Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National

Newsletter
Volume 18, Number 6
August 2008

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Connie Bancroft


“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

-Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Although I had been involved in my local association for a few years before I attended the April 1990 Rally for Life in Washington DC, it was at that rally that I began to realize the importance of becoming more active in the pro-life movement. I also realized that I needed to become more involved in the decision making process of my association.

Less than a year later, Teachers Saving Children® Inc. of Ohio was incorporated. At the same time, I became more involved in my association by being a delegate and attending the various Representative Assemblies at my regional and state affiliate levels. Though there had been conservative individuals in the past who had tried to make changes within the various levels of the union, many of those individuals became so intimidated that they quit. Even many of the attempts that my colleagues and I made in being a voice for life were met with “object to consideration.” The staunch liberal delegates who attended the Representative Assemblies did not want to allow the conservatives the opportunity to speak.

Very slowly over time, things began to change. On Monday, February 20, 1995, four conservative teachers, including myself, had the opportunity to spend over two hours of productive roundtable discussion with two Ohio Education Association officers. During that conversation, one of those officers commented that though conservative individuals in the past had attempted change and quit, we were still there attempting to make our comments year after year. That same officer, now retiring as an NEA Executive Committee member, recently told me that although the NEA’s positions on our issues will probably never change, he appreciated the way that we used the democratic process and the way we respectfully made our comments to delegates who attended the Representative Assembly.

As I have become personally involved in the association at different levels, serving on committees where my conservative convictions are not in conflict with those committee responsibilities, I have seen a new respect develop for me and the conservative voice. The Lord has not asked us to change the NEA position on abortion nor even to change the hearts of those with a liberal agenda. That’s His responsibility as Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 3:6: “I [Paul] planted the seed. Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” We are called to be obedient, faithful, and to persevere. Then at the proper time, there will be a harvest of changed hearts. And from the harvest of changed hearts will flow the change that is needed to be seen not only at the NEA level, but at all levels of the union.

There are many opportunities to be a voice for life among our colleagues, locally and across the nation. I am so thankful for the anointing of strength the Lord grants to each one of us to have the confidence to persevere with this message of life. Thank you for your faithful support and prayers for this ministry.

In conclusion, 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 in addition to my full-time teaching responsibilities. I want to publicly accept the position of Executive Director of Teachers Saving Children® Inc. – National for another year.


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EDITOR'S NOTE

As a delegate to the 2008 NEA Representative Assembly, I personally witnessed the many activities and events of the RA. Because of this experience, I felt led to write the following letter to NEA President Reg Weaver. I am sharing my letter openly in this newsletter as a means of conveying to all of you what many of our readers have never experienced first-hand.

The National Education Association (NEA) and its state and local affiliates do use union funds to engage in lobbying or political activities unrelated to their duties as exclusive bargaining representatives. If this concerns you, please know that there are options regarding involvement in union membership. Teachers Saving Children® Inc. – National and its state affiliates do not advocate any one option. We simply present our readers with all available courses to follow and respect their decision.

However, I do personally encourage that if you do make the decision to be a member of the NEA, then get involved There are many ways to get involved without supporting NEA’s liberal agenda. Whichever course you follow, let your conservative voice be heard so your fellow educators will begin to understand the politics of the NEA.

[For union options that are available, please view: union options].


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NEA RESOLUTION I-15

(formerly Resolution I-13)

                "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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"PRO-LIFE GROUP:
NEA ENDORSEMENT OF PRO-ABORTION BARACK OBAMA IS IRONIC"

Washington, DC – The National Education Association endorsed Barack Obama on Friday [July 4, 2008] and a leading pro-life group says there is significant irony in the endorsement of a candidate who favors the destruction of the next generation of schoolchildren. “The tragic irony of the NEA’s endorsement of Barack Obama is not lost on millions of pro-lifers across the country,” Karen Cross, the National Right to Life political director, told LifeNews.com. “The NEA has chosen to back a presidential candidate who wants to continue a policy of abortion on demand, which has resulted in nearly 50 million missing students in classrooms from coast to coast since 1973,” she said. Senator Obama has said that, if elected president, the first thing he would do is sign the so-called “Freedom of Choice Act” – a bill that would make partial-birth abortion legal again, require taxpayer funding of abortion and nullify virtually all federal and state limitations on abortion, such as parental notification laws. “Barack Obama’s extremist pro-abortion agenda is a poison pill for our nation’s classrooms,” Cross added. “It borders on the incomprehensible that our nation’s educators would get behind a candidate whose agenda will result in more and more missing children.”

