OSEA’s Board of Directors has voted to hold Conference 2021 remotely for the safety of delegates and staff.
“I am disappointed — as I know many of our members will be — to go another year without gathering with our OSEA family,” said President Lisa Gourley. “But as education workers, we know how to adapt and find solutions, which is why I know we can hold a virtual Conference successfully.”
Conference is not cancelled, just shifting to a virtual platform that will allow the union to conduct business as normally as possible. “All the really essential pieces of Conference will be there, just over a computer screen,” said Executive Director Rick Shidaker. OSEA plans to hold debates and voting on resolutions and the annual budget, as well as hold officer elections.
Chapters should continue to elect delegates and register for Conference as they would any other year. Due to the event being virtual, there is no registration fee for delegates or alternates this year. If you have any questions about delegate elections, contact your field representative or email us.
“It is still very important for chapters to be engaged with Conference,” said Shidaker. “My hope is, without travel or a lot of the usual expenses, some chapters will find it easier to participate.”
Because this is OSEA’s first-ever virtual Conference, plans are still in progress. Updates will be sent to members and posted to the Conference webpage as frequently as possible.
Room reservations already made with the Red Lion Hotel will be cancelled automatically with no charge; chapters do not need to contact the hotel. Email Brad Larsen with any questions.