Executive Secretary's Message
The Annual Meeting is over and the staff is trying to catch their breath. However, there is little time to rest with the upcoming board and committee orientation meetings in April, and the Leadership Workshop on May 15 in Montgomery. A lot of PLANS are in the works. Having a "P L A N" is the key to success in the next few months.
"P L A N" stands for Prepare Labor Anticipate Need Support. The Board of Directors is currently preparing for a busy spring. The staff is laboring to put their strategy in action. We are anticipating problems, and we must be ready to deal with them. Finally, the staff and Board of Directors need your support and involvement.
Recently, I read a quote you may find interesting and true: "A goal without a PLAN is just a wish." The Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget is under consideration in by our legislators. We cannot wish for an ETF budget that will fund PEEHIP and TRS along with meeting the needs of public education. We cannot wish for local unit leaders to do a good job and hope it happens. AERA's goal for the next few months is to conduct our April meetings and urge members to work as a team with the Board of Directors and state committee members who will lead this great organization. To achieve these goals, our members need to lobby their legislator(s) to obtain the best budget possible considering the financial constraints currently in Alabama. In addition, the staff plans to conduct a successful and informative Leadership Workshop, thereby, guaranteeing strong leadership at the local level.
I have heard from a number of retirees who attended the Annual Meeting and were pleased with the event. After Lt. Governor Jim Folsom shared a story about being labeled as "Big Jim's boy" even while serving as governor of Alabama, a member told me she remembers "Big Jim" and young Jim's support of public education well. Delegates had a lively debate on the proposed bylaw changes before passing all of them during the Business Meeting. Reverend Rick Owens speech entitled, "Bless Your Heart- Aging with Grace in the South," was truly entertaining. He had everyone in stitches - "bless their hearts!" So, if you did not attend the 2008 Annual Meeting in Birmingham, make plans to attend the 2009 Annual Meeting back in Montgomery on March 31.
One last PLAN I would like to share with our members is that the Annual District Meetings will be held in late July and early August during the PEEHIP Open Enrollment period. This is a change from our usual August/September schedule. More information will be provided in the next issue of The AERA Voice! Please make plans to attend a meeting in your area.
Sincerely,
Janice J. Charlesworth,
Executive Secretary