If you have any questions regarding credentialing, please call the CTA Governance Support Department at (650)

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2 Page 2 Please note: If you were moved from successor status to delegate status after May 25 or your RA reporting forms were not submitted to CTA until after May 25, you must go to the Delegate Adjustment counter to obtain your credentials they will not be mailed to you. Delegate Registration NEA Registration for delegates, successor delegates and non-delegates will be held before and after the California Caucus meetings on July 2 July 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in HALL B, Level 2-Lower Level. Please have an official photo ID and the bottom portion of the form which contains your badge/registration card with you when you enter the lines at registration. Every delegate must register with NEA in order to receive his/her credential. Late/Missing/Wrong Credentials If you were moved from successor status to delegate status after May 25 or your RA reporting forms were not submitted to CTA until after May 25 and those who have wrong credentials or did not receive credentials in the mail should go to the Delegate Adjustment counters to get new credentials made while waiting. If for any reason you have problems with credentialing that cannot be resolved at the NEA Registration area, please call the CTA office located in the Marquis Ballroom Salon 12 at the Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Hotel. The hotel s telephone number is (202) ; ask to be connected to the CTA office. IMPORTANT: If at the last moment an elected local delegate is unable to attend the convention, the chapter president must notify the CTA Governance Support Department at (650) in order for an elected successor to be moved up to take the delegate s place. If you have any questions regarding credentialing, please call the CTA Governance Support Department at (650) Washington D.C. Metropolitan Airports & Metro Transportation Information Shuttlefare Airport Service For delegates attending the RA, shuttle options are available via the links below for the Washington, D.C. metropolitan airports (Baltimore, National or Dulles Airports). Travelers with physical challenges use the same links below. After booking your reservation through the link, or call Shuttlefare to discuss specific requirements to insure the proper vehicle type is arranged. ShuttleFare.com ( is offering a $5 discount off airport shuttle transportation for travel between the airport and your hotel. Enter Coupon Code: NEA16 on the bottom right of the checkout page before submitting payment. To Book Reservation Click Airport Link:

3 Page 3 Once you complete your reservation an confirmation will be sent to you and this will be your travel voucher for your airport transportation. It will also include instructions on where to meet your shuttle when you arrive at the airport as well as any important phone numbers for the day of travel. CTA DOES NOT PROVIDE AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE FOR ARRIVING OR DEPARTING DELEGATES. Metro Information Be alert to planned closures and delays caused by Metro s Maintenance Plan that go into effect June 4: The Metro website, is a terrific resource for maps, schedules, timetables, routes, and fares. Be sure to visit it before you leave home. Metro opens at 7:00 a.m. on weekends/holidays and 5:00 a.m. on weekdays. Metro closes every night at midnight, and when traveling at night, be sure to check the scheduled departure time for the last train. At many stations, the last train departs before system closing time so it is important that you allow enough time to enter the system and board the train. Last train departure times are posted at each station kiosk. Multi-day passes can be purchased from Metro Center Sales Offices, commuter stores, and also online from NEA is also trying to arrange for a Metro representative to sell Metro fare cards and passes from the convention center. The Metro website ( has detailed information about the various types of passes available. Through MetroAlerts, you can be notified of Metro service disruptions via or text messages. Sign up here: Orientation for First Time Delegates CTA will hold an orientation for first time delegates on Saturday, July 2, from 9:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m. in the Independence Ballroom A-C on Meeting Level 4. It is important that all new delegates attend the orientation meeting. We feel confident that it will help answer many of the questions you have regarding process, procedures, guidelines, etc. Please plan to attend. After the orientation, at 10:15 a.m., the first California Caucus meeting will be held. All California Caucus meetings will be held in Marquis Ballroom Salons 5-10 located on the second level of the Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Hotel. California Directors Night Saturday, July 2, 2016 This year, California Directors Night will be a Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds baseball game, which will be held on Saturday, July 2. The game starts at 7:15 p.m. and includes a $15 food credit at the snack bar. CTA will reimburse state delegates for a metro ticket to and from the ballpark and dinner on July 2 with the appropriate itemized receipts. Click here to see the Game Day Guide to California Directors Night for additional information:

