by Dan Greenberg, Sylvania Education Association
It’s a hectic time of year: prom season, standardized testing, field trips, and yard work keep teachers hopping from one activity to the next, as we wind down our school year.
With our schedules so full, it’s hard to imagine fitting one more thing onto our calendar.
For me, though, there’s one thing I’ve got on my list of “must dos,” along with the things happening in my school district and my house; attending the Spring OEA Representative Assembly.
If you’ve never attended an OEA Representative Assembly, you may wonder how that could make the must do list, alongside all the other things going on. How could a trip to Columbus and a couple days of meetings rank above mulching, mowing and the mound of papers to grade?
The thing is, the Representative Assembly is far more than “a couple of days of meetings.” It’s hearing from our OEA leadership about the state of our organization and how we’re going to meet the challenges that we’ll be facing. It’s connecting with other educators from across the state. It’s proposing and voting on New Business Items that help determine the direction of our organization, where every delegate has the opportunity to share his/her thoughts and cast a vote.
There’s some pretty significant and serious business that happens at the RA, and it has an impact on all members of OEA.
At this upcoming Representative Assembly, we’ll be voting about the RA itself; whether we should continue to have two RAs every year, or if there should be the option to have only one RA in a year.
Who knows what else might come up for a vote? What if there’s a vote about high stakes testing and how OEA should advocate for students and teachers? What if there’s a vote relating to a controversial subject like Common Core or opt out?
I want a voice. I want a vote. I want to represent my colleagues back home. The only way I can do that is by being a delegate at the RA.
Becoming a delegate isn’t hard. There’s no secret handshake or password. There’s no test over Robert’s Rules of Order or the OEA Constitution and Bylaws. All you have to do is let your local President or another officer know you’re interested, and when your association holds its delegate election in the Fall, you can get your name on the ballot.
That’s how I got involved 14 years ago, and I’ve been coming to Representative Assemblies every year since then.
I’ve never regretted making the trip to Columbus, even when it’s meant waiting a week to spread mulch.
I hope you’ll consider coming down to the RA this weekend too. If you’re not a delegate this year, make plans to be one next year. The OEA is your organization, so make your voice heard!
