• Advisor – The AR is the first
person a member contacts
when information is needed
about association programs and
services.
• Advocate – The AR who
knows what standing together
can do for members is the chief
proponent for a strong, unified
profession.
• Communicator – The AR
makes sure that all associationrelated
information is
distributed, posted or in some
other way available to members.
A file of special NJEA/NEA
publications helps the AR
answer members’ questions.
6 – AR Handbook
• Contract Enforcer – The
AR must know the current
negotiated agreement between
the association and the
school board. Association
representatives make certain
that violations of the contract
are corrected promptly by
assisting members in taking
appropriate action.
• Organizer – The AR
actively recruits members
into professional association
membership by understanding
and promoting services and
functions of local, county, state,
and national associations. And,
as an organizer, the AR works
to gain active participation
of all members in association
programs.
• Problem Solver – The AR
assists members by identifying
problems at early stages and
resolving minor difficulties
before they become major
association concerns.
• Spokesperson – The AR
communicates members’ ideas.
ARs report member concerns
directly to officers or to the
Association Council on which
they serve.
Contact your UniServ office for a
more detailed look at the AR’s vital
role in an active local association.
AR Responsibilities
As a Communicator, I:
• understand and communicate
what it means to be a member of
the profession of which I am an
important part.
• am an active listener to member
concerns about the association.
• make use of association
resources to respond to those
concerns.
• inform the association of
member concerns and vice versa.
As a Promoter & Maintainer
of Membership, I:
• recognize that people join the
association for various reasons.
• approach potential members on
the basis of their self-interest.
• encourage member involvement
in the association because
involvement leads to
commitment.
• show a personal interest in the
welfare of members (problems,
recognitions, birthdays, etc.)
As an Organizer, I:
• know the people I am supposed
to represent (constituency).
• use a personal approach in my
relationship with the people I
represent.
• have credibility because I follow
through.
• work well with other leaders.
• am the association in the eyes of
my constituents.
• attend NJEA, county, and/or
local training to increase my
knowledge and skills.
As an Advocate for Members, I
• know the contract and school
district policy.
• understand the grievance
procedure and explain it when
necessary.
• listen to complaints and
grievances.
• represent members in complaints
and grievances.
• advise members accurately as
to alternatives when they have
problems.
• know where to turn for technical
advice and assistance.
• have experienced the reward that
comes from helping others.
As an Association Legislator
or Policy Maker, I:
• understand and can explain how
association governance works at
all levels.
• assist in formulating and carrying
out policy and programs.
• feel accountable to my
constituency and their best
interests.
• communicate policy decisions
to constituents to increase
understanding and support.
6 – AR Handbook