Eugene Education Association

Why Should I Be an Active Member of EEA, OEA and NEA?

As an employee of your school district you are covered by the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement that was negotiated for you and everyone else in the bargaining unit by your colleagues and the Eugene Education Association (EEA). This contract sets out your rights, the conditions under which you work, how disputes are settled, salary and benefits. As a Fair Share member, your fair share fee covers the cost of this activity alone.

The question then becomes...Why should I be an active member?

The benefits of being an active member include:

 Every EEA member also belongs to the Oregon Education Association (OEA) and National Education Association (NEA). EEA, OEA and NEA offer a variety of resources and services available only to their members such as professional development training, periodicals, educator discounts, conferences, financial planning, reduced term life insurance premiums, and many other programs and services are available only to members.

 Active members of EEA/OEA/NEA are automatically covered by the NEA Complimentary Life Insurance, a term life insurance plan provided at no cost with up to $1,000 of term life insurance, up to $5,000 of accidental death and dismemberment coverage, up to $50,000 of AD&D for any covered accident occurring while on the job and up to $150,000 of insurance for unlawful homicide while on the job. Non-members do not have this benefit.

 Active members have the right to consultation and OEA legal services for employment related issues. Non-members do not have access to these services.

 Only active members can vote and hold office in the Association, or vote to ratify your contract. Many times non-members will disagree with a position the organization has taken on an issue. However, only members can vote to change that position. The organization is not obligated to consider the suggestions of non-members in regard to organizational direction or purpose. To effect change in the organization you must be a member.

 Only active members can take advantage of EEA and OEA professional development training opportunities regarding licensure, classroom management and instruction, advocacy, collective bargaining, discipline issues, communications, political action, human and civil rights, building education partnerships, and more. NEA also sponsors regular PERS and retirement issues counseling opportunities.

We hope that you’ve chosen to be a full active member of the association. We are very proud of our organization and hope that you will join with us in our efforts to maintain and improve public education locally and throughout Oregon.

2815 Coburg Road | Eugene, OR 97408 | 541.345.0338 | 800.422.4068 | fax 541.345.0339 | www.eugea.org