The benefits of being a NCAE member is worth the money.  A group of educators (including assistants, secretaries, custodians, etc.) working together for a common purpose. 

NO OTHER ORGANIZATION COMPARES TO NCAE.

 

Tell prospective members: you get what you pay for. If any non-member says to you they are considering joining “another” organization, tell them to ask the questions below of this “other” organization. And, share with them the answers that describe how NCAE offers more services, more benefits and simply DOES more than any other professional organization for educators.

 

 

18 Questions and Answers 

1. How many staff members do you employ locally to assist members in my school district and to work with my local school board and superintendent?

  NCAE RESPONSE: In each district, NCAE has at least one full-time staff member, called a Uniserv director, available locally to assist members.  In some districts, depending on size, there may more than one staff person available to members.

2. How many educators have you represented before any North Carolina school board in the last year?

 NCAE RESPONSE: At no additional cost to members, NCAE represents hundreds of educators each year before school boards, in the legal system as well as in meetings with administrators.  NCAE also handles concerns that can be resolved by the state department of education, including certification or licensure issues.

3. How many full-time lawyers do you employ to work exclusively for members?  

NCAE RESPONSE: NCAE retains a law firm to handle cases for members on an as-needed basis.

4. What do you offer to help me become a better educator—workshops, conferences, publications?

 NCAE RESPONSE: NCAE offers several statewide conferences on instructional issues, National Board Certification and leadership development; annual State Convention with more than 1,000 educators from across the state in attendance. The state Association also publishes the NCAE News Bulletin, a regular, 16-page, print publication; The Daily Political Briefing, a daily electronic newsletter with the latest info about political actions and activities that affect public schools; Member Matters, an electronic all-member newsletter; a new teacher handbook; and a web site – www.ncae.org -- updated regularly with relevant news and information. 

5. Does your liability insurance pay ONLY if I am found innocent?  

NCAE RESPONSE: No. In most cases, NCAE’s liability insurance pays regardless of whether the educator is found to be at fault or not.  Only in criminal cases does the payment hinge on guilt or innocence.

6. What bills have you successfully lobbied the state legislature for this year? Do you have a regular presence and a strong voice with legislators and state leaders?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: With victories that included an average 8.2 percent raise in 2006-07-- the highest raises for educators in more than 20 years --  NCAE continually lobbies for improved working conditions, benefits and higher salaries for educators. NCAE also garnered not only a minimum 5.5 percent minimum raise for education support professionals, but also a minimum base salary of $20,112  for 12-month, full-time employment in 2006.

 

This year, with North Carolina facing its toughest economic times since the depression, NCAE has lead the fight to protect education funding – organizing rallies, Educator Wednesday Lobby Days, the “Wear Red” campaign, and leading the push for increased revenue. Over the years, the Association also helped moved many important bills through the General Assembly to improve working conditions in our public schools. Because of NCAE’s efforts, legislation was passed that:

 

o       Directs the school improvement team (SIT) to provide a duty-free lunch period each day for all teachers

o       Provides more funding for exceptional children

o       Allows  school improvement teams to schedule regular planning time for elementary school teachers during school hours

o       Secured 100 literacy coaches for selected middle schools to assist with development of students’ reading skills

o       Gives veteran teachers the ability to be “retired and rehired”

o       Provided a 12 percent salary increase for earning National Board Certification

 

During every session, three full-time staff members monitor every meeting on education issues, meet with key legislators to discuss important issues, organize weekly visits for NCAE members to talk with their legislative delegations and create opportunities for educators to easily and quickly speak out on important issues. Also, NCAE’s state president and vice president are called on to address committee meetings and meet regularly with House and Senate leaders and the governor.

 

7. Does your group support teachers who want to earn National Board Certification and help them throughout the certification process?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: Yes.  NCAE offers the state’s most comprehensive support system for National Board Certification (NBC). NCAE holds workshops for NBC candidates at each stage of the process, hosts a listserv for NBC candidates, and facilitates mentoring opportunities by current NBC teachers to share their advice on how to successfully complete the certification process. The Association also lobbied the legislature for the 12 percent salary increase to teachers who earn NBC status. NCAE’s significant and expansive efforts related to National Board Certification have been a vital element of North Carolina’s status as first in the nation for number of NBC teachers.

