Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National

Newsletter
Volume 14, Number 6
August 2004

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Connie Bancroft


“Praise ye the Lord!
O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath,
come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again:
Gladly for aye we adore Him.”
-Joachim Nesander (1650-1680)

I stand in awe before our awesome God. To testify to what He has done and continues to do would take pages and pages. And even then, the words to express my gratitude, my praise to our awesome God would be very difficult to find.

The Board of Trustees has had a tremendous year in making important decisions. We sensed God’s anointing as we discussed important changes for the organization. Last Fall the Board of Trustees approved an amendment to the Constitution & Bylaws that made a change in the structure of the Board of Trustees. Beginning September 1, 2004, the National Board of Trustees will consist of five at-large members and one representative from each state affiliate chapter. Each state affiliate is currently in the process of approving changes in their own Constitution & Bylaws for selecting their representative to the National Board of Trustees. The five at-large members are Gloria Hoelle, David Kaiser, Juanita Sattler, John Saxe, and Gary Winney.

In addition, the Board of Trustees made a decision for the National Office to process ALL memberships. Beginning June 1st, all memberships are now being handled through the National Office. Each month State Affiliates will receive membership updates and their portion of the dues received. The Board of Trustees sees this change as a positive means of keeping in touch with individuals regarding renewals.

This past spring several Board members had the opportunity to speak on behalf of the little ones through various media, including The Washington Times, Fox Network News, Family News in Focus, and CBN broadcasting. The way that the Lord connected Teachers Saving Children® with these reporters was truly divine intervention. What opportunities we have had to share about the sanctity of life!

Once again, the Lord proved His faithfulness through “The Wonder of Life” exhibit that was displayed during the NEA Expo 2004 in Washington DC. (See related article). I praise God for the way He continues to work through various means to bring forth His message about the preciousness of life.

In conclusion, I want to publicly accept the position of Executive Director of Teachers Saving Children® Inc – National and its state affiliate, Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of Ohio, for another year. I praise God for allowing me to be used through this ministry opportunity to save the lives of preborn children – His creation and masterpiece. It is only through His anointing upon my life that I am able to fulfill all the responsibilities as Executive Director.

I thank both Boards of Trustees for their continued confidence in me to administer and lead this organization. Each Board member as well as myself must find the time to volunteer for the day-to-day functions and all the activities of Teachers Saving Children® alongside our normal teaching and personal responsibilities. I appreciate each Board member’s support, wisdom, and time as decisions and strategies are made and carried out during the year.

Finally, we all appreciate the participation, suggestions, prayers, and support of each Teachers Saving Children® member. Let us not become weary in our efforts for our awesome God is faithful and will fulfill His purpose and plan in His perfect time. Praise His Holy & Majestic Name!


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SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS TO

Gary Winney
&
Colleen Cramblet-O’Neil

who were united in marriage on
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Parkside Church
Chagrin Falls OH


Note: Gary Winney has been a member of the Teachers Saving Children® Board of Trustees since its inception.


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NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY 2004

A Page from the Diary (7/13/04) of a Pro-Life Long-Term Delegate

Judy Bruns

Even our opponents said history had been made. Never before had debate been allowed on the NEA Representative Assembly floor. Abortion advocates had made sure of that. Each year that pro-life delegates tried to bring the Assembly to a neutral/no-position stand on the abortion issue, they were met with “object to consideration.” But this year, what started as an attempt to delete all of I-12, the Family Planning section of the NEA Resolutions document, ended in an unprecedented 20-minute debate over the words “reproductive freedom” and over information pointing to NEA’s pro-abort slant. Our side wanted the words “reproductive freedom” taken out-because of their interpretation at a past Representative Assembly as including NEA’s support for abortion with “no limitations,” right up to birth. Our opponents, as usual, intended to completely avoid discussion of the topic. To discuss is to expose the truth, and when the truth is exposed, pro-lifers gain momentum.

It began thus: “Judy Bruns, Ohio, speaking as an individual. I move to delete Section I-12, Family Planning, from our Resolutions document. I have a seconder.” (Stacey Stengal, at my microphone #2).

