The Representative Assembly has begun!

Our posts may be a bit delayed...Internet access is spotty at best in the convention center. The following was written last night by Jonathan Hartke.

The Representative Assembly has begun, and already, the delegates have shown much passion on two voting items in the opening minutes.  1,200 delegates from all over Washington filled Tacoma’s Convention Center with many speaking right from the start.  Our own Scott Mitchell even had some face time on the big screen as he spoke briefly. 

The first vote overturned an amendment to the standing rules on elections that was to allow candidates running unopposed to be elected without a vote or even being heard in a presentation. 

The next issue that raised the passion of the body was a call to move RA to Olympia as a show of unity to our representatives while the house is in session.  Many are tired of WEA not utilizing those who are willing to take the lead in demonstrating in a loud and obvious statement of our desire to support education.  The debate convinced the majority that we can best support our members by designing long term actions over the next three days.

Following that action item, WEA president Mary Lindquist led an impassioned speech that detailed a rough road ahead.  Much rhetoric and few details…hopefully the representatives will iron out the details of action that utilizes all our members and all our shared stakeholders.  There seems to be a real desire for a call to action, different from previous years.