Delegate Assembly 101

Delegate Assembly (DA for short) is IEA’s annual governing meeting. It’s the highest democratic body in the organization, where members from around the state come together to decide what the union stands for, what it will fight for and how it will spend its resources.  

• This year’s DA is from April 17-18 at Boise Centre West Convention Center in Idaho’s capitol city. 

• DA is open to all elected delegates and ex-officio members.  

• New business items: These are proposals about IEA policies or programs. Once adopted, they stay in effect until they expire, are carried out or repealed (typically one year). 

• Resolutions: These are statements of what IEA believes and stands for. They reflect the union’s core values and are reviewed by the IEA Resolutions Committee before going for a full vote before DA. 

• Other key issues: Delegates also vote on IEA’s annual budget and set the legislative priorities IEA will push for in the Idaho Statehouse during the next session.  

• Important! Because the website is new, you’ll need to create a fresh profile to access the delegate page — even if you had an account on the old site. Profiles created before this website’s launch in the fall are no longer valid. Your email address and member number alone won’t log you in — you must create a new profile. 

• Go to idahoea.org and click For Members in the blue-and-green navigation strip on the left. 

• If you haven’t created a profile on the new site yet, go to: For Members > Members-Only Content > Need an Account? > Create an Account. 

• Enter your first and last name, National Education Association member ID, username and the email address on file with IEA. Create a password and save. A confirmation email will follow. 

• Log in, then navigate to: Member Resources > Governance and Policies > Delegate Assembly.  

• ESP Caucus: The ESP Caucus supports and advocates for the unique needs of the union’s education support professionals, who include a diverse range of public school employees such as bus drivers, behavioral health specialists, audiologist and speech pathologists, custodial and cafeteria workers, and more. The issues the caucus address include recruitment, professional development and empowerment issues. The caucus is part of a larger effort to build a strong network of ESPs within IEA.  

• LGBTQ+ Caucus: The IEA LGBTQ+ Caucus is open to educators from all regions of Idaho who want to support LGBTQ+ students and colleagues. The caucus aims to build community, offer resources, and advocate for safety and respect in schools. Allies are welcome, and members are encouraged to get involved — especially those in rural areas with fewer support systems. Learn more about their DA event 

• Republican Educators Caucus: Conservative educators across Idaho share a commitment to excellent public schools — but within the union, many feel their perspective goes unheard. The Idaho Republican Educators Caucus (IREC) was formed to change that, bringing together Republican IEA members from across the state to advocate for fiscal responsibility, academic excellence and policies that reflect conservative values, while working to ensure Republican voices have a seat at the table in union governance and beyond. Members engage with the Republican Party at the state and local levels, encourage Republican candidates to seek educator support, and work to bridge the gap between the classroom and the Statehouse. The caucus also promotes bipartisan cooperation within IEA and seeks fair representation for conservative educators on association committees and boards. Learn more about their DA event

• Women and Minorities Caucus: One of the most established caucuses in IEA, the Women and Minorities Caucus ensures the voices of traditionally marginalized people are reflected in union business and the education profession. The goal of the caucus is to promote equality and ensure opportunity for all. This statewide caucus amplifies issues relating to respect, recognition, pay and civil rights. Learn more about their DA event 

• Children’s Fund: It’s the biggest and most competitive auction of the year! The DA Children’s Fund auction features hundreds of items and a fierce bidding war. Learn more about the Children’s Fund, one of IEA’s most beloved institutions, here. 

• PACE: Buy swag to benefit the Political Action Committee for Education (PACE), which supports pro-public education candidates from both parties. Look for the PACE table at DA to purchase items and learn more and get involved in May Matters. 

• Register for Summer Institute: Registration for IEA’s largest professional development event kicks off at DA. Get a preview of what you can expect during this summer’s event in Lewiston here. 

• Earn college credit at DA: Attending DA can count toward your professional development. Delegates who fully participate in DA 2026 and complete a short set of follow-up activities can earn one professional development credit from Idaho State University. The credit recognizes the learning, collaboration, and leadership that take place over the two days. Learn more on the DA page.  

• Each local union elects its own delegates. Larger locals send more because the number of allowed delegates is based on enrolled membership. Any active, retired or aspiring educator can run. The nomination process typically opens in late fall, and local union presidents submit delegate information to IEA by early February.  

• Watch for nomination notices from your local union president later this fall. You may nominate yourself or be nominated by a fellow member. Delegates are chosen by secret ballot.