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Election of Officers

2026 represents an election year for NEARI officers who serve a three-year term and are elected at the Annual Meeting in May.

ELECTIONS NOTICE

Assistant Treasurer

According to the Bylaws, in the event of a vacancy of the NEA Director for Rhode Island or any officer other than the President, it shall be filled by the Executive Committee between annual meetings.

At the Executive Committee meeting on September 8, 2025, Executive Committee members will vote to fill the vacancy in the NEARI Assistant Treasurer position until the election at the May 2026 Delegate Assembly.

Interested candidates should declare their candidacy in writing to Mary Barden, Executive Director.

According to the NEARI Constitution and ByLaws any member may declare their candidacy at any time prior to the actual elections, so there will also be a call for nominations from the floor at the September Executive Committee meeting. 

2026 Election of Officers

ELECTIONS NOTICE

At the annual NEARI Delegate Assembly meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026, delegates will vote for NEARI officers in the regular election. 

The positions open are: 

  • President
  • Vice President 
  • Secretary
  • Assistant Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Assistant Treasurer

*NEA Director is on a separate three-year term schedule, up for election in 2028.

Area Vice Presidents:

  • Region I (teacher locals in Barrington, Bristol-Warren, East Providence)
  • Region II (teacher locals in Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Newport Special Ed., New Shoreham, Portsmouth, Tiverton)
  • Region III (teacher locals in Chariho, Narragansett, South Kingstown, Westerly)
  • Region IV (teacher locals in Burrillville, Cumberland, Davies Career and Technical High School, RI School for the Deaf, Smithfield, North Smithfield)
  • Region V (teacher locals in East Greenwich, Foster, Glocester, Ponaganset, Exeter-West Greenwich, North Kingstown, Scituate)
  • Higher Education (all higher education locals with the exception of ESP)
  • Higher Education ESP (all higher education ESP)
  • K-12 ESP (all K-12 education support professionals and para-professionals)
  • State, Municipal Personnel (all locals in these categories)
  • NEARI Retired

Election of statewide officers shall be by a majority of delegates voting at the May Delegate Assembly. Election of Area Vice Presidents shall be by delegates present who are part of each region or constituency group.

 

DECLARATION OF INTENT by March 1, 2026

Candidates must declare their intentions in writing to Executive Director Mary Barden. Declarations may be emailed to Mary directly at [email protected], hand delivered, or mailed to NEARI offices at her attention at: 99 Bald Hill Rd. Cranston, RI 02920

If, after nominations close, there are no declared candidates for a particular office, a member or members may be nominated from the floor of the Delegate Assembly.

 

STATEMENTS & PHOTOS by March 1, 2026

Candidates may submit a statement and/or photograph for public posting and email distribution if submitted to the Elections Committee by March 1. 

 

MAILINGS by April 1, 2026

Candidates may deliver adequate copies of an election flyer/brochure to the NEARI office to be mailed to all delegates at the candidate’s expense. Candidates may request from the Elections Committee one set of mailing labels for all delegates. 

 

CAMPAIGN EXPENSES

No portion of dues money collected at the state, local, or national level shall be used to promote the candidacy of any individual.

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A labor union and professional organization.

Our Association is a remarkable blend of union and professional organization, with a proud history of serving Rhode Island. Since its inception in 1845, our members have been at the center of every struggle to advance the finest of American dreams: the promise of a quality public education for every child. One in every 100 Rhode Islanders is a member - chances are, you know us already!
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