Maine Education Association members gathered in Portland in May for the 97th Annual MEA Representative Assembly. As MEA’s largest governing body, delegates gather from every county in Maine, representing MEA locals from across the state. Each year, they meet to set MEA’s priorities for the year ahead.
Throughout the two-day event, delegates voted on the proposed budget for the upcoming year, new business items, amendments to bylaws, and received updates from MEA leadership and staff.
→There is Strength in Solidarity
In his first Representative Assembly remarks as president, President Jesse Hargrove celebrated recent victories—including the repeal of GPO/WEP, the organizing successes of MEA’s higher education bargaining units at the University of Maine System, and collaborations across the labor movement at the Strength in Solidarity rallies on May Day.
Citing consistently low voter turnout for school budgets, Hargrove stressed the importance of civic engagement. “While many of these community demonstrations turned out thousands of people, it means very little if those people stay home when it is time to vote,” Hargrove told delegates. “We must turn the community members who are showing up to these demonstrations into advocates, voters, and candidates.”
Pointing to efforts across the country to strip public employees of collective bargaining and payroll deduction, Hargrove reminded delegates that the time to organize is now. “We don’t need to wait for contract negotiations to start organizing. We don’t have to wait for an election to begin organizing. Make those connections when you go back to your worksites, invite your colleagues to join in the work that our association is doing.”
→Delegates Reminded of their Collective Strength
NEA Executive Committee member Robert Varela Rodriguez joined MEA delegates as the keynote speaker, reinforcing President Hargrove’s message of building solidarity and power across the community.
“Here in Maine, you don’t sit around and wait for things to happen. From your March walk-ins in Portland to your Strength in Solidarity events in May, you are demonstrating the power of unionism and fighting to protect your values and your public schools,” he told delegates.
Highlighting examples from NEA’s recent victories in federal court, Rodriguez reminded delegates that membership strength translates into union strength. “As educators—and NEA members—we are uniquely positioned not only to impact the students in our classroom, but to impact 50 million public school students across the country.”
Rodriguez reminded delegates of the influence that they hold as educators and members of the largest union in both the state and nation. “Keep taking a stand for our students and public schools. When we are empowered, it won’t matter what our adversaries say. It won’t matter because we are unified and we believe in something bigger than ourselves.”
→The “Power of We”
On the final day of the Assembly, MEA Executive Director Rachelle Bristol centered her remarks on the 2025 Representative Assembly theme, “The Power of We,” highlighting the strength found in union relationships, collective action, and meaningful connection with one another.
Bristol emphasized the importance of connectivity—specifically the ability to communicate directly with both current members and potential members. Referencing MEA’s recent campaign “Take 5 for $500,” which encouraged members to update their contact information, she said, “We need to identify the places where people want to limit our ability to be powerful. If we don’t have the ability to communicate with our members without a third party—like a school district—they hold power over us and how we connect with members.”
Reflecting on President Hargrove’s message, Bristol reminded delegates that shared power is rooted in collaboration and relationships. “Our power grows through connection and collective action, but there is also strength in numbers,” she said, as she reported MEA’s continued membership growth—which brought applause and celebration from the delegation.
Membership growth is a sign of strength, but it’s only the beginning. Bristol urged delegates to keep pushing forward, bringing the lessons, inspiration, and energy from the Representative Assembly back to their locals to continue building power. “Leadership is about making the right thing happen when you need it to—not waiting to act when something happens to you. Sometimes, you need to peek your head out and engage.”
→MEA Awards Night 2025
During the annual awards banquet, MEA leaders presented MEA’s Annual Awards, recognizing MEA members and community members who have been exemplary in MEA’s advocacy for Maine students, educators, and public education.
READ MORE: MEA Awards Night 2025
