By:RodneyR.Watson
ThekeytocontinuedsuccessfortheLouisianaRetiredTeachersAssociation istomaintainaloudvoicepredicatedonmembership.WhenItestifyonyour behalf,whetherinpersonorthroughwrittencommunication,statingour membershipnumbersisapowerfulstatement.Currentlyourmembership countisapproximately18,500.Thisiscertainlyarespectablenumber,but wehavemorethan80,000retireescollectingabenefitfromtheTeachers’ RetirementSystemofLouisiana(TRSL).Ourmembershipislessthan20 percentofLouisiana’sretiredteachers.Ifeveryoneofourmembersrecruited onenewmemberthisyear,wecould double ourmembershipbaseandincrease ourabilitytodefendandmaintainourretirementplan. (cont.onpage2) Revisited
What’sInside: Grassroots:Revisitedp.4 2022FallMeeting Informationp.6 Return-to-WorkChanges101 p.8 Fall2022 Building“Relevance”throughMembershipEngagement
Membershipengagementis accomplishedthrougheffective
(cont.fromcover)
RodneyR. Watson
ThestaffatLRTAissmallbut effective.RenéeSicconeourAssistant Director,JenniferTranour CommunicationsCoordinator,and MorganMillingourMembership ServicesCoordinator,alwaysseekto improveandexpandourmembership services.Forexample,memberscan nowchoosetoreceivetheLRTA newsletterelectronicallybyemail. Withmoreofourmembersoutand aboutenjoyingretirement,our communicationtoolsneedtobeas mobileastheyare.
RodneyR.Watson LRTAExecutiveDirector
WhenIjoinedtheLRTAstaffin2015, ourmembership’sinvolvementinthe legislativeprocesswaslimited.I remembertestifyingduring committeemeetingswithanempty roomsittingbehindme.Overthepast severalyears,wehavetrainedand encouragedourmembersto participateinthelegislativeprocess. Now,wepacktheroomwithretired teachersandoureffortshavebeen100 percentsuccessful.
communicationtocurrentandfuture retirees.Activeteachersneedto understandthatLRTAisprotecting theirfuturenow!Overthesummer,we wereveryfortunatetohavethe opportunitytopresentatseveral retirementplanningworkshops hostedbyTRSLforactiveteachers nearingretirement.Learningabout LRTA,ourmissionandoursuccesses asactiveteacherswillenticethemto joinasnewretireesandgetinvolvedin LRTAactivities.
Nowthatwecanreceiveemailsonour smartphonesandtablets,members canhaveaccesstoLRTA’sonline resourcesrightattheirfingertips.
Someofourmembersarenotas inclinedtoparticipateinmeetingsand eventsatall. Evenifallyoudoispay yourannualduestoLRTA,youarestill supportingtheprotectionofyour retirementplan. LRTAmembership duessupportouroperationsandhelp maintainthe“voice”ofLRTA.Butwe areconstantlyexaminingwaysto improveandadapthowwecanprovide relevancetobothournewlyretired andourseasonedmembers.
Theessentialquestionfor membershiprecruitmentis“Why shouldYOUjoinLRTA?”Our legislativesuccessesareagreatplaceto start.Wearetheonlystate organizationthatspends100percent ofourtimedefendingandprotecting yourretirementbenefits.Duringmy sevenyearsasyourExecutiveDirector, wehaveblockedordefeated24bills thatwouldhavehadanegativeeffect onourretirementstructure.Wealso successfullyadvocatedfortwocost-oflivingadjustments(COLAs),including atwopercentCOLAduringthe2022 legislativesession.
Inordertocontinuewithourgood trackrecord,wemustkeepour membersengagedandcontinueto recruit.So,howelsedoweincrease membershipengagementand encouragenewmemberstojoin?
Oneoftheongoingchallengeswith reachingcurrentandpotential membersisthewayweshare information.Ourtried-and-true members,whoarethebackboneofour organization,tendtopreferface-tofacemeetings,printedadvocacytools andhardcopynewsletters.Ournewer membersandactiveteachershave grownaccustomedtoattendingevents virtuallyandreceiving communicationselectronically.
Imaginereadingourelectronic newsletteratacoffeeshopwhile waitingforyourgranddaughterto arrive.OrsupposeI’msittingonthe sofawatchingaboringmovie.AsIam scrollingonmyiPad,IseeaFacebook postnotifyingmetocallmystate representativetoopposeabillthat couldreducemybenefit.Doesn’tthat informmeinatimelymannerversus waitingformynewsletterinthemail?
Thepointis,weneedtokeepour membersengagedbycommunicating withthemthroughchannelsthey activelyuse.Keepingourmembers engagedwithLRTAwill,inturn,lead tostrongermembershiprecruitment onagrassrootslevel.
Finally,toourmembersthatcontinue toattendmeetings,runforoffice, writeletters,makephonecallsandstay engaged,Iwanttopersonallythank youforyourtime,dedication, commitmentandsincerefriendshipas IentermyeighthyearasExecutive DirectoroftheLouisianaRetired TeachersAssociation.
02 Vol.50,No.2 Fall2022 Grassroots: Revisited
AMESSAGEFROMOUR ExecutiveDirector
Iencourageeverypersonreadingthis newslettertoinviteatleastonenew retireetojoinLRTA,especiallyaswe approachthe2023Louisiana LegislativeSession.Remindthemthat LRTAistheonlyorganizationthat spends100percentofitstime enhancingandprotectingtheir retirementplan.Iftheonlythingthey doispaytheirmembershipdues,they aremakingadifferenceinprotecting theirfutureorcurrentbenefits.
www.lrta.net03 AMESSAGEFROMOUR LRTAPresident
IwillbeworkingwithourFirstVice PresidentClydeHamner, ImmediatePastPresidentJanis Hernandez,andlocalandDistrict membershipchairstoshare recruitmentstrategiesthatare working.
.
