RA at a Glance

RA 101

How does your Association set its priorities?

At the Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly.

Who goes to NEA’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly?

The Representative Assembly (RA) consists of roughly 8,000 delegates representing state and local affiliates. These delegates are elected by their local and state Associations and represent preK-16 educators, including education support professionals, student members, retired members, and other segments of the united education profession.

What is the RA?

The RA is the primary legislative and policymaking body of the National Education Association (NEA) and derives its powers from, and is responsible to, the membership. Various committees, constituencies, caucuses, leadership groups, and delegates from state and local affiliates gather to set policy and chart the direction of NEA business. The RA is the largest democratic deliberative assembly in the world and adheres to Robert’s Rules of Order, except as otherwise specified in NEA governing documents.

When and where is the RA?

The Annual Meeting and RA is held every year during the last week of June and/or first week of July. The Annual Meeting kicks off with conferences, committee meetings, and events. The RA takes place during the final four days of the Annual Meeting. The location of the meeting varies year to year.

Why does the RA meet every year?

The RA adopts the strategic plan and budget, resolutions, the legislative program, and other policies of NEA. Delegates propose, debate, and take action on new business items for the Association and vote by secret ballot on proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws. Those delegates with full voting rights elect the executive officers, Executive Committee members, and at-large members of the NEA Board of Directors, as appropriate.

RA FAQs

What is the Representative Assembly?

The National Education Association Representative Assembly–the RA–is the highest decision-making body within the over 3 million-member NEA. With over 8,000 delegates, the RA is also the world’s largest democratic deliberative body.

Over the course of eight business sessions spanning four days, RA delegates debate the vital issues that impact American public education and set Association policy and activities for the year ahead.

Is the Representative Assembly the same as the Annual Meeting?

No. The Annual Meeting is the five-day period of time that includes the Representative Assembly. The first  day of the Annual Meeting are devoted to delegate registration and a wide range of pre-RA meetings, conferences, and exhibits. 

How do NEA members become delegates?

In balloting conducted by NEA affiliates throughout the country, NEA members elect their peers to represent their concerns at the RA. The delegates represent NEA local and state affiliates, student members, retired members, and other segments of the NEA membership. The elected delegates determine NEA’s strategic plan and budget, legislative program, and resolutions. Delegates also vote, by secret ballot, on proposed amendments to the NEA constitution and bylaws and elect NEA’s executive officers, Executive Committee members, and at-large members of the NEA Board of Directors.

Why is the annual meeting held over the July 4th holiday?

Traditionally, July 4 was chosen because it was convenient for many educators. It was a time when most schools had finished the regular school year. In most cases, July 4 did not interrupt summer school sessions, and cities are often able to offer more availability and lower prices when meetings are scheduled over the holiday.

Is the RA always in the same city?

No. The site of each year’s NEA Annual Meeting is determined by the NEA Board of Directors. 

What factors determine where NEA holds its annual meetings?

The NEA Board of Directors decides the location of the annual meeting. These decisions are limited by the size of a city’s convention center, hotel availability, dates and affordable pricing. Many convention centers do not have enough space for the general session (the Representative Assembly).

How many people support the convention while it is going on?

Several convention center personnel such as laborers, food service workers, security personnel, and cleaning personnel help us during the Annual Meeting. Also, there are about 300 NEA staff and almost 250 volunteers who support the convention.

Future and Past Meeting Locations

Future

2025 - July 2 - 6 - Portland, OR

2026 - July 3-7 - Denver, CO

2027 - July 1-5 - Indianapolis, IN

2028 - July 1-5 - Washington, DC

2029 - July 1-5 - Kansas City, MO

Past

1997 – July 1–7 – Atlanta, GA

1998 – July 1–6 – New Orleans, LA

1999 – July 1–6 – Orlando, FL

2000 – July 1–6 – Chicago, IL

2001 – July 2–7 – Los Angeles, CA

2002 – June 30–July 5 – Dallas, TX

2003 – July 1–6 – New Orleans, LA

2004 – July 2–7 – Washington, DC

2005 – July 1–6 – Los Angeles, CA

2006 – June 30–July 5 – Orlando, FL

2007 – June 30–July 5 – Philadelphia, PA

2008 – July 1–6 – Washington, DC

2009 – July 1–July 6 – San Diego, CA

2010 – July 1–July 6 – New Orleans, LA

2011 – June 30–July 5 – Chicago, IL

2012 – June 30–July 5 – Washington, DC

2013 – July 1–July 6 – Atlanta, GA

2014 – July 1–July 6 – Denver, CO

2015 – July 1–July 6 – Orlando, FL

2016 – July 2–July 7 – Washington, DC

2017 – June 30–July 5 – Boston, MA

2018 – June 30–July 5 – Minneapolis, MN

2019 – July 3–July 7 – Houston, TX

2020 – July 2–July 3 – Virtual

2021 – June 30 – July 3 - Virtual

2022 - July 3-6 - Chicago, IL

2023 – July 2–July 6 – Orlando, FL

2024 – July 3–July 7 – Philadelphia, PA