4 Page 4 Convention Center Within Walking Distance of CA Hotel The Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Hotel is within walking distance of the convention center. In fact, the hotel is directly connected to the convention center by an underground concourse, so delegates do not have to even go outside of the hotel to get to the convention center. California delegates requiring physically challenged transportation services should have already registered for these services online with NEA by June 1. Do not wait until you arrive on-site to request services. You may still be able to register online at Please be reminded that transportation, including transportation for delegates with physical challenges, is provided from the NEA official state delegation hotels. If you voluntarily arrange to stay at an alternate hotel, NEA is not responsible for providing transportation. You, of course, may ride shuttle buses from any official hotel to/from convention center, but additional transfers or caucus transfers will not be provided. Opening Day for the Representative Assembly Delegates are reminded that the doors to the RA hall will not open until approximately 10:30 a.m. on July 4. This is necessary so that final sound system checks can be conducted with as few people as possible in the RA hall. Elections Delegates to the 2016 NEA Representative Assembly will be electing two NEA Executive Committee members and 10 at-large representatives to the NEA Board of Directors as follows: Four (4) classroom teachers in higher education; Five (5) active members employed in education support professional positions; and One (1) administrator. All At-Large NEA Director positions are for regular three-year terms. Voting Schedule July 5-6, 2016 Voting for NEA officers will be held on July 5. Voting for amendments and run-off elections (if necessary) will be held on July 6. The time allotted for each state to vote is 15 minutes. California s voting time is 9:15 a.m. on both days. Please vote within the allotted voting time for our delegation. New Business Item (NBI) Submission Requirements The New Business Item submission form is updated this year to reflect the new Strategic Goals. The revised form is posted on the delegate website at New business items submitted prior to June 15 will be distributed to delegates in the packets they receive at registration. Items submitted on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2 (before noon) will be reproduced in the following day s issue of RA Today. Pursuant to a Standing Rule amendment adopted in 2013, NEA will publish in the RA Today the address of each NBI maker, with the express consent of the maker. The NBI form was updated in 2014 to include a signature line allowing makers to authorize printing of the signature. Previous versions of the NBI form will not be accepted and delegates with old forms will be required to transfer all information to the current form before submitting it.

5 Page 5 Have a Question on an Item Up for Discussion? Here s How to Find Help Delegates often use Request for Information during debate to get information on an item up for discussion. If you have a question on an item that has been printed in the RA Today, here are some other ways to find answers: Start with your State Caucus Chair He/she might have the answer or might be able to point you to someone who does. Ask your NEA Board Member Board members are familiar with NEA programs and policies and may often be able to find the information you need. Contact the maker addresses are printed in the RA Today for all NBI makers who give their express consent. Ask the NEA staff Knowledgeable staff members are seated to the side of the stage ready to answer your questions. Things to Do in Washington, D.C. Our meeting in Washington, D. C. is definitely something to look forward to. Visit the Things to Do in DC website ( It s easy to ride the Metro to explore all that DC has to offer. Show Your Badge Destination DC has arranged discounts at local restaurants, shops, performing arts, and attractions. Details available at: under Destination Information. July 4 th Fireworks Fireworks will be launched from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and will be visible from many locations in D.C. beginning at 9:09 p.m. Events of Interest Tele-Town Hall Meeting June 21, 2016 Join Lily Eskelsen Garcia, NEA President, Becky Pringle, NEA Vice President, and Princess Moss, NEA Secretary-Treasurer as they talk about special events such as Empowered Educators Day, discuss NEA s process for recommending a candidate in the 2016 presidential election, outline the proposed strategic plan and budget, and other major policy issues that will be decided at the RA. On Monday, June 20, you will receive a reminder call about the Tele-Town Hall. On June 21, the day of the event, you will receive a call from President Eskelsen Garcia that will automatically connect you to the meeting. Simply fill out the form and you will be added to the call: NEA Fund for Children & Public Education Delegates are encouraged this year to bring a voluntary contribution of $185 for the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education. The standard envelope contribution collection process and labeling system initiated for the Fund several years ago will be utilized again for this RA. Delegates will be mailed reminder information and their contribution identification labels for the envelope collection system prior to the RA. Delegates will receive their envelope packet upon registering at the RA. Reminder: You can use your Delegate Name Badge and your debit or credit card to make voluntary contributions at the NEA Fund Kiosk. It s easy, secure and fast!

6 Page 6 Read Across America Events Saturday, July 2, 2016, 4:45 p.m. 9:45 p.m. at the Washington Nationals game, Nationals Ball Park. Sunday, July 3, 2016, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Washington Nationals game, Nationals Ball Park. NEA Blood Drive Saturday & Sunday, July 2 & 3, 2016, 10:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Level 2, Hall A Please call (800) RED-CROSS or sign up online at and search by sponsor code: NEA DC to make your life-saving donation. For eligibility questions call (866) Empowered Educators Day Delegates are encouraged to attend Empowered Educators Day, Sunday, July 3, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. which will be held in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Rooms You are not required to register in advance. The work of educator innovators who are leading the way for quality instruction and student success will be showcased at this event. Attendees will receive lunch and be eligible to receive prizes/giveaways Community Service Outreach Each year delegates to the NEA RA have the opportunity to volunteer part of their time by participating in organized activities that give back to the host community. The NEA Community Outreach Committee plans volunteer opportunities for the two days before the NEA RA. See Newsletter #1 for a list of activities and contact information. Hotel Confirmation & Roommate Information Delegates should have received their hotel confirmation directly from the Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Hotel. If you have not received your hotel confirmation, please contact CTA s Conference Coordination Center at (650) It is your responsibility to contact staff in the CTA office located in the Marquis Ballroom Salon 12, Level 2 of the Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Hotel by 10:00 a.m. following the day of your arrival if your roommate does not show up. CTA will then try to find you another roommate for the remainder of your stay and/or explain the proper reimbursement procedure for your expense statement. CTA is NOT responsible for expenses incurred should the CTA housing staff not be notified of any changes to your rooming status.

