MEMBERSHIP
Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel
It Is Almost MRTA Dues Renewal Time!
MRTA Members:
The MRTA membership year runs from January - December each year. We will mail renewal notices to you in October but make your dues dollars go farther by renewing now online to save us the cost of mailing to you.
Your membership is so important to the success of our organization and is the best $44 you can spend to protect your pension. Please renew for 2023.
THANK YOU for being counted as a member of MRTA!
It Is Almost MRTA Dues Renewal Time!
MRTA Members:
The MRTA membership year runs from January - December each year. We will mail renewal notices to you in October but make your dues dollars go farther by renewing now online to save us the cost of mailing to you.
Your membership is so important to the success of our organization and is the best $44 you can spend to protect your pension. Please renew for 2023.
THANK YOU for being counted as a member of MRTA!
To join RARSPA, our local group
Come to our next meeting or contact
Jeanie Kendrick
5831 S. Meadowlark Lane
Springfield, MO 65810
417-881-3397
[email protected]
Local Dues are only $10
Come to our next meeting or contact
Jeanie Kendrick
5831 S. Meadowlark Lane
Springfield, MO 65810
417-881-3397
[email protected]
Local Dues are only $10
MRTA STATE OF THE STATE - MEMBERSHIP REPORT
by Idella Warden, Membership Committee Chairperson
Each January, the President and Governor give State of the Union or State the the State addresses. They often talk about their accomplishments and their goals for the future. Perhaps now would be a good time to look at some facts and goals for MRTA membership. MRTA has a relationship with roughly 30,000 retirees. These are folks who are or have been members. Yet the distressing numbers of non-renewals equal ONE-THIRD of that 30,000!!! Why are these retirees not renewing their memberships?? Let's examine some of the excuses I am sure you have heard.
1. "I just don't see the value in joining MRTA." These same people insure their cars ad their homes, and every month they enjoy the benefit of a retirement payment. A membership in MRTA is an insurance policy that their biggest investment (their pension) will always be available!! Legislators do not always see the value of well-paid public school teachers or their pensions, and MRTA members write and phone their congressmen and women to let them know that retirees are watching their actions concerning public school funding and public school pensions. An MRTA membership is a small cost to insure financial security for retired public school employees.
2. "MRTA is just too political." Unfortunately many do not understand the difference between being politically involved in and being involved in partisan politics. MRTA has members from every political party. I have heard both Republican and Democrat leaders speak at state conventions and meetings. Members of both major parties have been awarded "Outstand Legislator" honors by MRTA. YES, MRTA is politically involved because informed members need a say in the finances and policies involving public schools and public school employees. Policies and laws regarding public education, which are enacted at the federal and state level, can have devastating or positive impacts on public education. As retired public school employees, we would be derelict in our duties as informed, involved citizens if we were totally disinterested in politics.
3. "I don't live in Missouri now, so why should I join a group of Missouri retirees?" The Missouri legislature still controls many decisions which will affect PEERS and PSRS pensions. MRTA works to insure pension payments regardless of a retiree's current location. Large numbers of MRTA retirees always get the attention of elected officials who are more inclined to listen to a large group than to a small group. Those of us who live in state will be going to Jefferson City February 14 to remind elected officials that public schools and public school retirees deserve respect and adequate funding!
4. "An MRTA membership is just too expensive." As the driver of a gas-guzzling SUV and a person who enjoys scrambled eggs, I understand that prices for almost everything just seem to continue to increase. BUT, $44 a year is a tiny amount to pay for membership in an organization which offers discounts for activities, insurance saving, and investment opportunities through AMBA. Such savings will quickly make up the $44 membership fee!!! ($39 if you utilize automatic renewal).
Hopefully this information will help you counter some of the excuses for non-renewals, and MRTA will march closer to our goal of 30,000 PAID memberships!! Best of wishes for 2023 as you help grow our organization, and I hope to see many of you in Jefferson City on Valentine's Day!! Wear RED and let our elected officials know we are loud and proud to be retired public school educators!!!
by Idella Warden, Membership Committee Chairperson
Each January, the President and Governor give State of the Union or State the the State addresses. They often talk about their accomplishments and their goals for the future. Perhaps now would be a good time to look at some facts and goals for MRTA membership. MRTA has a relationship with roughly 30,000 retirees. These are folks who are or have been members. Yet the distressing numbers of non-renewals equal ONE-THIRD of that 30,000!!! Why are these retirees not renewing their memberships?? Let's examine some of the excuses I am sure you have heard.
1. "I just don't see the value in joining MRTA." These same people insure their cars ad their homes, and every month they enjoy the benefit of a retirement payment. A membership in MRTA is an insurance policy that their biggest investment (their pension) will always be available!! Legislators do not always see the value of well-paid public school teachers or their pensions, and MRTA members write and phone their congressmen and women to let them know that retirees are watching their actions concerning public school funding and public school pensions. An MRTA membership is a small cost to insure financial security for retired public school employees.
2. "MRTA is just too political." Unfortunately many do not understand the difference between being politically involved in and being involved in partisan politics. MRTA has members from every political party. I have heard both Republican and Democrat leaders speak at state conventions and meetings. Members of both major parties have been awarded "Outstand Legislator" honors by MRTA. YES, MRTA is politically involved because informed members need a say in the finances and policies involving public schools and public school employees. Policies and laws regarding public education, which are enacted at the federal and state level, can have devastating or positive impacts on public education. As retired public school employees, we would be derelict in our duties as informed, involved citizens if we were totally disinterested in politics.
3. "I don't live in Missouri now, so why should I join a group of Missouri retirees?" The Missouri legislature still controls many decisions which will affect PEERS and PSRS pensions. MRTA works to insure pension payments regardless of a retiree's current location. Large numbers of MRTA retirees always get the attention of elected officials who are more inclined to listen to a large group than to a small group. Those of us who live in state will be going to Jefferson City February 14 to remind elected officials that public schools and public school retirees deserve respect and adequate funding!
4. "An MRTA membership is just too expensive." As the driver of a gas-guzzling SUV and a person who enjoys scrambled eggs, I understand that prices for almost everything just seem to continue to increase. BUT, $44 a year is a tiny amount to pay for membership in an organization which offers discounts for activities, insurance saving, and investment opportunities through AMBA. Such savings will quickly make up the $44 membership fee!!! ($39 if you utilize automatic renewal).
Hopefully this information will help you counter some of the excuses for non-renewals, and MRTA will march closer to our goal of 30,000 PAID memberships!! Best of wishes for 2023 as you help grow our organization, and I hope to see many of you in Jefferson City on Valentine's Day!! Wear RED and let our elected officials know we are loud and proud to be retired public school educators!!!