NEA-NM Retired Newsletter

Hi everyone,

I would like to thank you for being a part of NEA NM Retired. Your careers as public school employees have left an everlasting impression on those who came in contact with you.

Your support of public school education has put each and every one of you in a league of your own, and your contributions have not gone unnoticed. Your involvement in unionism has also gone above and beyond your calling.

We appreciate your continued support of public education, legislative issues, maintaining our benefits (that we fought so hard for) and the fact that we strongly agree that NEA-NM Retired

represents what we stand for. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE!

Muchísimas gracias,

Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano

• NEW ERB CONTACT APPROVED BY THE BOARD-Betty Patterson has been appointed as our new representative on the Educational Retirement Board. Contact information to reach out to her is b_patterson55@yahoo.com and/or 575.571.8882.

• NEW UNISERV- Welcome David Cowdrey, new UniServ for Southwest Region will be coming on board as soon as his school year is over.

• ESP CONFERENCES- JUNE 6! Two conferences will be held simultaneously to provide easier access to our folks in New Mexico; Las Cruces and Farmington will host these conferences

• LEADERSHIP TRAINING ACADEMY: JUNE 12-13 at our office in Santa Fe.

• MEMBERSHIP BLITZ RESULTS: 73 new members and 9 of those from telephonic organizing.

• MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR HELEN DAVIS: May 23, 2026 at La Paz Graham's Funeral Home at 3:00 p.m. in Las Cruces, NM.

• MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR CHARLES BOWYER: May 30, 2-5 p.m. O'Neills on Juan Tabo, ABQ

Submitted by Betty Patterson

NEA-NM Board Member representing Retired

BETTY PATTERSON

b_patterson55@yahoo.com

575.571.8882

• Call for Nominations 2/6/2026 (Advocate’s Voice Jan 2026)
  
• Close Nominations 3/6/2026
  
• Postcard for voting 4/3/2026
  
• Close Election 5/14/2026
  
• Committee Counts Ballots 5/18/2026
  
• Board certifies results 5/20/2026

OPEN POSITIONS

• 2026 DELEGATE COUNCIL (12 delegates to be elected)

• ALTERNATE for NEA-NM Board of Directors (2)
  

Northwest Region -James Conyers, jfsilfox@yahoo.com

Central Region - Eloy Gonzales (Interim), gonzaleseh9@gmail.com (interim term expires 7/16/26

Northeast/North Central Regions- Mary Howard, mfbhoward@aol.com

Southwest Region - Ed Frank, lascruceslalo@gmail.com

Southeast Region- Dora Martinez, dptinez3491@gmail.com. (term expires 7/16/26)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL MEET AT 9:00 A.M.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83266623417?pwd=Uh6xRow9HwXaH6lNCDh1W7ziHvGxVU.1

Executive officers; Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano, Sabina Aguilar, Betty Patterson

Board of Directors: Mary Howard, James Conyers, Interim Eloy Gonzales, Ed Frank, Dora Martinez

All board meetings will be virtual and will address communications, budget, membership, and grant

activities. Committee reports will be updated as committee members meet and report. These reports will be on the following month’s agenda at the BOD meeting. ANY RETIRED Member is welcome to attend.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEET EVERY 3RD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH--ALL ARE WELCOME!

DULY ELECTED by Acclamation:

PRESIDENT: Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano- (new term expires 7/16/29)

VICE-PRESIDENT: Sabina Aguilar (new term expires 7/16/29)

SECRETARY: Betty Patterson. (new term expires 7/16/29)

SOUTHEAST REGION DIRECTOR: Rosalinda Ramirez (new term expires 7/16/29)

CENTRAL REGION DIRECTOR: Geri Franco (new term expires 7/16/29)

DELEGATES FOR OCTOBER DELEGATE.COUNCIL WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER!

Upcoming confirmed dates are May 28 in Las Cruces, and June 18 in Roswell. Please keep an eye out for information that will be sent out. Thanks again for being a member of our pre-retired and retired group!!! WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU!

May 2026

05/20- BOD meeting @ 9:00

• Information on Leadership Training Academy NEA-NM June 12-13
  
• NEA-NMR Committee report updates as attended
  
• Retired election results certified
  
• 05/14-Retired Elections close
• 05/18-Retired election committee counts ballots

June 2026

06/17 – BOD meeting @ 9:00

• Share info from Leadership Training Academy- June 12-13
  
• Report on success of ESP conferences and membership- June 6
• NEA-NMR Committee report updates as attended
• NEA-NM Board report

We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to the family of Charles Bowyer. Charles' dedication to public education, unionism and commitment will be missed. Most of all, Charles' knowledge of the ins and outs of our NEA-NM constitution and state politics will be forever remembered. He led our state organization within so many positions; Vice-President, President, Government Relations, and Executive Director. What an incredible legacy he leaves behind. He will be missed! May he rest in peace.

CONDOLENCE CARDS may be sent to Lisa Bowyer C/O NEA-NM Santa Fe office, 2007 Botulph Rd., Santa Fe, NM, 87505.

President Rosalinda Carreon Altamirano. rcaltamir@gmail.com.

Vice President Sabina Aguilar. sabilov@hotmail.com.

Secretary Betty Patterson. B_patterson55@yahoo.com.

Grant team member Carol Teweleit. ctevalamo@aol.com.

OBJECTIVE: We will continue to focus on identifying leaders in our locals that are willing to become the face of NEA-NM Retired and actively involved with the current active local members. Our grant will focus on developing the communication system so that all members are aware of what is happening within our state. Key focus is bringing information about NEA benefits and about retirement so members are continually aware of changes or requirements needed.

Our team has prepared the presentation and will supply all materials to help assist these leaders when presenting. A kit containing our published powerpoint, (USB and hard copy), brochures from NEA Retired and brochures from NEA-NM Retired will be included. Mileage and any incidentals incurred while participating will be reimbursed.

If you know of anyone that is retiring, and would like to receive information on our NEA-NM Retired group, please let us know. We would love to follow up and invite them to join. Please share any information you have with them, or reach out to us for flyers or materials. Again, thank you so much for your support!

PLEASE have the PRESIDENT of YOUR LOCAL or NEARBY LOCALS contact NEA-NM RETIRED or their REGION Director FOR A PRESENTATION ON HOW TO BETTER USE YOUR NEA MEMBER BENEFITS.

neanmretired@gmail.com.

"NEA MEMBER BENEFITS are designed to capitalize on the buying power of 3 million members. There include special rates for insurances (including insurance for your pet), savings and investments, loans and mortgages, as well as all the fun stuff--like buying a new car, taking that bucket list vacation, or surprising the grandkids with a trip to the beach or theme park. When you join NEA-Retired you will keep that purchasing power in your pocket (or pocketbook)." (online, NEA Retired Membership)