And then there was the rationale:
     Our union has stated time and time again that we are neutral on abortion through the words ‘reproductive freedom.’ Now, however, information has come forward indicating this is no longer the case. Our chief lobbyist has served on the board of the Planned Parenthood Federation, the leading abortion-providing organization in the U.S.; also, the leading abortion profiteer. Our chief lobbyist has been given the ‘Good Guy’ award by abortion rights advocates, an award reserved for men in the fields of politics, arts, media, and business.
     Are we neutral on abortion when we put ourselves on the support list for the April 25th ‘March for Women’s Lives,’ led by groups like Planned Parenthood Federation and the National Abortion Rights Action League, opponents of partial birth abortion legislation, right-to-know-about-fetal-development legislation, etc.?
     Additionally, I know a woman from my school who, when she chose to divert her dues via religious accommodation to a pro-life organization and then to a maternity home (which I helped to start), was told ‘no’ in both cases. I ask, have we departed from neutrality?
     Let’s drop ‘reproductive freedom’ from I-12 in our Resolutions document; be truly neutral by getting out of the abortion issue all together. Let’s stick to education.”

New delegates seemed to come out of the woodwork to speak in behalf of the amendment to I-12. In the end, however, our proposal for true neutrality on the abortion issue was voted down. The vote was against the lives of children and for support of unlimited abortion. (You would think that even self-indulgent delegates interested in their own welfare would see the light on this on--A vote for support of unlimited abortion is a vote for more empty seats in our classrooms and the elimination of more teachers’ jobs.)

We tried. We’ll try again and again because we can’t give up. This is truly a matter of life and death in our union and in our nation. Next year, though, it is hoped that more readers of this newsletter will try to get elected as NEA delegates. Our voice will become stronger as more pro-life teachers care enough to get involved.

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NEA Resolution I-12

                "The National Education Association supports family planning, including the right to reproductive freedom.
                The Association urges the government to give high priority to making available all methods of family planning to women and men unable to take advantage of private facilities.
                The Association also urges the implementation of community-operated, school-based family planning clinics that will provide intensive counseling by trained personnel.”    (1985, 1986).

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A Page from the Diary (7/8/04) of a Pro-Life First-Time Delegate

Jeff Remington

What my first Representative Assembly was like. In three words: Amazing, Discouraging, Encouraging.

Speaking to 9,000 delegates was an amazing experience filled with a variety of individual emotions. I was nervous, but felt as though I was meant to deliver my message to the representative body of the NEA. I gave an unemotional speech encouraging the representative body that our union should take a position of “no position” on the abortion issue because this issue affected the capacity building strength of our union (See New Business Item 20 stated below).

I was discouraged that two-thirds of the 9,000 delegates thought my modest, unemotional proposal was so “abhorrent” that they voted not to open my proposal up for debate or discussion on the floor.

I was encouraged because countless delegates from all over the country came up to me after my speech and said they recognized my proposal as a real and valid issue and would like to address the issue in the future.

I would encourage anyone reading this article to become a delegate, talk to a delegate, or influence their local leadership, and keep my proposal alive for future NEA RAs.

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New Business Item 20

(Delegates voted Not to Consider)

                “To reduce rank and file division and build association capacity, the NEA and its affiliates will take a position of “no position” on issues pertaining to abortion.”

Rationale
                “Our unconditional endorsement of abortion (NBI 1990-65) reduces our potential strength by alienating many within our membership and causes others to leave. We need all members.”

Editor’s Note: NEA NBI 1990-65 states as follows:
                “NEA will oppose any legislation which will erode the status of Roe v Wade and/or which impedes access to and choice of reproductive health care options, by providing technical assistance to state affiliates.”


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"THE WONDER OF LIFE"

Once again, the Lord proved His faithfulness through “The Wonder of Life” exhibit that was displayed during the NEA Expo 2004 in Washington DC. The Lord graciously provided, through you, the funds needed for the exhibit space rental and miscellaneous fess, and monies to cover materials for distribution – free to educators who visited our exhibit. We had so many individuals visiting the exhibit this year that we needed to put together additional materials for distribution. Instead of 300 bags, we distributed over 400 bags of free educational materials. In addition, 100 copies of our special distribution feature You Are Special by Max Lucado were distributed along with a few copies of the following videos: “Ultrasound: Eyewitness to the Earliest Days of Life”, “How Babies Grow”, and “You Are a Masterpiece”.

