The DA included reports and remarks from President Nick Archuleta, NEA Director Brenda Seehafer, and Executive Director Chad Oban. All three shared appreciation for tremendous work our members do every day in communities across North Dakota and challenged all members to reach out in their workplaces and communities to build the power that we need to win collectively.
In addition to the inspiring remarks, the morning also included an in-depth budget conversation about our resources needed to address the challenges headed our way. Delegates ultimately passed a budget that invests in our three strategic priorities (Professional Development, Advocacy and Growth) and will ensure we can focus on the key opportunities and challenges ahead.
Delegates also heard from Superintendent of Public Instruction and longtime North Dakota United member Kirsten Baesler about the challenges and successes of our state’s great public school system. Business items, Bylaw Amendments, and elections for NDU’s Board of Directors and NEA Representative Assembly delegates were held.
In the afternoon, delegates heard a challenging presentation from former Bismarck State College President Larry Skogen about the troubling history of Native American education in our country.
North Dakota United presented the Friend of Public Employees and the Friend of Public Education Awards to two well-deserved recipients. Sen. Karen Krebsbach of Minot won the Friend of Public Employees Award for her decades of advocacy for state employees, including being a key champion in our fight to protect the defined benefit pension.
Longtime North Dakota United/NDEA legal counsel Mike Geiermann received the Friend of Public Education Award for decades of service to the members of our great union and his tireless dedication to the rights and dignity of educators and working people.
2025 NDU Election and Delegate Assembly Update
As of publication, petitions have been requested for the following NDU offices:
- President, requested by Nick Archuleta
- Vice President-Education and NEA RA delegate, requested by Alicia D. Bata
- Vice President-Public Employees, requested by Gary Feist
- NEA Director and NEA RA Delegate, requested by Kala Christensen
The election of officers will be held during the NDU Delegate Assembly, the annual meeting of the association. The Assembly is scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 2025 at ND’s Gateway to Science (NDGTS), 1600 Canary Avenue, Bismarck. Local delegate allocation and registration information will be sent to local presidents by email in early February.
The 2025 NEA Representative Assembly will be held July 2-6 in Portland, Oregon. There are 14 positions open for NEA RA state delegates. Election of NEA RA Delegates will be held by an every-member ballot.
For more information or to request a petition for NDU office and/or NEA RA Delegate, contact Ellie Sharbono at [email protected].
Nominating petitions require 50 signatures of active members and must be returned by February 18, 2025. Active members include all NDU membership categories except K-12 substitute members, Retired and Aspiring Educator (student) members. The retired and student officers are elected by their constituencies.
