“NEA-Retired is in the house!” exclaimed NEA-Retired President Sarah Borgman, speaking to more than 300 delegates and members at the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting, held in Orlando, Fla., on June 29 and 30.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of NEA-Retired, leaders past and present lauded four decades of accomplishments. Just a fledgling group back in 1983, NEA-Retired is now 325,000 members strong and growing!
This year will be a time of change for NEA-Retired, as Borgman ends her transformative two terms, spanning from 2017 — 2023, and turns over the gavel to Anita Gibson, from Alabama. Gibson served most recently on the NEA Board of Directors and previously as president of the Alabama Education Association.
In recognition of Borgman’s contributions, NEA-Retired honored her with the Distinguished Service Award, the organization’s highest honor.
“We have accomplished so much because we have experienced … so much,” reflected Borgman. “I know that we will not turn back.”
Happy 40th birthday, NEA-Retired!
NEA President Becky Pringle, Vice President Princess Moss, and Secretary-Treasurer Noel Candelaria joined in the celebration.
“I am honored to be here with you as you mark 40 fabulous years of power and progress,” Pringle said, adding that NEA-Retired continues to grow “not just in number, but also in influence and strength!”
Generous donations
NEA-Retired is making a difference in elections. Over the last five years, members have contributed over $1 million to NEA’s political action committee. At the 2023 annual meeting alone they contributed more than $42,000—through live and virtual auctions!
And thanks to members’ generous contributions, NEA-Retired awarded five Jack Kinnaman Scholarships in the amount of $3,500 each. Named for a former NEA-Retired vice president, the award helps members of NEA’s Aspiring Educators fulfill their dream of becoming teachers.
The winners are: Briana Hale (Florida State University); Ashley McCreedy (University of Massachusetts); Elena Sloboda (Arizona State University); Hannah St. Clair (University of Oregon); and Anesha Ward (Capital University, Ohio).
Ballots cast
Delegates cast their votes in the NEA-Retired elections. JoAnn Smith-Mashburn (Tennessee) and Thomas Wellman (Nevada) were reelected to the NEA-Retired Executive Council. Judy Rohde (Minnesota) and Julie Rivera Horwin (Arizona) were reelected to the NEA-Retired Board of Directors. The NEA-Retired Board Alternates are John Heineman (Nebraska), and Doris Marie Glover (Georgia). The winners of the six seats on the NEA-Retired Standing Committee on Resolutions for 2023 – 2024 are: George Sheridan (California); Kathleen Purdy (Ohio); Sandra Hatley (North Carolina); Bobby J. Pierson (Alabama); Karen Solheim (Georgia); and Ira LaVerne Reed (North Carolina).
Congratulations to all!
A new NEA-Retired president!
The annual meeting drew to a close with the ceremonial transfer of the gavel from President Borgman to the NEA-Retired President-Elect Anita Gibson, whose term begins on Sept. 1.
“I am honored to stand before you as your NEA-Retired President-Elect,” Gibson said. “Working with you, we will … develop future leaders as we push back against racial and social injustice and against forces that aim to dismantle our public school system. … I pledge to you that with your help, we have nowhere to go but forward.”
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