Retired Teachers Association meets to volunteer, socialize and stay updated on retirement issues

For teachers still active in the classroom, and those who are retired and are interested in protecting their retirement, the Missouri Retired Teachers Association is available.

The MRTA, which was organized in 1960, is the only educational organization in Missouri that is working exclusively for retired school personnel. MRTA works actively with government entities for beneficial legislation for educators.

"MRTA is a statewide body that keeps an eye on our retirement system," says Sheryl Smith, unit president of the local MRTA chapter, who retired from teaching in 2010.

Members of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association gather for a photo, from left, standing: Marjorie Engleman, Linda Seabaugh; seated: Mary O. Damitz, Mary Wilhite, Iris Likens, Doris Ford, Louise Hargens, Sheryl Smith, Mary Fox, Betty Chasteen. (Fred Lynch)

The local chapter, which includes educators from Cape Girardeau, Zalma, Advance and Jackson, meets March through June and September through December at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Membership dues for the local MRTA chapter are $5 per year, plus $30 per year for the statewide organization.

The local chapter, which is approximately 150 members strong, includes active and retired teachers as well as spouses.

"It's good for active teachers [as well as retired teachers] to be involved in the group so that they can fully understand the way their retirement is funded," says Smith.

Associate memberships are available for members' spouses at $5 annually for the local chapter and $15 annually for an associate membership in the statewide organization.

"They can be impacted, as they are the beneficiaries [of the members]," says Smith.

The group not only learns about legislation that could affect their retirement, but they also have a guest speaker at most meetings.

"We'll usually plan a fun social activity to do in June and then we'll have a guest speaker during the other months that we meet," says Smith.

Recent speakers to the group have been Theresa Hinkebein, curriculum coordinator for Cape Girardeau Public Schools, and Lisa Reitzel, public administrator for Cape Girardeau County.

"In September, Teresa spoke about the Common Core Standards, and Lisa spoke both when she was campaigning along with her opponent, and then after she was elected about her duties as public administrator," says Smith.

November's speaker will be Dr. Richard Bolwerk, a retired teacher and retired marine, and December's program will include a panel of recently retired teachers and will focus on changing times for teachers.

While meetings are currently held in the mornings at Chateau Girardeau, there has been interest in forming a group that meets in the evenings.

"When the local chapter first started, quite a few of the members were residents at the Chateau," says Smith. "So, it just seemed like a logical place to meet. Now, so many teachers who retire from teaching stay in the workforce and work during the day, so we have discussed offering an evening meeting as well."

The group makes a donation to a not-for-profit organization of the speaker's choice when they invite a guest to speak, and they make other donations as well.

"We collect volunteer hours from our members who volunteer for programs like Read to Succeed, and we also make donations to the local food bank as well," says Smith. "Part of the MRTA mission is community volunteerism."

Members join the organization for a variety of reasons.

"I joined because [MRTA] is the only organization that is looking out for retired teachers," says Doris Ford, vice president of the local chapter. Ford retired in 1996 and has been very active in MRTA at the local, regional and state levels.

"The Missouri State Teachers Association was very instrumental in forming MRTA to help protect our retirement," says Ford. "Missouri has one of the best retirement systems in the country for teachers. It is much better than in some states where teacher pay may be higher."

Staying connected with other educators is a reason some join MRTA.

"I like staying in touch with that community of citizens," says Julie Wilson, a MRTA member who retired from teaching in 2006. "The programs are entertaining and informative, and our dues help pay for lobbyists to voice concerns so that our retirement can be protected."