Resolutions
All OSEA members have the opportunity to shape our union’s future. When we gather for our annual Conference, we debate and vote on member-submitted resolutions – suggested changes to our governing documents and organizational positions. Any member in good standing can submit a resolution for consideration at Conference 2025 before Feb. 1st, 2025.
Resolutions cover a wide range of topics: a resolution created OSEA’s Civil and Human Rights Committee; another requires that we play bingo at every Conference. Whatever vision you have for the future of OSEA, this is how you make it happen!
Resolution forms are available at osea.org/forms. If you have questions or need help writing your resolution to present to delegates, email the Resolutions Committee.
Awards
OSEA awards honor the members and chapters that lift up education workers and make our union stronger.
We all know a few members who fit the bill – and they often don’t get the recognition they deserve. Nominating them for an OSEA award is a great way to show appreciation for all they do! Click here for details and nomination forms.
Member of the Year Award: This award honors outstanding service to education programs, communities and our union. Member of the Year promotes greater appreciation of education employees by highlighting one OSEA member each year. Nominations are due by March 15th.
Government Relations Member Advocate Award: Recipients of the Member Advocate Award are recognized for their long history of participation and leadership in OSEA’s government relations programs and activities. Download an application and nominate an OSEA member for the Member Advocate Award. Nominations are due by March 1st.
Lifetime Membership Award: The highest award that OSEA can bestow on a member, Lifetime Membership honors members who have provided outstanding service on a statewide basis and who have displayed an ongoing commitment to OSEA, its members and to the ideals of the labor movement. Download an application and nominate someone for lifetime membership. Nominations are due by March 1st.
Newsy Awards: These awards are presented at Conference each year to acknowledge the excellent work OSEA chapters do to inform, educate and entertain their members. Awards honor best use of newsletters, websites and social media. To be considered, nominate your chapters’ newsletter, website or social media electronically or with the printable form. Nominations are due by by March 15th.
Membership Incentive Program (MIP): Strong membership rates show that employees are united and standing together, leading to bigger wins at the bargaining table and stronger contracts. OSEA invests in chapters that invest in themselves by reaching membership above 70 percent each year. Your field representative can help you plan membership drives and other strategies to grow your membership before the cutoff of May 1st.
Scholarships
OSEA stands together as a family. We support each other on the job and in the community. So when you or your family need an assist to achieve your goals, we are here to help! Our union offers scholarships for members and relatives of members on a yearly basis. Applying is simple: you can find our scholarship applications here, along with information about scholarships and education programs through our labor partners.
The recipients of each scholarship are chosen by the Scholarship Committee, chaired by Mitzi Hurt of Centennial Chapter 113. The committee is comprised of members from around the state.
Lou Gerber Scholarship: We award $1,000 scholarships to two members in each of OSEA’s seven zones to support those furthering their education at an accredited school. This can mean anything from pursuing a GED to certification courses. Applications are due by Jan. 15th.
Guy Davis Scholarship: One graduating high school senior in each zone will receive $1,250 through this scholarship. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The application deadline is March 1st.This scholarship is granted in honor of our first OSEA president and one of our founders, Guy Davis. It was first given in 1978 in the amount of $300.
Past Presidents’ Scholarship: This scholarship is a statewide award of $1,500 to one graduating high school senior. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and apply by March 1st.
John Brown Undergraduate Scholarship: One undergraduate student entering their junior or senior year of college will receive this $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.8 and submit a short essay about how their chosen profession will interact with organized labor. The application deadline is Jan. 15th.