MEA Budget Bit #7

2009 #7 Finance/Membership

The MEA Finance/Membership Department accounts for 7.77%, or $5,903,585 of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The department is staffed by a director, two controllers (one for MEA and one for MESSA), four supervisors and twenty support staff.

The Finance department manages all of the financial operations of MEA, MESSA and MEA Financial Services. Among its duties are preparing all information for the audits of the three companies as well as the agency shop audit, all of the IRS filings and all reports to the Department of Labor. The department also manages payroll for over 900 people, as well as fringe benefits for over 1100 current and retired employees.

Another duty of the Finance/Membership department is managing the accounting for the investment portfolios of MEA, MESSA, MEA Financial Services, the Staff Retirement Plan, retiree health, MEA-Retired, the Building and Site Fund, CAP Fund, Citizens for Education, PAC, the MEA Scholarship Fund and the Emergency Fund.

The department provides training to locals in the areas of accounting practices and fraud prevention and provides services to locals that request fraud investigations. Finance staff members also participate in staff bargaining, providing financial information to the bargaining teams.

The Membership Department manages the membership software system and provides training and support for Local Membership Chairs. The department manages MEA and NEA dues collection and assists with the MEA RA, providing credentials for delegates and support for the Credentials Committee in handling requests for waivers to the 60-day dues policy.

The Finance/Membership Department is also responsible for the “nuts and bolts” of running a business, such as insurance, utility payments, building maintenance costs, and banking fees.

Peggy McLellan
Secretary/Treasurer
Michigan Education Association
(800) 292-1934 x 5500
pmclellan@mea.org