How to use this toolkit
- Review the daily schedule and time of events for the weekend.
- Read about our hotel and transportation options for this event.
- Understand the expectations of you as a delegate.
- Browse local maps and areas of interest near Representative Assembly.
Welcome
Welcome
We are excited to welcome you as a member of the NEA-Alaska delegation for RA 2024! This handbook has been put together to hopefully give you all the information necessary for a successful RA. Please let us know if you have any questions, or if there is any information that can be added to this handbook in the future. Thanks!
Your NEA-Alaska Governance and Staff Team:
Tom Klaameyer, NEA-Alaska President
Laura Capelle, NEA-Alaska Vice President
Kathy Simpler, NEA Director
Zac Mannix, Executive Director
Helen Pierce, Confidential Executive Assistant
Laura Bartholomae, Digital Media Specialist
SCHEDULE
| Day | Event | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 3 | NEA-Alaska State Caucus Meeting | 8am – 12pm | Convention Center Room 113C | Grab and Go Breakfast will be provided at the Aloft from 6:45am -7:45am |
| July 3 | RA Registration | 9am – 5pm | Convention Center | |
| July 3 | Alaksa Night Out | 5:30 – 8pm | 401 S Christopher Columbus Ave – City Cruises Philadelphia | Dinner will be provided for delegates and guests. |
| July 4 | Preview Committee | 6 – 7am | Aloft Hotel – Meeting Room | Breakfast Provided (Preview Committee Only) |
| July 4 | Breakfast on Your Own | Hotel rooms are equipped with a mini fridge. There is a Starbucks on the bottom floor of the hotel, Trader Joe’s across the street, and many options. | ||
| July 4 | NEA-Alaska State Caucus Meeting | 7:30 – 9am | Convention Center Room 113C | |
| July 4 | RA DAY 1 | 10am – 6pm | Convention Center Hall | |
| July 5 | Preview Committee | 6 – 7am | Aloft Hotel – Meeting Room | Breakfast Provided (Preview Committee Only) |
| July 5 | Breakfast on Your Own | Hotel rooms are equipped with a mini fridge. There is a Starbucks on the bottom floor of the hotel, Trader Joe’s across the street, and many options. | ||
| July 5 | NEA-Alaska State Caucus Meeting | 7:30 – 9am | Convention Center Room 113C | |
| July 5 | RA DAY 2 | 10am – 6pm | Convention Center Hall | |
| July 6 | Preview Committee | 6 – 7am | Aloft Hotel – Meeting Room | Breakfast Provided (Preview Committee Only) |
| July 6 | Breakfast on Your Own | Hotel rooms are equipped with a mini fridge. There is a Starbucks on the bottom floor of the hotel, Trader Joe’s across the street, and many options. | ||
| July 6 | NEA-Alaska State Caucus Meeting | 7:30 – 9am | Convention Center Room 113C | |
| July 6 | RA DAY 3 | 10am – 6pm | Convention Center Hall | |
| July 7 | NEA LGBTQ+ Caucus Robert Birle Memorial Dinner | 6pm – 11:59pm | Philadelphia Marriot Downtown | Tickets are available for purchase. Please contact Helen Pierce |
| July 7 | Preview Committee | 6am – 7am | Aloft Hotel – Meeting Room | Breakfast Provided (Preview Committee Only) |
| July 7 | Breakfast on Your Own | Hotel rooms are equipped with a mini fridge. There is a Starbucks on the bottom floor of the hotel, Trader Joe’s across the street, and many options. | ||
| July 7 | NEA-Alaska State Caucus Meeting | 7:30am – 9am | Convention Center Room 113C | |
| July 7 | RA DAY 4 | 10am – 6pm | Convention Center Hall |
GENERAL INFORMATION
NEA-Alaska is staying at the Aloft Philadelphia Downtown. By this point, all your rooms have been booked.
Statewide delegates: You will need your ID and a credit card (for incidental charges) to check in. Your rooms will be charged to the master account.
Local delegates: You will also need your ID and a credit card to check in. Your rooms have been reserved, but you will be responsible for payment at the time of check in.
Aloft Philadelphia is directly across the street from the Convention Center and within a short walking distance.
Note: Many other state delegates will be staying farther away from the convention center and will be bussing to and from their hotel to RA every day. You will see a lot of buses for pickup and drop-off. We are very lucky to be so close!
Airport – Please plan to take a Lyft, Uber, or taxi from the airport to the hotel. Please remember to share rides when possible. Always save your receipts for reimbursement.
Alaska Night Out – NEA-Alaska will reimburse up to $20 each way to Alaska Night Out (to/from Penn’s Landing). Please plan to share rides with your fellow delegates!
