2019-2020 OEA Member Resource Guide
Thank you for your membership, your voice, and your commitment to education.
As an OEA member you have access to an array of benefits and services at the local, state and national levels.
2019-2020 Member Resource Guide — PDF or ZMAG™ format.
Use this guide as an overview to help you make the most of your OEA Membership. Within, you’ll learn more about:
- Ways to Become Involved
- Fighting for Public Education
- OEA Staff, Leadership, and Board of Directors
- OEA Higher Education Benefit
- Awards and Scholarships
- Valuable NEA Member Benefits and Services
Throughout our more than 150-year history, OEA members have been involved in every struggle and effort to advance the finest of America’s dreams: a quality public education for every child.
If you have additional questions, contact us at 1-844-OEA-Info (1-844-632-4636) or send us an email to: membership@ohea.org.
Betsy DeVos Just Asked You to Drop Membership
Yes. Really.
As you probably already know, the dark money groups behind the Mackinac Center have launched a full-scale attack on our union. Minutes after the Supreme Court issued their decision in Janus vs. AFSCME the Mackinac Center began emailing educators in Ohio and across the country encouraging them to drop their union membership.
Who funds the Mackinac Center? That’s right—Betsy DeVos and her family.
Have a look.
Source: The Center for Media and Democracy
The Mackinac Center is dedicated to privatizing public education and expanding state and national voucher programs. They know your union stands in the way of their for-profit political agenda. And a big part of their strategy is to weaken your local association and OEA.
How do we know this? Because they said it themselves. Mackinac Center’s parent organization, the State Policy Network, recently released an anti-union “toolkit” instructing their affiliates on how to run so-called “union opt-out campaigns.” The purpose of these campaigns, according to the toolkit, is to “cause public sector unions to experience 5 – 20% declines in membership.”
Betsy DeVos and the dark money groups who sent that email don’t have your best interests in mind.
Every member needs to know – dropping their union membership hurts their union.
- Having a strong union means we can effectively negotiate salaries, benefits, and job protections;
- Having a strong union means we can speak out for kids; and,
- Having a strong union means we can continue to fight back against unfair teacher evaluations, attacks on our pensions, and the expansion of low-paying charter schools.
Protect your students. Protect your contract. Protect your profession. Let every member know that we will not fall for this scam from Betsy DeVos and her billionaire friends. Learn more about the ruling at: www.ohea.org/JanusDecision/.
In Solidarity,
Becky Higgins, President
Ohio Education Association
Page Updated September 8, 2018
OEA Charles A. Glatt — Human and Civil Rights Award
The Ohio Education Association recognizes achievements in human relations and related intercultural activities that impact children, communities, the educational process, and/or the United Education Profession by presenting the OEA Charles A. Glatt — Human and Civil Rights Award.
Dr. Charles A. Glatt was a professor of education at The Ohio State University specializing in human relations, affirmative action, and desegregation. He served as a presenter for many OEA workshops. On September 19, 1975, Dr. Glatt was shot and killed by an assassin while working on the desegregation plan in Dayton Public Schools.
This “Special Friend” Award symbolizes the commitment Charles Glatt had to humanity as well as the equality of educational opportunity for all.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition, it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
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Holloways — Human and Civil Rights Award
The Ohio Education Association recognizes achievements in human relations and related intercultural activities that impact children, communities, the educational process, and/or the United Education Profession by presenting the OEA Holloways — Human and Civil Rights Award.
The Holloways Award is presented to an individual OEA member for outstanding contributions to the promotion or execution of excellent human relations skills and interpersonal relationships as modeled by example.
Current association staff members are not eligible for this award.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition, it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
→ Back to the Scholarships, Grants & Awards Home Page
OEA Awards and Scholarships
OEA is pleased to celebrate, honor, and reward the outstanding work of our members, affiliates, and individuals who have made special contributions to the improvement of public education. Awards are presented at the OEA Awards Banquet during the weekend of the OEA Spring Representative Assembly. For an application or nomination form, use the links below or write to: Awards Committee, Ohio Education Association, P.O. Box 2550, Columbus, OH 43216.
