Connections
Fall 2020 Volume 23, Issue 1
A Publication of VEA-Retired
President’s Column
Inside this Issue: Retirees Give and Give 2 Distinguished Service
2
About the State
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VEA Board of Directors 4
By Dennis J. Pfennig
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…it was the age of foolishness… it was the season of darkness…it was the winter of despair.” How much of Charles Dickens’ depiction of the 1780-90s could be said about the political, economic, and social conditions in America today? Yet, Dickens also wrote, “it was the age of wisdom…the season of light…the spring of hope.” These past months, the leaders of both the VEA and NEA have exemplified wisdom. Since life as we knew it has been paused…temporarily…our elected leaders have successfully transitioned the in-person NEA convention, NEA-Retired annual meeting, and VEA Board of Directors meetings to the virtual realm via Zoom or other electronic means. Elected delegates to these meetings were able to be at home and follow their leaders, who were also in their homes, thus moving our Associations forward, current and flourishing. The VEA, NEA-Retired, and NEA each conducted elections via mail-in balloting to select new officers and approve budgets. NEA-Retired mailed about 329 ballots -twice. We had a run-off election! NEA also mailed its ballots -- about 8,000 of them -twice. Another run-off election! Certain national political leaders would have the wind knocked out of their sails if they studied the efficient ways in which Association ballots were mailed, returned, and counted without a hitch! Of course, others do not demonstrate wisdom. Political leaders who put children back in crowded schools and expect teachers to risk their lives returning to the classroom or face penalties exemplify foolishness.
Share your stories! If you or your local retired chapter would like to have an article in the next issue of Connections, please forward it to vearetired@veanea.org by March 15, 2021.
So, the world as we knew it is in limbo; it may never go back to what it was; but your elected leaders are ensuring that the NEA family is continuing, on solid ground, and thriving. Is it the best of times? Certainly not. The winter of despair? No. This is our time, as individuals and as an Association. As we solved the problems of generations of schoolchildren, as we successfully battled inept administrations and hostile lawmakers, we will survive, we will go on, we see light, and we remain hopeful.
VEA-Retired Membership As of September 30, 2020, VEA-Retired had 4,679 members. That is 175 fewer members than the same time last year.