Asweemergefromthispandemic, weareexcitedtobebackinthe saddle,again.DistrictXI,ledby PresidentEmmaShepard,willhost the2022LRTAFallMeetingatthe HiltonGardenInninBossierCity. Wehaveourbootsontheground andarereadyforameetingwell worththewait.
Justtoshareafewstrategiesthat youmaywanttotryatthelocal UnitorDistrictlevel:
•Sincetheweatherisbeginning tochange,thiswouldbeagreat timetothinkaboutanoutdoor eventlikeapicnicorabarbecue togetmemberstogether.
TheFallMeetingagendaincludesa membershiprecruitmentand programworkshopsledbystate FirstVicePresidentClydeHamner andstateSecondVicePresident GenevieveGordonrespectively. Pleasecomereadytoshareyour ideas.Wewillhavepresentations fromTRSLandtheOfficeofGroup Benefits.And,we’regoingtoget thosebootsmovingwithcountry dancedemonstrationbyfellow LRTAmemberMadelineGex.I hopeyoucanjoinus.
Weneedtocontinuetomaintain andincreaseourmembership becausethereisstrengthin numbers.WheneverLRTAreaches outtolegislatorsaboutanissue, attentionisdrawn.Caseinpoint:on severaloccasionsduringcommittee meetings,LRTAhassubmitted sacksofcards(forsupportor opposition)comparedtoother organizations.Thecommitteechair evencommentedonthenumberof cardssubmittedbyLRTA members.Aftermanycardsand tripstotheCapitol,theresultwas 100percentsupportofourrecent COLA.Wegainattentionbecause
•Trymeetingatadifferenttime orlocation.Anassociate membersuggestedhaving someofthemeetingsatan alternatetimesoactive teacherscanattend.
Onthebrighterside,welearnedto usenew,innovativetoolslikeZoom andothersocialmediaasaresultof thepandemic.Thesetoolsallowed ustostayintouch,andLRTA survivedthankstothehardworkof ourleadership!Wearefinallyable toreturntoourregularprograms andactivities.
Therewillbemoreopportunitiesto meetinthefutureasDistrictsand localUnitsreturntotheirregular programs.Despiteunexpected circumstances,thebestisyetto come.Let'ssaddleupandropein somenewideas.Withallofus workingdiligentlytowardsthis goal,wecancontinuetostriveto makeourretirementyears GREATER!
ofourmembershipnumbers. "YOU"areneeded.LRTAisthe ONLYorganizationthatsolely advocatesforretireesofthe Teachers’RetirementSystemof Louisiana(TRSL). THEREISNOUS WITHOUT"U!”
•Attendyourlocalschoolboard meetingsasagroupor individual.Ihaveattendedand spokeseveraltimesonLRTA membership.
Let'stakealookbackathowour membershiphastransformedsince theGrassrootseditionoftheLRTA newsletterin2016.Forseveral years,localUnitsandDistrictswere chargedwithmembershipgoalsto reach.Theireffortshelped immenselytoincreaseour membership.Unfortunately,for thelasttwoyearswewereimpacted byCOVID-19andsevereweather conditions.Asaresult,welost members.
•Reachouttolocalschool leadersaboutsharingLRTA membershipapplications.I recentlymetwithmylocal superintendentandreceived permissiontopresentabout LRTA.
LazetteL Watterson
LazetteL.Watterson LRTAStatePresident
•Youmaywanttoconsider hostingaChristmas, Thanksgiving,Valentineor MardiGrassocial.Thiscanalso bearecruitmenttimefornew members.Includedrawingsfor afreemembershipasoneofthe activities!
In2016,LRTAintroducedourfirstGrassrootseditionof thenewsletter.Thisnewsletterfeaturedvolunteerismat theDistrictandlocalUnitlevelsandhighlightedmembers fortheirsignificantworkwithLRTAortheircommunities. LRTAhascontinuedtosharethegoodworksofour membershipthrough“Spotlight”editionsofthenewsletter andthroughsocialmedia.
Afterthe2016FallNewsletter,LRTA introduced“Spotlight”editionsofthe newsletter.LRTAranthree“Spotlight” editionsofthenewsletter.
InGrassroots: Revisited, wetakealookathowLRTA’s grassrootseffortshavegrownwithtime.Ourstorieshave changedandthewayswesharethosestorieshavealso changed.Onethingthatremainsthesame:
Insixyears,LRTAhasfeaturedover30 memberandlocalUnitstories.Manyofthe storieswerediscoveredthroughgrassroots efforts.MembersandlocalUnitshavealso submittedstoriestobefeaturedinthis series.
04 Vol.50,No.2 Fall2022 Grassroots: Revisited
GRASSROOTS:REVISITED
“You,themembers,aretherootsofLRTA.Without yoursupport,effortsandcontribution,ourassociationwouldceasetogrow.Withoutyou, LRTAcouldnotsurvive.”
HOWWE’VEGROWN
Popularspotlightsinclude: 30 11 MembersandlocalUnits recognizedthrough “Spotlights” 3Newslettersdedicatedto featuring“Spotlights”onthe LRTAmembership LRTADistrictsrepresented throughthe“Spotlights”series ThelateJoseph “Tom”Butler (featuredinthe Spring2017 Newsletter) Mayorofthe cityofMelville VelmaHendrix (featuredinthe Spring2019 Newsletter) Award-winning authorLeah Eskine (featuredinan articleonthe LRTAwebsite
Weareabletodowhatwedothankstoourmembership.Let’stakealookathowLRTA showcasestheextraordinaryworkofourmembersandwhywedowhatwedo.
Althoughitwasatimemanyofuswouldratherforget,theCOVID-19pandemichasshaped usintowhowearenow.LRTAquicklyshiftedinto“virtualmode”sowecouldcontinuethe missionofourassociation.Notonlydidourstateofficeandleadershavetotransitionsodid ourmembership.