Sharing Rides – Please share rides with your fellow delegates as you can. If one delegate pays for a ride, but shares the ride with other delegates, please remember to include those names on your reimbursement. Make a note on the back of your receipt, or in your phone, so you remember.
Delegates will be purchasing their own meals, unless otherwise noted on the schedule in this handbook.
NEA-Alaska will provide state delegates with per diem for meals according to current travel policy ($15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, $35 for dinner).
Delegates should always be aware of their surroundings and other people. When away from the RA meeting events, remove your credential badge and keep it secure. Take a buddy with you or travel in groups when possible.
Text a friend if you are going somewhere on your own.
MEETINGS OF RA
| Meeting | Who Attends | When and Where | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEA-Alaska State Caucus Meeting | NEA-Alaska Delegates and Staff | Every morning of RA, at the Convention Center in Room 113C | We will discuss and vote on NEA-Alaska Caucus positions on upcoming Resolutions and New Business Items (NBIs) that are coming to the floor of RA. |
| NEA-Alaska Preview Committee | NEA Director chairs this committee with a selected delegate from each region. | Every morning before the state caucus meeting, in a meeting room at the hotel. | The preview committee review and discusses recommendations for our state caucus position on Resolutions and NBIs. The NEA Director will share the recommendation from the preview committee during the state caucus meeting to help delegates make informed decisions regarding these RA action items. |
| Special Interest Caucuses (these caucuses will often have tables set up at RA with information for joining) | Members of these caucuses, usually having paid dues for membership. | Please check with your caucus for times and locations. | Special Interest Caucuses discuss positions on items coming to the floor at RA, as well as caucus organizing. |
| Representative Assembly (RA) | Delegates representing state and local affiliates, student members, retired members, and other segments of the united education profession. | Pennsylvania Convention Center Hall | Set policy for National Education Association |
NEA-ALASKA DELEGATE EXPECTATIONS
Delegates are expected to attend all state caucus meetings. During caucus meetings, the NEA-Alaska delegation establishes our position on Resolutions, NBI’s and relevant information is distributed.
Delegates are expected to be participating and voting on the floor of RA unless they are attending other state-assigned meetings.
Delegates are expected to participate in NEA PAC fundraising activities. This is an important time for fundraising to help elect pro-public education, pro-union candidates to national office, and to help support lobbying efforts.
Delegates are expected to behave and conduct themselves in a professional manner that reflects well on educators and especially the great state of Alaska!
ANTICIPATED COSTS
Dinner, sodas and juice, and two drink tickets are provided to you at no cost. However, drinks not covered by the tickets will be available for purchase. Additionally, guest tickets are not covered by NEA-Alaska.
You may choose to join one of the causes that meet at RA. The dues are not reimbursable. You can check the RA website for caucus meeting information, times, and locations.
There may be opportunities to purchase goods at RA. Some are fundraising activities sponsored by states and some may be strictly for profit.
While some states contribute to NEA PAC throughout the year, Alaska normally makes most of its yearly contributions at RA. Our goal is to raise $250 per delegate. We will be raising money in our morning caucus meetings by bidding on daily live and silent auction items.
COMMON ACRONYMS
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| EI | Education International, the former World Federation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession |
| GR | Government Relations |
| NCESP | National Council of Education Support Professionals |
| NCHE | National Council for Higher Education |
| NCSEA | National Council of State Education Associations |
| NCUEA | National Council of Urban Education Associations |
| NEA PAC | Also knows as “The PAC”. NEA Fund for Children and Public Education is the political action arm of NEA members. |
| NEA Foundation | A non-profit, tax exempt foundation, created by NEA and dedicated to helping and supporting educators. |
| RA | Representative Assembly |
MAPS AND PLACES OF INTEREST
The Aloft Philadelphia Downtown hotel where we are staying is located directly next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. It is about a one-minute walk to the convention center. Our caucus room should take less than 10 minutes to walk to.
There is a Starbucks located on the first floor of the Aloft. If you plan to grab coffee or food here before the caucus meetings, please give yourselves enough time.
If you are attending the LGBTQ+ Robert Birle Memorial Dinner, it is at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
Trader Joe’s is located on the corner of Arch St and N Broad St, directly across from the hotel. Our hotel rooms are equipped with a mini fridge.
Places of Interest
Reading Terminal Market (pronounced Redding)
Our hotel is located a short walk from the Reading Terminal Market. Reading Terminal Market offers a vibrant and convenient way to try a range of global cuisines and local favorites.
https://www.discoverphl.com/blog-post/a-guide-to-visiting-reading-terminal-market/
Philadelphia was named the most walkable city in 2023. Visit this site to see what’s between a 1- and 15-minute walk from the convention center.
https://www.discoverphl.com/blog-post/walkable-philadelphia/
Learn More
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