Thanks to a New Business Item at the 2016 Delegate Assembly, along with more than two years of planning, the IEA’s Delegate Assembly and Annual Meeting will be held in Coeur d’Alene for the first time in this century. IEA members from across the state will get together April 5-6, 2019 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort for the renewal of one of the Association’s great traditions, with policy decisions being made that will guide the direction of the IEA over the coming years.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to generate more exposure for the IEA in North Idaho, and to promote the great work our members do in their communities,” says IEA President Kari Overall. “Having our Delegate Assembly in Coeur d’Alene also makes our biggest event more accessible for our members in Regions 1 and 2.”
Years ago, the IEA’s Delegate Assembly would periodically be held outside of Boise, but more recently it has been ensconced at the Boise Centre in downtown Boise. Cost considerations, lodging for the hundreds of delegates, the vast array of amenities and entertainment in Boise, and proximity to IEA headquarters contributed to Boise becoming the de facto home for Delegate Assembly.
The idea of taking Delegate Assembly back to North Idaho has been floated from time to time over the years, but it coalesced into reality when delegates attending the 2017 Delegate Assembly voted to assess a two-year dues increase to cover the increased cost of hosting the 2019 event in Coeur d’Alene. “Members from around the state, not just here in North Idaho, decided it was well worth the additional investment to bring Delegate Assembly to Coeur d’Alene,” says Coeur d’Alene Education Association President Bruce Twitchell.
How to Become a Delegate
Delegates are elected through voting by local associations, and each local conducts their balloting independently and on their own timelines. Contact your local association for information on voting dates and procedures, as well as how you can become a delegate. Because Delegate Assembly is being held earlier this year, local association voting dates may differ from previous years.
