Retirees from up and down the state are hitting the pavement and putting pen to paper this election season.
In San Francisco, Ann Killebrew, Northern VP of San Francisco Community College District Federation of Teachers, Retiree Chapter 986, says that she is focusing on the City College of San Francisco Board of Trustees election: “Members of our monthly Retiree walking group chose to walk in one San Francisco precinct to hang campaign door-hangers for Alan Wong. Starting in the fog wearing several layers of jackets, we quickly stripped to shirt sleeves as we climbed up and down many stairs.”
Down south in the San Diego and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College Districts, Retiree Chapter AFT 1931-R has been hard at work beginning mid-summer:
“Since July 2024, members of the AFT Guild Retiree Chapter, Local 1931-R have been busy working on a letter-writing project, in coordination with the national organization Vote Forward,” says Johnathan McLeod, President of 1931-R. “You know people walk out here with a smile on their face. And it’s because when you are writing letters, putting your heart and soul into it, you really feel that you are communicating to someone directly. It makes members feel like they are really doing something. It helps members to turn anxiety into action!”
Action is almost an understatement. These members wrote and sent out over 6,200 letters to the swing state of Pennsylvania in hopes of convincing low propensity voters to support the Harris-Walz ticket; this is a consequential state that could determine the outcome of the November election.
In Cerritos, CFT retiree Arlene Reddick expressed that not only is this work exciting, but it is also easy to throw your name in the hat and get started. Working through the organization “Activate America,” she was able to start her efforts from the comfort of her home. All she needed to do was get some mailing supplies and she was ready to go.
In early October, Reddick and fellow retirees met at the CFT committee meetings in Los Angeles. “We decided to provide the members with the postcards, pens, postage, and script to fill out as many as they want. The committee would collect the cards and mail the finished postcards. Many hands make less work! Plus it gives members a way of being a part of getting out the Vote!
There is still time to follow the track of these outstanding CFT retired members doing the work to get out the vote!
The CFT communications team met up and spent an afternoon with CFT retiree Ken Tray in San Francisco. Ken was finishing a multiple day effort precinct walking his surrounding neighborhood talking to voters about everything from local issues to the national election.
Along with the many great tales that Ken shared that day, there was an obvious tenacity and motivation to make sure his neighborhood was voting in the best interests of working class people and public education. Many of the passersby had either already voted or walked away with the bright orange voter guide that Ken helped put together with his local democratic club.
A sunny day in San Francisco turned into an example of how we can all take part in being a good steward of our own communities.