Howwehavecontinuedtogrowourgrassrootseffortsis alsoasignofthetimes.Whileyoumayreadmemberor localUnit“Spotlights”intheLRTAnewsletterfrom timetotime,LRTAcontinuestofeature“Spotlights” regularlyonthe“MemberNews”webpageat www.lrta.net/membernews.
ManylocalUnitsembracedvirtualmeetingsandphoneconferencesinordertostay connectedwithLRTAandwithoneanother.LRTAmemberslearnedhowtouseZoomand otheronlineresourcesavailableontheLRTAwebsite.Thesemeetingsallowedourmembers toremainactiveatatimewhensomanyaspectsofour liveswerestagnant.
Theeffortstoadapttothetimesdidnotgounnoticed! Despitebeinginapandemic,nearly30localUnits participatedintheUnitChallengefor2020and2021. LocalUnitswererecognizedforparticipatinginthe UnitChallenge,whichwasmodifiedtoreflectthe times.
www.lrta.net05
HOWWECONTINUETOGROW
Louisiana
Pictured:LRTAmembersataPlanningfor RetirementworkshophostedbytheTeachers’ RetirementSystemofLouisiana.
ADAPTINGTOTHETIMES
Our“Spotlights”serveasaneffectivetooltokeep membersengagedandrecruitnewmembers.Weare abletosharethesestoriestopotentialnewmembersat in-personevents,suchastheretirementplanning workshopshostedbyTRSLforactiveteachersnearing retirement.
LRTAlooksforwardtocontinuingthetraditionof spotlightingourmembers.Theirstoriesshowcasehowretiredteachersarestillengagedwith theircommunity,continuetomakeadifferenceinsideandoutsideoftheclassroomand strivetomaketheirretirementyearsgreat.
30 WINNERSACROSS AcceptingNominationsforMember/UnitSpotlights DoyouknowamemberorlocalUnitLRTAshouldspotlight?Wearealwaysaccepting suggestionsforwhotofeaturenextinourseries.Submitanominationforyourself,your localUnitorafellowmemberwiththislink:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5SD7QDG. AnLRTAstaffmemberwillfollowupforadditionaldetails.
Usetheformonpage12ofthisnewslettertoregisterfortheFallMeeting.Attendees mustpre-registerforthepreconventionbanquetbyOctober14.Althoughon-site registrationisavailable,pre-registrationwillensurethatyouwillreceiveapacket containingyournametagandothermeetingmaterialsuponarrival.
06 Vol.50,No.2 Fall2022 Grassroots: Revisited
TheHiltonGardenInnisgenerouslyofferingaspecialhotelroomrate.Therateis$105 pernight,plustax.ThecutoffdateforthisspecialrateisOctober14,unlessthehotelsells outpriortothisdate.Toreservearoom,calltheHiltonGardenInnat1-800-774-1500 andmentionthecode LRT.Youcanalsousethiscodetoreservearoomonline.For moreinformationaboutreservinghotelroomsandotherFallMeetingbusiness,visit www.lrta.net/fallmeeting.Wehopetoseeyouthere!
We’re“BackintheSaddle,Again!”Louisianaretired educatorsareinvitedtoattendtheLRTAFallMeetingtaking placeOctober24-26.Themeetingwilltakeplaceatthe HiltonGardenInninBossierCityat2015OldMindenRd. Thethemeis“BackintheSaddle,Again!”LRTAwillholda varietyofinformationalsessions,presenttheNameofFame awardsandhonorlocalunitsthatearnedUnitChallengeawards.
1.Inthesearchbarofyourwebbrowser,gotowww.lrta.net/2022-november-elections/ 2.Scrolldownuntilyouseetheparishand/orLRTADistrictthatyoucurrentlyresidein.
Don’tforgettocheckoutourotherVotingResourcesintheLRTA AdvocacyCenteratwww.lrta.net/advocacycenter
ElectionDayisTuesday,November8
AllCongressionalseatsandsomeLouisianalegislatureseatsareopenforelection.LRTAis currentlysurveyingcandidatesontheirthoughtsoftheLRTALegislativePriorities. AlthoughLRTAdoesnotendorsecandidatesforpublicoffice,theassociationremains keenlyinterestedinreceivingsupportfromelectedofficialsonissuesthatareimportantto maintainingandimprovingthebenefitsneededtosecuredignityandindependencein retiredlife.
DON’TFORGETTOVOTE!
Here’showtoviewthesurveyresults:
3.Clickonyourparishand/orLRTADistrict.APDFfileofthemostrecent surveyresultswilldownload.Resultsarebrokendownbyparish.
•AreaB-Districts7,8and9
DistrictXIPresident EmmaL.Shepard,Ed.S. ladyemshep1@aol.com
ELECTIONSFORNOMINATING COMMITTEENOWOPEN
LRTA ExecutiveBoard President LazetteL.Watterson lazettewatterson22@gmail.com
SecondVice-President GenevieveA.Gordon alandgen1945@gmail.com
DistrictIIIPresident GayleT.Foster fosterscorner@yahoo.com
NOMINATINGCOMMITTEEAREA MAP
DistrictIPresident TheodoreGeorge theomari@bellsouth.net
•AreaE-Districts1and2
TRSLBoardofTrustees: ClydeF.Hamner clydehamner@bellsouth.net
DistrictVIPresident IvyP.Mouton ivypmouton@gmail.com
•AreaD-Districts3and4
LRTAFoundationDonations Dr.andMrs.JamesA.Taylor,Sr.,inmemoryof:FannieM.Carey, Dr.GeraldW.Cobb,NancyR.Dowouis,LeaAnnHarper,FrankL. Maraist,WandaMelancon,GeorgeOlivier,OuidaL.Robert,and LoisUntereiner
FirstVice-President ClydeF.Hamner clydehamner@bellsouth.net
PastPresident JanisM.Hernandez janishernandez@hotmail.com
WouldyouliketomakeacontributiontotheFoundation?