- RETIREMENT BOARD TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP
In the interest of supporting the best, most highly qualified OEA members in their preparation for election to Ohio’s retirement boards, the OEA is sponsoring a Retirement Systems Training Program. The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), the largest educational association serving the employee benefits and compensation industry, will conduct the training program.
To encourage participation in the Retirement Board Training Program, the OEA will offer scholarships for members interested in pursuing seats on the STRS, OPERS and SERS Boards. These scholarships will cover the cost of training sessions required to complete a Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy (CAPPP), as well as other related trainings and/or meetings. - JFK SCHOLARSHIP
The $4,000 John F. Kennedy Scholarship is presented each year to an OEA member who is a career teacher enrolled in a graduate-level program and in need of financial assistance. The applicant must be able to demonstrate a reasonable prediction of success in graduate work. - JEAN KERSHAW SCHOLARSHIP
The $2,000 Jean Kershaw Scholarship is presented each year to a student member currently enrolled in an undergraduate teacher education program in Ohio or a senior education student who has been formally accepted for graduate study in a master’s degree of education program at an accredited Ohio college or university. Applicants must be current members of the Ohio Student Education Association (OSEA) and the NEA-Student Program. Applicants must also be able to provide evidence of success in their teacher education program and of financial need. - MARILYN CROSS SCHOLARSHIP
The $4,000 Marilyn Cross Scholarship is presented to an OEA member and career teacher enrolled in a graduate-level program directly linked to his/ her current area of licensure, and must demonstrate a need of financial assistance and a reasonable prediction of success. - ESP AWARD
The Education Support Professional Award is presented each year to an OEA member whose activities reflect the contributions of education support professionals to public education. The recipient must have been a member of OEA for three years as of July 15 of the award year. Each OEA-affiliated ESP local association may nominate one of its members. The winner qualifies as the OEA nominee for NEA’s Education Support Professional Award. - OEA PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AWARDS
OEA recognizes individual members and local associations who have furthered the cause of peace and international understanding by presenting the OEA Peace and International Relations Awards, of which there are two: The Paul Swaddling Award and The Peace and International Understanding Award. - OEA FRIEND OF EDUCATION AWARD
The OEA Friend of Education Award recognizes a person and/or organization whose leadership, actions, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a statewide and/or national level. Any member may nominate an individual or organization to receive this award by submitting the name of the candidate to the office of the OEA President, along with rationale and evidence supporting the nomination. - MEDIA AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE
The Media Award for Public Service recognizes an individual and/or organization for a major contribution to the better understanding of the problems, progress, and needs of public education, or for programming of an outstanding educational nature. A member or local organization may nominate a candidate for this award. - OEA BLUE RIBBON ASSOCIATION AWARD
The OEA Blue Ribbon Association Award recognizes a local OEA affiliate for its demonstration of innovative problem-solving techniques and/or unique public relations and communication skills. This award comes with a monetary award of $1,000.00. - FISCAL FITNESS AWARD
The Fiscal Fitness Award recognizes local associations that have in place best financial practices. Applicants are required to submit a portfolio demonstrating evidence of meeting all of the listed criteria. Treasurers who have previously received the award judge the portfolios against the published criteria. The Fiscal Fitness Award is presented to winning locals rather than to the treasurers of the locals. The award includes recognition as an OEA Fiscal Fitness Award winner at the May 2021 Representative Assembly and on the OEA website, a plaque or certificate suitable for framing, and a grant for the local association to be determined annually based upon the amount budgeted by OEA. This amount represents the added value a fiscally fit local adds to the OEA.
