“The Commitment Continues” for retired RA delegates
Mary Yedinak, MEA-Retired’s representative on the Strategy Committee, moving caucus support for a bylaw amendment giving NEA-Retired (rather than NEA Board) the power to amend their own bylaws. This amendment was passed by the RA on Saturday.
WASHINGTON, July 4, 2008 — MEA-Retired’s motto is “The Commitment Continues.” That commitment has brought 27 MEA-Retired members to the nation’s capital for this year’s NEA RA.
Linda Brunson of Battle Creek is a first-time retired delegate – prior to retiring, she had been an NEA RA delegate for 17 years. When she retired, she initially planned on spending a relaxing 4th of July holiday with her family. But when she was approached to run for a spot as a retired delegate, Brunson couldn’t turn the opportunity down.
“It gets in your blood. I’ve been coming for so long, I really would have missed it. It’s exciting to meet so many people and discuss so many important things,” Brunson said.
Keeping newly retired MEA members involved is critical to the association’s success says MEA-Retired President Mary Christian.
“We need to stay connected with active members’ concerns and challenges,” said Christian, a former elementary teacher from Flint. “Retirees have the time to put our efforts into the political process needed to help solve the problems that face public education.”
Retired delegate and NEA Board member Al Beamish chats with former MEA and NEA President Keith Geiger on the assembly floor.
Retired delegates in Washington had a variety of reasons for getting involved. For Brunson, one draw was the pre-RA NEA-Retired meeting, which featured a variety of workshops including one she attended on inter-generational work between seniors and students.
For MEA-Retired Vice President Judy Foster of DeWitt, it’s all about representing the members back home.
“Our 26,000 retired members in Michigan need to have their voices shared on key issues like health care and retirement.”
Harbor Beach’s Shelia Blain believes the energy created for political action is the key.
“Retired members are able to help with daytime activities that the actives can’t do while they’re working,” Blain said. “We’re a critical part of the political work MEA does.”