DistrictIXPresident FreddyL.Rivers freddyrivers1@yahoo.com
PleasemaildonationsinasealedenvelopetotheLRTAstate officeandmaketheattentiontotheLRTAFoundation.Ifyou aremakingadonationinhonorormemoryofanindividual, pleaseincludetheirnamewiththedonation.
DistrictVIIIPresident ChrisNolen chrisnolen61@gmail.com
DistrictXPresident BeckyS.Solley mommasolley3@yahoo.com
www.lrta.net07
DistrictIIPresident WilliamR.Picard,II wpicard@cox.net
DistrictVPresident PatriciaA.Sonnier pasonnier815@gmail.com
•AreaC-Districts5and6
LRTADistrictPresidentsareacceptingnominationsforthe20232025NominatingCommittee.EachLRTADistrictina NominatingAreashallsubmitonenameofanactiveassociation memberinthatDistricttobeplacedfornominationinthat establishedarea(seemapbelow).DistrictPresidentsmustsubmit onenamenolaterthantheExecutiveBoardmeetingduringthe LRTAFallMeeting(1p.m.onOctober24).Thiscommitteemeets everytwoyearsorasneeded.Membersofthiscommittee nominateactiveassociationmembersforstatewidepositions.If youareinterestedinplacingyournamefornominationforthis committee,pleasecontactyourDistrictPresidentassoonas possible.TheLRTAmembershipwillvoteoncommitteemembers ontheJanuary2023ballot.
AARPLouisiana MarthaHays mlhays@centurytel.net
JamesA.Taylor,Sr.,J.D.,Ph.D. edleaders@bellsouth.net
OGBBoard: GwilleFreeman gfreeman@davidfreeman.org
DistrictIVPresident JevellaWilliamson jwmson3610@bellsouth.net
DistrictVIIPresident WalterT.Rogers pajoe1899@gmail.com
•AreaA-Districts10and11
08 Vol.50,No.2 Fall2022 Grassroots: Revisited
Ifyou’rethinkingaboutreturningtotheclassroom,youneedtobeawareofrecentchangestoLouisiana’sreturn-towork(RTW)laws.
•Addressingashortageofadjunctprofessorsfornursingprograms.
TwoidenticalbillsimpactingRTWpassedinthe2022RegularSessionandbecamelaw.ThechangesmadeinActs 549and601include:
•Creatingnewwaysforcertainretireestoreturntoworkwithoutimpactingtheirretirementbenefitand;
3. “RETIREDTEACHER”: IfyouretiredbeforeJune30,2010(grandfatheredgroup),haveanadvanced degreeinspeechtherapy,speechpathologyoraudiology;orarefillingacriticalshortageposition,youcan returntoworkwithoutabenefitsuspensionorreduction.Criticalshortagepositionsincludefullandparttimeclassroomteachersaswellasotherspecificpositionswhereacriticalshortagehasbeendeclared.
IncludesindividualswhoretiredbeforeJuly1,2020.
2010RTWGROUP
Belowyou’llfindabasicoverviewofthechanges.Ifyouhavespecificquestionsorreceiveadisabilitybenefit,please contacttheTeachers’RetirementSystemofLouisiana(TRSL)at225-925-6446or https://www.trsl.org/ask_TRSL.
1. CORESUBJECTS (NEW): Theretireecanbereemployedwithoutbenefitsuspensionifcertifiedinone ofthesubjectsbelow,andemployedtofillapositionintheareaofcertification:(1)Math;(2)Science;(3) EnglishLanguageArts;or(4)SpecialEducation(excludinggifted/talented).
•Changingretireeeligibilitycriteria;
SUMMARYOFOPTIONS:Retireesinthe2010RTWGroupcanbereemployedinoneoffourcategories:
2. SPECIALLEAVE (NEW): Theretireecanbereemployedwithoutbenefitsuspensiontofillavacancy duetooneofthefollowingspecialleavescenarios:(1)maternityleavepursuanttoLa.R.S.17:1211;(2) militaryleavepursuanttoLa.R.S.17:1215;(3)sabbaticalleavepursuanttoLa.R.S.17:1171;or(4)extended sickleavepursuanttoLa.R.S.17:1202.Retireesemployedtofillavacancyduetospecialleavemustmeetthe followingeligibilitycriteriafortheirbenefittonotbesuspended:(1)theretireemustbeacertifiedteacher; (2)beatleastage62;and(3)haveatleast30yearsofcreditableservice.
InformationprovidedbyTheTeachers’RetirementSystemofLouisiana(TRSL)
RETURNTOWORKCHANGES101
NOTE:Duetochangesinthelaw,someindividualswhoretiredbeforeJuly1,2020areinthe2020RTW GroupbecausetheyreturnedtoworkforthefirsttimeafterJune30,2020,butbeforeJune17,2022.Ifyou retiredbeforeJuly1,2020andreturnedtoworkforthefirsttimeafterJune30,2020,butbeforeJune17, 2022,youmayelecttotransfertothe2010RTWGroup.Visitwww.TRSL.org/RTW2010formore informationandtoseewhatoptionsareavailabletoyou.
•Updatingadvertisingrequirementsforcriticalshortages;
ThebiggestquestionformostretireesishowtheirTRSLbenefitswillbeimpactediftheyreturntowork.Theanswer dependsontheRTWgrouptowhichyoubelong,andotherfactorslikequalificationsandthepositionyouarehired tofill.Here’sabreakdown:
WHEREAREWEONTHEGPOANDWEP?
IncludesindividualswhoretiredbeforeJuly1,2020; areatleastage62;haveatleast30yearsofservice credit;anddidnotretirebasedonadisability.