I praise God for all of these provisions that were used to plant seeds of truth in the hearts and minds of many educators. I praise the Lord for all of you – all of whom are a special part of this ministry. Thank you for your prayers and support!


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THE REAGAN YEARS

“I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim and declare the unalienable personhood of every American, from the moment of conception until natural death, and I do proclaim, ordain, and declare that I will take care that the Constitution and laws of the United States are faithfully executed for the protection of America’s unborn children.”
-Presidential Proclamation, January 14, 1988

(Source: Family Research Council, Washington Update, June 8, 2004)


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AFFILIATE STATE CHAPTER UPDATE

Michigan: The Michigan Board of Trustees continues to be in the midst of transition within their board. Anyone interested in serving as a member of the Michigan Board of Trustees should contact Ron Cain, statutory agent of the affiliation. Ron Cain will be serving as the representative to the National Board of Trustees. The next Michigan Board of Trustees meeting will be September 26, 2004 in Rochester Hills MI.

Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of MI, 4789 Section Road, Ottawa Lake MI 49267; mi2002tsc@accesstoledo.com.

Ohio: The 2004-2005 officers for the Ohio Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Connie Bancroft, Executive Director; Gary Winney, Assistant Executive Director; Gloria Hoelle, Secretary; David Kaiser, Treasurer. Marianne O’Donnell will be serving as the representative to the National Board of Trustees. The next Ohio Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, 2004.

Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of Ohio, PO Box 125, Damascus OH 44619-0125; tsc-life@juno.com.

Pennsylvania: The 2004-2005 officers for the Pennsylvania Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Robin Ross, Executive Director; Jeff Remington, Assistant Executive Director; Patricia Brock, Secretary; Linda Burroughs, Treasurer. Robin Ross will be serving as the representative to the National Board of Trustees. The next Pennsylvania Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2004 in North Bend PA.

Teachers Saving Children® of PA Inc., PO Box 214, Pen Argyl PA 18072; tscofpa@epix.net.

Other State Affiliates: This past year, several individuals have contacted the National Office inquiring about state affiliate chapters and how to get a chapter started. Although the time for formal application may not occur until later, there is definite potential for an affiliate state chapter within other states. Right now the best strategy for beginning a state affiliate chapter is to first build a foundation through a solid membership base. As we continue to work with state leadership, we ask for your prayers and your patience. If you are interested in increasing the membership base and/or getting a Teachers Saving Children® Affiliate State Chapter started in your state, please contact Teachers Saving Children® for further information.


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2004-2005 MEMBERSHIPS

We are currently accepting both renewal and new memberships for the 2004-2005 membership year. Teachers Saving Children® membership is open to anyone who agrees with our purpose in representing all grassroots educators who desire to establish a respect for all human life from conception to natural death, especially among professional educators’ organizations. Membership in a professional educators’ organization is not a requirement to join Teachers Saving Children® According to the Teachers Saving Children® Constitution & Bylaws, the membership year is from September 1 – August 31. Husband and wife may join under the same membership. All memberships received will be good until August 31, 2005. Please note that ALL memberships will now be handled through the National Office. Each month States Affiliates will receive membership updates and their portion of the dues received.


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CLARIFICATION

In the June 2004 Teachers Saving Children® newsletter, it was reported that the National Education Association sponsored the April 25, 2004 “March for Freedom of Choice Rally” in Washington DC. On several different occasions during the recent NEA RA, individuals in various leadership positions were questioned about this sponsorship. Here is NEA’s written response to this question/concern.

                “We [NEA] support the march, and we are one of the approximately 1,100 sponsors. Our sponsorship does not represent a financial contribution to the march.
                We are providing juice and water for members who come to Washington D.C. for the event.
                Our support for this event is based on longstanding policies established by our democratic procedures.”
(Source: April 22, 2004 email message sent to State Affiliate Presidents/Executive Directors from Reg Weaver, NEA President, and John Wilson, NEA Executive Director.]

Even though there was no financial contribution to the march and minimal funds were expended in providing juice and water on the day of the march, there is still concern by pro-life individuals, including members of Teachers Saving Children®, regarding NEA’s support and sponsorship of the march. Through their support as one of the approximately 1,100 sponsors, NEA has supported the purpose and principles of the march. And that is the reason for our concern.


For more information contact: tsc-life@juno.com
©2004, 2005 Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


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