As Educators... We Are Our Union
As educators, we are our union, and we make decisions democratically. Local unions hold elections for roles like president, vice president and secretary. These local leadership teams then make decisions on behalf of the members of the local. Locals often have other leadership roles available as well -- you can serve on a meet-and-confer team and help negotiate over the contract for educators in your district, or perhaps on a committee to plan social events.
If you're interested in local leadership, reach out to your local! This is also the best way to learn about opportunities to weigh in on decisions at the state and national level. Join fellow educators in making decisions and steering our union according to our shared values and collective goals!
AEA Constitution and Bylaws
The AEA Constitution and Bylaws lay out how decisions are made in our union. If you have questions about these important documents, please reach out and get in touch.
NEA's Annual Representative Assembly
The National Education Association's Representative Assembly is the governing body of the 3 million members of NEA. Each year, hundreds of RA delegates from across the country meet to discuss policy, determine direction, and pass a budget for NEA.
Each year, AEA sends a delegation of union educators to represent our state at NEA-RA. There are a few types of delegates; statewide, regional, student, and retired delegates are elected by all AEA members through an online voting system, while local delegates are elected at the local level.
Stay tuned for dates of the 2025 NEA RA and information about how you can run to be a delegate!
AEA's Annual Delegate Assembly
AEA's Delegate Assembly is the governing body for our statewide union. Every year, more than 600 educators are selected by their local unions to attend DA, where they elect members of AEA Board of Directors and discuss, debate and vote on policy resolutions and proposed amendments to the AEA constitution and bylaws. DA delegates also elect AEA's President, Vice President and Treasurer every three years.
Stay tuned for the dates of the 2025 Delegate Assembly and information about how you can run to be a delegate!
Local Officer Teams
Finally, each of our local unions has an officer team that guides and steers the local. These officer teams are chosen democratically by the members of that local association. Your local association will send you information about the elections process for local officer teams.