Teachers Saving Children® of Pennsylvania Inc.

Newsletter
Volume 11, Number 1
October 2009

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Contents


A WORD FROM ROBIN ROSS

Executive Director

I have recently become aware of a very disturbing situation. The C.R.C., or the United National Convention on the Rights of the Child, dates to November 20, 1989, when it was adopted and since has been ratified by 193 nations. Madeline Albright, then the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, signed the C.R.C. on February 16, 1995; however, the United States has not ratified this treaty. Should the U.S. Senate do this, it will supersede all of our federal and state laws related to children and families. Instead, a committee of 18 experts from other nations would have the authority to issue official interpretations of this treaty.

Many of our liberal congressional representatives and senators, such as Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California), as well as our present United Nations Ambassador, Susan Rice, and Hilary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, support the ratification of the C.R.C., and have stated their desire for ratification by the United States in 2009.

Among other provisions of this treaty, parents would no longer be able to use corporal punishment with their children, or opt them out of sex education in public schools. Furthermore, minor children could choose their own religion while parents may only advise.

Michael Farris, in his article “Nannies in Blue Berets: Understanding the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child” writes the following: “Children would have the right to reproductive health information and services without parental knowledge or consent.”

To read more about the alarming provisions in the C.R.C., go to www.hslda.org/UNCRC-1. To sign a petition as a citizen co-sponsor of The Parental Rights Amendment, go to www.parentalrights.org. This amendment will counteract the C.R.C.

You may also write to or e-mail your congressional legislators (especially since many of them consider group petitions as only one protest, as opposed to counting individual signers of the petition).

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) Ultimately, the Lord is our best and only hope!


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FAREWELL TO TWO BOARD MEMBERS


We bid farewell to two board members. A warm “thank you” to Patty Brock who has served five years on our Pennsylvania Chapter of Teachers Saving Children® Inc. Board of Trustees. Jeff Remington will be leaving our board, also, at the end of October. Thank you, Jeff, for your nine years of service. You will be greatly missed. Following are some parting thoughts from Jeff and Patty.


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COMMENTS FROM JEFF REMINGTON

(Pictured with Executive Director ,Robin Ross)

It has been an honor to serve for nine years on the Board of Trustees for Teachers Saving Children® of Pennsylvania, and a special privilege to work alongside the dedicated past and present board members whom I have come to know, admire, and respect. I have been most inspired by Connie Bancroft, who has been and continues to be a steadfast beacon of hope in her vocation to protect our greatest national resource – our future students, both born and unborn. I commend her for her commitment and leadership.

Over the past few years, I have become increasingly involved in humanitarian, education-related work in Haiti, and I feel that is where I am being called to serve at this point in my life. Even though I will miss working directly with Teachers Saving Children®, Inc., I will continue to enthusiastically advocate for the sanctity of human life in all of my endeavors.

I challenge you to rededicate yourselves to protecting those who cannot protect themselves. In the end, the groups that are the most passionate, organized, and dedicated will be the driving force to protect our unborn, future students. Who knows, these students might discover miracle cures to disease or provide other remarkable contributions to humanity.

I will close with what I believe is one of the most powerful statements I have seen: “If a child is not safe in its mother’s womb, then none of us are safe.” It is my hope that such a statement will keep us all focused on the task ahead.


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...AND FROM PATTY BROCK


In leaving the board, I must say that I received more than I gave. I learned there are teachers who are not only prolife, but dedicated to the education about and prevention of abortion, and are willing to speak out about it. These educators are willing to take the lead in informing the general public and educators about our teachers unions’ pro-choice position. Teaching school keeps one so busy that there is little time for anything else but job and family, so educators depend on their unions to keep them informed; but the sad truth is they are not fully informed. We are pressured into joining our unions knowing that our morals and beliefs are at stake. We need support when we want and need to “step out” in opposition to abortion. Teachers Saving Children® is at work providing this support, but we still need to have the courage, time, and willingness to speak out. I am not sure I contributed much to Teachers Saving Children®, but I leave with great hope that this organization will help advance the prolife message among educators and others.


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AND, SO...WE NEED YOU!


We need two more people to fill the vacancies we now have on our Pennsylvania Board of Trustees. And we will need yet another board member next year, since 2010 will be the final year that Robin Ross, our Executive Director, plans to serve on our board. So you see, our need for additional board members is quite critical.

Please consider joining our board. Or perhaps you can refer us to someone who might be interested in this venture. We have only two meetings a year, usually in May and September, in Lewisburg, PA.

If you have interest in or questions about serving on our board, please contact Robin Ross by e-mail at bilskto@paonline.com or phone her at 717-292-2021, and she will be pleased to talk with you!


