OSEA President
Welcome to our annual Conference issue of the Journal! Conference 2026 will take place in Portland, Thursday-Saturday, June 25-27. Our Conference Committee chose “Undivided and Unstoppable” as this year’s theme – an rallying cry that celebrates our solidarity and strength.
Inside this issue of the Journal, you’ll find 18 resolutions for Conference 2026, which may be a record! Each one is a member’s idea to make our union better: more impactful, more responsive to our chapters, or more efficient. Whether or not you agree with each suggestion, and whether or not they are ultimately adopted, each one represents the democratic process that makes OSEA special.
It is inspiring to see so many ideas from so many members this year. This is a time of change for the labor movement and OSEA is no exception. Following the Janus decision, the pandemic and changes to how our schools are funded, OSEA must adapt to survive. We have many paths forward and as a member’s union, we need members to lead the way. Everyone who submitted a resolution this year is helping set our direction for the future – thank you!
We have a lot to do at Conference in just three days! The Board and the Conference Committee have worked together to revise our agenda this year to give us more time for business sessions, while keeping the best parts of Conference for community building. Like last year, meals are included in the cost of registration.
Below is a quick summary of what is and isn’t changing this year; make sure to visit the OSEA website for the latest as we get closer to June.
Conference starts at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 25.
- We will hold two workshop sessions again to build union skills. Session A starts at 10 a.m., followed by lunch at 11:30 a.m., and session B at 1 p.m.
- Business starts earlier, too. Opening Ceremonies kick off at 3 p.m. and our first business session is at 6:30 p.m., following dinner.
- We’ll end the evening with bingo, as always!
Friday, June 26, mixes business and fun.
- Business sessions are held in the morning and afternoon.
- Popular activities include a morning poker walk and zone meetings after lunch.
- Celebrate members who have gone above and beyond during banquet, followed by a live auction.
Business continues into the evening on Saturday, June 27.
- Three business sessions are scheduled for Saturday, including a final one at 6:45 p.m., following dinner.
- It is important to stay until Conference adjourns so we can address the important issues before us.
Even with six business sessions (two more than last year), we will need to use our time efficiently. That’s why we are planning new ways to help delegates prepare before Conference begins. OSEA is working on a resolutions tutorial video for delegates – first timers and veterans alike – to review procedure and how to participate in Conference debates. Please watch for an email with that video and other resources to get ready!
We’ll hold introductory budget presentations for chapter leaders and delegates in May and June. Director of Fiscal Operations Brad Larsen and I will share the budget and review financials from the last year. Attending one of these presentations will help you understand the budget before it is presented at Conference.
Likewise, we all need to study the proposed resolutions ahead of time. The Resolutions/Constitution Committee has written pro and con statements to help you understand the potential impacts of each resolution; these are included in this issue of the Journal and posted on OSEA’s website. If you won’t be at Conference yourself, discuss the resolutions with your delegates so they can bring your perspective to the Conference floor. Delegates, it’s important to come to Conference informed and ready to discuss.
Conference is when our union truly shines. Something magical happens when we bring all of our diverse perspectives together with the goal of strengthening our union for future generations of educators. Thank you in advance to the delegates who will do this important work on behalf of all of OSEA. I can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and get to work! ■