ND United Delegate Assembly held online on May 16

Members of our union gathered on Zoom to chart a course for the year

By Sarah Keiser, NDU Communications

The NDU Delegate Assembly, like most things in our current lives, looked different this year. The Assembly was held on Zoom on Saturday, May 16, and gave members the opportunity to share in the governance decisions of NDU and elect statewide delegates to the NEA RA. Special guest speakers included NEA President Lily Eskelsen Garcia and AFT President Randi Weingarten.

One big change to the constitution revolves around the very assembly itself. In an effort to save financial and organizational resources, there will now be one Delegate Assembly held each year, eliminating the previous model that alternated between one delegate assembly and two regional assemblies. Term limits were also passed so that the officers and directors of NDU are now limited to three three-year terms.

Mara Nysetvold (Fargo), Christina Nystrom (West Fargo), Alexis Rasset (Mandan), and Tim Thueson (Williston) were all elected as NEA RA Delegates.

A proposed dues increase was passed which will result in a $1 per month ($12 per year) increase in dues for the first year of the budget cycle, divided equally between the state and national affiliates. During the second year, no increase in state dues is anticipated.

NDU advocates for great public schools to enhance student achievement and great public services to enhance the quality of life in North Dakota. Therefore, the 2021 NDU Legislative Agenda was adopted to support legislation that will:

• Ensure quality public education for students and quality public services for North Dakotans.

• Improve and enhance student learning and public services.

• Recruit and retain education and public employees.

• Provide retirement benefits for present and future retirees.

Thank you to the dedicated members who attended this virtual assembly during these unusual times. We are awaiting seeing your faces (hopefully) in person in 2021!