Teachers Saving Children® National Newsletter June 2010

	Teachers Saving Children^® Inc. - National
	Newsletter Volume 20, Number 4 June 2010	Home National Newsletters

Thoughts From the Executive Director
"The Wonder of Life"
2010-2011 Memberships
Board of Trustees Meeting

Pennsylvania State Affiliate Chapter
2010 NEA Convention
The Camera Doesn't Lie: Ultrasound Changes American Opinion on Abortion
America is Pro-Life

THOUGHTS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Connie Bancroft

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
Romans 1:16

Have you ever been compassionate about a conviction or principle and then worked passionately to take steps towards change? Have you ever worked hard, but felt that no progress was made or that no one was listening?

I am sure all of us have felt that way as we have passionately worked in taking a stand for the preborn. We have all faced adversity in the path towards moving our nation back to the principles of life that our country was founded upon and as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

One of our colleagues, Ruth Boyatt, has passionately worked for years in trying to make a change within the NEA and her NEA state affiliate, the Ohio Education Association (OEA). For a number of years, she has served as a delegate to both the OEA and the NEA Representative Assemblies. She has researched carefully and asked insightful questions during open hearings and throughout the year via one-on-one dialogue with key leadership individuals. She has also proposed amendments to various Resolutions and to the Constitution & Bylaws. Every moral, conservative, sound proposal has been defeated.

Ruth has, also, often stood alone. Other conservatives were too intimidated to speak on behalf of the preborn or were serving as alternate delegates and could not speak on the floor of the Representative Assembly. When standing alone, Ruth would often receive “sighs” from the other delegates as if they were indicating “not again.” Sometimes, liberal delegates would speak in opposition to her proposals and would support the current language in OEA or NEA documents, which was often totally against the beliefs of the conservative-minded educators.

At this past spring’s OEA Representative Assembly [May 7-8, 2010], Ruth again took the opportunity to boldly speak. She attended the Resolutions hearing and asked many questions, later acknowledging that she received no clear answers. As she prayed and received counsel about how to approach the delegates during the Resolutions report, she felt led to make a general statement rather than propose a specific amendment. When the Resolutions report was presented and then moved on behalf of the committee, Ruth went to the microphone and spoke against the entire OEA Resolutions document. Here is the statement that she made that day to over 1000 OEA delegates:

I am speaking on behalf of educators back in my own local and others who come from an evangelical Christian perspective. We have concerns about many of the resolutions in this [OEA Resolutions] document. Just a few of the many examples are:
B-56 which singles out intelligent design as invalid
I-3 which contradicts the sanctity of human life and of marriage
There are more regulations on religion in our OEA Resolutions document than on pedophilia.
I have gone through the democratic process here for 10 years. I have spoken one on one with delegates, asked questions, done research, proposed amendments, and met with OEA leadership. I have paid my union dues for 23 years totaling approximately $16,000.00. I have taken my responsibility to be a representative voice for my people seriously. But to no avail.
I believe that OEA needs to adhere to nondiscrimination on the basis of religion as stated in line three in Resolution I-3, Civil Rights. OEA is losing evangelical Christians as members because they are offended with OEA policies and they feel they are victims of discrimination.
Thank you.

As a committed evangelical Christian, Ruth has first committed herself to Christ and then to the cause of Christ. She has been willing to take a stand for solid principles even in the midst of discrimination and hurtful remarks.

May Ruth be an example to us as to what we need to do in taking a stand for the sanctity of life – for being a voice for life among our colleagues.

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
-I Corinthians 15:58

* * * * * * * * * *

"THE WONDER OF LIFE"

Teachers Saving Children^® will be in New Orleans, Louisiana July 1-3 for the NEA Expo 2010. Thousands of educators will be reached with the sanctity of life message through “The Wonder of Life” exhibit.

A special thank you to each person who has given $5, $10, or more to this special ministry opportunity. The Lord has once again graciously provided, through you, the funds needed for the exhibit space rental fee, miscellaneous fees, and the materials to distribute free to educators who visit our exhibit. We have also purchased a limited number of DVDs to distribute free to selected educators who would use them in their classrooms.

This year the Lord has opened the door for us to include a special feature at the exhibit. Last fall, two different individuals recommended the book Justice Loves Babies as a special distribution feature. Through prayer, doors began to open for the book to be approved by NEA for us to distribute and for the authors, Darlene and Danielle Wibeto, to join us at the exhibit in a book signing. In addition, the authors were willing to allow us to purchase the books at the author’s price of $6. Finally, during the April Board of Trustees meeting, the board officially approved securing 500 copies of the book and bringing in the authors to the NEA Expo for a book signing.

This hardback children’s book is about a little boy named Justice who loves babies. He is eagerly waiting for the birth of his sister, Destiny. The story emphasizes the worth of life and the impact of prayer. The book will change the way children treasure life by helping them understand that life begins in the mother’s womb.

As stated earlier, the Lord has already graciously provided for all the normal expenses of the exhibit. He has also provided through a gracious donation, most of the 500 books needed for the book signing/distribution. Any additional monies received between now and June 25th will be used to purchase additional Justice Loves Babies books for distribution. As each book is read over and over, lives will be touched with the sanctity of life message, thus reaching hundreds of people multiple times.

Thank you for your continued prayers as we make final preparations. Please pray for the Lord’s special anointing as we minister to individuals during the exhibit hours.

Reminder: Those individuals still desiring to support this exhibit financially should make their 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.

