The membership is the highest governing authority in the Association.

The 600 members of the State Council of Education are elected directly by the members in their chapters. The Council determines Association policy, approves the annual budget and sets the dues.

 

The Council is advised by a number of standing committees in various fields of expertise, such as credentialling, retirement, school finance, negotiations, curriculum, professional rights and academic freedom.

Members of the CTA Board of Directors are elected by the State Council to implement Council policies. The Board transacts the ongoing business of the Association, hires and directs staff.

Three executive officers are also elected by the State Council. The President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer carry out the directives of the Council and the Board of Directors and speak on behalf of the Association before the media and other public bodies.

Unlike the policymakers above who are all active educators, CTA's professional and clerical staff members are full-time employees of the Association. Directed by the Executive Director, they serve members throughout the state. Most are employed directly with local chapter programs; some are specialists on call for backup assistance.

CTA is the largest state affiliate of the National Education Association. Through NEA, we make our voices heard in the forming of national educational policy. CTA and NEA work closely together in the development of organizational programs designed to support our chapters as they represent the interests of the members.

 

NEA assists in the development of leadership training programs, in the framing and support of legal positions and in the financing of the UniServ field service and legal defense programs. CTA and NEA also cooperate in the sponsorship of public relations and advertising programs designed to encourage public support of public education through federal legislation.