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OEA Secretary-Treasurer’s Fiscal Fitness Award
The OEA Secretary-Treasurer’s Fiscal Fitness Award recognizes Local Associations excelling in the implementation of financial best practices. (It is presented to winning Locals rather than to the individual treasurer of the locals.) The full criteria and how to participate is outlined HERE as well as in the October/November 2023 Ohio Schools magazine. Locals must submit materials for the 2022-2023 fiscal year award by January 31, 2024, to:
Ohio Education Association | Office of the Secretary-Treasurer
OEA Fiscal Fitness Award
225 East Broad Street | Columbus, OH 43215
614-227-3199
Have an Additional Question?
InfOEA is a one-stop point of contact providing phone and email assistance to all members, particularly local treasurers and other members with administrative responsibilities.
- Email: membership@ohea.org
- Call: 1-(844)-OEA-INFO or 1-(844)-632-4636 | Mon.-Fri., during traditional business hours
Additional Resources
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Updated October 11, 2023
Affiliate Grants Program
The OEA Affiliate Grant Program was created to build strong and effective locals.
The Program makes grants available to all local OEA affiliates, whether a large local or a small local. To be eligible for a grant, the affiliate must provide a statement of how its program will strengthen the Association at the local, state, and/or national level. OEA Districts are not eligible.
There are four (4) types of grants available:
- One-Year Special Project Grant – available every year.
- Two-Year Special Project Grant – available every two (2) years only, must apply in a fiscal year beginning with an odd number. (e.g., 2023-2024 fiscal year application cycle)
- Effective Locals Grant – available every two (2) years only, must apply in fiscal year beginning with odd-numbered year. (e.g., 2023-2024 fiscal year application cycle)
- Release Time Grant – available every year, approval subject to NEA’s guidelines.
Click here to download a flier with additional program details and general grant requirements, or download a description of the different affiliate grants types. | Click the icon above or click here for an OEA Affiliate Grant Application
Applicants must apply using an application downloaded from the OEA website, or by request via email to Grants@ohea.org. Click here to download a timeline of the Affiliate Grant application process (Oct. 1, 2024, through midnight Jan. 31, 2025).
→ Back to the Scholarships, Grants & Awards Home Page
Updated: October 2, 2024
OEA Friend of Education Award
The Ohio Education Association Friend of Education Award recognizes a person and/or organization whose leadership, actions, and support have contributed to the improvement of public education on a statewide and/or national level. Past recipients include a U.S. Senator, U.S. Representatives, and a corporation.
Any member of the Ohio Education Association may nominate an individual or organization to receive this award. The OEA President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer shall review the nomination(s) and supporting rationale.
Current members of the OEA Board of Directors and association staff members are not eligible for this scholarship. In addition, OEA Awards and Scholarship Committee Members are not eligible for two years after completion of service on the committee to apply or to be nominated.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered. The OEA Awards and Scholarship Committee reserves the right to present no award or to refer an applicant to another award or scholarship.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
→ Back to the Scholarships, Grants & Awards Home Page
OEA Media Award for Public Service
The OEA Media Award for Public Service Award recognizes an individual and/or organization for a major contribution to the better understanding of the problems, progress, and needs of public education, or for programming of an outstanding educational nature.
Any member of the Ohio Education Association may nominate an individual or organization to receive this award.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
→ Back to the Scholarships, Grants & Awards Home Page
OEA Jean Kershaw Scholarship
The $2,000 Jean Kershaw Scholarship is presented each year to a student member currently enrolled in an undergraduate teacher education program in Ohio or a senior-level education student who has been formally accepted for graduate study toward a master’s degree of education program at an accredited Ohio college or university.
Applicants must be current members of the Ohio Aspiring Educators and the NEA Aspiring Educator Program.
The online nomination form must be completed in a single session, as you will not be able to save, and return to it at a later time without starting over. In addition it must be received on or before February 29, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.
TIP: Consider using this nomination worksheet as a guide prior to completing the online form. This guide can not be submitted in lieu of the online nomination form.
Please click here to see the rubric that the OEA Awards Committee will use to evaluate each submission.
→ Back to the Scholarships, Grants & Awards Home Page