The Representative Council is the governing body of PGCEA and composed of the Board of Directors and Association Representatives from each worksite. The Representative Council is the key decision-maker and policy setting body of PGCEA. They represent the interests of the members of their worksite at the monthly PGCEA Representative Council meetings.
Association Representatives are elected by the dues paying members of PGCEA. Each worksite is entitled to one (1) representative for every twenty-five (25) members or fraction thereof. (For example, if your site has twenty-six (26) members the site is entitled to two (2) representatives.)
If your school has more than one Association Representative, a head Association Representative shall be chosen by the elected Association Representatives. The head Association Representative also serves on their worksite’s Faculty Advisory Council (FAC).
The Representative Council is the governing body of PGCEA and composed of the Board of Directors and Association Representatives from each worksite. The Representative Council is the key decision-maker and policy setting body of PGCEA. They represent the interests of the members of their worksite at the monthly PGCEA Representative Council meetings.
The regular meeting of the Representative Council occurs traditionally on the fourth Monday of the month. If schools are closed due to an emergency, the meeting is postponed for forty-eight (48) hours. The regular meeting will begin at 4:45 P.M. and end by 6:45 P.M.
Association Representatives shall:
The powers and duties of the Representative Council as defined by the PGCEA Bylaws shall include, but are not limited to, the following:
Delegates to the Representative Council shall be known as Faculty Representatives. The Nominations, Elections, and Credentials Commission shall call for elections of Association Representatives prior to the first regularly scheduled Representative Council of each school year. Each building or site is encouraged to conduct their election during the first week of the school year. Only regular members in good standing shall be permitted to vote. Association Representatives will take office upon presentation of their official election results and the required documentation to the NECC. Members may not self-appoint to the position of Faculty Representative, nor may anyone appoint a Unit 1 member to the position of Faculty Representative, absent a vote of the membership at that site.
The term of a Faculty Representative shall be for one year and shall be elected annually.
Each school or educational center shall elect one (1) Faculty Representative and one (1) alternate for every twenty-five (25) Association members or fraction thereof. Where there is more than one (1) Faculty Representative from a school or center, one (1) shall be designated Chair of the Faculty Delegation by a majority vote of the Faculty Advisory Council in that school or center.
To serve as a Faculty Representative or alternate, the member must be at least in the second year of Association membership. The Nominations, Elections, and Credentials Commission may waive this rule for cause upon any individual request.
Vacancies in the Representative Council are to be filled by duly elected alternates from the school or center where the vacancy exists to serve out the unexpired term of Faculty Representative. Should there be no alternate, a special election shall be called in the school or center where the vacancy exists within ten (10) school days to elect a new Faculty Representative(s) and alternate(s). Any change in Faculty Representative’s status must be reported promptly to PGCEA.
If all speakers wishing to speak are on the same side of a motion, the chair may, without objection, place the question to the body.
The PGCEA AR Passport program is designed to engage our Association Representatives by encouraging them to actively fulfill their duties while rewarding their commitment. By completing tasks outlined in the Passport, Reps not only strengthen their skills and connections but also contribute to recruiting new members and enhancing our union’s collective power.
This initiative fosters a sense of community and recognition, ensuring that Reps feel valued as they champion the needs of their colleagues and the broader educational community.
Association Reps can pick up a copy of their physical passport from the PGCEA Center any time after their election. Passports will be available starting at the September Rep Council.
The following documentation is required to get credit for completing the associated tasks.
Please turn in your documentation when you get your passport stamped.
Passports can be stamped at the PGCEA offices during regular business hours.
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Attend September Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend October Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend November Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend December Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend January Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend February Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend March Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend April Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend May Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Attend September Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend October Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend November Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend December Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend January Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend February Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend March Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend April Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Attend May Committee Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Agenda |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Host September FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host October FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host November FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host December FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host January FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host February FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host March FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host April FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Host May FAC Meeting | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign in |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Enroll in the Sick Leave Bank | Oracle Screenshot |
| Update your NEA Insurance Beneficiary | Screenshot |
| Create an NEA Member Benefits Account | Screenshot |
| Create an MSEA Professional Learning Portal Account | Screenshot |
| Create an NEA360 EdCommunities Account | Screenshot |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Attend MSEA Convention | Registration Confirmation |
| Attend MSEA Minority or Women’s Leadership Training | Registration Confirmation for all three required trainings |
| Attend MSEA IPD | Registration Confirmation |
| Attend MSEA Racial & Social Justice | Registration Confirmation |
| Attend MSEA MLK Celebration | Registration Confirmation |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Contribute to PAC | Screenshot |
| Host a PAC Drive* | Zoom Attendance / Meeting Sign In |
| Attend the PGCEA Legislative Reception | Registration Confirmation |
| Attend the PGCEA Lobby Night** | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Attend a Board of Education meeting | Share a selfie from the event 🙂 |
| Attend a County Council meeting | Share a selfie from the event 🙂 |
| Attend a MGA Bill Hearing | Share a selfie from the event 🙂 |
| Pass out Apple Ballots at the polls | Share a selfie from the polls 🙂 |
*Any FAC meeting where PAC is on the agenda will count toward both the FAC Meeting and the PAC Drive.
