FAQs
I am a part time employee. Do I have to pay dues?
Yes. To be a member of the BEA you must pay dues. BEA dues are broken down by the following FTE categories.
.51-1.0 FTE = full dues
.26-.50 FTE = 1/2 dues
.01-.25 FTE = 1/4 dues
All membership or dues questions should be directed to Lauren Wittenberg at mybea220@gmail.com.
I am already in the IEA with another local union (BSEO or another district). Do I need to pay the full amount to both?
No. Please let the membership chairperson know so that we can adjust your dues. IEA will calculate the dues so that you do not pay more than 100% of the membership costs. It is recommended that you remind the membership chairperson every year to ensure that your dues are correct.
How are my dues calculated?
NEA and IEA set the dues amounts for their organizations during budget hearings and are voted on by members at the representative assemblies for each organization. In the IEA, dues are calculated by a percentage of your creditable earnings as reported to TRS, IMRF or SURS. Currently, full time BEA dues are $75. That is the only money that stays here are the local level. The BEA makes payments to IEA-NEA on your behalf. Included in your IEA dues is $30 which is used for political action at the local and state level. Because dues dollars cannot be used for political action of any sort, IPACE is an optional fund that is used for lobbying and election efforts on behalf of the IEA members. More info on IPACE and the actions it takes can be found here. This money can be refunded to you if you write to IEA. Please contact the membership chair for directions on this.
What is the Fund for Children and Public Education?
The Fund for Children and Public Education is the NEA's PAC fund. It serves to use funds for lobbying and electing pro-public education candidates, among many other purposes. More info can be found here. Members opt-in to donating to the fund when they sign union paperwork. The donation does not change from year to year unless directed by the member. All members may check or update their contribution at any time by contacting the membership chair at mybea220@gmail.com
How is our union organized?
Our "local" union is the BEA (Barrington Education Association)
We are an affiliate of the IEA (Illinois Education Assocition) and the NEA (National Education Association).
The IEA is split into regions, ours being Region 64. Our Region consists of the BEA, the Lake Zurich Education Association (LZEA) and the Barrington Service Educator's Association (BSEO). There is a Council made up of representatives from each of the three locals that meets on a regular basis to discuss regional and state issues, set budgets for training and member engagement as well as to organize the funding for the representative assemblies.