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Member Spotlight 7 WEA-R is Active on Many Fronts! "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." –Helen Keller By Vicki Swenson A major focus of WEA-Retired continues to be political activism. We are encouraging all WEA-R and active members to support the eff orts of the WEA in electing education-friendly candidates. Here are some things that you can to be politically active. Donate to WEA PACE. If all WEA members donated to PACE, what a critical diff erence that would make in who is elected! Work on WEA endorsed candidates' campaigns. As we near the 2020 election, putting up yard signs, distributing fl yers, talking to friends and neighbors are just some ways you can help a candidate. Contact your senators and representatives when in and out of legislative session. Your elected offi cials want to hear from you about the issues aff ecting you and your school! As in all even year elections, all 60 Wyoming House seats and half of the 30 senate seats are up for election in 2020. Our WEA leadership has an extremely good grasp on who to support and what is needed to get them elected, as well as the strategies to get bills passed or defeated. If we ALL do our part, we CAN and WILL make a diff erence for Wyoming public education! WEA-R members participated the ESPC's "Shape Wyoming" Lobby Training/Lobby Day in Cheyenne January 27th/28th followed by WEA-R Activate. This seminar piggybacked on what was presented during "Shape." Those attending felt all three days were extremely helpful and are excited about being more politically active. Other focus areas for WEA-R are member engagement and WEA/WEA-R growth. To help accomplish our goals in these areas, we applied for the 2018-2019 NEA Retired Grant and received $4300! This grant funded "WEA-R Activate" and our comprehensive Retirement Seminars held in Worland April 6th and Rock Springs May 4th. These seminars had fi ve presentation components: • The Wyoming Retirement System: Which Plan is Best for You? • Social Security- When to Take It? - NEA Endorsed Financial Planner Jonathan Neher • Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning - David Clark, Atty., of Ragain & Clark, Worland and Kari Moneyhun, Atty., of Lemich Law Center, Rock Springs • Your NEA Benefi ts - WEA staff Andrea Shipley and Judy Trohkimoinen • Understanding Medicare - Vicki Swensen Both seminars were well attended, with 20 attending from fi ve locals in the NW Region and 24 from seven locals in the SW Region. An attendee in Worland said, "This was a grand slam!" An attendee in Rock Springs stated, "I didn't know how much I didn't know and need to know!" WEA-R members had a great time at Delegate Assembly this year. One of the highlights was selling hundreds of real Mardi Gras beads to the delegates. This fundraiser raised $400 for WEA-PACE! Many thanks to WEA-R Vice-President Jack Patrick for collecting the beads from along the New Orleans parade route and shipping them to Wyoming! Please join WEA Active and Retired members July 18-20 in Casper for a "shared learning journey." The Quest will help further defi ne our visions; engage members in the important work for Wyoming public education; and help locals achieve power and eff ectiveness. You will also meet some of NEA's amazing staff ! This promises to be a great time! To register or learn more, visit wyoea.org. Jonathan Neher of Valenta Capital Management explains best practices to save and prepare for retirement. Jonathan Neher of Valenta Capital Management explains best practices to save and prepare for retirement. WEA-R President Vickie Swenson leads attendees at a recent retirement seminar. WEA-R President Vickie Swenson leads attendees at a recent retirement seminar.