**Attending Lobby Night in February will count toward both Rep Council and Lobby Night
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Recruit 10 new PAC donors | New Member Forms / New Member EINs |
| Recruit 10 new Foundation donors | New Member Forms / New Member EINs |
| Recruit 10 new members | New Member Forms / New Member EINs |
| Recruit 100% of your worksite | New Member Forms / New Member EINs |
| Bring another member to Rep Council | NECC Sign In Sheet |
| Bring another member to a PGCEA Event | Share a group selfie from the event 🙂 |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Take the Bargaining Survey | Screenshot |
| Share the Bargaining Survey | Screenshot |
| Reach 100% Survey completion at your worksite | Survey Results |
| Attend a Bargaining Rally | Share a selfie from the event 🙂 |
| Attend a Bargaining Session & Debrief | Zoom attendance / Meeting Sign In |
| Host a Bargaining Update at your worksite | Zoom attendance / Meeting Sign In |
| Reach 100% on the Bargaining ratification vote | Survey Results |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Elect 1 Representative for every 25 members (or fraction there of) at your worksite | AR/FAC List |
| Elect 1 FAC member for every 10 members (or fraction there of) at your worksite | AR/FAC List |
| Share the steps to vote in the General Election with your worksite | Screenshot |
| Reach 50% participation in the PGCEA General Election | Election Results |
| Reach 50% participation in the MSEA General Election | Election Results |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Article 4.5 | AR/FAC List |
| Article 6.1.A.1 | Worksite Schedule |
| Article 7.L | Worksite Schedule |
| Article 14.B.2 | School Memo |
| Article 14.D | Meeting Sign-In / Meeting Agenda |
| Article 15.C | School Memo |
| Article 20.4 | Meeting Sign-In / Meeting Agenda |
| Article 24.D | Survey Results |
| Article 6.2A | Worksite method for certification of attendance |
| Article 6.2B | Worksite Schedule |
| Article 6.2C | Worksite Schedule |
| Article 6.2D | Worksite Schedule |
| Article 6.2E | Talk to your coworkers and email your UD if they report violations. |
| Article 6.2F | Talk to your coworkers and email your UD if they report violations. |
| Article 6.2G | Worksite Schedule |
| Article 6.2K | Worksite Schedule |
| Task | Documentation |
|---|---|
| Verify your email | NEA360 Screen Shot |
| Verify your phone number | NEA360 Screen Shot |
| Verify your mailing address | NEA360 Screen Shot |
| Sign up for the PGCEA newsletter | Email Screenshot |
| Join the PGCEA Facebook Group | Facebook Group Request |
The Faculty Advisory Council (FAC) is a contractually-mandated, school-based committee which serves to voice concerns of the Unit 1 members to the Principal. The FAC acts as an interface between Unit 1 members and the Principal to address issues of concern to the school community as a whole. The purpose of the FAC is to provide the teachers with a vehicle in which they may discuss:
The role of the FAC is to relay the legitimate concerns of Unit 1 members and to offer solutions to problems as they arise in a reasoned and non-adversarial manner. Meetings take place at the building or site level.
Regardless of the size of the work site, the FAC shall have an absolute minimum of four (4) members, at the rate of one for every ten (10) Unit 1 members or portion thereof.
Each year the FAC must be elected and meet for the first time.
At the first meeting the FAC shall:
The NECC is available to help with elections if needed and your UniServ Director is available to assist in the start up and operation of the FAC.
The Chair-person has the responsibility for the overall operation and control of the FAC. Specific duties should include:
The specific duties of the secretary are as follows:
The role of a member of the FAC is:
The Principal is no longer a member of the FAC. However, in order for the FAC to be successful, open communication between the FAC and the principal is essential.
These procedures should be employed to ensure a smooth meeting:
The FAC should be viewed by the administrators and teachers alike as a creative opportunity to foster teacher involvement and to solve problems in a constructive fashion.
PGCEA’s governance structure is similar to the state (MSEA) and national (NEA) affiliates. Each organization conducts its own election. The PGCEA Nominations, Elections and Credentials Commission (NECC) holds general elections annually in which the members choose their board officers, directors, delegates and union policies. Anyone running for an Officer or Delegate position must be considered a member in Good Standing, which means a member must be up to date on all dues obligations and free of debt to the Association.
NECC Duties And Responsibilities:
See PGCEA Bylaws, Policy Handbook and Fair Campaign Practice Code for details.
The PGCEA Bylaws are the governing documents of the Association. They may only be changed once a year by a super majority of 66% of those casting a ballot.
Board Of Directors (BOD) is composed of three elected officers (president, vice president, and treasurer) plus eight at-large members. The board is responsible for the fiscal affairs and general management of the Association, the interpretation of policies, the preparation of the proposed budget, and much more. The PGCEA Board of Directors sets the course for PGCEA and decides how to use its staff and resources.
Qualifications for officers: In order for a member to be an elected officer of the Association, such a member must have been a regular member of said Association for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years immediately preceding the election and be in good standing with the Association. The member shall be a tenured professional on a continuing contract with the Board of Education and in the PGCEA bargaining unit.
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PGCEA, MSEA, and NEA collectively advocate for educators employed by the public school system. They are the educators’ protectors in employment-related matters, wage and benefits watchdogs, and organizers who fight for fair funding. PGCEA is one of the top twenty largest locals in the country and the second largest in Maryland. Unified PGCEA members have a powerful voice throughout the organization. This begins with members choosing colleagues to govern and represent the interests of the union at the county, state, and national levels.