History of EMAC (NEA)
The NEA Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee was established in 1975 as a special committee of
the NEA Board of Directors. This Committee has a unique structure:
It is comprised of four members of each of the identified ethnic minority groups: American
Indian/Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islander, Black and Hispanic. The Committee meets three to four times a year. Additionally, certain members of the Committee are designated as liaisons to other governance and program-related standing committees, allowing Committee members to receive information and provide input on a wide range of NEA programs and activities.
In report to the 1978 Representative Assembly, the NEA Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee made
a policy recommendation that NEA governance encourage the development of Ethnic Minority
Affairs Committees at the state level. In 1979, NEA MAC made an action recommendation that
the NEA provide technical assistance to state affiliates in establishing Ethnic Minority Affairs
Committees.
Importance of EMAC
Power
The state and local affiliates are the strength of NEA, and it is logical that any program or activity that strengthens states and locals will also bolster the NEA. Ethnic Minority Affairs Committees at the state level can strengthen the Association.
Representation
Historically a gateway for minority involvement in governance has been through EMAC’s. It can also be the exit if the minority member who takes the first step does not continue to stay involved and move upward and forward in the Association structure. An Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee is a vehicle for monitoring and making recommendations regarding ethnic minority participation in all levels of the Association’s programs and governance.
Change
Ethnic minority members of the Association should be concerned about all program areas of their state and local associations. EMAC’s can be the opportunity for ethnic minorities to begin their involvement. As they gain expertise in committee work, they should be looking for other committees that might be of interest. It is not enough to have involved minorities on one committee. There should be minority representation on all committees as well as elected leadership roles. Involved minorities should always be looking to bring a new person on board.
EMAC (Education Minnesota)
EMAC originated in 1991. The primary charge of EMAC is to provide continuous oversight and input into Education Minnesota’s AIP. The AIP also works as Education Minnesota’s 3-1(g) plan, NEA’s policy to guarantee representation of delegates of color commensurate with the percentage of people of color in the state. NEA requires each state affiliate to submit a biennial plan that explains the state’s procedures, recruitment practices, ongoing work and past achievements regarding engaging and supporting the union’s members of color—in other words, the affiliate’s blueprint for meeting its 3-1(g) goals.
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How our EMAC Committee is Selected
Members (up to 20) are annually appointed to Education Minnesota’s Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC) by the president of Education Minnesota. EMAC meets at least three - four times per school year to discuss the union’s racial equity work and examine the union’s roadmap for its racial equity work, the Affirmative Involvement Plan (AIP). EMAC also has a presence at Education Minnesota’s major events, such as the Minnesota Educator Academy (MEA) conference, Summer Leadership Conference, and more.