7 Page 7 CTA Go! Your App for the RA CTA Go! is your one stop smart phone and tablet app for your NEA RA experience. This app will be your guide to all CTA events, caucus meetings, locations and documents along with major RA events all in one easy to use mobile app. Use the app to plan your daily schedule, access maps and meeting documents. Get CTA Go! now from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or simply text CTAGO to for a quick link to download and install the app. Let s Get the Conversation Started! If you ve been to the NEA RA in the past few years, you know we like to share, post, and tag on the CTA NEA RA Facebook Group page. It s a closed group, so only those of us attending the RA and a few past participants get to see what s there. If you aren t a member of the page, join here. It ll take a little while to approve you so please be patient with us. In addition, we are looking for delegates who love Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Snapchat and would like to join us by sharing their RA experience. If you are interested, use the hashtag #WeAreCTA in your Twitter & Instagram posts, or your photos and links to jgoldman@cta.org. We ll be sharing more social media tips and more ways to connect with us before the RA on the Facebook Group page and at the RA. State Delegate Information Lodging Reimbursement & How to Submit Your Expenses CTA will reimburse state delegates up to one-half the cost of a double occupancy hotel room. Those state delegates wishing a single room must pay the difference. This ruling is based on CTA s membership expense reimbursement policy. Please refer to the back of your member expense statement for the CTA expense reimbursement rules before completing your expense form. The member expense statement will be available in the CTA Office located in the Marquis Ballroom Salon 12 on Level 2 of the Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Hotel. There are three ways that state delegates can submit their expenses along with the required receipts to CTA: (1) Use the expense report function in the CTA Go! App; (2) Mail your Member Expense Statement form to CTA at the Burlingame address that appears on the form or (3) Scan and your Member Expense Statement form to RAMES@CTA.org. Internet Charges Internet fees are reimbursable for state RA delegates; however, should you decide to seek reimbursement of these fees, the maximum reimbursement for all of your expenses will remain at $2,

8 Page 8 State Delegate Attendance Sign-In Requirements In accordance with your responsibilities as a state delegate you are required to attend all caucuses of the California delegation and all business meetings of the RA. As your attendance at the RA is being directly funded by membership dues, the CTA Board of Directors has approved that, in addition to state delegates signing in at California Caucus meetings, state delegates will be required to sign-in twice on the RA floor in the morning and in the afternoon. Following is a schedule of deductions for state delegates for missed meetings: NUMBER OF ABSENCES REDUCTION IN FUNDING DOLLAR AMOUNT , , , , ,250 State Delegate Checks at RA State delegates will receive a check as part of their funding on the afternoon of July 7, the last day of the RA. Child Care Services Please see Newsletter #1 for more details. July 7 Departures If you plan to leave Washington, D.C. directly from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at the close of the RA on July 7, a supervised baggage check area will be available in Salon G of the convention center. Luggage will be accepted beginning at 10:00 a.m. on July 7. The baggage check area will close 15 minutes after the close of the RA. CTA Boutique Sales This year s featured item at the CTA Boutique is a navy blue polo shirt, available in a men s and women s cut. The cost of the shirt is $40.00.

9 Page 9 No Outside Food in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center The Walter E. Washington Convention Center does not allow food to be brought inside. Only food sold inside the Convention Center is allowed on the floor of the RA. WiFi Access at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center There will be WiFi connectivity at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on the RA floor, the NEA Expo, the Delegate s Café, the Delegate Registration area, and other areas in these vicinities. In congested areas like the RA Hall, smart phones and tablets with 3G and 4G cellular connectivity are likely to work better as an alternative to using WiFi. Delegate Raffle Don t forget the raffle at the close of the RA you must be present to win!!! CTA Meeting Rooms The following is a list of CTA s meeting rooms at the Marriott Marquis Washington D.C. Hotel: CTA Office Marquis Ballroom Salon 12 July 1 July 8 (Office hours will be posted) CTA Registration Marquis Ballroom Salon 2-4 July 1 7:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. July 2 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. July 2 Noon 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. CTA Sales Marquis Ballroom Salon 2-4 July 1 7:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. July 2 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. and Noon 1:00 p.m. July 3-7 6:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. CTA Caucus Meetings Marquis Ballroom Salon 5-10 July 2 10:15 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. July 3 No caucus meeting July 4-7 7:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. CTA New Delegate Orientation CTA State Contacts Breakfast Meeting Independence Ballroom ABC Meeting Level 4 July 2 9:00 a.m. 9:45 a.m. Marquis Ballroom - Salon 14 July 3 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