SUMMARYOFOPTIONS:Retireesinthisgroupcanbecomereemployedwithoutbenefitsuspensionas adjunctprofessorsinanursingprogramatthehighereducationlevelwhereacriticalshortagehasbeen declared.
www.lrta.net09
SUMMARYOFOPTIONS:Retireesinthisgrouphavetwooptionswhenreturningtoworkasadirect hireemployee.Followinga12-monthwaitingperiod,oneoptionallowsaretireetobereemployedinany TRSLpositionsubjecttoyearlyearningslimitequalto25%oftheirfinalaveragecompensation.Theretiree’s benefitisonlyreducedorsuspendediftheyexceedthisearningslimitinafiscalyear.Asecondoptionallows aretireetosuspendtheirretirementbenefitduringreemployment,andearnasupplementalbenefitfor theirreturn-to-workservice.
2022RTWGROUPHIGHEREDONLY
ScantheQRcodeontherighttovisitourwebpagededicatedtoupdatesonlegislationseeking torepealtheGovernmentPensionOffset(GPO)andWindfallEliminationProvision(WEP). YoucanalsostayupdatedontheeffortstorepealtheGPO/WEPwiththeLRTAEmailClub andFaebookpage.
Retireesemployedbycontractorcorporatecontractunderthe2020RTWlawratherthandirect employmentwillhavetheirbenefitssuspendedforthedurationofreemployment.
Aretireecanalsoreturntoworkinspecificpositionsunderayearlyearningslimitequalto25%oftheir annualretirementbenefit.Theretiree’sbenefitisonlyreducedorsuspendediftheyexceedthisearnings limitinafiscalyear.Retireesenrolledunderthecriticalshortageprovisionoranearningslimitprovisionare subjecttoa12-or36-monthwaitingperiod.The36-monthwaitingperiodonlyappliestoretireeswho retiredonorafterJuly1,2017,andwhoseretirementbenefitwasactuariallyreducedorwascalculatedatan accrualrateoflessthan2.5%.Retireesthatholdanadvanceddegreeinspeechtherapy,speechpathologyor audiologyareonlysubjecttoa12-monthwaitingperiod.
4.“RETIREDMEMBER”:Reemployedretireeswhodonotmeettheeligibilitycriteriaforreemployment intheCoreSubjects,SpecialLeave,or“RetiredTeacher”categoriesare“RetiredMembers.”Thisincludes,but isnotlimitedto,retireesreturningtoworkasteachersinnon-criticalshortageareasthatdonotmeetthe CoreSubjectsorSpecialLeaveeligibilitycriteriaadministrators,secretaries,etc.Benefitsaresuspendedfor thedurationofreemployment.
NOTE:Thisoptiononlyappliestoretireesmeetingtheeligibilitycriteriaoutlinedabove.Otherwise,the retiree’sreemploymentwouldbesubjecttothe2010RTWGroupor2020RTWGroup.
2020RTWGROUP
IncludesindividualswhoretiredonorafterJuly1,2020.Additionally, thisgroupincludesretireeswhomeetcriteriaforthe2010RTWGroup, butwhomadeanirrevocableelectiontobeinthe2020RTWGroup.
RitaH.Payne–BatonRouge R.ColleenPeak–BatonRouge TerranceC.Peoples–Baton Rouge
DeceasedRetiredTeachers June1-August31,2022
JoanneP.Elfer–Covington DonaldW.Flanigan–Mandeville DeborahForshag–Madisonville LouisG.Franklin–Slidell PeggyB.Hastings–Denham Springs
JerryP.Simmons–BatonRouge PattyC.Stevens–St.Francisville GladysD.Swafford–Baton Rouge
ShirleyS.Bienemy–NewOrleans ElnoraV.Cage–NewOrleans YvonneL.Coulon–NewOrleans CynthiaCross-Rattler–New Orleans
DistrictV
WillieMaeAlexis–BatonRouge ClardyH.Ashton–BatonRouge MaryE.Beyer–BatonRouge BeatriceL.Boesch–Greenwell Springs HermanC.Brignac–BatonRouge LeoBrownfield,Jr.–BatonRouge EliskaA.Christophe–NewRoads WiltonA.Clement–BatonRouge OllieC.Coney–BatonRouge RuthL.Crawford–BatonRouge RuthAngleDokey-BatonRouge MaxineEncalade–Gonzales MaryGehle–BatonRouge JohnL.Gerbrecht–BatonRouge DonnaM.Ginn–NewRoads
CarolE.Gray–Zachary ConstanceH.Grenfell–Baton Rouge
JohnW.Nipper–BatonRouge BarbaraM.Norris–Baker
JoanH.Ducote–Metairie EvelynR.Dufrene–Marrero SandraM.Folse–Harvey RinniaB.Griffin–Kenner CarleanZ.Groves–Kenner LeaAnnHarper–Destrehan CesareaHernandez–Kenner CynthiaJohnson–Gretna DorisA.Jones–LaPlace AurolynM.Kelly–Kenner BarbaraPocheKnight–Marrero PatriciaL.Krist–Kenner
NMEMORIAM
AlvinM.Phillips,Jr.–BatonRouge PatryshaW.Phillips–Baton Rouge
JuliaL.Barrilleaux–Thibodaux PaulineG.Belt–Kenner
RoseMaryL.Brown–Broussard AlmaCalais–BreauxBridge AlvaH.Carlin–Abbeville PamelaE.Chaisson–Lafayette RolandChevalier–BreauxBridge TheresaA.Cormier–Duson JuliaA.Couvillon–Abbeville JerryA.Cunningham–Morgan City
