Grant enables small locals to participate in national events

If your local has 150 or fewer members and would like to send a delegate to the AFT or NEA annual meeting, this Education Minnesota grant can help.

The National Level Participation Grant for small locals helps Education Minnesota unions send members to the American Federation of Teachers Convention or TEACH Professional Development Conference, or the National Education Association Representative Assembly. Its goal is to increase member participation at national-level governance events with a priority on small locals that haven't participated recently in national events.

The grant covers the following expenses:

Airfare: Direct-billed using Education Minnesota's contracted travel agent; funded at a predetermined amount.
Hotel: Half the cost of a hotel room and help finding a state-funded roommate. Room will be direct-billed to Education Minnesota.
Convention-related expenses: Daily rate of $65, the current meal maximum in Education Minnesota's financial policy.

Priorities
The grant focuses on locals with these characteristics:

150 members or fewer.
Any membership category.
No previous participation in a national event.
Participation in a state event (e.g., Collective Bargaining Conference, Representative Convention) during the year that the grant application is completed (required).
No funding from any other source (e.g., intermediate organization, national grant) to attend the national event.

Maximum number of grants per year statewide is six.

If there are more slots available than applicants, the Education Minnesota president may award funding using the NEA state credentialed candidate list, with the above priorities as qualifying criteria. Every effort will be made to ensure the "under-represented" membership categories are properly represented to secure a balanced level of member participation.

A random drawing was held from all eligible candidates; recipients for 2012 include the following:

Kasson Mantorville Education Minnesota
Pine River-Backus Education Association
Education Minnesota Osseo Administrative Educational Professionals
RTR Education Association
State Residential Schools Education Association
St. James Education Association
Education Minnesota - Park Rapids

For more information, contact Vice President Mueller at 651-292-4826 or 800-652-9073.

April 17, 2012