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There are no words for the sadness in our hearts as we learn about yesterday’s tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. Saying prayers for children, families and education community.

We still need several volunteers for the 2022 NEA RA in Chicago. We have several positions open for members (or family of members) who might be interested in volunteering. Below you will find the opportunities and the covered expenses. If you know of high school students in the area who might need service hours, this is an excellent opportunity for them.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 
Registration and Information Booth (Afternoon of July 1 until the completion of the RA on July 6) 
Information booth volunteers will operate the information booth and distribute materials. A knowledge of Chicago would be a great asset! Registration volunteers will assist delegates through the registration process. Volunteers in these two areas usually work full days. 
 
Ushers and Special Event Support (Afternoon of July 1 until the completion of the RA on July 6) 
Ushers assist in patrolling the floor checking name badges and assist in managing traffic flow. Ushers are usually on their feet for a lot of the day and are typically scheduled in two different shifts. 
 
Physically Challenged Support Team (8am July 2 until the completion of the RA on July 6) 
Volunteers for the physically challenged area are usually 15-18 year old students who assist delegates by pushing wheelchairs to different areas of the RA. These positions work no more than 6 hours a day and are a great opportunity for students needing service hours! 
 
Microphone Monitors (Noon on July 2 until the completion of the RA on July 6) 
The microphone network volunteers serve as communication personnel on the floor of the RA and will need to commit to working the entire event. These volunteers will work full day shifts. 
 
Treasurer Team (Noon on July 1 until the completion of the RA on July 6) 
Volunteers for the treasurer team assist in the processing of vouchers and other financial paperwork for the RA. These volunteers typically work full days. 
 
NEA Fund for Children and Public Information (PAC) Team (Afternoon of July 1 until completion of the RA on July 6) 
Volunteers for the PAC team will staff the political action booth at the convention center. These volunteers typically work full days. 

COVERED EXPENSES 

Transportation: 
– NEA will not cover transportation costs (Amtrak, Plane, mileage, etc.) for volunteers to travel into town. This applies to volunteers from the Chicago suburbs, Illinois and out of state. 
– NEA will cover parking (either through validation or volunteer provides receipt for reimbursement), or public transportation costs (Bus, L train) with receipt. 
– IEA will cover transportation costs (Amtrak, Plane, mileage, etc.) up to $400 for volunteers who commit to working a minimum 6-hour shift, every day for the entire 5 or 6 days of the RA. This funding is intended to pay for travel costs for volunteers to get to Chicago. The volunteers must submit receipts for any train or plane reimbursement. More details will be coming.

Meals: 
– All volunteers will be eligible for provided meals. 
 
Stipend: 
– All volunteers that work a minimum 6-hour shift will be eligible for the $40/day stipend. 
 
Housing: (DOES NOT APPLY TO STUDENTS 15-18 YEARS OLD) 
- Volunteers that commit to work a minimum 6-hour shift, every day for the entire 5 or 6 days of the RA will be provided housing if needed. Note that some positions will require 5 days and others 6 days to obtain housing. 
– Volunteers will also receive parking (or a reimbursement of reasonable daily parking fees) OR reimbursement of one round trip fare on public transportation. 
– In the instance that the provided housing is not within walking distance of the convention center, we will either provide busing to and from, OR reimburse reasonable expenses (taxi, uber with receipt) to get to and from the convention center. 

If you know of members or others who are interested in volunteering for the RA, they can register using this link.

Join us Thursday, May 26, from 6-7:30 CT, for a webinar that will empower you with the tools to build effective teams with your colleagues!

Register today

Addressing the mental health of students requires the attention of the entire school community.

Key Take aways

• ESPs help educate the whole child and also have insights into student wellbeing that must be considered.
• Addressing the mental health of students requires the attention of the entire school community.
• With training, ESPs can offer social and emotional support on the bus, in the cafeteria, or in the hallway.

So ready for summer! How many days do you have left of school before summer vacation?

Today was World ESP Day. Today was a celebration of the important work that education support professionals do each day for our schools and students. We asked support professionals what being an ESP and respect means to them. #IEArESPect

Learn more about the IEA rESPect campaign: iearespect.org

Monday, May 16 is World ESP Day!

Join Education International and ESPs across the globe this Monday at 8:00 am ET for an online event, “Decent Work for ESPs Now,” featuring 2022 NEA ESP of the Year, Debra Mitchell! Debra Ward-Mitchell is one of our very own fabulous education support professionals from Illinois.

I am checking to see if this will be recorded as most education support professionals will be doing what they do best, supporting our students, schools, and universities, at the time of this event.