10 Page 10 Travel Tips Don t change your travel plans after ticket has been purchased. Exchange fees can be as high as $200 plus current cost difference in airfare if higher. Pack an umbrella as daily rainstorms are common in Washington, D.C. in July. Bring comfortable walking shoes and clothes that can be worn in layers so that you are comfortable when it is hot outdoors and quite chilly inside the convention center and other air-conditioned buildings. Remember to pack your chargers for your personal electronic equipment (telephone, tablet, laptop, etc.) Review current TSA rules for travel at: Check in 24 hours in advance via the airline s website. Don t wait until you get to the airport! Summer thunderstorms are common and can often cause flight cancellations/delays. Check the status of your flight. If you are at the airport and your flight is delayed, stay near the gate. Airlines can change departure times with short notice so you want to be able to hear announcements pertaining to your flight. Most airlines charge for checked baggage. Fees vary from airline to airline but average $25 for the first bag. Try to limit your baggage to one checked bag and one carry-on bag and be prepared to pay the fees either via the internet or at the check-in/ticket counters. (Note: internet payment is usually less costly). Additional checked bag fees (3 rd bag) can be as high as $150. Airlines charge hefty fees for overweight and over-sized luggage. Pack light. Safety Tips in the City Please keep the following safety tips in mind during your stay in Washington, D.C: DC area traffic is very busy, and smartphones are a distraction--put your phone away when walking around the city. Be alert to bikes as well as cars when crossing the streets. If you rent one of the Capital Bikeshare bikes, bike defensively. Carry purses close to your body and wallets in secure pockets. Travel in groups where possible and be aware of your surroundings and other people. When away from the Annual Meeting events, remove your credentials badge. Use automatic teller machines in a well-lighted, populated area, preferably in the company of others. Don t flash sums of money or expensive items in public. Carry money separately from credit cards. Avoid poorly lighted areas. Be aware of distractions set up by potential pickpockets on the street or in crowds. Safety Tips in Hotels Familiarize yourself with your hotel s evacuation plan and the closest exits from your room. Use hotel safe deposit boxes for valuables Use security locks when in your hotel room. Never open your hotel room door to a stranger. Verify a visit by hotel staff with the front desk.

11 Page 11 Safety Tips in the Convention Center Familiarize yourself with the emergency exits. Never leave laptops or other electronic devices unattended even in the convention center. Regardless of how secure a convention center environment may appear, keep your valuables in a safe place where you can keep an eye on them at all times. Last Minute Reminders Please remember to bring: All your medications and medical insurance information cards. Your Delegate Badge and Material. A Valid ID; e.g. California Driver s License or U.S. Passport. We hope that this additional information has answered many of your questions. We look forward to having an interesting and productive Representative Assembly! See you on July 1 in Washington, D.C. ECH:TM:DBG:jp

12 Page 12 INDEX NEA Representative Assembly RA Resources Website... 1 Delegate Packets and Green Delegates... 1 Delegate Registration... 2 Late/Missing/Wrong Credentials... 2 Washington D.C. Metropolitan Airports & Metro Transportation Information... 2 Metro Information... 3 Orientation for First Time Delegates... 3 California Directors Night Saturday, July 2, Convention Center Within Walking Distance of CA Hotel... 4 Opening Day for the Representative Assembly... 4 Elections... 4 Voting Schedule July 5-6, New Business Item (NBI) Submission Requirements... 4 Have a Question on an Item Up for Discussion? Here s How to Find Help... 5 Things to Do in Washington, D.C Show Your Badge... 5 July 4 th Fireworks... 5 Events of Interest... 5 Tele-Town Hall Meeting June 21, NEA Fund for Children & Public Education... 5 Read Across America Events... 6 NEA Blood Drive... 6 Empowered Educators Day Community Service Outreach... 6 Hotel Confirmation & Roommate Information... 6 CTA Go! Your App for the RA... 7 Let s Get the Conversation Started!... 7 State Delegate Information... 7 Lodging Reimbursement & How to Submit Your Expenses... 7 Internet Charges... 7 State Delegate Attendance Sign-In Requirements... 8 State Delegate Checks at RA... 8 Child Care Services... 8 July 7 Departures... 8 CTA Boutique Sales... 8 No Outside Food in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center... 9 WiFi Access at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center... 9 Delegate Raffle... 9 CTA Meeting Rooms... 9 Travel Tips Safety Tips in the City Safety Tips in Hotels Safety Tips in the Convention Center Last Minute Reminders... 11