Idaho Education Association’s Membership Recruiter Award is presented to a person or a group who have exhibited leadership skills in the area of membership recruitment and retention. The recipient of this award is selected on the basis of sustained efforts in the area of membership recruitment and retention, particularly in the last year.
Marta Hernandez
Cassia County Education Association
Nominated by: Peggy Hoy
Marta Hernandez is the 2023 recipient of IEA’s Membership Recruiter Award.
Strong member recruitment and retention is the bread-and-butter of vibrant local education associations. And Marta Hernandez sets the standard in her role as president of the Cassia County Education Association.
“Marta is extremely passionate about the work of our association and she carries that passion with her in every conversation and interaction she has with educators in her district and around the region,” wrote Peggy Hoy, Idaho’s National Education Association director, in nominating Hernandez for IEA’s Membership Recruiter Award.
Hernandez’ commitment to increasing membership in her local has made her its top recruiter — and for good reason. Each year she plans an amazing back to school event and works with the district office to ensure the CCEA has a place on the district’s new teacher orientation agenda.
“Once educators sign on the dotted line, Marta does not give up sharing her passion for the association with the newly recruited members,” Hoy wrote. She quickly gets them involved in the work of the local though the many community service projects she organizes or urging them to attend building representative meetings, take advantage of professional leadership opportunities or recruiting them as delegates to IEA’s Delegate Assembly.
“Marta makes sure that the membership is relevant to every one of her newly recruited members,” said Hoy.
Cassia County Education Association, like many locals across Idaho, has seen a significant number of members leave due to retirement and relocation in recent years.
“Marta rolled up her sleeves and picked up 14 new members,” wrote Hoy. “She has not stopped recruiting. She is constantly looking for incentives to get educators at events which often lead to recruiting. Marta’s commitment to the recruiting and retention of our members makes her the perfect candidate for IEA’s Member Recruiter of the year.”