Members of the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) gathered from across the state for the organization’s Annual Convention, a dynamic three-day event focused on education, networking, and advocacy. This year’s gathering carried special significance as CalRTA celebrated a major legislative victory: the historic repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), unfair Social Security penalties that had long impacted retired educators. CalRTA was the only West Coast organization working directly with the co-authors of H.R. 82 as part of the national strategic planning group. We were honored to welcome former Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves, a key champion of the repeal effort, as a special guest and keynote speaker at this year’s event.
Held in Los Angeles, this year’s meeting featured a mix of keynote speakers, twenty “educational” workshops, and a banquet and awards celebration honoring dedicated volunteers and CalRTA’s years of grassroots advocacy. Convention participants heard from policy experts, connected with fellow members, and gained valuable insight on retirement security, leadership, and community engagement. Representing CalRTA Division 33 as convention delegates were Sue Breyer, Co-President; Tom Green, Vice-President; Amy Helm, Secretary; and Al Fernandes, At-Large Board Member. Tom Green was also voted in as CalRTA Area IX Director, a state-level position that oversees the ten CalRTA Divisions that represent much of the Inland Empire.
Locally, Division 33 – serving Hemet, San Jacinto, Menifee, Romoland and Nuview – is proud to continue CalRTA’s mission of protecting retirement security and promoting public education. Division 33 offers fifteen $1000 scholarships annually to graduating seniors whose goal is to become a public school teacher and sixteen $100 “no strings attached” teacher grants to support classroom teachers in our local districts.
For more information or to get involved with CalRTA Division 33, please visit div33.calrta.org or email [email protected].
