Retiring Unto Azure Skies 2018 Retirees’ Convention Bev Crowe

Retiring Under Azure Skies: 2018 Retirees’ Convention

By Bev Crowe, President GMCAER

New Mexico is known for its beautiful azure blue skies as mentioned in the first line of the New Mexico state song: “Under a sky of azure….” It was under this sky that employees of educational systems have worked and retired. And it is under this same azure sky that the 2018 Convention for the New Mexico

Association of Retired Educators (NMAER) will be meeting in Gallup, September 24 - 26, at the Hilton Garden Inn.

These are a few of the ladies who made the Native yarn dolls (front to back): Helen Silversmith, Valdine Brower, Cynthia Fairow, Kay Jordan, Marge Strickler

This is an original painting done by member Anita Palenschat, and it will be offered for sale during the NMAER Convention.

Our local unit, Gallup-McKinley County Association of Retired Educators (GMCAER), is privileged to host the convention along with the Grants-Cibola County unit.

The convention offers an opportunity to meet, greet, and befriend colleagues from around the state, as well as learn about the status of our retirement pensions, pending legislation, and more about the host city and the surrounding area. Our convention theme is: “Moving Forward Under Azure Skies: Better Informed, Wiser, and Stronger.” The Executive Director, Russell Goff, and members of the Executive Board will meet prior to the Welcome Reception for attendees on

A sample of the Native yarn dolls made by retirees.

Monday evening, September 24th . The Delegate Assembly and Business Meeting will be held on Tuesday followed by Opening Ceremonies. Our own local veterans will post the colors followed by welcomes from Mayor Jackie McKinney and Superintendent Mike Hyatt. The Keynote Address will be given by Al Campos, NRTA Director, followed by Jackie Moore, State President of the AARP, informing retirees about “Fraud.” After a memorial service, participants will have free time to visit the Gallup area. Our hope is that local merchants will put an item in our Welcome Bag along with their business card inviting attendees to visit their stores. An evening banquet will round out the day. Table decorations will reflect the culture of our area along with a Native Yarn Doll for each participant. The dolls were made by our local members with love and jocularity. The Outstanding Unit Members and Scholarship Recipients will be announced, with the NMAER awards scholarships to teachers seeking a higher degree and to those working in education while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.

Wednesday morning’s emphasis will be a panel discussion between the candidates for the Lieutenant Governor’s position in the state election. Retirees are very keen on what is happening in the State Legislature and have an active program for influencing legislation, especially for protecting pensions. This is a concern as some states are changing pension systems to be less advantageous to retirees. We urge attendees to become better informed so they can be wiser, and stronger in moving forward to protect not only our own pensions, but pensions for those currently in the field of education.

The morning will end with awards for Community Service, Distinguished Service Awards, and Membership Awards. Last year the total value of volunteer service hours given back to communities was $7,864,311. Lastly, there will be an invitation from Raton to attend the NMAER convention there next September.

For information about our local GMCAER, call Bev Crowe at 505-7260808 or email: meadowcaw@gmail. com; Louise Watkins at 505-862-7280; Mirakhel Windsong 505-722-8949.

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