 

8. Does your group receive funding from any other organization in addition to members’ dues?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: No. NCAE is funded 100 percent by members’ dues.

 

9. How many pro-public education candidates has your group helped elect to office?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: Over the last 30 years, at the state, local and national levels, teachers have elected hundreds of friends of education and educators to local school boards, the state Legislature, Congress, the presidency, and other elected offices. Currently, more than 10 former or retired educators serve in the General Assembly.

 

10. How do you select leaders of your organization?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: NCAE members elect the Association leadership based on a system of one-person, one-vote; open nominations; and secret ballot.  NCAE members also directly elect delegates to the annual Representative Assembly. 

 

 

11. How can members of the group change an organizational policy they disagree with?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: All Association policy decisions are made democratically.  NCAE members elect representatives to the NCAE Board of Directors by district, and all of the membership votes to elect representatives to the board of the National Education Association (NEA). Members also elect their representatives who attend the NCAE Representative Assembly and the NEA Representative Assembly where policy decisions are made.  Any member may run to become a delegate to either of these bodies.

 

 

 

12. If my school board or principal tries to fire me, do I have to get my own lawyer and be reinstated before you pay?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: No, if your principal or school board tries to fire you, your NCAE UniServ director will work with NCAE attorneys to try to assure that all your rights are protected.  This is a FREE service to the members.

 

 

13. How many of your leaders teach in public schools?  In private schools?  Who’s represented on your board of directors

 

NCAE RESPONSE: All local association officers work (or are on-leave from positions) in public schools.  NCAE’s Board of Directors at the state level includes representatives from all geographic districts of North Carolina and divisions of the association including, principals/administrators, education support professionals, student services and college students. Three members of the NCAE board also serve on the NEA Board of Directors representing NCAE. The NCAE board also includes two non-voting, honorary directors.

 

14. How many members do you have in North Carolina?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: NCAE has approximately 60,000 dues-paying members including active, retired and student members.

 

 

15. Where is your office located?  How big is it?  Do you have a local office in our area?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: NCAE’s headquarters is located at 700 S. Salisbury Street in Raleigh.  NCAE owns and occupies the building. 38 staff members work from the NCAE headquarters building.  In addition, Approximately 36 NCAE UniServ staff work out of offices in cities and towns all over the state, making the Association readily accessible to every NCAE member via local phone calls, an 800 number and/or quick local visits.

 

 

 

16. Does your group have full-time lobbyists in Raleigh every day when the Legislature meets?  Do you attend all State Board of Education meetings?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: NCAE has three staff members who monitor the Legislature during both sessions, talk with legislators about education issues and attend all meetings of legislative committees between sessions. Staff members from the NCAE Center for Teaching and Learning monitor all State Board of Education meetings. In addition, the NCAE president, vice president, executive director and associate executive director spend time working with legislators.  Finally and most powerfully, NCAE helps its 60,000 members

 

17. Does your state organization also have local affiliates and offer opportunities for leadership training?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: NCAE has a state association and local affiliates in each school district across the state. The larger local affiliates have full-time release presidents who serve and advocate for the members and work on local education-related issues. Small and medium-sized locals have leadership who volunteer their time.. This network of local associations means members have opportunities to learn and develop leadership skills, network with colleagues from around the state, and stay informed on the latest professional issues.  Each year, NCAE hosts two Summer Leaders conferences for its local affiliate leaders, and has a unique, three-year program called the Emerging Leaders Academy that develops the skills of members who show leadership potential.

 

 

18. Does your organization help children and the community?

 

NCAE RESPONSE: Yes! NCAE has sponsored Operation Cooperation  -- a donation project for the children in the host community of the NCAE State Convention – for the past seven years. NCAE has collected shoes, clothes, backpacks, school supplies and thousands of dollars to help children – all given by NCAE members. In 2009, AT&T gave Operation Cooperation $5,000 dollars. The National Education Association (NEA), -- NCAE’s national affiliate --  founded Read Across America, the celebration of reading on March 2,  the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Each year, schools nationwide and here in North Carolina participate in this special event. NCAE has also provided more than 5,000 dictionaries to students in recognition of American Education Week. In 1995, NCAE founded the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children, a charitable organization that provides basic items and educational opportunities to students in need.