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NEA PRO-CHOICE POSITION


You likely read in the August 2009 newsletter of Teachers Saving Children®, Inc. - National about the pro-abortion position of the National Education Association. In that newsletter issue, Connie Bancroft, Executive Director of Teachers Saving Children® - National, included NEA Resolution I-16 (formerly Resolution I-15), which clearly states that “The National Education Association supports family planning, including the right to reproductive freedom.” If you have concern about that position by the NEA, there are ways to have your voice heard.

For example, the first NEA Today issue of the school year always has an application for the position of delegate to the summer NEA Representative Assembly, the legislative body of the NEA. If you want to make a difference in changing NEA policies, a good place to start is in becoming an NEA-RA delegate. Please consider becoming a delegate.

Following is another suggestion.


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PACE AND YOU

Jeff Remington, Asst. Executive Director

The Political Action Committee for Education (PACE) is the Pennsylvania Education’s (PSEA) political action fund. Money contributed to this fund goes toward lobbying and other political activities of the PSEA and National Education Association (NEA). Your local association will ask members to contribute to PACE early in the school year. In so doing, you may be supporting the pro-choice position. If you feel as though you do not want to contribute to PACE because of the NEA-PSEA’s position favoring abortion, you may decline your PACE contribution and submit a letter of explanation such as the following:

Dear PSEA/NEA:

I respectfully decline to contribute to PACE due to the NEA/PSEA stance on abortion as evidenced by NEA policy and past practices stated below:

New Business Item 1990-65
“NEA will oppose any legislation which will erode the status of Roe v. Wade and or which impedes access of choice. . .”

Resolution I-16
“NEA supports. . .reproductive freedom.”

Hospitality Center for Reproductive Freedom
* The NEA headquarters in Washington has been a hospitality center for those participating in reproductive freedom protests in the past.
* Some NEA state associations have sponsored transportation to such events.
* NEA has a history of backing political candidates that are strong opponents of pro-life issues.

Respectfully,
(signature)

Another consideration for you is to consider looking into the Keystone Teachers Association. KEYTA was started as a professional alternative to union membership, does not donate money to controversial social issues and partisan politics, and instead focuses on supporting public schools and educators.

KEYTA provides members with access to professional liability insurance, legal assistance, state lobbyists that represent KEYTA in educational issues, continuing professional development workshops, and much more, according to their website. KEYTA was started by a teacher who is opposed to the NEA pro-choice position.

You can get full details about KEYTA at their website, www.keyta.org.


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REPORT FROM BOARD OF TRUSTEES


The Board of Trustees of the Pennsylvania Chapter met on September 19, 2009 in Lewisburg. Robin Ross, Executive Director, presented Jeff Remington with a plaque honoring his service to the board. Since Patty Brock was unable to attend the meeting, her service was recognized in absentia and Robin will mail her plaque. Board members discussed ways to better publicize Teachers Saving Children® of PA. Although the matter was tabled until the next meeting, board members Jeff Remington and Julie Myers agreed to explore options for giving us more visibility through the internet.

The board also approved the 2009-2010 budget (detailed below). The board will meet again on April 17, 2010, in Lewisburg.


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FINANCIAL REPORT
Teachers Saving Children® of Pennsylvania
September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009


Balance - September 1, 2008 $1252.37
Revenues:
   Membership dues 811.00
Total Revenues $2063.37
Expenses:
   Rent 25.00
   Postage 96.74
   Donation to TSC National 100.00
   Printing 55.00
   Supplies 181.50
Total Expenses $458.24
Balance - August 31, 2009 $1605.13


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BUDGET

September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010


Beginning Balance: $1605.00
Expected Revenues: 1200.00 $2805.00
Expenses:
Rent 100.00
Travel 200.00
Postage 75.00
Printing 150.00
Accounting 150.00
Supplies 100.00
Reserve 2030.00
Total $2805.00


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TEACHERS SAVING CHILDREN® of PA, INC
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

If you have questions regarding Teachers Saving Children® of Pennsylvania, Inc., or concerns for the attention of the board, please call the board member that lives nearest to your area.

Robin Ross (Executive Director), York County 717-292-2021
Patricia Bartow, Lancastser County 717-872-7283
Julie Myers, York County unpublished
Jeff Remington, Lebanon County 717-838-7538
Patricia Yamrick, Indiana County 724-349-7489


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PRAYER CALENDAR

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
II Chronicles 20:12


SUNDAY: Pray that we will “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. . .so that [we] not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3
MONDAY: May our “work [be] produced by faith, [our] labor prompted by love, and [our] endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 1:3
TUESDAY: Ask the Lord to increase our membership and for many to be actively involved in T.S.C. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
WEDNESDAY: May we be like the Psalmist. “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast trusting in the LORD.” Psalm 112:7 May our hearts be secure in the midst of these troubled times.
THURSDAY: May we hear God saying, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
FRIDAY: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles.” II Corinthians 1:3-4
SATURDAY: “For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” II Corinthians 4:6 Pray that our light shines brightly to the glory of God



For more information contact: tscofpa@epix.net
©2009 Teachers Saving Children® of Pennyslvnia Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


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