Conferences+and+Events+for+Members

NEA, ISEA, and your UniServ Units provide many opportunities to attend events throughout the year. In many cases, members can obtain scholarships to pay for the cost of attending these events. The events offer opportunities to network with colleagues across the state and country, learn about current issues in education, and become more active association members. Contact your UniServ office for more information on these and other events. **__ 2009-10 Events __** __ ISEA ESP Conference __ – Nov. 13-14 in Des Moines  Open to members across Iowa who want training on ESP (education support professionals) issues including living wage campaigns. __ ISEA Student Program Conference __ – Nov. 13-14 in Des Moines  Open to student members and faculty sponsors who are interested in training on issues facing education students and those about to enter the job market. __ American Education Week __ – Nov. 15-21 NEA's 88th annual American Education Week (AEW) spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great. National ESP day is Nov. 18. __ ISEA Legislative Conference __ – Jan. 8-9 in Des Moines Held the weekend before the beginning of the Iowa Legislature’s session, members from across Iowa gather to hear about the latest on ISEA lobbying efforts, what educators can do to advocate for public schools, and what current elected officials are planning for public education. __ NEA Midwest Regional Conference __ – Jan. 22-24 in Minneapolis  Any members from NEA’s Midwest Region is encourages to attend to learn about and develop NEA’s strategic plan for public schools, develop leadership skills, and gain knowledge of new trends and issues in public education. __ ISEA Lobby Day __ – Feb. 17 in Des Moines  ISEA members converge on the state capitol to lobby their legislators and here from legislative leaders about education issues in the current legislative session. __ NEA Read Across America __ – Mar. 2  Initially created as a one-day event to celebrate reading on Dr. Seuss's birthday, [|Read Across America] has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day of the year. __ ISEA Delegate Assembly __ – Apr. 8-9 in Ames The Delegate Assembly is the ISEA's chief policy-making body. The Assembly convenes each spring where some 500 elected delegates representing their local associations meet to chart the Association's direction, take positions on critical education-related issues, approve a budget, and elect statewide officers. __ National Teacher Day __ – May 4  This day is a time for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives. __ NEA Representative Assembly (RA) __ – July 1-6 in New Orleans  The RA is NEA's highest decision-making body. With over 9,000 delegates, it is also the world's largest democratic, deliberative body. The RA is convened every July during the Annual Meeting. The first two days are devoted to discussions, conferences, and exhibits—but the highlight is the RA itself. During this important event, delegates debate issues that impact American public education, elect top officers, and set policy for the 3.2 million-member Association. __ ISEA Summer Conference __ – Aug. 3-5 at Buena Vista Univ. in Storm Lake, IA  This event attracts hundreds of Iowa’s educators who come to get charged up about a new school year. Training sessions on Association leadership and business are offered as well as keynote speeches by national and state education leaders.