New retiree leaders build strength and retiree power

The AFT's annual new retiree leader seminar is an opportunity for leaders of newer chapters to talk about how to engage members so that they will be more active in their chapters, and to learn how to build connections with both active members and the community. The goal is to help retirees to continue their support and work with their local union, says Lauren Luchi, manager of the AFT's retirees department. "Our AFT retiree members mobilize because relationships matter. They are a golden untapped resource for our union and they are extremely loyal and fearless," says Luchi.

The four-day seminar held in April in Washington, D.C., empowered retirees like Yvonne Landin—a retired member of the Corpus Christi (Texas) American  Federation of Teachers—to network with other new leaders, share their ideas and learn about how the work that members do can address some of the challenges retirees face when it comes to retirement security. "A lot of us are retiring, and we want to get organized so we can lend a hand to our local when it needs help," says Landin. "We also want to address our challenges, such as pensions, Social Security and cost-of-living adjustments."

Thomas Calhoun, president of the Norfolk (Va.) Federation of Teachers, attended the seminar to recruit retirees to take a more active role. "We have a lot of retirees in our area," says Calhoun, who plans to connect his active members with retirees. "They are well-informed and are a tremendous help to our local. Working together, we can accomplish so much more."