Association representative
AR Handbook – 5
AR structure
NJEA and NEA urge local associations
to create an AR structure
in each worksite. The association
representatives should meet regularly
with the principal of the building
to establish a relationship which
acknowledges the importance of the
AR as an association leader. With
few exceptions, each worksite should
have at least one AR for every 10
to 15 members. In large worksites,
it will be necessary to have one AR
serve as Senior or Chief AR. In
that position, the senior or chief
representative can serve as a catalyst,
getting the other ARs and the
members in the building to organize
to achieve association goals.
All ARs should be members of the
Representative Council or Representative
Assembly, which is usually
the policy making body for the local
association.
An action leader
The association representative (AR)
is a vital association leader. NJEA
and NEA consider this important
position essential to efficient association
service. ARs assist 10 to 15
members under an ideal organizational
plan. By representing so few
members, the AR is able to understand
their needs, offer immediate
assistance and represent them
accurately in association meetings.
The AR offers every local association
the opportunity to have face-to-face
personal contact with members –
the best communication possible.
The AR is truly an “action leader”
because the association’s successes
depend to a large degree on the
ability to tell the association story
to members, reflect members’ needs
and beliefs to decision makers, and
provide prompt association support
to individual members when help
is needed. The varied AR role – and
its importance to an effective local
association – is obvious when the
AR’s duties are examined. As an action
leader, an AR serves association
members as: