Awards

Each year, NEA-Retired gives accolades to outstanding members, organization publications, and college students. Recognition is given in the following areas:

Distinguished Service Award: NEA-Retired's most prestigious award is presented each year to members who have made outstanding contributions to public education and their communities.

Newsletter Awards: Four awards are presented to state and local newsletters during our annual competition.

Jack Kinnaman Scholarship: This scholarship, created in memory of former NEA-Retired Vice President and Advisory Council member Jack Kinnaman, offers a helping hand to students in need.

Inter-Generational Mentoring

NEA-Retired members through inter-generational programs with Student and Active members provide valuable leadership and constructive solutions to the challenges that face all educators and education support professionals. Across the nation, we're serving as teacher mentors and sharing our knowledge to smooth the transition for new and student teachers.

Arizona

Contact Kathy Campbell, of the Arizona Education Association-Retired for information on membership recruitment and local development programs.

Illinois

The Illinois Education Association paired its active retirees with its Student Program members.

Throughout her first year as a teacher, Kerri Gawlik, former president of the IEA Student Program, found great support in Keith Hauge, a 38-year classroom veteran, and now an NEA-Retired member.

"It's been wonderful," the 21-year-old Gawlik says of her relationship with Hauge. "Keith helps explain little things my teachers don't, so I'll be better prepared for the classroom. He gives all the free advice I can ask for."

Virginia

The Hampton Local Association, the Virginia Education Association (VEA), and VEA-Retired used $8,000 from the NEA-Retired grant program to create a successful new-teacher mentoring program. The school district and local universities have also joined the collaboration. Amy Link admits she was anxious and a little uncertain when she first stepped into her third grade classroom at Langley Elementary School in Hampton, Va. But Link didn't have to face her class alone thanks to a mentor program that pairs new teachers with retired classroom veterans.

Outreach to Teach

Every year, NEA-Retired members join student members, education support professionals, and active teachers to clean up a local school in the host city of NEA's Representative Assembly.

Last year, Outreach to Teach had an enormous impact at the N.W. Harllee Elementary School in Dallas. During this eighth annual event volunteers from NEA's Retired, Student, Education Support Professional, and Higher Education programs joined the Texas State Teachers Association, the Dallas Independent School District and the local community to give the school a facelift. Volunteers painted, made repairs, cleaned, gardened, and decorated bulletin boards.

"This shows that retired members are needed and can make a great contribution," said Indiana member Sarah Borgman, a retired elementary and secondary language arts teacher and first-time participant. "No school has enough personnel to get all the jobs done that need to be done in the summer, so this is a great way to help them complete what needs to be done."

Watch the Outreach To Teach video highlights…

Past sites have included Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Orlando and Chicago. Learn more…

State Project Grants - Funding Guidelines

• Additional Grant Information & Criteria  (pdf) ; (word)
• Cover letter & application  (pdf) ; (word)   Due: February 15, 2008
• Progress report  (pdf) ; (word)   Due: February 15, 2008
• Final report  (pdf) ; (word)   Due: July 15, 2008
• Opt-out form  (pdf) ; (word)   Use only when opting out of the second year of a two year grant. Due: Februrary 15, 2008

Each year NEA-Retired will award State Project Grants to state retired entities (retired locals must make requests through the State Retired Organization).  In cases where a State Retired Organization does not exist, NEA-Retired will receive and review grant proposals that seek to establish a State Retired Organization. The grant award will not exceed $5,000 a year. 
No State Retired Organization shall receive more than two grants per year.

Criteria:

1. Arrange pre-discussions with state executive director and state leaders, and obtain some level of commitment on their part to support and endorse the project.

2. Submit a grant application cover sheet and written proposal to the NEA-Retired Office. NEA-Retired grant proposals must include a description of the project with the purpose, goals, and objectives. Additionally an action plan must be submitted including:

• a timeline
• a budget (plan for spending the grant dollars)
• a list of names of state leaders, staff, and members responsible for implementing the project (responsible parties)
• the role and involvement of retired members in the project
• a list of sponsors or other entities providing funding for the grant's stated purpose (optional and strongly suggested)

3. The grant proposal must include the total amount of the grant requested with a detailed plan for spending the grant dollars.

