Delegates from around the country are elected to attend the National Education Association Representative Assembly (NEA RA) each year. The delegates are charged with setting policy for the three–million–member organization. New Jersey sends between 500 and 600 delegates to the NEA RA, which this year will be held in Philadelphia, PA from July 3–7.
At the NEA RA, delegates may vote on amendments to the NEA Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules. They also may vote on proposed resolutions and new business items, setting forth NEA’s policy and position statements. Many of these actions have a direct impact on NEA members in New Jersey. Delegates will also elect members to the NEA Executive Committee. If any vacancies occur in other NEA officer or Executive Committee positions, these may also be filled at the NEA RA.
NEA Bylaw 3–1.g requires each state affiliate to develop a plan to send a state delegation to the NEA RA that reflects the state’s ethnic–minority proportions. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 41 percent of New Jersey residents identify themselves as part of an ethnic–minority group. Thus, it is NJEA’s goal to achieve at least that level of ethnic–minority representation in its delegation.
Visit ra.njea.org for more information.
Future NEA-RA Dates
2025 – July 2 – 6 – Portland, OR
2026 – July 3-7 – Denver, CO
2027 – July 1-5 – Indianapolis, IN
2028 – July 1-5 – Washington, DC
2029 – July 1-5 – Kansas City, MO