New delegates get oriented at their first NEA RA
More than 50 new delegates attended a Tuesday orientation session led by MEA Vice President and Michigan RA Caucus Chair Steven Cook.
WASHINGTON, July 1, 2008 — Mike LaBuhn has been an MEA member for 38 years and has spent 30 of those years as an association leader. As president of MEA Local 1 in Macomb County, he’s had lots of interesting experiences working with the association.
But believe it or not, he’s never been a delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly.
“I was excited to finally come to the RA, especially since we’re in D.C. in an election year,” LaBuhn said. “Being so involved in politics, it’s a great experience.”
LaBuhn is one of more than 50 first time Michigan delegates to the NEA RA. New delegates gathered Tuesday for an orientation session by MEA Vice President and Michigan RA Caucus Chair Steven Cook.
Advice on representing members, navigating RA logistics
Cook talked with the new delegates about their role and reinforced the importance of sharing the action from D.C. with fellow members back in Michigan.
“Each of you was elected by members to come represent them at the RA,” Cook said. “When you get back home, you need to inform the people who elected you about what happened here. It’s important for you to explain why the RA took the actions it did.”
Delegates were guided through some of the logistics of the RA, including the delegate registration process, which opened Tuesday morning at the Washington Convention Center (MEA President Iris Salters was the first delegate registered to the 2008 RA).
Cook also encouraged all delegates to share their opinions at the Michigan Caucus meetings (which start daily at 7 a.m.) and on the floor of the RA. All 9,000 NEA RA delegates have the right to bring new business items for consideration by the RA – Cook and other MEA leaders were more than willing to help delegates ensure their proposals had their due consideration by the assembly.
“Don’t feel shy about speaking up – that’s why you’re here,” Cook said.
Region 9's Reed Bretz and Julie Brill provide advice to new delegates in “How to Survive Your First RA.”
Surviving your first RA
The orientation also featured Region 9’s Reed Bretz and Julie Brill providing advice to new delegates through a parody of the popular television show “What Not to Wear.” Their “How to Survive Your First RA” presentation mixed humor with some time-honored RA advice about comfortable shoes, adequate rest and healthy snacking. (See video at right.)
“Don’t eat too much junk food while you’re on the floor,” Bretz humorously advised. “You’re sitting there and you feel bloated and tired and don’t want to do anything.”
RA floor sessions start Thursday
Caucus meetings and hearings dominate the schedule Tuesday and Wednesday, with the full RA’s first general session on Thursday morning. That’s the event that many new delegates are looking forward to most.
“I can’t wait to get into the hall and see 9,000 people make decisions,” said new delegate Mike Sweet. “It’s hard work to make decisions even in a small district – let alone with a group that size. It will be interesting to be a part of.”
For Sweet, being a delegate is all about representing the members back home and providing a connection for them to their state and national affiliates.
“It’s easy to forget that you’re part of such a large organization when you’re from a small district. Being here helps provide that connection for me and my members.”
NEA President-elect Van Roekel addresses Michigan Caucus
Dennis Van Roekel, President-elect of the National Education Association, addressed the Michigan Caucus Tuesday afternoon about the importance of this fall’s election and how appropriate it is that we’re in D.C. amidst monuments to Jefferson and Roosevelt during this history campaign season.
From the Arizona Education Association, Van Roekel has served as NEA vice president for the past six years and ran unopposed for the presidency this year. By NEA rules, because he was unopposed, he stands elected and will begin his three-year term this fall.