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What is AHEM?
Anoka Hennepin Education Minnesota is both a professional organization and a union for professionals. It is our job to inform our members about current educational issues and to advocate for professional salary and working conditions.

What does AHEM do?
AHEM has several functions. In addition to negotiating salaries, benefits and work rules, there are many other activities that are performed by the professional educators within your organization. AHEM leaders and members conduct professional development, governmental relations, member rights and communication activities for the AHEM membership.

Who belongs to AHEM?
Our membership includes classroom teachers, art, music, physical education specialists, content area facilitators, special education personnel, and many other licensed educators eligible to be in the teachers' barganing unit. We currently have over 2,600 members.

Who can help me if I have questions or concerns?
Each work site has AHEM faculty representatives who can answer many of your questions about the contract or work-related concerns. Their names are posted in your building or go to faculty reps page. If you need immediate legal assistance, call the AHEM office at 763-421-9110.

Why should I join?
When you join AHEM, you are eligible for all membership benefits of Education Minnesota, the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the AFL-CIO. All of these organizations have programs designed to represent your needs as professional educators. You also receive liability insurance as outlined in the Educators' Employment Insurance certificate of insurance. These are member-only programs. Education Minnesota also provides legal assistance for members in employment related issues, such as grievance arbitration and terminations of continuing contract teachers.

How do I pay my dues?
You may choose to pay annual dues by check or by automatic dues deduction. If you select payroll dues deduction, your dues will be deducted over 17 pay periods beginning with the October 5 payroll. If you have questions, please feel free to call the AHEM office at 763-421-9110.

What if I choose not to join?
Minnesota law requires the exclusive representative (AHEM) to fairly represent all bargaining unit members in contract negotiations and local grievances. Because of this, those who choose not to join are legally required to pay a "Fair Share" fee for this representation. These are normally 85 percent of the full state and local membership dues.

What role do I play in AHEM?
Members govern the organization. The AHEM is a representative democracy allowing for grassroots opinions and input. Members elect representatives to the AHEM Representative Assembly (RA), a body that meets bi-weekly throughout the school year and is responsible for making policy for the AHEM. Any active member may run for a representative assembly delegate's position. The RA consists of representatives elected from and by the members of each school in Anoka Hennepin Independent School District #11, officers of AHEM and the executive board members. Our members serve on building site teams, design district staff development programs, serve on curriculum advising committees and represent the educational profession in a variety of community settings.