TEACHERS UNIONS BYLAWS: NEA BIPOC DELEGATES AND REPS

Total number of states in the report: 29

SUMMARY

The National Education Association (NEA), its state affiliates, and other local teachers union organizations have constitutions and bylaws that appear to be quotas or designated officer, committee, or representative spots for members who are an “ethnic-minority” or “BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color).”

For example, in its constitution, the NEA states that all committees except one shall consist of a minimum of twenty (20) percent ethnic minority representation on each committee.” The Michigan Education Association states in its board policies that the governing board shall be comprised of “two (2) members who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color (BIPOC).”

This is not a comprehensive report, but is intended to highlight what appear to be race-based practices by national and local teachers unions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The California Teachers Association (CTA) 2024-2025 Elections Manual states that the election of At-Large Representatives “must be BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color).”
The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) 2024-25 Bylaws, Standing Rules & Resolutions states that the Board of Directors includes a spot designated for “one At-Large Director for Ethnic Minority Membership.” The document states that “ethnic minority” shall mean “American Indian/ Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, and Cape Verdean.”
Michigan Education Association’s (MEA) 2023 Board Policies Book states that the organization Governing Board shall be comprised of “Two (2) members who identify as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color (BIPOC) appointed by the chairperson based upon recommendation of local associations.” These two members shall also “serve as MEA PAC Council delegates.” Additionally, the “Statewide S & R Committee” shall also include “One (1) member who identifies as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Color (BIPOC) appointed by the chairperson based upon recommendation of local associations.”
North Thurston Education Association (WA) bylaws state that if the executive board “does/do not have ethnic-minority representation at least proportionate to the total ethnic minority member ratio, the President shall call an election within thirty (30) days for the purpose of electing ethnic-minority member(s) to bring the Executive Board and/or Representative Council into compliance;”

EXAMPLE

National Education Association

The National Education Association’s (NEA) 2024-2025 Constitution includes several provisions related to “ethnic minority” members and inclusion on committees and governing bodies within the teachers union.

According to the NEA’s constitution, “all committees except the Advisory Committee of Aspiring Educators shall be comprised of at least one (1) classroom teacher and one (1) education support professional” and “there shall be a minimum of twenty (20) percent ethnic minority representation on each committee.”

The governing document also states if “after any period of eleven (11) consecutive membership years a member of an ethnic-minority group has not served as President, the Association shall take such steps as may be legally permissible to elect a member of an ethnic-minority group.”

Additionally, in the event that the Board of Directors “does not include at least one (1) ethnic-minority person” from either the state or retired directors pool, then “the state affiliate or the retired delegates to the Representative Assembly, as the case may be, shall take all legally permissible steps to elect a fourth director who is from an ethnic-minority group.”

The constitution also states that “ethnic minorities shall comprise at least twenty (20) percent of the Board” and the “Representative Assembly shall elect additional directors as appropriate to assure such ethnic-minority representation.”

nea-constitution-2024-2025 Download

nea-bylaws-2024-2025 Download

TEACHERS UNIONS

Below is a list of teachers unions bylaws that include a BIPOC delegate. This is not a comprehensive list and will be updated as new information is available.