The Advocate

Delegate Assembly to consider committee bylaw amendments

5 minutes

At the NJEA Delegate Assembly (D.A.) meeting on Sept. 19, delegates will consider bylaw amendments for three committees.

Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee or by a majority vote of the D.A. Amendments so proposed shall be submitted to the Constitution Review Committee for review and recommendation and shall be published in full in the official publication of the association. A three-fourths vote of all the members of the D.A. shall then be necessary for the adoption of such amendments.

The Human & Civil Rights Committee is proposing a bylaw amendment to revise their committee charges which is listed in the bylaws.

RULE RECOMMENDATION NO. 1: that NJEA amend the Human & Civil Rights Committee charges to include service, to better reflect the work of the committee:

  1. Studies and makes recommendations on how members and their associations can contribute to equal opportunities and improved human relations; [.]
  2. Develops and publicizes teaching strategies to promote diversity education for children and adults; [.]
  3. Reviews timely issues relating to issues of diversity, ethnicity, human relations, and discrimination; [.]
  4. Makes recommendations to the Delegate Assembly; [.]
  5. Conducts the human rights annual conference and recommends human rights award winners, if any; [.]
  6. Develops and initiates training opportunities for school personnel; [.]
  7. Engage members in biannual statewide service initiatives by organizing region-based volunteer projects with local community partners across the North, Central, and South regions.

RULE RECOMMENDATION NO. 2: that NJEA Bylaw 40. Human & Civil Rights Committee, be amended as follows:

The Human and Civil Rights Committee shall consist of no less than five members. It shall study and make recommendations on how members and their associations can contribute to equal opportunities and to improved human relations.

  1. Studies and makes recommendations on how members and their associations can contribute to equal opportunities and improved human relations; [.]
  2. Develops and publicizes teaching strategies to promote diversity education for children and adults; [.]
  3. Reviews timely issues relating to issues of diversity, ethnicity, human relations, and discrimination; [.]
  4. Makes recommendations to the Delegate Assembly; [.]
  5. Conducts the human rights annual conference and recommends human rights award winners, if any; [.]
  6. Develops and initiates training opportunities for school personnel; [.]
  7. Engage members in biannual statewide service initiatives by organizing region-based volunteer projects with local community partners across the North, Central, and South regions.

The Membership Committee is proposing a bylaw amendment to revise their committee charges.

RULE RECOMMENDATION NO. 1: that NJEA amend the charges of the NJEA Membership Committee to align with the January 10, 2026, Delegate Assembly adopted strategic vision and current membership landscape as follows:

  1. [Promotes and maintains] Foster U[u]nified [Association] M[m]embership[;] Engagement: Cultivate and sustain a cohesive membership base, ensuring active participation and engagement across all NJEA, NJAEA, and NJREA members.
  2. [Reviews appropriateness of] Evaluate Membership Categories & Dues [categories] Structure: Regularly assess the relevance, inclusivity, and effectiveness of current membership categories and dues structures to ensure alignment with member needs and organizational goals.
  3. [Secures members for NJEA and the National Education Association;]Recruitment & Retention Strategy: Implement dynamic recruitment strategies, emphasizing member value and collective strength, while actively working to retain and engage members long-term.
  4. [Reviews and studies the means used to orient members to the programs and services of NJEA;] Member Onboarding & Orientation: Continuously evaluate and improve onboarding processes, ensuring new members are effectively oriented to the full scope of NJEA programs, services, and advocacy efforts.
  5. [Gathers] [d]Data-Driven [on ] [m]Membership Growth: Collect, analyze, [projections] and [makes recommendations for creating membership] growth; and utilize membership data to project trends, identify opportunities for growth, and develop targeted strategies to expand the membership base across all categories of membership.
  6. Collaborative Support for Local Membership Leaders: Coordinate[s] [activities of] with county and local membership chairpersons[;], offering resources and guidance to help them implement effective strategies for member engagement and retention.
  7. Reviews and M[m]aintains [names, address, and original information] Accurate Membership Information: Ensure up-to-date and comprehensive records of NJEA members[.] across all categories of membership, including contact information, organizational affiliations, and membership status.

RULE RECOMMENDATION NO.2: that the NJEA Bylaw

  1. Membership Committee, be amended as follows: The Membership Committee shall consist of not less than one member from each county. It shall be responsible for advancing and sustaining the strength, growth, and engagement of the Association’s membership.

[This committee] It shall: [secure, promote, maintain, and coordinate Association membership and shall review and make recommendations concerning procedures and programs relating thereto.]

  1. Foster Unified Membership Engagement: Cultivate and sustain a cohesive membership base, ensuring active participation and engagement across all NJEA, NJAEA, and NJREA members.
  2. Evaluate Membership Categories & Dues Structure: Regularly assess the relevance, inclusivity, and effectiveness of current membership categories and dues structures to ensure alignment with member needs and organizational goals.
  3. Recruitment & Retention Strategy: Implement dynamic recruitment strategies, emphasizing member value and collective strength, while actively working to retain and engage members long-term.
  4. Member Onboarding & Orientation: Continuously evaluate and improve onboarding processes, ensuring new members are effectively oriented to the full scope of NJEA programs, services, and advocacy efforts.
  5. Data-Driven Membership Growth: Collect, analyze, and utilize membership data to project trends, identify opportunities for growth, and develop targeted strategies to expand the membership base across all categories of membership.
  6. Collaborative Support for Local Membership Leaders: Coordinate with county and local membership chairpersons, offering resources and guidance to help them implement effective strategies for member engagement and retention.
  7. Reviews and Maintains Accurate Membership Information: Ensure up-to-date and comprehensive records of NJEA members across all categories of membership, including contact information, organizational affiliations, and membership status.

The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee is proposing an amendment to change its name, which is listed in bylaws 29 and 50.

RULE RECOMMENDATION: that the NJEA Bylaw 29. Standing Committees, be amended to reflect the following:

  1. Standing Committees –The Standing Committees shall be:
    Affiliation
    Budget
    Certification, Evaluation, & Tenure
    Constitution Review
    Editorial
    Educational Support Professionals
    Government Relations
    Human & Civil Rights
    Instruction
    Leadership
    Membership
    Minority Leadership & Recruitment
    Pension Policy
    Professional Development
    Professional Rights & Responsibilities
    Public Relations
    School Finance
    [Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity]
    Rainbow Alliance
    Urban Education
    Working Conditions

RULE RECOMMENDATION NO. 2: that the NJEA
Bylaw 50. Sexual Orientation & Gender Committee be amended as follows:

  1. [Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee] Rainbow Alliance – The Rainbow Alliance Committee shall consist of no less than five members. This committee shall:

1 [a]. Deal with sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression issues pertaining to all persons in the school community;

2 [b]. Advocate for and promote the inclusion and equality of LGBTQIA+ Association members and students in educational environments and society at large and work to address their concerns;

3 [c]. Support the implementation and application of anti- discrimination, anti-violence, civil rights, inclusive curricula, and other statutes and regulations that protect LGBTQIA+ Association members, students, and community members at large.