Business Process Overview

NBI Costing FAQs

What is the process for costing out New Business Items?

An NBI Committee (NEA secretary-treasurer, one member of the Board of Directors elected by and from the Board, and three RA delegates appointed by the President) reviews each NBI, consulting with the Chief Financial Officer and directors of relevant NEA departments. The Committee makes a preliminary cost estimate of each item and determines if it is already covered in the Budget.

Why do items that would seem to have little or no cost (such as writing a letter or an article in existing publications) have cost implications?

The NBI Committee always considers whether the proposed work is contemplated under the Strategic Plan and Budget or if it is outside the scope of planned work. Items outside of the Budget always have a cost, as they require shifting staff from budgeted items or hiring consultants to implement. Department directors assist the Committee in determining how many staff hours will be required, and a cost is assigned based on a pre-determined daily rate. Communicating using existing NEA vehicles does not eliminate cost. Staff time to research and write must be calculated. In addition, if an item is not already on a publication schedule, additional pages may be needed, thereby increasing the cost of producing, printing, and mailing the publication.

How do we cost out:

• Printing, photocopying, and mailing tasks? Pre-set modules establish costs per unit based on the type of publication (booklet, newsletter, single sheets, brochure, etc.), number of pages, whether the item will be in color or black and white, and how many copies will be required. Mailing costs are set based on first class postage cost per unit. Staff cost is calculated based on the number of hours estimated to complete the project.
• Travel? Pre-set modules establish costs for air, hotel, meals, and miscellaneous expenses depending on the estimated number of days.
• Surveys and other research? Pre-set modules establish costs based on minimum recommended sample size for the required respondent population -- NEA members, likely voters, state and local affiliates, and UniServ staff. Staff cost is based on the number of hours estimated to complete the project. Consulting costs are based on hourly rates and the level of effort typically incurred for the work requested.
• Rallies and similar events? Costs rallies and marches include travel, housing, food, transportation at the site, staff time, publicity, permits, and other expenses associated with planning and executing a large-scale event.
• Items that call for notification to or participation by state and local affiliates? NEA has 52 state affiliates, 14,000 local affiliates, and three million members. The cost of notification to members or affiliates is determined by modules using first class postage and the cost of producing (including staff time) and printing required items. NBIs calling for electronic notification require staff time to produce required items. NBIs calling for participation by members or affiliates take into account staff time to organize and evaluate a large number of responses.

What is the NEA World of Information?

The World of Information assists delegates with questions prior to debate on an NBI. Delegates can then use the information to speak for or against a motion. Staff do intake and refer questions to appropriate content experts. If questions cannot be answered immediately, staff take contact information and get back to the delegate as soon as possible.

What is the NBI Review and Support Committee?

The NBI Review and Support Committee reviews proposed NBIs to help facilitate discussions among delegates. The committee works with delegates who agree to assistance on how to rephrase/reword, combine/consolidate, refer, or withdraw their NBIs. 

What happens to NBIs Referred to Committee?

NBIs referred to committee are reviewed by the NEA Executive Committee to determine whether they can be accomplished under the current Strategic Plan and Budget with existing staff and resources, and whether implementation is advisable given the Association’s priorities. Items approved for implementation are then assigned to NEA Centers or committees. Referred NBIs have no funds attached, therefore, the cost must either be covered under the existing NEA budget or taken from the contingency fund.

Submitting an NBI requesting an article in NEA publications? Read this first.

Do you have a proposed NBI related to NEA Today? Please take a few minutes to review the following information.

1. An NBI is unnecessary to submit a story idea to NEA Today. We welcome all story ideas from members. In most cases, story ideas submitted by members are the best ideas! Simply fill out the “publications feedback form” online form at bottom of page at: https://www.nea.org/about-nea/contact-us
2. Before you submit your NBI, go to NEA.org/neatoday and search your topic. Has it already been covered? If your story idea has appeared in any NEA Today property (print, online, mobile, tablet) in the past six months, and there is no new information, you do not need to submit an NBI.
3. Search NEA.org to see what is already available. The NEA website was revamped in 2021 and there’s a great deal of new content. If the information you are proposing already exists, and there is no additional information, you do not need to submit an NBI.
4. Is this topic already slated for the upcoming year’s NEA Today magazine(s)? Check with Communications Center staff through the "World of Information.” In many cases, we’ve already to planned and “slated” a story for 2022-23 editorial calendar
5. Is NEA already addressing this topic as part of its existing strategic plan and budget? If it’s in the NEA Strategic Plan, we are likely already working on the issue and you do not need to submit an NBI.
6. Who is the audience? If you want to reach the "general public" and "voters," NEA Today (a member publication) is not appropriate/best publication.
7. Can your goals/intent be accomplished another way other than the print magazine? Since print space is already allocated, adding pages for an additional story is expensive, especially given current inflation (ink, postage, printing costs all are going up). Keep in mind that your story idea may be amenable to one of the NEA Today recurring sections (at front of magazine) as a shorter item.
8. Depending on the topic, you may consider local and state affiliate resources and communications platforms to reach the intended audience.
9. Still have questions or would like to discuss your story idea? Feel free to contact Steven Grant at [email protected].

Overview of NEA Today Platforms

• NEA Today (print) magazine is published five times per year and is mailed to all (2.8 million) K-12 active members. (NOTE: as the editorial calendar for the coming year has been approved, additional articles will incur paper, ink, postage, and staff costs.)
• NEA Today (digital app) magazine is free to public and available through Apple App Store and Google Play and features additional digital content from the print magazine. (NOTE: the editorial calendar is based on the print magazine and has been approved.)
• NEA.org/NEAToday is a free daily education news site that highlights recent news affecting NEA and its members. (NOTE: Approximately 3-5 stories run per week.)
• NEA Today E-Newsletter is a semi-monthly e-mail roundup of the most popular recent NEA Today stories online. It reaches 1.8 million members.
• NEA Today (print) magazine for NEA-Retired members is published four times per year and includes additional content of interest to retired NEA members.
• NEA Today magazine for Aspiring Educators is published once per year for students preparing to become educators and other aspiring educators.
• NEA Higher Education e-Advocate is an e-newsletter for NEA Higher Education members.

More information on NEA publications (print, online, app) can be found at: https://www.nea.org/publications