(Source: LifeNews.com, July 7, 2008)


Editor’s Note: There were 9,105 delegates present at the NEA RA (Credentials Final Report). On Friday, July 4, 2008, NEA delegates voted by secret ballot whether or not the NEA should endorse a presidential candidate. The question was: Shall the National Education Association recommend to its members the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States? The results are as follows:

Yes 6,841 79.75% of those voting
No 1,737 20.25% of those voting
Abstained: 527 delegates


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ELECTION 2008 - BE INFORMED

Dramatic changes within our government and economy are occurring every day, which continue to bring about change in national politics. Again this year the general election in November is vital on both the state and national levels as decisions will be made regarding representation and critical issues. It is important for all eligible US citizens 18 years and older to be registered voters and to express their freedom of choice through voting. The biggest reason people give for not voting is that they do not know enough about the candidates and the issues. And with today’s media, it is very difficult to discern the truth about where the candidates stand on many important issues. The best resource for receiving good bi-partisan information about the presidential candidates is through USAVOTER (www.usavoter.com). Abraham Lincoln once said, “It is a sin to remain silent when it is your duty to speak up.” May the American people become informed and voice their conscience at the polls this November!

RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP IS NO ACCIDENT!
DO YOUR DUTY BY GETTING INVOLVED!


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"THE WONDER OF LIFE"

Volunteers: Ruth Boyatt, Sherly Jourdain, and Connie Bancroft
Volunteer Emily Espinola
Once again, the Lord proved His faithfulness through “The Wonder of Life” exhibit that was displayed during the NEA Expo 2008 in Washington DC. The Lord graciously provided, through you, the funds needed for the exhibit space rental and miscellaneous fees, and monies to cover materials for distribution – free to educators who visited our exhibit. In addition to distributing approximately 300 bags of educational tracts and information, we were also able to purchase DVDs and books to give to educators who teach in specialized areas – all because of your generosity. We had so many individuals visiting the exhibit this year that we exhausted many of the materials that we had prepared for distribution. Individuals continue to express their appreciation for our presence at the NEA Expo each year. Thank you for your prayers and support!


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"TEEN PREGNANCIES INCREASE FOR THE FIRST TIME
AFTER 15 YEARS OF DECLINES"

Washington DC – The number of teen pregnancies rose last year for the first time in 15 years, according to the National Institutes of Health. The new numbers follow the decisions of several states over the last couple of years to refuse the federal abstinence education funding the government sends to states. The number also follow new figures in January showing the number of abortions declining to their lowest levels since the year after Roe v. Wade as more teenagers keep their babies, or give them up for adoptions than kill them in abortions. The report also comes after a spate of high-profile teen pregnancies: that of 17-year-old TV star Jamie Lynn Spears, who recently gave birth to a daughter, as well as the pregnancies of numerous students at Gloucester High School in Massachusetts. Federal health experts said they don’t know why the teen pregnancy numbers went up from 2005 to 2006, and that not enough data have been collected to say whether it’s a trend. Pregnant teens aged 15 to 19 are less likely to get prenatal care and gain appropriate weight, experts say. They are also more likely [to] smoke than pregnant women aged 20 years or older. Teen pregnancy is “one of the key indicators for the health of the teen population because it not only reflects their health at this point, but it reflects their health and well-being for the next 20 to 40 years,” Sondik said.

(Source: LifeNews.com, July 14, 2008)


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AFFILIATE STATE CHAPTER UPDATE

Michigan: The 2008-2009 officers for the Michigan Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Dennis Healy, Chairperson; Joan Stratman, Secretary; Ron Cain, Treasurer. Ron Cain will be serving as the representative to the National Board of Trustees. The next Michigan Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2008, in Rochester Hills, MI. * mi2002tsc@accesstoledo.com.

Ohio: The 2008-2009 officers for the Ohio Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Connie Bancroft, Executive Director; Gary Winney, Assistant Executive Director; Marianne O’Donnell, Secretary; David Kaiser, Treasurer. Judy Bruns will be serving as the representative to the National Board of Trustees. The next Ohio Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2008, in Columbus, OH. * tsc-life@juno.com.

Pennsylvania: The 2008-2009 officers for the Pennsylvania Affiliate State Chapter are as follows: Robin Ross, Executive Director; Jeff Remington, Assistant Executive Director; Julie Myers, Secretary; Patty Yamrick, 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 20, 2008, in Lewisburg, PA. * tscofpa@epix.net.

Note: Both the Michigan and the Pennsylvania State Affiliates are in need of individuals who would be willing to serve on their respective Board of Trustees. Anyone interested in serving, please contact the National Office (330-821-2747).


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2008-2009 MEMBERSHIPS

In early July, renewal information was sent to all current members. We are grateful for those individuals who have already renewed their membership for the 2008-2009 membership year. Thank you! The enclosed membership form is for those individuals who have NOT yet renewed or who have never officially joined Teachers Saving Children®. All members receive a bi-monthly newsletter and other pertinent information throughout the year. Please contact the National Office (330-821-2747) if you have any questions regarding your membership status.


For more information contact: tsc-life@juno.com
©2008 Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


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