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A group of NEA-Alaska members in blue Kuspuk's at RA.

NEA-Alaska RA Delegate Handbook

We are excited to welcome you as a member of the NEA-Alaska delegation for RA 2024!
This toolkit has been put together to hopefully give you all the information necessary for a successful RA.

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

The RA logo with the NEA-Alaska Logo

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

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Hotel

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! 

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Transportation

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. 

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Meals

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). 

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Safety

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

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State Caucus Meetings

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.  

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On the Floor

Delegates are expected to be participating and voting on the floor of RA unless they are attending other state-assigned meetings. 

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Fundraising

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. 

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Professionalism

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

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Alaska Night Out

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. 

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Special Interest Caucus Dues

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. 

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State Exhibits and Non-Profit Booths

There may be opportunities to purchase goods at RA. Some are fundraising activities sponsored by states and some may be strictly for profit. 

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NEA PAC Contributions

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 

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