Greetings from Orlando and the 2023 NEA Representative Assembly!
Our Maine delegation may not be as large as some, but we know how to raise our voices just as loud when representing our members and making decisions about the work of NEA in the coming year—work that will support educators, students, and keep our union and system of public education strong despite the many challenges we continue to face.
You can check in on some of the NEA RA actionhere. With two more days to go, there is still a lot to do—many more New Business Items to debate and vote on, amendments to the NEA Legislative Program and the NEA Resolutions. I encourage you to take a look at the website and think about running to be a delegate next year, either as a District delegate or as a delegate for and funded by your local association. The days are long, but the energy that is generated when 8000 delegates who are engaged in and enthusiastic about public education come together is something to experience!
A reminder from our NEA PAC Co-captains: MEA’s silent online auction to support the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education (the NEA political action fund) closes tomorrow morning, July 6 at 9 am. Several new items have been added just in the last few days including books, gift certificates, and jewelry. Please check out the silent online auction website and make your final bids before the auction closes tomorrow morning. Thank you in advance for helping to support NEA-endorsed pro-public education candidates.
IMPORTANT – On the home front
When you receive this, there will be MEA members who already answered the call from our MEA Government Relations Director to join him in Augusta tomorrow to urge legislators to include in the budget at least one of the several priorities for MEA members that had wide support during hearings this session. While there are important things in the budget that will help people across our state, key items for educators and the students we work with are not—yet!–included. Hopefully with your help that can change tomorrow—I thank those of you who will be there! If you can join in, please let us know asap!
Professional Development and Other Opportunities from MEA and NEA
If you haven’t yet registered for the MEA Summer Conference (July 31-August 1 in Portland) there is still time, but don’t miss the deadline of July 14th! Here is the information and link to register.
Local association presidents and treasurers, both new and continuing, be sure you have registered for one of the Presidents’/Treasurers’ trainings —here is the information and the link to register. Very important information is shared at these trainings, information to help keep our local associations strong and running smoothly! Be sure to attend a session!
An opportunity for our ESP members! The NEA ESP Leadership Institute is a program to develop leadership skills. The application for the next cohort is now open. You can find more information here.
Also of Interest
From the Maine County and State Teachers of the Year Association (MCSTOYA), a professional growth opportunity sponsored in part by MEA: Here is the link to register.
The Maine Department of Education Maine Educator Summit, combined with the Maine School Safety Summit, begins August 7th. Registration closes July 19th. Register here.
An interesting item I read in a communication from the League of Women Voters: “…for every $50 per student on STEM, only five cents is spent per student on civics”. For those of you who teach civics, this may be of interest: Maine Civic Digest: Celebrating Educators & Civic Leaders ? (mailchi.mp)
EARLY ENROLLMENT IS STILL AVAILABLE! Thank you to those who have been speaking with not-yet members and have encouraged them to join! There is still time to take advantage of this great deal, so keep those conversations going! https://maineea.org/join/
Later this month I will be making appointments to the nine MEA Standing Committees, so if you are interested, it’s not too late! But contact me asap to let me know (and thank you to those who already have done so—I will be notifying members of the appointments as soon as possible). Here is the information about MEA Committees and meeting dates for 2023-2024: https://maineea.org/mea-committees/
Also this month, the MEA Board of Directors will be meeting. Contact your Board Director or me with any questions or concerns. Board Directors will share important information and updates with local leaders following our meeting.
Local leaders are receiving details from our UniServ Directors about the upcoming August membership meetings. I hope to see many of you at these meetings.
Last but not least, thank you to those who attended and participated in the various PRIDE events and parades in June. Many students and colleagues—and I–appreciated seeing your show of support!
Hope you all continue to enjoy the summer break! Reach out any time!
In Unity,
Grace Leavitt, President
Maine Education Association
