AERA holds annual district meeting
Retired educators may have left the classroom, but they certainly have not stopped serving their communities.
That was evident at the Alabama Education Retirees Association District 1 meeting July 29 at Russellville First Methodist Church.
AERA Executive Director Wendy Lang reported that our members completed 513,279.5 hours of volunteer community service in 2025.
Lang said the Independent sector values volunteer service at $34.79 per hour, giving those hours a total value of more than $17.8 million.
I think that is something all AERA members can be proud of. More than half a million volunteer hours show just how much retired educators continue to give to their communities.
Dr. Delaina Greene, District 1 director, presided over the meeting. This year’s theme was “It’s a Great Day to be a Member of AERA.”
The association holds meetings for its nine districts each July and August. District directors host the meetings with help from local units.
Andy Bradford, president of the Lawrence County local unit, gave the invocation.
Dressed in red, white and blue, he focused on America’s 250th birthday and the theme “America is a Country Worth Celebrating.”
Dr. Tomesa Smith, president of the Cullman County local unit, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
One reason these district meetings are worthwhile is the opportunity to hear directly from our legislators about issues that affect retirees.
State Rep. Jamie Kiel was our guest speaker. He began his presentation by recognizing retired teachers, including the oldest teacher present and the teacher who has been retired the longest.
Kiel reported that about 1,000 bills were submitted during the 2026 legislative session and about 400 passed. He discussed Alabama’s grocery tax, which the Legislature has reduced from 4% to 2%. Kiel said he would like to see the state eliminate the grocery tax completely.
I think most of us would welcome that. With the cost of groceries continuing to take a bigger bite out of household budgets, eliminating the remaining tax would help families and retirees alike.
Kiel also discussed a possible cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for retirees and the need for a new funding source.
A COLA continues to be an important issue for retirees. The cost of groceries, utilities, medicine, and other necessities does not stop increasing when someone retires. I hope our legislators will continue looking for a way to provide additional help.
Kiel also discussed federal funding for rural health care and community hospitals.
Another topic was the “Success Sequence,” which is three steps aimed at helping young people avoid poverty — earn a high school diploma, get a full-time job and marry before having children.
Staying involved in legislative issues was a recurring message during the meeting.
AERA President Peggy Mobley reported on the organization’s annual meeting in March, which drew about 450 retirees and guests.
Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels served as keynote speaker. He praised retirees for their dedication to education and encouraged them to stay in contact with their legislators.
That is good advice for all of us. Retired educators have years of experience and knowledge, and we should continue to make our voices heard on issues affecting education and retirement.
Of course, our involvement does not end with keeping up with the Legislature. Community service has always been important to educators,