* * * * * * * * * *

2010-2011 MEMBERSHIPS

Teachers Saving Children^® membership is open to all pro-life/pro-family educators and concerned citizens. Please be advised that according to the Teachers Saving Children^® Constitution & Bylaws, the membership year is from September 1 – August 31, though we do begin renewing memberships in June. Annual dues are $35.00 with a reduced rate of $15.00 for college students presently enrolled in a college or university undergraduate degree program and also for retired educators currently receiving retiree benefits. Husband and wife may join under the same membership. Contributions and memberships are NOT tax deductible.

We are currently accepting new memberships for the 2010-2011 membership year. Any new memberships received after June 1st are good until August 31, 2011. Renewal membership information will be sent to all current members in late June. ALL memberships are handled through the National Office. Each month, States Affiliates receive membership updates and their portion of the dues received.

Please help the Teachers Saving Children^® office keep accurate records by verifying all membership information. Please make sure your membership forms are accurate, complete, signed, and dated. Thank you for your continued support in being “A Voice for LIFE in Education.”

* * * * * * * * * *

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

April 10, 2010: The Teachers Saving Children^® National Board of Trustees met in Alliance, Ohio for their regularly scheduled Spring meeting. The following are highlights of some of the items that were discussed.

1. Election of Officers for the 2010-2011 fiscal year was held. Connie Bancroft will serve as the Executive Director; Gary Winney will serve as the Assistant Executive Director; Juanita Sattler will serve as Secretary; David Kaiser will serve as Treasurer.

2. The Board of Trustees approved for the Executive Director to work with SKWD Ministries to update and host the website.

3. The Board of Trustees approved that the book Justice Loves Babies will be our feature distribution at “The Wonder of Life” exhibit during the NEA Expo. In addition, the Board of Trustees approved having the authors available during the exhibit for a book signing. (See “The Wonder of Life” article for details.)

4. The Board of Trustees approved guidelines for State Affiliates who require National oversight due to an insufficient number of board members (according to their State Affiliate Constitution & Bylaws).

5. The Board of Trustees accepted the reports of the State Affiliate Chapters. During the Pennsylvania Affiliate report, Robin Ross reported that John Gordon is a new PA board member. Robin Ross also officially submitted her resignation from the PA Board of Trustees. With these changes, there are only 4 remaining PA board members. The Board of Trustees approved a motion for the Pennsylvania State Affiliate Chapter to be overseen by the National Board of Trustees with the four remaining PA Board of Trustee members serving on the Ad Hoc Committee (See “Pennsylvania State Affiliate” article).

6. The next Board of Trustees meeting will be Saturday, October 16, 2010 with the location to be determined. Any member interested in attending this meeting should contact the National Office for meeting details.

* * * * * * * * * *

PENNSYLVANIA STATE AFFILIATE CHAPTER

Robin Ross and Connie Bancroft

After ten years of service, Robin Ross has officially resigned from the Pennsylvania State Affiliate Chapter Board of Trustees effective August 31, 2010. She was fully committed to the work and mission of Teachers Saving Children^® and provided eight years of steadfast leadership as the PA Executive Director and as the PA representative to the National board. She has shared that her years of service have been both challenging and rewarding. As Robin felt the Lord definitely leading her to serve on the PA Board of Trustees, she now feels the Lord is leading her into other ministries. Though leaving the board, the work of saving our precious children’s lives will always be a part of her heart. Robin was recognized during the National Board of Trustees meeting and received a service plaque for her years of service.

John Gordon

John Gordan is a new member of the Pennsylvania State Affiliate Chapter Board of Trustees. John grew up in Glenolden, PA, and attended both West Chester University and Temple University. He has been a career educator, and is currently teaching elementary Learning Support children in the Middletown Area School District, where he is completing his 28th year of service. In addition to teaching, John serves as a Deacon at his church, is a member of the Gideon’s International, has been a long time supporter of the Alpha Pregnancy Services in Philadelphia, and more recently of Morningstar Pregnancy Services in the Harrisburg area. John and his wife, Natalie, are the parents of two young adult sons. During the April 17, 2010 PA Board of Trustees meeting, John was nominated as the PA Chairperson and as the PA representative to the National Board of Trustees for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

With the recent changes in the PA board membership, there are only 4 remaining members serving on the PA board. Since the PA Board of Trustees no longer operates as a full board, Teachers Saving Children^® of Pennsylvania is now an Ad Hoc Committee under the oversight of the National board. They will continue to have regular meetings and will have a chairperson, treasurer, and a Pro Tem secretary at each meeting, as well as a representative to the National board. When they reach full board membership again, they will be reinstated as a state affiliate chapter. They currently need a minimum of two more board members. They only meet two times a year (September and April). For questions or if interested in serving on the PA.

* * * * * * * * * *

2010 NEA CONVENTION

From July 1-6, nearly 10,000 NEA members elected by their state and local colleagues will gather at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans Louisiana for the 2010 NEA Representative Assembly. The first 2½ days will include exhibits, open hearings, and other preliminary activities and events. Beginning July 3, delegates will spend four days conducting business that relates to the policies and activities of the NEA by voting on proposed amendments to the NEA Standing Rules and to the Constitution and Bylaws, electing officers, voting on Resolutions, accepting the reports of various committees, and debating many new business items.

It is vital that you contact your delegates to the NEA Representative Assembly, letting them know your philosophy on various issues and candidates. If you have a delegate(s) from your local attending the NEA convention, contact should be easy. However, many locals do not or cannot send delegates to the NEA RA. Therefore, state at-large delegates or cluster delegates need to be contacted. If you need the names and addresses of your delegate(s), please contact your local president or your NEA State Affiliate office.

Get involved by contacting your NEA delegates! Remind them to vote according to the wishes of the membership they represent! And then hold them accountable by requesting a written report upon their return! Remember: They are your representatives!

* * * * * * * * * *