President's Letter
From the President’s Podium
I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework – Lily Tomlin as “Edith Ann”
The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book – Author unknown.
Bring a friend to our April lunch meeting! That is our special focus in April. If you know someone who is eligible to be a GBRTA member but who has not joined, invite him or her to join you on April 6. A guest’s meal price will be reduced by 50%. Probate Judge T. R. Rowe is our featured speaker. In addition, Board members will report pertinent information about their committees.
Did you know that you belong to an organization that is 66 years old? Yes, the GBRTA was formed in 1951 with Miss Lucy Curtiss as President. Our general purposes for being are to provide educational, cultural, and social activities for retired teachers, to assist those retired teachers who might be in need, and to provide students with scholarship assistance. Membership is open to anyone receiving a teacher retirement pension and who lives in or taught in any of the eight towns that make up the Greater Bridgeport area. We are one of fourteen organizations affiliated with the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut (ARTC), whose sole purpose is to work for the betterment of Connecticut’s retired teachers.
We hold five general membership meetings a year, during which members are informed of items of interest such as retirement and health benefits; entertainment or an educational program is provided; an excellent lunch is served; and ample time is allotted for socializing with old and new acquaintances. We offer many one-day or over-night trips, and we award $16,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors who expect to become teachers.We are a force and a voice for retired teachers both locally and at the State level.
Additionally, members benefit from the Greater Bridgeport Retired Teachers’ Fund, whose purpose is to assist retired teachers in need with short-term home health care, health insurance, and lifeline assistance. Each fall GBRTA members receive a letter outlining procedures for applying for help and identifying what income restrictions may apply. Established in 1973, the Fund is separately endowed and operates independently of the GBRTA, though the two organizations have shared officers or board members. The Fund’s president reports periodically at our general membership meetings.
With dues at just $20 a year, GBRTA membership is a steal! You know that, of course. But won’t you share that information with colleagues who are not yet members? We offered a half-price rate for lunch at our April 6 meeting, and you brought 13 guests, many of whom have joined. We are also offering a two-month-free special: Someone who joins now will not owe dues again until July 1, 2018. Who doesn’t love a bargain? The more members we have, the stronger our voice with our State legislators. And finally spring has sprung. Enjoy it!
Bob Pitzschler