MEA Budget Bits # 5 & #6

2009 #5 Government Affairs

The MEA Government Affairs Department accounts for $3,459,039, or 4.55% of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The staff of the department consists of one director, six professional staff (four lobbyists, one retirement consultant and one campaign consultant) and five support staff.

The work of the Government Affairs Department includes lobbying government officials on matters related to public education, collective bargaining, and the wages, benefits and working conditions of public school employees. The department also provides opportunities and training to help MEA members get involved in electing and lobbying their elected officials.

The Government Affairs Department is also responsible for managing the MEA Political Action Committee, which raises funds to help elect friends of public education across the state.

2009 #6 Professional Development/Human Rights

The MEA Professional Development/Human Rights (PD/HR) Department, a division of the Field Services Department, accounts for 3.28%, or $2,491,219 of the 2009-2010 MEA Budget. The PD/HR department provides support services to local leaders, as well as to UniServ staff, in all areas of professional development, including compliance issues related to No Child Left Behind, such as Highly Qualified Teachers, Support Staff Certification and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

The department also provides funding for shared professional development and human rights projects in local districts. In addition, assistance and resources related to special education, certification and critical incidents training are available.

The PD/HR staff is responsible for planning and putting on MEA’s various professional development conferences, including the Instruction and Professional Development Conference, Summer Leadership Conference, Women’s Leadership Training and Social Justice Institute.


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