Remember Me
 

The Central Local Retreat will be held from June 8 until June 9. The retreat will return to Deer Creek.

As well as plenty of time for your team to work on your 2026 - 27 Local Association needs, we will also have sessions based on your needs.

* Some examples from past retreats:
* Bargaining Q & A with OEA Organizing
* C&B work session/sample language
* ESP specific ideas
* Election Committee prep
* Membership (Back to school, new employee orientation, engagement ideas, building capacity- building the bench)
* Communications or Social (Updating webpages, social media guidelines)

We will provide lunch and dinner plus networking on the 8th and breakfast and lunch on the 9th.

This retreat is for teams only. Team members must register on our website by May 8th. Central will reimburse for hotel rooms on a shared occupancy basis. Instructions for booking your hotel room will be provided upon registration.

To register:
visit: www.centraloeanea.org/retreat

Central is offering Association Leaders, Treasurers, and Building/Faculty Reps training on June 4th at the Central office (2760 Airport Dr. Suite 120B. Columbus OH 43219).

Association Rep Training
June 4, 2026. 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
This training will cover the role of being a rep, communicating with members and administration, and representing members in difficult meetings. Local officers welcome to attend.

President's Training/Local Leader Think Tank
June 4, 2026. 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This training for local officers will include the nuts and bolts of the OEA President's manual including election procedures, Constitution & Bylaws compliance, the OEA Local Development Tool, the grant application process, engaging your members, and more. It will also allow time for networking and sharing of best practices among locals.

Open to new and experienced presidents and other officers with the hope that we will learn from each other. Attending this training is one of the qualifying events for Central's Local Participation Award Program.

To register for these sessions simply:
• Login to your Central account (or create one if you don't have one)
• Scroll down to the session you wish to attend and click "going."
• Wait a moment for your selection to register. That's it.

We will have food and beverages available at the in-person training sessions.

We have set the times and dates for the Central Treasurers' Workshops for 2026. You may choose to attend either or both.

Attending a Treasurer’s Workshop is a requirement to qualify for the OEA fiscal fitness award. We also recommend that Newer Local Presidents and Local Membership Chairs attend the New Treasurers' Workshop.

The Central Treasurers workshop(s) will be VIRTUAL via Zoom

6/4/26 - New Treasurers' Workshop 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Our traditional annual offering of training for Local Treasurers with limited experience

6/4/26 - Experienced Treasurers' Workshop - 10:45 a.m. - Noon
Our traditional annual offering of training for Local Treasurers with experience

To register:
Login to your Central account (or create one if you don't have one)
Scroll down to the training session you wish to attend and click “going"
Wait a moment for your selection to register. That's it.

We’ll send Zoom information a few days prior to the training.

Central President
(Three-year term ending August 31st, 2029)

Central Vice President
(Three-year term ending August 31st, 2029)

Area 5 Representative #3
(Three-year term ending August 31st, 2029)

OEA Board of Directors 2
(Three-year term ending July 14th, 2029)

OEA Board of Directors 4
(Three-year term ending July 14th, 2029)

OEA Board of Directors 7
(Three-year term ending July 14th, 2029)

For OEA Board of Directors positions, candidates must submit this form to William Baird no later than February 8th, 2026.
For Central positions, candidates must submit this form to Central no later than February 23rd, 2026.

The 2026 Diversity Conference - DEI Where Are You?

When: February 7 starting promptly at 9:00 am - Noon on Zoom.

We will have 2 panels, offering 2 different perspectives.
Panel 1 – The Community
Panel 2 – The Educators

All Central events are free for Central members and can earn participants free CEU's!

Register no later than February 4 for this excellent professional development offering::
1. Log in to your Central account (or create an account if you don't have one)
2. Scroll down to "Central Diversity Conference" and click "Going"
3. Wait a short moment for it to register. That's it.

We will email all registrants the Zoom link a few days before the event. As always, our events are free for members.

Where: 2760 Airport Dr, Suite 120B. Columbus, OH 43219

All sessions are from 5:30 - 7:00 PM

February 25: HeART & Soul: Paint, Chocolate & Self-Care
Celebrate Heart Health Month by nurturing your inner artist and well-being—this creative self-care session invites you to paint from the heart, indulge in rich chocolate, and reflect on self-love through guided activities that inspire joy, relaxation, and emotional wellness.

To register:
1. Log in to your Central account (or create an account if you don't have one)
2. Scroll down to the session(s) you wish to attend and click "Going"
3. Wait a short moment for it to register. That's it.

The Central OEA/NEA Vivian Brown Educational Scholarship for College Students was created in memory of thirty-three-year teacher and Central OEA/NEA member Vivian Brown, who dedicated her life to the purpose of public education and the mentoring of future educators.

The purpose of the Central OEA/NEA Vivian Brown Educational Scholarship for College Students is to provide $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing degrees in education at an Ohio university or college. This scholarship will be awarded each spring to the child of a Central OEA/NEA member.

Criteria & Eligibility

1. Each applicant must be a child of a member of Central OEA/NEA district.
2. Each applicant must be accepted and enrolled in a course of study leading to a degree in education at a degree-awarding university or college.
3. Applications will be received beginning January 1 and no later than February 28.
4. Each applicant must include two (2) recommendation letters with the application, with one (1) being from a current professor/teacher.
5. The total amount of the scholarship must be used during the school year immediately following the presentation.
6. Previous recipients of the Central OEA/NEA Vivian Brown Educational Scholarship for College Students are not eligible.
7. To download an application go to: www.centraloeanea.org/documents/VivianBrownscholarship.pdf
8. Applications and recommendation letters must be returned to:

Central OEA/NEA
Vivian Brown Educational Scholarship for College Students
2760 Airport Drive Suite 120B
Columbus, OH 43219

Continuing Education Scholarship for Members

The Continuing Education Scholarship for Members will be awarded each spring to a Central OEA/NEA member who is enrolled in a course of study supporting their professional role. The requirements are listed below:

One $1000.00 scholarship will be awarded based upon the following criteria:

  • The applicant must be a Central OEA/NEA member.
  • The member shall be taking classes or coursework related to education.
  • If the member withdraws from the class or coursework prior to completion, they must return/refund the unused portion to Central OEA/NEA.
  • Applications will be received beginning January 1 and no later than February 28. Selection of the winner shall be completed by the Central Awards committee and approved by the Executive Board prior to the Central Representative Assembly.
  • Central will send the check directly to the college or university to be applied to the members’ account.
  • A scholarship winner shall not be ineligible to participate in any future Continuing Education Scholarships.
  • The total amount of the scholarship must be used in the fiscal year (Sept - Aug.) following the presentation.
  • Each applicant must include two (2) recommendation letters with the application, with one (1) being from a Local Association Officer.
  • To print an application, go to: www.centraloeanea.org/documents/ContinuingEdScholarship.pdf

The member shall be taking classes or coursework related to education
  • Initial professional educator license
  • Renewal of an existing license/certificate
  • Upgrade an existing license/certificate
  • Earn additional licenses/certificates
Applications and recommendation letters must be returned to:

Central OEA/NEA
Continuing Education Scholarship for Members
2760 Airport Dr. Suite 120B
Columbus OH 43219
 

Membership Guide

Follow Us!