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On the Road*with Rachel Hendrickson I think that when first-time delegates see the annual NEA Representative Assembly, they may wonder how that big a gathering-nearly 10,000 people-can possibly accomplish business democratically. At the 2000 RA, I discovered how one person can make a difference. Barbara Dayton, a part-time faculty member from Illinois, waded into the Assembly with a palm card and walked out the other side with a victory for her constituency. The issue of equitable dues for part-time faculty was a dear one to Barbara, and she was urging anyone who would listen to consider her plight and that of her colleagues. These professionals cobble together a living from campus to campus, semester by semester. Barbara knew many of these part-timers wanted to be represented by NEA but, with salaries of $1,000 to $1,500 per course, full or even half dues were a stumbling block. But Barbara also knew that getting these part-timers as NEA members is a long-term investment for NEA as full-time faculty retire and the part-time cohort begins to move into the vacant positions. Barbara was a linchpin of the effort to make NEA affordable for adjunct faculty. She spoke at state delegation meetings, passed out palm cards, and patiently explained the problems faced by part-time faculty to whoever would listen. In the end, the RA delegates passed overwhelmingly a bylaw change that decreases dues for part-time professionals. Thanks to Barbara's determination, part-time faculty don't have to chose between NEA membership and gas for their cars to get to the next campus. * —Rachel Hendrickson coordinates NEA higher ed activities. |
