FAQ

• What is BCEA ?

The Blount County Education Association is the only professional organization legally representing teachers in Blount County. It is the local affiliate of the TEA and NEA. The local, state and national organizations work together to promote teacher welfare and improve public education.

• How do I join?

Each school has an elected representative who can help you with membership forms. Go to the “Join Us” link above for more information.

· What do I get for my money?

§ million dollar liability insurance policy and legal representation

§ personal on-site assistance from an association staff member for job related problems

§ lobbyists at the state and national level who promote our viewpoints on education policies (What have these lobbyists done lately?)

§ publications and other resources detailing research and other information on issues affecting your classroom

§ money-saving benefit programs like travel discounts, ACESS card, and other member services

§ professional workshops and seminars

§ a voice in educational issues on the local, state, and national levels

• How much are dues and how do I pay?

Dues for 2006-2007 are $424 for a full time teacher. Other categories of membership are available (contact your Building-Level Association Rep). Dues can be paid by check or through payroll deduction during the months of November through June.

• I don’t think I can afford to join!

You can’t afford not to join! Consider your dues an investment in the future of your profession. There is strength in unity and numbers. In addition, dues can be recouped by participation in the member benefits programs. In fact, one Association Rep actually makes money through his membership by utilizing the member benefits!

• I’ll never need the protection the association offers.

Circumstances can be beyond the control of even the best teachers. The association has a strict policy that if you are not a member when something happens to you in your employment you cannot get help from the association.

• Are my dues used to finance campaigns for political candidates?

Contributions to political candidates come exclusively from voluntary contributions made by members for that purpose. It is illegal to use dues money for campaign contributions. Laws restrict contributions and the association complies with these laws.

• I like the local association, but I think that NEA is too political and takes positions on non-educational issues.

The association has positions on issues that have educational implications and involve education in its broadest sense. The delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly make NEA’s policies. This group is composed of over 10,000 delegates from local and state affiliates. These delegates are elected and directed by your involvement.

• I don’t always agree with the association.

Few people agree with 100% of what any organization does. That does not keep them from joining. As an association member, it is your right to disagree, and it is your responsibility to help change what you do not like. As a member, you have dozens of opportunities to change the direction of the organization. If you are not a member, you can’t change anything.

• Why is NEA opposed to school prayer and what is its position on a moment of silence?

NEA does not oppose school prayer. Its resolution has always stated that individual students should have the right to pray anywhere in school at any time. NEA supports a moment of silence.

• I don’t like NEA’s support of abortion.

To date, NEA does not support abortion. In fact, legal funds have only been used to defend teachers who were being pressured to terminate a pregnancy or resign.

• I don’t like NEA’s position on same-sex marriage.

The NEA has no position for or against same-sex marriage—the NEA leadership did not recommend one—and 9,000 delegates to the NEA RA did not vote to adopt one. The NEA believes this issue is best handled at the state level. Amendment B-10 is about discrimination and the law, and as of today, the amendment to B-10 impacts only seven states and the District of Columbia (and NOT Tennessee). The NEA is simply advocating for states to uphold and enforce the laws as they exist, as the NEA has a long and proud history of advocating for human and civil rights for its members and the children they teach.

The language in the B-10 amendment does not recommend a position for or against same-sex marriage. The resolution continues NEA’s long tradition of opposing discrimination in any form. The new language is in boldface.

B-10. Racism, Sexism, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identification Discrimination

The National Education Association believes in the equality of all individuals. Discrimination and stereotyping based on such factors as race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, ethnicity, immigration status, occupation, and religion must be eliminated.

The association also believes that these factors should not affect legal rights and obligations of the partners in a legally-recognized domestic partnership, civil union, or marriage in regard to matters involving the other partner, such as medical decisions, taxes, inheritance, adoption, and immigration.