Inside an NBI
Grand Rapids’ Helder invites us inside the process of proposing a new business item to the NEA RA
Grand Rapids Education Association President Paul Helder addressing the more than 9,000 delegates at the NEA RA on Sunday.
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2008 — Earlier this year, Paul Helder and his members in Grand Rapids were threatened with school reconstitution as a sanction for not making adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind. Helder, who is the local president, and others have been working since then with the district to come to a resolution that meets the law's mandates while protecting Grand Rapids Education Association members' rights.
So when Helder came to the NEA RA in Washington, he decided to move a new business item (NBI 76) that called for NEA to conduct a study about the effectiveness of reconstitution in improving school performance under NCLB and its effects on members and communities. Having that information would have been helpful for the GREA in the discussions they've had with district leaders thus far.
“There’s no information out there that proves that this practice is a positive change for public schools,” said Helder, who is attending his second RA. “NCLB-driven reconstitution is a national issue – our national organization is best positioned to conduct a national study on the effects of this practice.”
Democracy in action
Just like every other RA delegate, Helder has the right to bring business before the body for consideration and action. Aside from the sheer size of the RA, that openness of debate is a hallmark of the world’s largest democratic, deliberative body.
“I don’t know of any other organization at the national level that is that open,” said Almont EA’s Sigrid Grace, an RA veteran who serves on NEA’s Resolutions Internal Editing Committee. On that committee, she works year round on NEA’s resolutions document, which is another method for delegates to get their issues before the body (along with new business items and NEA’s legislative agenda).
“One member can just share ideas,” Grace said. “That idea will be fully discussed by a group of people from all over the U.S. … when you’ve seen that happen a few times, it’s really inspiring.”
From idea to NBI
To submit NBI 76, Helder worked with several members and leaders of the Michigan delegation to craft the language and build support. He requested and received support from the Michigan Caucus to move the item with the support of the state affiliate.
He met with the leadership of the National Council of Urban Education Associations, an NEA caucus that represents the interests of 251 large urban locals, many of which have been targeted with reconstitution under NCLB. With their support, Helder and others worked with delegates from other affiliates where reconstitution had come up, gathering support for NBI 76.
Grand Rapids EA President Paul Helder presents his case for passage of NBI 76 to the NEA Representative Assembly on Sunday afternoon.
At the mic
By Sunday afternoon, it was Helder’s turn to make his case to the 9,000 delegates on the floor of the RA.
“It’s an incredible feeling that anyone can speak to the RA on the issues that are pressing for them and their delegates – to know that there are other people who want to engage in that dialogue and decide what’s best for all students,” Helder said.
Grace still remembers her first experience at a microphone on the RA floor. “Suddenly that light is on you. You’re not sure whether to look at the big screen or your notes or the president.”
Helder concurred, saying, “I’ve talked to groups and with the press before. Talking with 9,000 colleagues who are intimately involved in the same work I do, that was far more nerve-racking.”
In the end, the RA voted to refer NBI 76 to committee for further discussion. While Helder was disappointed the body didn’t pass the NBI, he also didn’t view it as a defeat and looked forward to checking on the progress of his ideas at the committee level throughout the year.
“It wasn’t a home run, but it was a base hit – that’s not bad for my first time up at the microphone,” Helder said. “After four straight days of discussions, these people gave me the courtesy of hearing me out and pointing me and my members in the right direction. I appreciate that.”