The NEA-New Mexico believes in the power of collective action. Toward this end, we seek to allow as many members as possible to make reasonably small financial contributions to our efforts to influence New Mexico politics in a positive direction for our members and the students they serve. NEA-NM EdPAC collects voluntary contributions from members (in the same manner as dues are collected) as described in bylaw 8.4 e below. Members who do wish to participate in this 25 cents per pay period (12.5 cents for Education Support Professionals) effort may request that this money be returned to them and, thus, decline to participate in this financial support of our political action program.

Anyone who wishes to decline this support may download a form to return to NEA-NM EdPAC from one of these links:

Link to EdPAC Refusal to Contribute Form in adobe format

Link to EdPAC Refusal to Contribute Form in word format

The Education Political Action Committee (EdPAC) is created in NEA-NM governing documents to carry out the political action program of the Association. The committee is elected by vote of the general membership from regions in proportion to the NEA-NM membership in the region. Under the guidelines approved by the EdPAC:

NEA-New Mexico members of the EdPAC interview, examine questionnaires, or examine voting records of all candidates for legislative, statewide and federal office, before recommending them to the membership.
The NEA-NM Board of Directors makes final recommendations on statewide candidates and makes recommendations to the NEA fund for Children and Public Education for federal candidates.
The criteria used to evaluate candidates come from the legislative program and resolutions approved by the NEA-New Mexico Delegate Council.
The criteria make sure candidates must 'measure up' by demonstrating commitment to:

      strengthening public education;
      ensuring children's health and safety;
      maximizing student learning; and
      respecting school employees.
NEA-New Mexico's 'measure up' criteria are nonpartisan.
All campaign contributions given to candidates are voluntary political contributions given by members for that purpose. They are collected and maintained separately from dues.
The process is member driven. All participants are democratically elected, representing all regions of New Mexico, proportionate to their membership in the Association.

The NEA-New Mexico Education Political Action Committee (EdPAC) is governed by NEA-NM Bylaw 8:

8.1 Composition
The EdPAC Committee is composed of:
a. The President who shall be the Chair;
b. The Vice President; and
c. One member for each seven hundred (700) ACTIVE members or major fraction thereof, within each Region. Each member shall be elected by the ACTIVE members of the Region for a three-year term and is limited to two three-year terms.
d. One member representing NEA-New Mexico retired members. This member shall be nominated and elected by the unified retired membership of NEA-New Mexico for a three-year term and is limited to two three-year terms.
8.2 Powers and Duties
The EdPAC shall coordinate the political activities of the Association under the direction of the Board of Directors and the Delegate Council and shall receive funds as described in Section 8.4. The EdPAC shall authorize a member of the NEA-New Mexico staff to act as treasurer of EdPAC funds.
8.3 Appointment of Alternate EdPAC member
a. Each Region Council shall appoint an Alternate EdPAC member who shall represent the Region on the NEA-New Mexico EdPAC Committee in the event of an EdPAC member's inability to execute his/her duties for a temporary period or, in the case of a vacancy, until the next regular NEA-New Mexico election.
b. The Alternate EdPAC member representing retired members shall be appointed by the board of directors of the NEA-NM Retired affiliate.
8.4 EdPAC Funds
a. EdPAC funds shall consist of voluntary contributions from members or other interested parties. No dues collected by any affiliate may be used for these purposes. However, EdPAC funds may be collected by affiliates through the procedures used to collect dues in manners authorized by NEA-New Mexico or local governing documents.
b. All funds used to address partisan political issues, including contributions to candidates for public office, contributions to political parties and other partisan organizations, and funds expended on behalf of candidates for public office shall be from funds collected as described in Section a.
c. Contributions to EdPAC shall be segregated in an interest-bearing checking account separate from the general funds of NEA-New Mexico. Such account shall be deposited in a bank that does not hold other association accounts.
d. Expenditures from EdPAC funds, consistent with the actions of the EdPAC, shall be authorized by the chair upon consultation with appropriate staff.
e. In addition to any other voluntary contributions authorized, the amount of six dollars (6) per membership year shall be annually collected from each member in the same manner as dues are collected. This amount shall be considered a voluntary contribution unless the member specifically requests its refund on a form approved by the Association. Such form shall be made available to the membership at least twice annually in an all member publication. Additionally, information informing the member that this is a voluntary contribution shall be printed on annual membership forms. Should a member request a refund of the amount, the entire amount shall be refunded to the member by check within thirty (30) days from the date the Association receives the request.
8.5 Vacancies
When a vacancy in the office of an EdPAC member occurs through death, resignation, recall, change in employment, change in region residency, or through other disqualification, the replacement for the unexpired term shall be the Region's Alternate EdPAC member until the next regular NEA-New Mexico election.