March 9 - 11, 2006
Hyatt Regency O'Hare
Rosemont, Illinois
The theme for the 152nd IEA Representative Assembly (RA) was "Investing in Excellence" and delegates "walked the talk" during the three-day event (March 9-11).
Delegates took the opportunity presented by a surge in membership growth to make an investment in excellence. Three staff positions that were frozen three years ago, a communications specialist, a research specialist and an organizer, were restored to the budget while the dues rate remained unchanged.
RA speakers included Reg Weaver, former IEA president and now head of the National Education Association, as well as current IEA President Ken Swanson, and Executive Director Jo Anderson.
Politics was in the air, as delegates heard from Gov. Blagojevich, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, Secretary of State Jesse White and Comptroller Dan Hynes. In addition delegates elected two NEA Directors: Terrie Tudor, Region 50, and Kathi Griffin, Region 35.
More detailed information on the 152nd Representative Assembly will be found in future issues of the insider and the April-May edition of the Advocate.