Teachers Saving Children® Inc. - National
Newsletter
Volume 11, Number 3
February 2001
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For eight years I have organized a bus trip to Washington DC for the annual March for Life events. Each year provides a unique experience, and this year was no different.
Less than one week before leaving for Washington DC, I received a phone call from an individual who had sensed a clear direction from the Lord that we should have a local reporter traveling with us to Washington DC. After some discussion, it was agreed that she would call the local paper and inquire if it would be possible for them to release a reporter to travel with us. To describe all the details as to how the Lord placed a specific local reporter on our bus would take lots of space, but it is evident of the Lord's clear guidance and intervention in each step of this process.
Our reporter had recently returned to his home area to work at the local paper. Although he had lived in Washington DC for 12 years, he had never seen nor attended the March for Life activities. He was amazed at the large number of teenagers who rode our bus, who attended the Ohio Right to Life Congressional Breakfast, and who participated in the March itself. He was introduced for the first time to individuals, such as the Willkes, who have been in the pro-life movement since its beginning. He spent time with the teens on our bus - seeing first hand their commitment and strong stand for life.
When I opened Tuesday's paper I was very pleased. The reporter had worked tirelessly as we traveled from Washington DC to Ohio preparing two articles; one of which would be a front-page headline article with one full size and one smaller size colored picture. Although he reported both events, the March and the ORTL Congressional Breakfast, accurately and without bias, it was obvious from our conversations that his life had been affected by this experience.
The Lord uses these unique and exciting experiences to continually remind me the importance of being sensitive to His leading, partnering with others, and always being open to opportunities to share with someone about the sanctity of life. Even though our convictions are deep, there are many individuals who have never been exposed to the truth about the sanctity of life, nor have they witnessed the strong and deep pro-life convictions of individuals, nor have they experienced the many pro-life events across our nation.
Although we have recently seen a dramatic turning point within our national government, each one of us must continue to do our part in educating individuals about the sanctity of life until everyone has heard the truth and has had an opportunity for their heart to be changed. As each one of us does our part - God will take care of the rest!
Although the time for formal application may not occur until later, there is definite potential for an Affiliate State Chapter within other states. Individuals from Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York have contacted TSC requesting information to start an Affiliate State Chapter. These individuals are looking for others who would be willing to help them with the affiliation process.
As we continue to work with state leadership, we ask for your prayers and your patience. The process seems very slow, especially within an "instant-minded" society. However, TSC believes in doing everything "above board" from the very beginning. This not only helps the integrity of the organization, but also helps the organization to have greater impact.
If you are interested in helping individuals from Massachusetts, Minnesota, or New York with the affiliation process, or are interested in getting a TSC Affiliate State Chapter started in your state, please contact TSC for further information.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT "Good afternoon, friends and fellow citizens. Two days ago, Americans gathered on the Washington Mall to celebrate our Nation's ideals. Today, you are gathered to remind our country that one of those ideals is the infinite value of every life.
I deeply appreciate your message and your work. You see the weak and the defenseless, and you try to help them. You see the hardship of many young mothers and their unborn children, and you care for them both. In so many ways, you make our society more compassionate and welcoming.
We share a great goal: to work toward a day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law. We know this will not come easily, or all at once. But the goal leads us onward: to build a culture of life, affirming that every person, at every stage and season of life, is created equal in God's image.
The promises of our Declaration of Independence are not just for the strong, the independent, or the healthy. They are for everyone including unborn children. We are a society with enough compassion and wealth and love to care for both mothers and their children, to seek the promise and potential in every human life. I believe that we are making progress toward that goal. I trust in the good hearts of Americans. I trust in the unfolding promise of our country an expanding circle of inclusion and protection. And I trust in the civility and good sense of our citizens a willingness to engage our differences in a spirit of tolerance and good will.
All of you marching today have never tired in a good cause. Thank you for your conviction, your idealism, and your courage. May God bless you all.
GEORGE W. BUSH
(Source - Special Pro-Life Infonet Weekly: 28 Years of Roe v. Wade, January 27, 2001)
By faith, TSC has once again made application for exhibit space during NEA Expo 2001. The purpose of the exhibit will be to promote and provide educational classroom materials especially for science and health teachers. Again this year TSC will be investing $1,100 for the exhibit space rental alone, without counting the additional $300-400 cost for miscellaneous fees, materials, and the shipping of our materials from Ohio to California.
Already many individuals have begun to spare $5, $10, $20, and more to help us fund this exhibit. However, additional contributions are needed as we continue to prepare for this special exhibit. Each child born into this world will thank you for your contribution towards educating teachers about "The Wonder of Life".
Note: Please make checks payable to "TSC Inc. - National". Please carefully note how the amount given is to be designated (NEA Exhibit) so that the contribution will be appropriately allocated.
Often we know who our local officers and building representatives are. However, most of our dues money, in fact hundreds of dollars, goes beyond the local level to other levels of the Association. Knowing who represents us and how they vote isn't just a matter of principle; it's a matter of how our dues money is being spent.
The NEA Representative Assembly, the annual meeting of the Association, is the largest deliberative body in the world. During the Representative Assembly, delegates adopt all the NEA policies, the budget, and the resolutions; enact legislative agendas; consider many new business items; elect Association officers; and vote on amendments to the NEA governing documents.
All delegates are selected in the local and state affiliates by their colleagues to represent their views in the deliberation of the assembly. Details for running as a state delegate can be received from your state affiliate office. For local delegate representation to the NEA RA, check with your local president.
So watch those local memos and newsletters carefully for NEA delegate election information. There are deadlines! We will only get good representation when members take the time to get involved by educating ourselves about the candidates, and VOTING!
The largest most complete, pro-life web-site in the nation! Find the latest information on: Human Development, Abortion, Infanticide, Euthanasia, Fetal Experimentation, Population, and Legislative Action, along with pro-life resources, links to other great web-sites, and much more. Excellent pro-life information is just a mouse click away, anytime, anywhere. Take time to click on www.ohiolife.org.
Editor's Note: Teachers Saving Children® thanks everyone for their patience with the TSC web-site. It is nearing completion and should be available very soon. In the meantime, take time to check out the completely redesigned Ohio Right to Life web-site at www.ohiolife.org.
Storm was required to prove his convictions before a union board, resulting in exemption from $580 in fees that would have been paid to the National Education Association (NEA) and Michigan Education Association (MEA). In lieu of dues, Storm paid the equivalent amount to a local children's charity. Storm is still required to pay $71 dollars in dues to his local union because the union board ruled it supports 'no objectionable agenda.'
Each year, the NEA and MEA spend millions of dollars on lobbying. This money is used, among other things, to support the homosexual rights movement and family planning legislation. Although many teachers do not support these positions, few are aware that they may have legal grounds to stop payment of dues to local, state, and national unions.
Under title VII of the Civil Rights Act, employees who have religious objections to unions of the views supported by a union may instead donate their agency-fee (the amount non-union members must pay for representation services or collective bargaining) dollars to a non-religious charity organization. Additionally, teachers who disagree with a union's political agenda based upon philosophical, ethical, ideological, political, or other beliefs may resign from a union and pay only the cost of the agency-fee. Teachers in one of 27 'right-to-work' states can resign from a union and are not required to pay agency-fees."
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