Be More. Be You. Be NDU!

In most member organizations, like ours, it can be said that "more members means more muscle.” And it’s true, in a multitude of ways. For one, the more members we have in North Dakota United, the more effective we all become. By growing our membership, we increase our influence, we crank up the volume of our collective voices, and we expand our capacity for doing amazing work on behalf of the people we serve — the students, citizens, families and communities of our great state.

Growing our union requires a true team effort, and all of us can play an important role, both as individuals and as a group. In the Cover Story for this issue of United Voices, we have assembled a number of the important resources and benefits that our members enjoy by being a part of NDU, along with ways that you can get involved.

As ND United President Nick Archuleta has said: "Just like at the gym, you and all our members must be active to get the results you desire. All of us have a responsibility to our professions, to our fellow members, and to the future of North Dakota. Together we can amplify our individual voices to achieve our goals."

Help us to grow North Dakota United by sharing this resource with your friends and colleagues who work in public education and public service. More information on how to join as a K-12 teacher, education support professional, higher education faculty or staff, public employee, aspiring educator, retired public educator or employee, or as a community ally can be found in the blue info block at the end of this article.

And thank you for all you do to help us grow, as people and as the state's foremost champion for quality public education and public services in the state of North Dakota. Together, we are North Dakota United!

We here at North Dakota United know that even the best educators and public workers need support sometimes! That’s why our union exists – to make sure you don’t feel alone.

In addition to our advocacy efforts and local organizing support, we also provide professional development with a focus on customized learning, based on your personal wants and needs.

With the help of the NDU Foundation, we provide FREE professional development courses to ALL NDU members! You can save $100 for every course you choose to take. Last year alone, ND United members saved over $137,200!

Here are a few of the PD options we offer:

• Elevating the Profession through Educator Ethics: This in-person training aims to maintain and exceed the model of education ethics and standards. This course is offered in a variety of formats - including as an independent study, small group or district-wide training - and is eligible for one credit through the University of North Dakota.
• Book Studies: A variety of relevant topics to enhance professional skills and awareness are offered throughout the year. The format of the book studies enables communication and collaboration, along with an opportunity for self-directed learning. Book studies are free for NDU members, but cost $100 for non-members. An additional $50 must be paid to UND to have your credit recorded on your transcript.
• Podcast PD: NDU now offers this new, asynchronous format of providing professional development. Participants will simply listen and reflect as their schedule allows. With six different podcasts to choose from, Podcast PD allows educators to make personal choices for their learning based on their content area and professional interests, while helping them to earn up to five credits.

We hope you find these resources helpful! Go to courses.ndunited.org for a complete listing of available professional development courses and to sign up.

As educators and public employees, there is no better way to connect with each other, as colleagues, friends and neighbors, than through our shared union. North Dakota United offers a lot of opportunities to get involved, from advocacy at the state Capitol and locally, to leadership conferences and trainings:

• Go to Summer Leadership & Advocacy Summit: Each year, NDU leaders, activists and staff come together for our annual Summer Leadership and Advocacy Summit! Together, we learn how to grow and strengthen our local associations and advocate for students, colleagues and communities across the state. Look for more information on how to sign up for the 2026 SLAS closer to the end of the school year!
• Join North Dakotans for Public Schools: During the 2025 ND legislative session, we helped establish a coalition group dedicated to preserving public education in our state called North Dakotans for Public Schools. We encourage you to sign up for updates and like and follow them on Facebook!
• Keep up with latest news: ND United regularly updates our website with outstanding member stories, news articles, helpful resources, engaging video content and more! Check out all of the latest content and a back catalogue of stories from our award-winning member publication, United Voices, or you can find the latest news releases and articles from local, state and national sources by clicking here.
• Check out the NDU Legislative Report Card: In 2023, we created a Report Card website where we tracked legislators' votes on our most important bills, and we’re proud to announce that we have recently launched the 2025 edition! Go there to check out how your local legislators voted on our issues, and be sure to share with your friends, family and fellow supporters of public education and services in our state.
• Connect with us: By filling out an interest card at this link, you can personalize the communications you receive from us and we’ll let you know about ways you can get more involved in our union’s efforts.

In these tough economic times, we know that our educators and public employees can use any financial assistance that is available. By being a member of North Dakota United, you are eligible to receive numerous scholarship and grant opportunities through our NDU Foundation, Disaster Fund assistance during troubled times, legal assistance and consultation, as well as discounts on insurance, shopping and travel.

Here’s a quick rundown of the many programs available to you through your membership:

• NDU Foundation Scholarships and Grants: The ND United Foundation scholarship and grant opportunities are open for ND United members, as well as their dependents. The Foundation currently offers a wide variety of different scholarships and grants specifically designed for individual educators, public servants, and college students to enhance their skills. For more information, please visit our website at www.ndunited.org/ foundation/scholarships-and-grants.
• Legal Assistance: When you need us, NDU staff are here to assist with employment-related disputes at no additional cost to you. Learn more at www.ndunited.org/member-benefits/legal-services.
• Liability Insurance: North Dakota United provides $1 million of liability insurance protection for its members for any covered claim arising during the course of the insured’s employment activities. Find out more about this at www.ndunited.org/ member-benefits/liability-insurance-protection.
• Disaster Assistance: The Disaster Fund was established for the purpose of assisting members who have been impacted by major disasters such as floods, tornadoes, fire, etc. The fund will reimburse members for uninsured losses up to the amount of their insurance deductible, but no greater than $1,500. Contact us at 701-223-0450 if after a disaster to find out if you qualify.
• Discounts on Products & Services: By being a member of NDU, you get exclusive access to Member Benefits programs from both of our national affiliates, the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers. Make your money stretch further by saving on everyday essentials, car rentals, travel, insurance, and more. Learn more about these programs at www.ndunited.org/member-benefits/ discounts-products-services.