4. Grant proposals should address a strategic focus or priority of the NEA, or NEA-Retired.  Grant dollars must be used for membership organizing project(s), issue organizing, intergenerational mentoring program development or community partnerships and should be related in some aspect to the main priorities of the NEA or NEA-Retired.

5. Matching support from the affiliate or other community sources is highly encouraged and will be used as a factor to consider the amount of the grant award.

6. Grant applications should include a tool to evaluate the progress and success of the project.

7. Program planners should seek matching funds or in kind contributions from the State Affiliate, and/or public and private agencies.

One Year Grants Final Report:
Successful grant recipients must submit a final report indicating how the monies were spent and what results were produced by July 1, 2009.

Two Year Grants Progress Report and Final Report:
Successful grant recipients must submit a progress reports (February 15, 2009 and February 15, 2010) and a final report (July 1, 2010) indicating how the monies were spent, what gains were achieved, and what results were produced.   Progress reports may also be used to communicate challenges or problems associated with successful completion of the project.

8 . Grant awards will be made in the budget year for which a project is to be implemented.

• Example: a successful two-year grant application requesting $5,000 in year one of the grant and $4,000 in year two of the grant. Applicants will be awarded $5000 for the first year of the two-year grant. When the grant progress report and required forms have been received and reviewed by NEA-Retired, the additional $4000, for the second year of a two-year grant, will be awarded.

9 . The grant money should not be used to supplement state or local budgets, staff salaries or travel.  Grant money cannot be used to travel out of state or attend conferences. (i.e. NEA Retirement & Benefits Forum, Alliance for Retired Americans Conference, etc.).

Processes:

1 . All grant proposals will be postmarked on or before February 15, 2008.

2 . Grant awards will be made after June first each year.

3 . An award letter will be sent to the State Executive Director with copies to the State Retired President, State Staff contact for NEA-Retired, State Active President and NEA Regional Director after June first each year.

4 . Checks for the amount of the awarded grant will be mailed (payable to the state affiliate) to the Executive Director of the State Affiliate in which the grant request originated.

5. A Grant Application/Evaluation Cover Sheet with contacts information sheet must be included with the grant.  Grant applications and evaluation/progress reports will not be processed without a completed grant cover sheet.  Submit ONE copy only of your grant request by mail using a return receipt mailing so that you will have proof of delivery and receipt at NEA headquarters.

6. The grant cover sheet MUST be attached to the cover of your grant application or your grant evaluation report.  Supporting documents may be attached to the back of this document.  The deadline for grant submittals is February 15 of the calendar year.  Please type or print this document.   This form may be duplicated if you have more than one grant request or evaluation.  Grants will not be processed without this completed cover sheet information postmarked by the deadline date.

7 . Submit only one copy of your application.

8 . Do not E-mail or FAX the application.

9 . Second year funding:

• Progress reports are required for consideration of second year funding and must be attached to the cover sheet.  Funding for this second year is contingent upon the completed progress report by the deadline and must include the mandatory forms. 
  Funding for this second year is not automatic.

10 . Opt-out of the second year of a two year grant:

• Complete the opt-out form and attach the final evaluation report.

For Contact Information Changes:

Between the DEADLINE SUBMITTAL DATE OF February 15 and June 1 of the year of the grant submission, YOU MUST PROVIDE NEW CONTACT INFORMATION TO NEA-RETIRED VIA FIRST CLASS MAIL OR FAX SO THE CORRECT RECIPIENT WILL RECEIVE NOTIFICATION AT THE CORRECT ADDRESS, if the contact information you provided below for any individuals changes (i.e. newly designated, elected, replacement individual(s), new addresses, etc.).
DO NOT EMAIL THIS INFORMATION

Contact the office of NEA-Retired for information, questions, concerns and comments regarding NEA-Retired State Project Grants:

Candace L. Lilyquist
Organizational Specialist
NEA-Retired/Constituent Relations
1201 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20036
(202)822-7103
CLilyquist@nea.org

Malcolm B. Staples
Manager, Constituent Relations
1201 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20036
(202)822-7123
MStaples@nea.org

Distinguished Service Awards

See the 2007 winners!

NEA-Retired members are actively involved in the Association* on the local, state, and national levels. Our activities include political action, community organizing, mentoring, and volunteering. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes retirees and their contributions to public education and their communities.

