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Iowa State Education Association

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who may join the Iowa State Education Association?
2. What services do ISEA and NEA provide members?
3. How does ISEA assist members in their classrooms?
4. How does ISEA's advocacy services program work? 
5. What is UniServ and where are the UniServ unit offices located?
6. Can I just join ISEA and not belong to my local association/affiliate or the NEA?
7. What is ISEA Delegate Assembly? 
8. Does my dues money go to political candidates?
9. Why is ISEA involved in politics?
10. I lost my ISEA Access Membership Card. How do I get a new one.

1. Who may join ISEA?

ISEA members are teachers from every level of public education, including preschool through higher education; prospective educators in teacher preparation programs; administrators; and retired educators. ISEA members are educational support personnel such as school secretaries, paraprofessionals and custodians. Public school teachers interested in ISEA membership may contact their Association Representative, or click here.

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2. What services do ISEA and NEA provide to members?

The ISEA and NEA provide a wide variety of programs and services to members including professional development, legal assistance, advocacy, publications, and member benefits just to name a few. For more information, check out our What we do  section.

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3. How does ISEA assist members in their classrooms?

A major focus of ISEA is strengthening the teaching profession and helping teachers teach and children learn. This is accomplished through our Professional Development Academy and other programs covering topics such as:

• Classroom management
• Mentoring and induction
• Support for National Board Certification 
• Professional development opportunities
• Professional resources
• Re-licensure and graduate credit courses 
• Safe schools 
• Involvement with state agencies and boards
• Iowa Teaching Standards
• Evaluation and career development plans 

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4. How does ISEA's advocacy services program work?

ISEA's advocacy services program assists members with employment-related issues. Our expert UniServ directors and in-house legal counsel are available to answer members' questions and address their concerns. A member needing legal assistance should first call his/her UniServ office [link]. Members also may call ISEA headquarters in Des Moines at 515-471-8000 or 1-800-445-9358.

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5. What is UniServ and where are the UniServ unit offices located?

"UniServ" is short for "Unified Service." And that's what the UniServ program is all about. While ISEA and NEA headquarters staff provide a wide range of specialized programs and services for members, our UniServ program is designed to bring those programs and services directly to the local level. We currently have 24 highly trained UniServ directors who work out of ten regional offices across the state. They are on-call to help with individual contract problems, negotiations, membership development, political action, or training activities. If you have a job-related question or feel that your rights may have been violated, help is only a phone call or e-mail away. Click here to find a map and contact information.

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6. Can I just join ISEA and not belong to my local association/affiliate or the NEA?

No. When you join the ISEA you're joining forces with the power and influence of 3.2 million members nationwide. Unified membership includes our local, state, and national affiliates.

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7. What is the ISEA Delegate Assembly?

The Delegate Assembly is the ISEA's chief policy-making body. The Assembly convenes each spring where some 500 elected delegates representing their local associations meet to chart the Association's direction, take positions on critical education-related issues, approve a budget, and elect statewide officers. The 2008 ISEA Delegate Assembly will be held April 3-4.

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8. Does my dues money go to political candidates?

No. Dues dollars cannot be spent on political campaigns. Only voluntary contributions designated for ISEA-PAC (Political Action Committee) or NEA's Fund for Children and Public Education go to candidates who support children and public education.

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9. Why is ISEA involved in politics?

ISEA members are Democrats, Republicans and Independents, but they all have one thing in common: They care about educating and protecting children and strengthening American public education. Because all education decisions - from the statehouse to the White House - are political decisions, we need to ensure that our elected leaders measure up on important issues involving children and public education. ISEA members are involved in the political process for many reasons. Among them:

• To speak out in support of quality public schools and the rights of teaching professionals.
• To make the case that society must make a greater financial commitment to public education.
• To use the professional knowledge and skills educators possess to teach people of all ages.

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10. I lost my ISEA Access membership card. How do I get a new one?

We will be happy to have a new card made for you. Just contact your UniServ Unit office or Doug Smith at ISEA headquarters.

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