEA will distribute the ballots to all members in their respective membership categories the week of February 5, 2024 if there is a contested election. Unopposed candidates who seek election as MEA Representative Assembly delegates/alternates will be declared elected by the MEA Elections Committee and not have a ballot.

 

MEA Representative Assembly Clusters – 1 delegate and 1 alternate seat for each cluster district, except where noted

(see Attachment J to find local association cluster district)

 

Term Exp.

Cluster District 1 2025

Cluster District 2 2026

Cluster District 3 2025

Cluster District 4 2025

Cluster District 5 (alternate only) 2026

Cluster District 6 2025

Cluster District 7 2027

Cluster District 8 2027

Cluster District 9 2025

Cluster District 10 2027

Cluster District 11 2027

Cluster District 12 2026

Cluster District 13 2027

Cluster District 14 (alternate only) 2025

Cluster District 15 2026

Cluster District 16 2026

Cluster District 17 2027

Cluster District 18 2027

Cluster District 19 2027

Cluster District 20 2027

Cluster District 21 2027

Cluster District 22 2026

Cluster District 23 2026

Cluster District 24 2026

Cluster District 25 2026

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Candidate Campaign Statement -to be published on a separate sheet to accompany the ballot if there is more than one candidate.

Conduct of Elections

MEA will distribute the ballots to all members in their respective membership categories the week of February 5, 2024 if there is a contested election. Unopposed candidates who seek election as MEA Representative Assembly delegates/alternates will be declared elected by the MEA Elections Committee and not have a ballot.

 

MEA – Retired Delegate/Alternates for MEA Representative Assembly

The following vacancies exist for retired members for delegates and alternates to the Maine Education Association Representative Assembly.

Delegates – 4 vacancies
(4) 3-year terms

Alternates – 9 vacancies
(4) 3-year terms; (3) 2-year terms; and (2) 1-year terms

Members of the MEA-Retired are eligible to file as candidates for delegate and/or alternate delegate seats.

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Candidate Campaign Statement -to be published on a separate sheet to accompany the ballot if there is more than one candidate.

Conduct of Elections:

MEA will distribute ballots to all retired members in February should an election be required. Unopposed candidates who seek election for MEA Representative Assembly delegate/alternate delegate will be declared elected by the MEA Elections Committee.

NEA-Representative Assembly

NEA Representative Assembly District Delegates and Alternates

NEA Representative Assembly District vacancies exist for delegates and alternates for Districts 20, 21, 22, 23 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 for 2-year terms for election year 2024.

Candidates must be a member of a local association in the district which they are running for. For a list of all the local associations within a NEA district, see Attachment G – NEA Districts below, or use the “NED” column on Attachment I. All candidates interested in becoming a district delegate or alternate may run for a delegate or alternate seat.

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Biographical Sketch Form (part of the Notice of Intent) – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication (OPTIONAL)
  3. Submit a color or black and white photo – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication to [email protected] (OPTIONAL)
  4. Candidate Campaign Statement – to be published on a separate sheet to accompany the ballot if there is more than one candidate.

Conduct of Elections

MEA will distribute the ballots to local presidents on the week of February 5, 2024 if necessary. Unopposed candidates who seek election as NEA Representative Assembly District Delegates and Alternates will be declared elected by the MEA Elections Committee

Guidelines for funding state delegates to the NEA RA as follows:

  1. Delegates are expected to arrive at the NEA Representative Assembly prior to the first Maine caucus and to remain throughout the entire convention.
  2. Delegates are expected to attend all Maine caucus meetings at the Representative Assembly.
  3. Delegates are expected to be in attendance at all business sessions of the NEA Representative Assembly.
  4. Delegates are expected to inform themselves appropriately and to participate in the voting process at the NEA Representative Assembly.
  5. Delegates are encouraged to make an appropriate contribution to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education.
  6. Delegates are expected to coordinate with the MEA Leadership Team to assist in coverage of the NEA Representative Assembly committee meetings that precede the opening session of the NEA Representative Assembly.
  7. Delegates may be excused from some sessions for official NEA-RA activities, illness, or other reason at the discretion of the Caucus Chair.

Adopted October 2007

 

NEA Representative Assembly At Large Alternates

NEA Representative Assembly At-large vacancies exist for 6 alternates for a 1-year term for election year 2024.

