Soon we’ll be gathering around our computers at our Virtual Annual Retired Meeting, which takes place on June 23 and 24. This year, we’ll be able to question and debate all issues. Plan now to attend, via a somewhat new system (again), and be a part of our activities. Elections, new business items, bylaw amendments, political action committee fundraising, and our Jack Kinnaman Scholarship Fund are all on the agenda. You can find more information online at nea.org/retired.
We also had a tremendous Virtual 2021 NEA-Retired Conference in March! Wow, how pleasantly surprised I was about the number of people in attendance and the obvious enthusiasm of our members in participation. There are several good ideas already in place, and I’m looking for a whole lot more!
We are all eagerly awaiting the full opening of face-to-face meetings, but until then, I want to thank you for learning how to thoroughly ensconce yourselves in what we’ve made into a verb: Zooming! This old dog has learned methods she’d never heard of, and if you are honest, too, you’ll confess to
the same. For this I am grateful, as we’ve continued on faithfully and in a timely fashion in getting the work done for and with NEA and our NEA-Retired members.
I’m asking you all to take just a brief break this summer. Take some time for yourself, while you relax, rest, and resolve to do even more this coming association year. Volunteer in your state, help with membership organizing, continue to reach out to your legislators at the state and national levels, and remind them of the needs of public education—and that YOU VOTE!
As always, we are NEA-Retired. Our commitment continues, and we ARE NEEDED now, more than ever!