Generous RA delegates are an inspiration

By Ellen Thompson
UEA Vice President

When you think of the Fourth of July you think of backyard family parties and fireworks, not generosity. However, for the majority of the 91 Utah delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly, the week of the Fourth was spent away from families doing the work of the Association. Their generosity, along with that of educators from across the nation, is what I would like to share with you.

The Representative Assembly (RA) is a marathon of work and fun. Every morning starts at 7 a.m. with a two-hour Utah caucus meeting. The work then moves to the RA floor where the delegates conduct the business of the Association for six to 10 hours. In the evening, there are many events scheduled that you can choose to attend or plan your own evening knowing that you have to be up early the next morning to attend the caucus. Even educators with bad knees, bad backs, metal plates, and laryngitis were on the floor every day. They gave generously of their time to represent the teachers back home and to further the work of the Association and public education.

Every year, the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education holds a major fundraiser at the RA. The theme this year was “$1.5 [Million] To Keep the Dream Alive.” The dream is public education as a basic right for every child. The delegates at the RA donated over $1.5 million dollars to the fund to be used across the nation to support education-friendly candidates in congressional races. After last year’s legislative session and working with NCLB, Utah delegates understand exactly how important those education-friendly candidates can be and set a UEA record by appearing in the top three spots for per-delegate average contributions three out of the four days.

But the generosity didn’t stop there. As we shared with our colleagues the voucher battle we are facing here in Utah, the donations started pouring in. We returned from Philadelphia with over $10,000 and pledges for many thousands more to help with the fight. Individual teachers donated everything from the change in their pockets to several hundred dollars. States that have faced similar battles understand and sent their support and best wishes along with the money. One local even volunteered to send a teacher who has family in Utah if we need another volunteer. Our own Utah delegates donated, yet again, to the voucher auctions that were held every day and to purchase voucher t-shirts. They were amazing. Their generosity and dedication was humbling. I can’t say often enough how proud I am to be part of an organization of such wonderful educators who understand what it takes to keep public education alive.