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Biographical Sketch Form (part of the Notice of Intent) – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication (OPTIONAL)
  3. Submit a color or black and white photo – for publication in the Maine Educator or other official MEA publication to [email protected] (OPTIONAL)
  4. Candidate Campaign Statement – to be published on a separate sheet to accompany the ballot if there is more than one candidate.

Conduct of Elections

MEA will distribute the ballots to local presidents on the week of February 5, 2024 if necessary. Unopposed candidates who seek election as NEA Representative Assembly At-Large Alternates will be declared elected by the MEA Elections Committee. Runners up will become alternates.

Guidelines for funding state delegates to the NEA RA as follows:

  1. Delegates are expected to arrive at the NEA Representative Assembly prior to the first Maine caucus and to remain throughout the entire convention.
  2. Delegates are expected to attend all Maine caucus meetings at the Representative Assembly.
  3. Delegates are expected to be in attendance at all business sessions of the NEA Representative Assembly.
  4. Delegates are expected to inform themselves appropriately and to participate in the voting process at the NEA Representative Assembly.
  5. Delegates are encouraged to make an appropriate contribution to the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education.
  6. Delegates are expected to coordinate with the MEA Leadership Team to assist in coverage of the NEA Representative Assembly committee meetings that precede the opening session of the NEA Representative Assembly.
  7. Delegates may be excused from some sessions for official NEA-RA activities, illness, or other reason at the discretion of the Caucus Chair.

Adopted October 2007

 

MEA – Retired Delegate/Alternates for NEA Representative Assembly

Six (6) statewide vacancies exist for delegates to represent the MEA-Retired at the NEA Representative Assembly for one-year (1) terms. Per the MEA-Retired By-Laws, two (2) vacancies for delegates are held by the MEA-Retired President and President-Elect. Their alternates, in order, shall be the Secretary, Information Coordinator, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President.

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent
  2. Candidate Campaign Statement -to be published on a separate sheet to accompany the ballot if there is more than one candidate.

Conduct of Elections:

MEA will distribute ballots to retired members in February should an election be required. Candidates may run for delegate or alternate delegate positions. Delegates shall be ranked according to the highest number of votes received. If there is more than one candidate for a delegate position, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes becomes the delegate. The candidate receiving the second highest number of votes will become the first alternate delegate, and so on. A candidate may also run for an alternate seat only. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes becomes the first alternate, and so on. However, if there is more than one candidate for the delegate position, the candidates running for alternate seats would succeed a candidate who receives the second highest number of votes for the delegate position, and so on. Unopposed candidates who seek election for NEA Representative Assembly delegate/alternate delegate will be declared elected by the MEA Elections Committee.

 

Elections Conducted by Local Governance Affiliates

 

MEA-Representative Assembly (Elections conducted by Local Associations)

Vacancies for election year 2024 exist for local associations for MEA Representative Assembly delegates/alternates. The MEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Alternate Vacancy List (Attachment I) found below lists delegate/alternate allocations for all local associations, as well as the names of delegates/alternates whose terms have not expired.

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by 4:30pm on January 19, 2024:

  1. Notice of Intent (K – 12 Local Affiliate) – submit this form to your local president by January 19, 2024.

Conduct of Elections

The local association will distribute ballots to all members if the number of Notices of Intent received exceeds the number of vacancies allocated to the local association. Unopposed candidates who seek election as MEA Representative Assembly delegates/alternates will be declared elected by the Local Association. Following the election, the local president must submit to MEA the Certificate of Election by 4:30pm on March 15, 2024.

NEA-Representative Assembly (Elections Conducted by Local Associations)

Vacancies for election year 2024 exist for local associations for NEA Representative Assembly Local delegates/alternates. NEA emails the local association president directly with delegate/alternate allocations.

To become a candidate, the following must be completed by the date set by your local association:

  1. Notice of Intent (K – 12 Local Affiliate) – submit this form to your local president by the date set by your local association.

Conduct of Elections

The local association will distribute ballots to all members if the number of Notices of Intent received exceeds the number of vacancies allocated to the local association. Unopposed candidates who seek election as NEA Representative Assembly delegates/alternates will be declared elected by the Local Association. Following the election, the local president must submit to MEA the Affiliated Association Official Report of Elected Delegates by 4:30pm on April 5, 2024.