Legislative Luncheon, March Meeting, Elections...

The deadline for reserving a place at the Legislative Luncheon is January 31, 2011. Please email Jeanne immediately.

Also, please contact Jeanne if you have any suggestions for a speaker for the March meeting or would like to be on the agenda. The information letter for March meeting is to be out in a few weeks (late February) so make sure you let Jeanne know as soon as possible.

A slate of 2011-2013 officers needs to be approved at the March meeting. Please let Jeanne know immediately if you would volunteer for one of the following openings (any office may be co-chaired).

• President
• President Elect
• Assistant Secretary
• Membership Chairperson
• Associate Membership Chairperson
• Publicity Chairperson
• Legislative Chairperson
• Volunteer Hours Chairperson

Members who have held some of the above offices need a break. The strength of AREA is dependent on the commitment of members and officers. Please volunteer and help keep AREA the second largest retired educators association in Indiana.

Legislative up-dates will be posted when available. Please continue to check this website.

Jeanne Hertig, President

ISTA Legislative Update: 1/12/2011

GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2011
Support the Promise for Indiana's Children

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

President Nate Schnellenberger and Executive Director Dr. Brenda Pike attended Gov. Daniels' State of the State speech last night at the Statehouse. After the speech, Nate made himself available and spoke with numerous members of the statewide media in response to the governor’s proposals on education.

This morning, Nate met privately with Gov. Daniels to discuss the governor's education agenda in greater detail. During that meeting, both sides were respectful of each other’s positions.

Both the governor and Nate agreed to work toward common ground, fully understanding that will be differences between them during this legislative session.

Gov. Daniels agreed to make himself available for future conversations with ISTA.

As for the legislature itself, Nate and your ISTA lobbying team have met with the leaders of all four legislative caucuses and the chairmen of the various relevant committees as well as with many other legislators to strengthen relationships and to communicate ISTA’s positions on various issues for the current session.

As of now, the major education reform bills have not been processed nor made publicly available. Obviously, details on these to follow.

Later today the Senate Education Committee will meet and the notable proposal scheduled for hearing is Senate Bill 171 concerning school calendar start date, prohibiting schools starting before Labor Day.

Go to ISTA's Daily Legislative Updates to stay informed throughout the session: http://www.ista-in.org/blog.aspx?blogid=36954

Stay involved this legislative session. Follow what is happening at the Indiana Statehouse and stay in touch with your legislators. They have the power to represent your voice – the real voice of Indiana’s educators – in Indianapolis.


ISTA and the ISTA logo are registered trademarks of ISTA.
Indiana State Teachers Association - 150 W Market St, Indianapolis, IN 46204. ph 317-263-3400

Upcoming Dates, AREA Elections

Please note the following scheduled dates and events. Your support and attendance are appreciated.

February 14, 2011
Legislative Luncheon at the State House from 12:00-1:00 P.M. We need as many delegates as possible to go and let the representatives of the House and Senate know how important we are and that we are interested in a COLA or a one time check. It will be a hard sell this year, but if we don't support IRTA and AREA who else will? Please let me know if you are willing to go.

March 10, 2011
IRTA Open House at the new location:
2629 Waterfront Parkway East Dr.
Suite 105
Indianapolis, IN 46214.

All members are welcome.

March 24, 2011
AREA meeting at Chops Steak and Seafood, 6421 Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN. We need to have names of volunteers who would be willing to take over the AREA offices for 2011 - 2013 to create a slate of officers to be voted on at the June 1, 2011 meeting. Any office may be co-chaired. Please talk with your colleagues to fill officer's positions. Age is not a factor. I do not plan to be President next year.

May 18, 2011 all day
Representative Assembly at Primo Hall South - Any members in AREA and IRTA are welcome to attend.

June 1, 2011
AREA meeting at the Lutheran Life Villages, 6701 Anthony Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN to vote on the slate of officers and social time. In addition, AREA will recognize those retired educators who have passed from April 2010 - April 2011.

July 13, 2011
The President's Workshop at the Clarion Waterfront Hotel at 8:30 A.M. If needed, I would attend with the new AREA President.

October 5, 2011
The tentative date for Retired Teachers Appreciation Day at the State House. This is an event any member may attend for a ceremony and reception from 12:00 - 3:00 P.M. Again there will be legislative representatives in attendance. They appreciate what retired teachers have done for Indiana.

Please volunteer for offices. All retired educators have organized and taught children. The only thing different is you will be planning and sharing with adults. AREA needs someone to continue to lead our organization.

Jeanne Hertig, President