Become a Delegate

Over 9,000 delegates typically attend the annual National Education Association Representative Assembly (NEA RA). Delegates are charged with setting policy for the 3 million member organization. New Jersey sends between 500 and 600 delegates to the NEA RA.

At the NEA RA, Delegates vote on amendments to the NEA Constitution, Bylaws and Standing Rules. They also 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 elect members to the NEA Executive Committee as well as at-large positions on the NEA Board of Directors. If any vacancies occur in NEA officer or other Executive Committee positions, these may also be filled at the NEA RA.

Delegates must be elected

All delegates must be elected-either by members of their local association, a cluster of smaller local associations or as state delegates. Open nominations for all delegates are mandatory. Every member must have a reasonable opportunity to make nominations, to be nominated or to self-nominate.

Each local association may elect one delegate to the NEA RA for every 150 members, or major fraction thereof. If a local affiliate has fewer than 76 NEA members, it may join with one or more other local affiliates, each with fewer than 76 members, to form units for the purpose of representation. Allocation of delegate credentials is based on active membership in NEA as of Jan. 12.

All local affiliates must hold elections for local delegates and successor local delegates and inform NJEA of the results no later than April 10.

In addition to local association delegates, NJEA members will elect state delegates and successor state delegates this spring. Candidates nominate themselves for these positions online. Candidates are placed on the ballot according to the county where they are employed or their unit of representation (e.g., higher education).

NJEA Elections - Delegate

Self-nominate to become a State Delegate

Self-nominate for State Ethnic Minority Concerns Delegate

Run as a Local Delegate

Run as a successor

RA Shuffle - So, you've won multiple seats.... now what?

The goal of NJEA is to ensure we are maximizing the total delegate allotment on the State AND the Local level.

The goal of the RA shuffle is to maximize the greatest number of attending delegates.

Country presidents work to ensure compliance with State and Local Delegate allotments, as such, it is important that Delegates work in collaboration with their County leaders to ensure representation and compliance with the NEA Bylaw 3-1 (G).

RA Successor

Successor delegates are elected the same way as regular delegates and must meet the same requirements.

Typically, successor delegates are candidates who didn't receive enough votes to become regular delegates.

Successors are elected based on the order of votes received.

There is no limit on the number of successor delegates that can be reported.

Only Category 1 successors can fill Category 1 vacancies, and only Category 2 successors can fill Category 2 vacancies.

Clustering Form Sample

Clustered locals must have delegate elections unless waived per NEA Constitution Section 3 - Elections may be waived, and the candidates declared elected to the delegate positions in question if the number of candidates for delegate positions is equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled.

Completed form must be submitted to State President for certification.

Clustering Locals - There is strength in numbers!

Locals with 75 or fewer NEA Active Members are not automatically entitled to be a delegate for the NEA RA. HOWEVER such locals may cluster with other locals in their state for purposes of delegate representation.

Allocations of credentials to locals clustering shall be based on a ratio of 1:150 member or major fraction thereof.

Locals interested in clustering, should contact their State Association president.

What is the work of an RA Delegate?

Vote by secret ballot on proposed amendments to the NEA Constitution & Bylaw.

Propose, debate and take action on new business items

Elect the NEA Officers, Executive Committee, and At-Large members of the NEA Board of Directors.

Share information about the work and priorities set at the RA with your local and county associations.