Day Two!
Day Two started right off with New Business Items and then Policy Statements. We weren't without some technical difficulties and frustrations with debate being closed too early, but NEA President Becky Pringle calmly led us forward.
A few highlights:
- Today we wore our favorite Racial and Social Justice themed shirts.
- During the VEA Caucus, we heard from the Bylaws & Constitutional Amendments Committee, the Resolution Committee, and the Issues Committee. Check out the VEA File Box for our adopted positions. Our positions are also posted on the Facebook Page when the item is up for debate on the floor.
- Today we heard from Stacey Abrams as well as NEA's Education Support Professional of the Year and Higher Educator of the Year. We also spent the first hour of each business session on New Business Items (NBI). You can keep up with NBIs here.
Your Blog Team's Top 3 Things from today:
1.) Special guest Stacey Abrams! Stacey Abrams joined us today and talked about the importance of voting rights. She shared information on some bills making their way through the Senate that need our support. You can take action HERE! If you missed the speech or want to watch it again, here is the entire speech!
2.) Debate! Quite a few times today debate was cut short by individuals calling to close debate too soon. After awhile, more delegates started to vote against closing debate and even moved to suspend the rules to ensure debate occurred. This seemed to discourage the closing of debate too soon and we finally got to hear different perspectives. Let's hope that trend continues throughout the rest of the RA.
3.) Shoutouts for Virginia! Both Stacey Abrams and Kim Anderson recognized Virginia in big ways during their speeches. Stacey Abrams celebrated Virginia's recent legislation that works to expand voting rights while Kim Anderson, NEA's Executive Director, congratulated Virginia on passing collective bargaining legislation.
Reminders for Tomorrow:
- Caucus Meeting @ 11:00 AM using the same link from today. Wear a black shirt or, if you have one, a black VEA polo.
- NEA Fund: Don't forget to visit the PAC room and donate to the NEA Fund for Children & Public Education. You can also visit https://educationvotes.nea.org/donate/ to donate. You can also participate in the NEA RA Auction!
- Join the NEA RA - Virginia Facebook Page. If you do not have Facebook, please share your pictures with Jennifer Rokasky and forward any questions to Dominique Hubbard.
- Check your email for the next issue of NEA's RA Today. Here is a link to today's issue.
