The California Retired Teachers’ Association (CalRTA) has reason to celebrate the week of November 4-10. Although retired from teaching, members of this organization stay vital and active. They never stop caring about students and about education. They contribute to their communities by giving of their time and effort. Volunteering is retired teachers’ biggest contribution. Many teachers go back to the classroom—not for pay but to volunteer. Many are active in community and social organizations that serve the public.
An article in the October issue of CalRTA’s magazine Contact states that in the past year, members of the organization contributed more than 2.5 million hours of volunteer service. Those hours translate to more than $62 million, and that was with only 13 percent of the membership reporting their hours! Besides that, members of the organization donated nearly $675,000 in grants, scholarships and other ways. Retirees are pleased that their various contributions are making a difference.
CalRTA was founded in 1929 (known as CRTA then) through the efforts of Laura Settle, a retired Pasadena educator, with a handful of people. The state organization now numbers over 50,000 members. San Gabriel Valley #71 has over 500 members from Arcadia, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, El Monte, Temple City, and other valley cities. Membership in the California Retired Teachers’ Association #71 is open to all retired educators, as well as to any others interested in joining this active group, which meets on alternate months, beginning in October and ending in June. For more information, please call Marietta Watkins at (323) 258-9615 or Patricia Dietrich at (626) 446-8437.