AltiaJ.Lee–Marrero LindaH.Lewis–Avondale RubyA.Lewis–Harvey JohnH.Lucas–Houma SandraM.Mahler–Thibodaux NellR.Martin–Bourg FlossieR.McDaniels–Marrero WandaMelancon–Luling MaryL.Morton–Thibodaux PattiAnnRhodes–Houma SherryB.Richard–Metairie AltheaRidgley–Jefferson ChermaineB.Roybiskie–Edgard CherylSemien-Florent–Lutcher MaxineS.P.Shelby–Harahan VivinS.Solares–Harahan ArleneA.Stelly–Raceland LoisC.Untereiner–Norco
HelenA.M.Rivet–BatonRouge ShelbyJ.Robert–Gonzales MaryA.Rogers–WhiteCastle HenryF.Rusk–BatonRouge AmyH.Russell–Prairieville IvanP.Shuff–Baker
DistrictVI
CharlesD.Henry–Greensburg SharonR.Hull–Slidell EvaC.Jackson–Mandeville PatriciaM.Jackson–Hammond MarthaS.Kelly–Mandeville DawleenP.Kimball–Walker EmileJ.Latour–Covington DonaldW.Lea–Hammond RaifordJ.Leader–Denham Springs
JuliusJ.Saul–NewOrleans MeadeP.Shaw–NewOrleans EleanorG.Smith–NewOrleans WilliamC.Smith–NewOrleans
EloisS.McNabb–Greensburg CarlotaM.Mendez–Covington JackieL.Mixon–Holden AlbertNastasi–Mandeville GeorgeOlivier–Covington ValerieL.Perkins–Slidell GailB.Pittmann–Kentwood LindaM.Silver–Slidell ElizabethS.Smith–Covington BarbaraC.Thompson–Pearl River
JosephineP.Poirrier–Gonzales JoAnnP.Raymond–Baton Rouge
DistrictII
DorisL.McKenzie–BatonRouge VirginiaD.McLin–Geismar LouisA.Metevia–BatonRouge GloriaG.Mitchell–Gonzales KarenS.Moody–BatonRouge MargaretM.Morgan–Baton Rouge
10 Vol.50,No.2 Fall2022 Grassroots: Revisited I
VirginiaZ.Vavasseur–Metairie LindaK.Vincent–Houma
DistrictIII NathanielAdams–Independence PatriciaL.Armand–Slidell ElizabethH.Badeaux–Covington MaeE.H.Barnes–Franklinton MarjorieC.Beasley–Covington DorothyJ.Brown–Walker VictoriaC.Candiotto–Tickfaw LearmiaConerly–Covington HelenC.Damico–Mandeville DeniseDubois–Covington BettyJoDugas–Tickfaw GeorgeJ.Dugas–Denham Springs
AnthonyF.Dershak–Gramercy ElizabethM.Dietlein–Metairie NancyR.Dowouis–Des Allemands
AlvinF.Loyacano–Denham Springs
BettyC.Tackney–BatonRouge CharlesTartavoulle–BatonRouge LouiseD.Touchton–BatonRouge MariumJ.Vascocu–Prairieville RandallA.VonRosenberg–Zachary DianaS.Welch–Prairieville SueF.White–BatonRouge HelenK.Wicker–BatonRouge SeklauE.Wiles–BatonRouge RoseMarieWilson–Gonzales JohnW.Windhauser–Baton Rouge
DeloresA.Abraham–Baldwin RonaldAguillard–Eunice RosaLeeArnold–Opelousas TheodoraL.Battaglia–Lafayette BobbieN.Bayham–Youngsville KennethW.Bellard–Lafayette
JohnnyG.Cooley–Sulphur MarleneV.Doyle–Sulphur AnnieE.Eaves–DeQuincy FranklinD.Foote–LakeCharles PollyGilmore–LakeCharles NancyH.Hansen–Westlake SharonHoffpauir–Crowley BrendaA.Jackson–Lake Charles EvelynR.Langford–DeQuincy MeriamG.LeBlanc–Sulphur A.EugeniaNavarre–Welsh BrendaOwens–LakeCharles AcquilliaS.Peltier–Iowa
JohnH.Daigle–Lafayette BettyLouDavid–Lafayette JohnA.Debarge–Lafayette BettyL.Delcambre–NewIberia BeverlyM.Doucet–St.Martinville GerardJ.Dubois–Lafayette DavalynDuhon–Abbeville NasenFontenot,Jr.–VillePlatte BonnieF.Gardner–Lydia SharonY.Green–Opelousas KimHebert–NewIberia JuliaHernandez–Lafayette CoyeHurks–VillePlatte RobertG.Jaeger–Carencro JudithJewel–Youngsville EvansA.LeMaire–Maurice MaryC.Lewis–NewIberia HelenLivings–Lafayette EdytheL.Martin–Eunice KatherineM.Oubre–MorganCity SylviaT.Petitjean–NewIberia StanleyPhillips–Lafayette RickeyE.Polite–NewIberia LorelleL.Reese–Lafayette OuidaL.Robert–Lafayette GayleT.Rosenthal–Lafayette FlorenceM.Roy–Lafayette RosalieB.Roy–Lafayette LatriceM.Sampson–Duson NormaH.Savoie–Lafayette CarolynC.Sirmon–Gueydan BettyJ.Smith–VillePlatte ChesleySoileau–Carencro ChristiannW.Stelly–Eunice FlorellaThibodeaux–VillePlatte CatherineC.Thomas–Lafayette LindaG.Tisdale–MorganCity DeloresB.Wallace–Jeanerette
NancyR.Bergeron–Chauvin MaryE.Bonura–Marrero
PamelaJ.Briggs–Marrero FannieM.Carey–Hahnville CarolynD.Cresson–Metairie DonaldW.Davis–Grayson CharmaineN.Demoruelle–Metairie
PeggyC.Frank–NewOrleans JoyceAnnGabriel–NewOrleans EvelynGethers–NewOrleans DonaldJ.Gros–NewOrleans CecileH.Jenevein–Meraux JeanetteC.Miller–NewOrleans PeterA.Politzer–NewOrleans
RonaldE.Kruebbe–Metairie EloiseF.Latoof–Marrero DouglassC.Lawson–RiverRidge MarilynM.LeBlanc–Lockport MelvinJ.Lecompte,Jr.–Westwego
DistrictIV
SusanAndris–LakeCharles ClevelandBeard,Jr.–Elton MaryR.Burge–DeQuincy ChesterW.Clark–LakeCharles CharlesR.Comish–Lake Charles
NorineR.Edwards–Denham Springs