Award Criteria

This award recognizes retired individuals who embody outstanding service in any or all of the following areas:

• Community involvement
• Association* involvement
• Enhancement of retirees' image within the Association* and in public education

* All-inclusive NEA membership = local, state, and national involvement in activities.

Eligibility

Nominees must be members for at least five years prior to January 15 of an award year.

Nomination Procedure

The nomination procedure, to insure the widest possible participation is:

• A state Retired affiliate may submit one nominee. A state nomination requires the signature of the state Retired president or contact.
• All nominations must be postmarked by May 1 of the award year.
• Supporting documents required are:
  • Completed nomination form and responses signed by the State Association NEA-Retired President/contact
  • A letter from the nominee's State NEA-Retired President/contact
  • Two letters of support (one from a community source) no more than two pages long

Document should be clear and easy to read, i.e., printed or typewritten.

Selection of the Award

Nominations received by NEA-Retired must be submitted by mail or fax on the official nomination form and will be processed as follows:

1. Nominations will be checked to ensure they meet eligibility requirements.
2. The NEA-Retired Selection Committee will review applicants according to the criteria and purpose listed.
3. The Committee's selection for the NEA-Retired Distinguished Service Award will be forwarded to the NEA-Retired President who will present the recommendation to the NEA-Retired Advisory Council for consideration and approval.
4. Entries must be postmarked by May 1st.

Newsletter Awards

Proud of your local or state Retired Affiliate Newsletter? Here's a chance to shine. The NEA-Retired Newsletter competition recognizes outstanding publications and their editors who successfully communicate with local and state peers.

Newsletters are judged on writing, design, and message development. In addition, we look at how effectively they showcase members, their interests, and key issues. The awards will be presented at the NEA-Retired Annual Meeting.

Enter your newsletter in the NEA-Retired Newsletter competition. Or, if you know of a terrific newsletter, encourage the editor to enter. Awards are given in these four categories:

• Established State Newsletter (published three years or more)
• State Newsletter published less than three years
• Established Local Newsletter
• State Active Newsletter Covering Retired Issues (NEA-Retired Spotlight Award)

Newsletters should exhibit good journalism and show broad and effective coverage of issues relevant to members (i.e., COLA's, Insurance, Health Care). The newsletter should be well written and visually appealing and offer a combination of organizational and consumer-oriented information. Above all, the newsletter should act as an effective organizing tool.

Entries must be postmarked by April 30. Complete the entry form and include it with three copies of one issue of your newsletter from the previous year.

Jack Kinnaman Scholarship

This scholarship was created in memory of our NEA-Retired Vice President and former Advisory Council member Jack Kinnaman. He also represented NEA-Retired with NEA's Fund for Children and Public Education and held several other local, state, and national Association positions during his career.

He is most fondly remembered for wearing the "Cat in the Hat" costume during NEA's Read Across America events. He cared about students—especially ones who needed a helping hand financially. Jack's family wanted scholarships to go to these students.

Applicants must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form
• Up to 200 word essay describing your NEA Student Program activities on the local, state and/or national level
• A brief paragraph demonstrating your financial need and how this scholarship will help you complete your degree in education
• Two (2) letters of recommendations -- one from a faculty member or your NEA Student Program Advisor and one from someone who is not a relative
• A copy of the most recent transcript with evidence of a 2.5 or better grade point average

Print and submit a completed application by April 7.  The amount of this award varies.

Jack Kinnaman Scholarship Application

Join Coalition Aimed at Meeting Retiree Needs

That's why NEA-Retired members are encouraged to join the Alliance for Retired Americans and become part of collective action that leads to positive change.

Our nation needs to take note of the increasing threats to the health and economic security of older Americans. NEA-Retired and its members can help challenge those threats by joining this 3.2 million-member national coalition. Alliance membership is $10 per year.

As a member of the Alliance, you will have an opportunity to:

• Work with other older and retired Americans to make your political voice heard.
• Help bring social and economic justice to our workplaces and society.
• Create an America that rewards work, strengthens families, and builds thriving communities.
• Participate in the types of grassroots activism that most interest you.

I want to become active with the Alliance for Retired Americans.