Benefits of Belonging

Belonging to our Association is an investment in your future, your career, and your profession. Your membership is rewarded by top quality, superb value, and excellent service. Association membership gives you benefits in four main areas:

Leadership in Public Education

• Representation in the decisions that will improve public education: reducing class sizes, making schools safer, securing technology resources, increasing school funding
• Advocacy by your local association at the school board or governing board/agency, including advocacy for retirement benefits
• Full time lobbyists working for you at the Legislature and in Congress, along with member lobbyists from your local
• Campaigns to elect pro-public education lawmakers and school board members, and to pass local (mill levy and bond) and state ballot issues that help public education
• Public relations campaigns to encourage public support for education
• Local association activities to engage and involve your local public in their schools

Leadership in Our Profession

• Workshops in your local association on professional issues: employee evaluation, child abuse, classroom management, cultural diversity, sexual harassment, standards and assessment, educator licensure, and more
• Programs to help you implement your school restructuring ideas
• NEA Professional Library
• National Foundation for the Improvement of Education
• National Health Information Network
• Link with fellow members through the Internet (NEA web site www.nea.org)
• Local, state, and national publications on education and employee issues

Leadership in Advocacy and Collective Bargaining

• Immediate, personal assistance from local leaders and UniServ Directors
• Representation from full time attorneys experienced in labor law
• $1 million professional liability insurance
• Prompt assistance in solving problems in your workplace
• Local negotiations for your salary, benefits, and working conditions
• Training and research for your local's negotiators

Leadership in Personal Economic Services

• Attorney Referral Program for personal legal problems
• Insurance, annuity, financial, and investment programs, plus travel services and consumer education through the CEA-NEA Member Benefits Program

Your benefits include direct services for you; services for your local association and leaders; representation at the local, state, and national levels; and the opportunity to learn to help yourself and your co-workers in all aspects of your public education career.