Maine Education Association

Maine Education Association Trainings, Informational Seminars, webinars, and any 

other MEA opportunities (including the MEA-Representative Assembly in May).

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The MEA is always looking for more members to join in the conversation! Be a decision maker and run for an open seat in our MEA Elections. Be part of the action, and take advantage of one of these opportunities today!

The deadline to file to be a candidate for many of these is Friday, January 16th, 2026 by 5:00pm.

Below are the opportunities available to you, as a member:

• MEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Alternate

This is an opportunity to attend the annual state representative assembly which happens at the end of May (actual dates to come soon).  The PEA has nine (9) seats for the MEA-RA.  Currently, four (4) members have indicated interest.

• NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Alternate

This is where you would run for a state-funded delegate seat for the NEA-RA, which takes place the first week in June (update with dates to come).  The state-funded seats were run last year and run for a two-year term, which means that unless someone drops out, there will be no open state-funded seats to run for the 2026 NEA-RA.  

In addition to running for a state-funded seat, our local, the PEA, gets 5 seats a year, and we have money set aside to partially fund those interested.  Currently, three of the five seats are spoken for, but that could change depending on other factors.  The membership will be updated on this specific information (how many seats are available, what the funding is etc...) no later than February 1st.  The 2026 NEA-RA will be taking place in Denver and always runs over the 4th of July.

• MEA Board of Directors

     The Board of Directors duties include:

• General interest of the Association

• Carry into effect all orders and resolutions of the Association not otherwise provided for

• Appoint and fix the salary of a full-time Executive Director

• Provide input to the preparation of the Association budget

• Manage the business and property affairs of this Association.

• Charter governance affiliates: censure, suspend, or expel a governance affiliate pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board; communicate with and report to their constituency policies and actions of the Board of Directors

• Decide questions arising as to the interpretation of the provisions of this Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules

• Attend meetings and the annual Board of Directors Retreat, UniServ district-wide and Governance meetings within their district, MEA-sponsored conferences, the MEA Representative Assembly, and national governance meetings and training sessions as approved by the MEA President

• Act as liaison to or serve on various MEA and other committees as requested by the MEA President and shall attend meetings associated with those committees

Experience in Association leadership is recommended. All candidates should have flexible schedules for evening and weekend meetings and be available to travel occasionally on weekends and during the summer. Public speaking and meeting facilitation experience are highly recommended.

    NEA Director

One vacancy for election year 2026 exists for a NEA Director for a 3-year term. This position serves on the Board of Directors for NEA and MEA.

Duties include:

• Implement policies established by the NEA Representative Assembly;

• establish procedures and requirements for affiliation;

• authorize the establishment of contractual relationships between the Association and non-affiliates groups;

• set salaries of executive officers;

• shall propose a budget for two fiscal years to the NEA RA;

• shall meet four times per year to conduct the business of the Association, one meeting being held with connection to the Annual Meeting;

• shall enact rules and procedures to govern the conduct of its meetings.

 The candidate must have been an active member of the Association for at least two years immediately preceding the election. The NEA Director is also charged with the roles and responsibilities of an MEA Board of Director’s member as described in Article V of the MEA Bylaws.

Experience in Association leadership is recommended. All candidates should have flexible schedules for evening and weekend meetings and be available to travel extensively on weekends, on school breaks, and during the summer. Public speaking and meeting facilitation experience are highly recommended.

• MainePERS Trustee

One vacancy for election year 2026 exists for a ME Public Employees Retirement System (MePERS) Trustee for a 3-year term. Candidates must be members of the Retirement System through employment as a teacher. The successful candidate’s name will be submitted to the Legislature by the Governor and is subject to review by the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over retirement matters and to confirmation.

 From mainepers.org

The responsibility for the operation of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System is held by the System’s Board of Trustees. State law specifies the composition of the Board, whose members are confirmed by the Legislature. All appointed trustees are required to have “a working knowledge of retirement policy and legal issues and a general knowledge and understanding of banking, finance and investment practices.”

Experience in Association leadership is recommended. All candidates should have flexible schedules for meetings and be available to travel to an annual meeting, and provide an annual report to the MEA RA. Public speaking experience is highly recommended.

VISIT THE MEA WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ALL POSITIONS, ELECTIONS AND NECESSARY FORMS 

Election Information

Election Information