Who’s Who and What’s What in the MEA?

As a new member of MEA, you may not know for who the key people in the organization are and how the MEA does business. Here’s a guide to some basic information you should know.

• MEA membership stands at more than 157,000 members. That includes elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty and staff, educational support professionals at all levels, retired school employees and college students who plan on becoming teachers.

• More than 1,000 local associations are affiliated with MEA.

• Iris Salters assumed the position of president in Feb. 2006. Prior to that she had served as vice president since 1991.

• Steve Cook was elected vice president in April 2006. Prior to that he had served as secretary-treasurer since 1991.

• Peggy McLellan was elected secretary-treasurer in April 2006. Prior to that she was a high school teacher in Reese.

• Delegates to the two annual Representative Assemblies (RA) are elected by locals. Delegates to the RA make MEA policies in the fall and spring of each year.

• In between the fall and spring RA, the MEA Board of Directors meets six times a year to make policy.

• The nine members of the MEA Executive Committee meet regularly to conduct business.

• MEA Bargaining, Communications, ESP, Government Affairs, Higher Ed., Legal Services, Professional Development/Human Rights, and Research departments provide services to members.  If you need help from any of these departments, let your association rep and leadership know.

Updated: February 18, 2009 6:58 PM