Local running for retired teachers chief

By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
Many people say after they retire that they don't know where they found time to work. This statement is particularly true about a retired schoolteacher who relocated to Russellville last year.
Kathy Archer spent 28 years in an elementary classroom, and now seeks to become head of the Alabama Education Retirees Association, an organization that works with legislators to keep benefits for individuals who retired from the educational system.
Since retiring in 2000, Archer has been very active with the local retirees associations as well as AERA.
"AERA is a very member-driven organization," Archer said. "We work to obtain future cost of living adjustments and keep our insurance premiums low."
Archer decided to run for the president-elect seat earlier this year, and has found support throughout the state, but the individual voters will ultimately decide whether she will one day preside over the AERA.
"The ballots were mailed out in December, and they are due back no later than January 20," Archer said.
Should she be elected as president-elect, Archer will become president in 2009, and, then, will preside over all AERA meetings and other functions in addition to traveling the state to be present as many local meetings as possible.
"I felt I had a lot to offer the Association," Archer said of her decision to run. "I wanted to do it while I am still able to."
Archer said that AERA has a strong leadership and a strong staff, and that she wants to continue that tradition should she be elected.
In addition to her involvement with AERA, Archer is involved with the Franklin County Education Retirees Association, Blount County Education Retirees Association, National Education Association and Alabama Education Association delegate, Safeplace, Inc., United Way of Northwest Alabama, and Franklin County Walk-a-Mile for a Child.