DistrictI
DorothyC.Harris–Baker MadelineJack–NewRoads CaryJ.Johnson–NewRoads GeraldineH.Johnson–Zachary SusanM.Jones–BatonRouge MaxwellG.Kees–BatonRouge ErnestineB.Keith–Prairieville JaniceM.Knox–Zachary LoraR.Lamotte–BatonRouge JulieK.Levert–BatonRouge GurleyJoLewis–WhiteCastle MaryF.Lewis–WhiteCastle ErnestineMack–BatonRouge FrankL.Maraist–BatonRouge EdwardMassenberg–Baton Rouge
CharlesR.Walker–Ponchatoula MaeOlaWilson-Amite
EraP.Mixon–LasVegas,NV LeatriceD.Morrison–Sugar Land,TX
RobertD.Bush–Franktown, CO DorisV.Butler–Hixson,TN SallyE.Cauthen–Duxbury,MA MaryD.Clark–Durham,NC MarieB.Cochran–Fredericksburg,VA EllenM.Condry–Raymore,MO DaleY.Covington–Nesbit,MS MaryE.Cronin–Wildwood,MO IrisBerniceCultra–Viera,FL LeolaCutrer–Cypress,TX PhillipD.Devaney–Shalimar, FL
KayF.Martin–Woodridge,VA JorgaMartinez-Lopez–ElPaso, TX
DistrictIX
JudithD.Tanner–SanBenito, TX
R.DaleThomas–Kingsport,TN RebeccaB.Tisdale–Pearcy,AR GermaineG.Vavasseur–Chicago,IL
CherylJeanGilliam–Pope,MS BerniceM.Gultery-Bosley–DeSoto,TX
MaryA.Alexander–Ballard,TX AlvinL.Allen–Irving,TX MaryBaldwin–EstesPark,CO JosephBernard,Jr.–Diamondhead,MS MarilynW.Bladsacker–Arvada, CO NonaR.Broussard–Nashville, AR
RobertL.Arthur–Many BennyR.Canerday–Winnfield PatsyeB.Crocker–Zwolle BarbaraA.Crow–HallSummit KathyJ.Mitchell–Mansfield EarnestMorgan–Natchitoches DanPoole–Natchitoches MinnieRobertson–Florien BettyF.Russell–Winnfield SandraB.Smith–Mansfield JaniceE.Speight–Many JoyceM.Walker–Winnfield WayneE.Yates-Robeline
HughH.Doney–Keller,TX ChadD.Ellett–Watkinsville, GA
AliceL.Maw–SanFrancisco, CA
JudithReynolds–Iowa MaryC.Robertson–Lake Charles
ElfredaC.HumphriesGrambling BessieM.Jordan–Monroe PatsyB.Kenney–Downsville BillyJ.Laird–Farmerville BettyA.Leachman–Ruston GlynnO.Ludley–Monroe JerryM.Madden–West Monroe
RhoetaB.McCaulley–San Antonio,TX
DonnaMaillet–Moreauville CharlesE.Michael–Alexandria CharleneP.Mills–Alexandria PatriciaD.Ours–Marksville SheilaC.Richmond–ForestHill LamarRitchie–Pineville
RogerMaxwell–Jonesboro ArronR.McCarty–West Monroe
RuthS.Ortique–Hartford,CT LethaH.Parker–Maricopa,AZ MaryJoanPaul–Knoxville,TN ThomasJ.Payton–Gulfport, MS
CathyWells–Lauderhill,FL DorothyP.Wells–Cypress,TX RoxylinS.White–Houston,TX KathyB.Williams–Sumrall,MS JeanB.Woods–Mineola,TX
JettaB.Harris–Washington,DC CarlA.Hill–Ft.Smith,AR AnnE.Hines–Lilburn,GA RichardHinton–Frisco,TX AlmaD.Hobdy–Bessemer,AL BobbieL.Holmes–Arlington, TX
DuaneG.Kimball–Shreveport JudithA.Komiskey–Bossier City DebraLangwasser–Minden PowellA.Layton–Shreveport RussellM.McConnell–Shreveport
DaisyP.Watts–Dallas,TX L.H.Weidner–Minneapolis, MN
DeborahS.Brown–Shreveport PatsyF.Burnett–PlainDealing JoanB.Carver–BossierCity MattieClark–Shreveport SandraM.Cook–Shreveport MelbaG.Cutrer–Minden BillyR.Davis–Greenwood AmySueDorroh–Shreveport WilliamM.Feaster–Bossier City PatriciaB.Fullerton–Shreveport HermanL.Houston–Keithville KathleenN.Irvin–Shreveport BettyJ.Johnson–Shreveport RobbieV.Johnson–Bossier City
OutofState
MarthaH.Scott–Garland,TX LorrieA.Seekers–Glenn Heights,TX
RobertE.Young–Greenville, MS
DistrictX
WinnieV.Antoine–Shreveport SandraL.Baggs–Haughton JessieA.Bohannon–Vivian AlbertaR.Bollinger–Shreveport MarediaP.Bowdon–Shreveport
RollandD.Kerr–Kernersville, NC PremK.Kythe–SouthOrange, NJ
PhilipR.Rust–Sulphur DorothySmith–DeQuincy ClarenceTheriot–BellCity VioletH.Threatt–LakeCharles WilliamB.Wadsack–Lake Charles
LindaA.Perry–WestMonroe LarryD.Prater–Bastrop BillyJ.Rabon–Bastrop YvonneL.Reed–Monroe SharonK.Riggin–WestMonroe MarySueD.Smith–Dubach SueJ.Warren–WestMonroe
LesaTaylor-Dupree–Bossier City
CliffordR.Huete–Beech Mountain,NC LuellaM.Jackson–LittleRock, AR KennethL.Jenkins–Orlando, FL MarjorieJenkins–Orange Beach,AL
WillieMaeJones–Natchez,MS GeorgeA.Kemp–McKinney, TX
DistrictVII
JerryM.Malone–The Woodlands,TX
C.D.Stinson,Jr.–MissouriCity, TX
DistrictXI
PatriciaA.Robinson–Lacamp GeraldineSmash–Alexandria GeraldE.Smith–Pineville WillieG.Smith–Alexandria GloriaC.Verzwyvelt–Boyce NormaB.White–Jonesville
ClarenceO.Brown–Alexandria MarionM.Burback–Alexandria RuthA.Casnave–Boyce DonaDowden–Hornbeck GloriaM.Dowden–Leesville LeeAlbertGaspard–Marksville MarianJ.Gonzales–Marksville EmmaHarrison–Leesville
