EAST Information

Benefits of EAST Membership

The benefits of membership in the Eugene Association of Substitute Teachers are valuable and include:

Automatically becoming a member of NEA, the largest professional association in the U.S. You also receive their publication.

Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 for job related lawsuits.
Free legal assistance during the grievance process.
Access to the OEA/EEA UniServ Consultant, to ask questions and get advice.
Travel discounts and financial planning opportunities including retirement.
Home and auto loans.
Access to professional development.

EAST is one of only a handful of substitute units across the state of Oregon that have local union affiliate support. There are valuable benefits to becoming a member of your union. Aside from the support and confidence that comes from becoming a member of EAST, the most obvious benefit of membership is representation. As a member you have help when you need it, the support of a dedicated OEA Consultant that has the knowledge and experience to make a difference. Signing up for membership provides benefits at all three levels, the national level - National Education Association (NEA), the state level - Oregon Education Association (OEA), and at the local level: the Eugene Education Association which includes the Eugene 4J Guest Teachers’ chapter of EAST -- Eugene Association of Substitute Teachers.

Now more than ever, union representation plays an increasingly vital role in the teaching profession. Union benefits go further than representation and professional development opportunities. More benefits include discounts from shopping to insurance, legal representation in situations related to your employment, and liability coverage for your protection on the job, he availability of workshops, and seminars with topics that are helpful to educators like student loan forgiveness, retirement, investments, tips and tricks for almost anything, most of which provide no-cost CPD units. EAST has four such professional development opportunities per year, with the topics that guest teachers want to know more about and EAST members can count on certificates for continuing professional development each time and these events almost always include a delicious meal, door prizes, and a fun time to be had with their colleagues. The list goes on!

For 2025-2026 the cost of membership for EAST is approximately $36 for any month in which the member works at least 8 hours and is not charged for any month with less than eight hours while still maintaining an active membership for that year. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to one of the EAST representatives below as we are always happy to answer questions you may have. Join us for an upcoming EAST event and learn more.

EAST membership application CLICK HERE

Please provide EEA with your personal email by downloading and completing this form CLICK HERE.

EAST Contacts

Chair: Linda Smart

E-mail: smartlinda_2000@yahoo.com

EAST Board Director: Rob Stein

E-mail: robstein3@gmail.com