DistrictVIII
JoanP.Prejean–Victoria,TX
AzaleaM.Stevenson–State College,PA
RochelleD.Lavalais–Dallas,TX MaryN.Laws–St.Louis,MO
AdrienneL.Taylor–Winter Springs,FL
MarthaBrown–Monroe JesseBurnette,Jr.–Monroe GeraldW.Cobb–Ruston KayM.Dixon–Monroe MaryS.Ford–Monroe RichardL.Gibbs–Ruston EdwardW.Hargon–Monroe
JerryNellOrcino–NewSmyrna Beach,FL
RubyY.Richard–Bellaire,TX FrancesGunnRichardson–Franklin,TN
EdwinaG.Ricks–Odenville,AL GwendalynM.Rocque–Bethesda,MD
LeonShaw–DeBerry,TX OllieD.Shaw–Sugarland,TX HiromuShoji–Riverside,CA GenevieveB.Simms–Houston,TX
MattyeR.Melson–Rogers,AR JamesA.Mitchell–Woodbridge,VA
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MarylouM.McNeel–Waskom, TX
CarolO.Thompson–Shreveport MaryA.Varnell–BossierCity TommyVestal–Shreveport BeverlyWasner–BossierCity JudithA.Wells–Shreveport AnnaC.Wilbanks–Shreveport A.D.Williams–BossierCity BobbyL.Wise–Benton ElishaA.Young-Shreveport
JeanetteRamsey–Wiley,TX LorineReitzell–Dardenne Prairie,MO
AngelaM.Abernathy–Oak Grove ElesterJ.Bingham–Wisner BarbaraBrandon–Kilbourne HenryF.Cumpton–Rayville MaryW.Harbin–OakGrove MarilynV.Hatch–Rayville FrankP.Hunt–LakeProvidence
IreneSmith–Natchez,MS
DorethaHenry–Alexandria MableanJ.Holts–Bunkie LaverneM.Jackson–Leesville LyndaLavalais–Alexandria HueyP.Lawson–Alexandria EarlK.Long–Olla
BettyS.Vincent–Gadsden,AL SuellenJ.Vittitow–Fairhope, AL
BurnevaD.Ellzey–Columbia, MS NitaP.Emrick–Clermont,FL SueK.Ferrara–Kosciusko,MS DeborahAnnB.Fournerat–Beaumont,TX
JessieM.Monroe–Shreveport CharlesW.Moore–Shreveport DorisG.Mullen–Shreveport JosephH.Pope–Shreveport MarthaB.Powell–Shreveport AnnieH.Pugh–Shreveport LaylusM.Radford–Springhill GeorgeB.Reeder–Benton JohnH.Reser–BossierCity JamesD.Roach–Doyline CharlotteA.Sanders–Keithville HenryH.Seymour–Heflin RonaldSilberman–Shreveport LonnieM.Simpson–Minden LenitaSmith–BossierCity JaniceH.Sprawls–Ringgold WillieSevens–Minden CarolynH.Taylor–Bernice
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NONPROFIT U.S.POSTAGE PAID BATONROUGELA PERMITNO317 LRTANEWSLETTER 9412CommonSt.,Suite5 BatonRouge,LA70809
2022FALLMEETINGPRE-REGISTRATION/MEALRESERVATIONFORM
Toll-free(outsideofBatonRougearea)........................888.531.1992 225.927.8838
Pleaseusethisformtopre-registerforthe2022FallMeetinginordertoexpediteregistrationinBossierCity.Tomakea reservationfortheconventionbanquetonTuesday,October25,indicateinthespaceprovidedandsendacheckforthe appropriateamount.Eachpersonpre-registeringand/orreservingamealticketshouldreturnaseparateforminorderto receivearegistrationpacket.Guestsmayalsousetheforminordertoobtainaregistrationpacket(photocopiesaccepted). themeeting;however,mealfunctionticketsaresoldbypre-reservationonly.Nomealreservationswillbetakenbyphone. .MailformsandcheckstoLRTA,9412CommonSt.,Suite5,BatonRouge,LA70809
LRTASTAFF
Phone:225.927.8837
Toll-Free:888.531.1992
RenéeM.Siccone
AssistantDirector MorganM.Milling MembershipServicesCoordinator JenniferC.Tran PublicRelations/CommunicationsCoordinator
TRSL(RetirementBenefitsandCheck) 225.925.6446
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NOREFUNDSAFTEROCTOBER19
OfficeofGroupBenefits(OGB) 225.925.6625
Toll-free(outsideofBatonRougearea)......................800.272.8451
RodneyR.Watson ExecutiveDirector
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AssociationMemberBenefitsAdvisors(AMBA) 800.258.7041
LRTAOffice 225.927.8837
Name:__________________________________________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________________________________ City,State,Zip:____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone:(______)_____________________Emailaddress:______________________________________ __Attendanceonly,nofee __NumberofticketsforTuesdaynightbanquet($38enclosed)=$______________ (Chickenandsausagejambalayastuffedporkloin) TotalEnclosed=$______________ Note:Pre-registration/mealreservationsmustbereceivedintheLRTAofficebyOctober14.Registrationwillbeavailableat
Toll-free(outsideofBatonRougearea)...................... 877.275.8775
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