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The North Carolina Retired School Personnel (NCRSP) is a division of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) and represents members who are retired school system employees, both certified and non-certified. NCRSP is organized into 10 geographic regions and 100 local units, with a state office in Raleigh.
The North Carolina Retired School Personnel (NCRSP) is a division of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) and represents members who are retired school system employees, both certified and non-certified. NCRSP is organized into 10 geographic regions and 100 local units, with a state office in Raleigh.
Dear NCRSP Members,
As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome the New Year, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to each of you for a joyful and fulfilling 2025. The turning of the year is a time of reflection, renewal and hope, and I am grateful for the inspiring community we have built together.
Looking back on this past year, I am filled with gratitude for the tireless efforts of our members across North Carolina. Your dedication ensures that our voices are heard, our gatherings are meaningful, and our advocacy remains strong.
A heartfelt thank you to our regional directors and local unit presidents and our regional directors and local unit presidents and officers. Your leadership and commitment are the backbone of our organization. From organizing events and addressing member needs to advocating for our shared goals, your hard work and dedication make a lasting impact on our mission.
The Executive Board, the Legislative and Convention Committees have been dedicated to advancing our mission. I also want to recognize the remarkable contributions of our Membership team for their outreach, Communications for the engaging Panorama newsletter and website updates, the Recognitions Committee for preparing to celebrate our achievements, and Community Service for documenting and highlighting the mighty volunteer work of our members. Your efforts inspire and uplift communities across North Carolina. Your collective efforts help us stay connected, informed, and engaged with our members, and uplift communities across the state.
To our Quality of Life Committee, thank you for prioritizing the well-being of our members and reminding us to embrace opportunities for growth and connection. Each of you plays an essential role in strengthening this organization and making a lasting impact.
Also, our appreciation goes out to the members of our Policy Committee and Constitution and By Laws Committee for their diligent and in-depth work this year reviewing and updating the foundational documents that govern our operations, ensuring that they reflect our values and commitments. Their dedication to maintaining the integrity of our governance allows us to function smoothly and stay aligned with our mission.
Our hearts continue to go out to our members in Western North Carolina who faced challenges this year due to the impact of Hurricane Helene. We recognize the resilience and strength you have shown in navigating these hardships, and we stand in solidarity with you as you continue to rebuild and recover. Please know that your NCRSP family is here to support you, and we commend the spirit of community and care that has shone through in the face of adversity.
I am thankful to all who are organizing the NCRSP State Convention, which will take place on March 26-27, 2025, at the Durham Hilton, located near Duke University. The work of all of our Committees and that of the Convention, the Elections, the Rules and Credentials, the NBIs, the Memorials will culminate in this landmark occasion. Made possible by all members, the convention will be a celebration for us to reconnect and engage in meaningful events that make our NCRSP family ties enduring and joyful.
I encourage you to mark your calendars and join us for this important experience as we continue to strengthen our community and further our shared goals.
As we look ahead to 2025, let us embrace the New Year with renewed purpose, service, and hope. Be sure to visit our website regularly for updates, including the calendar of events, and remember to complete your Community Service forms to record your volunteer hours. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference and reflects our collective commitment to bettering the world.
May the coming year bring you health, happiness, and countless opportunities to create new memories with loved ones. Together, let us continue to support one another and the communities we serve.
With warmest wishes for a bright and prosperous 2025,
September 2024 - From the Desk of Linda Gunter, NCRSP President
September 2024 - From the Desk of Linda Gunter, NCRSP President
The newly elected leadership team of NCRSP has hit the ground running. We've already taken several key steps, including electing Tama Bouncer and Oliver Johnson to the Administrative Council, approving the NCRSP budget in July, selecting the Durham Hilton as the site for our 2025 convention (to be held during the last week of March), and setting our goals for the upcoming year.
The newly elected leadership team of NCRSP has hit the ground running. We've already taken several key steps, including electing Tama Bouncer and Oliver Johnson to the Administrative Council, approving the NCRSP budget in July, selecting the Durham Hilton as the site for our 2025 convention (to be held during the last week of March), and setting our goals for the upcoming year.
To strengthen our membership efforts, I’ve appointed an Ad Hoc Membership Grant Committee, chaired by Oliver Johnson. The committee has applied for an $8,500 NEA-R Membership and Organizing Grant, with NCRSP pledging $3,000 toward the initiative. This grant will focus on membership recruitment, organizing, and leadership development in our regions. Our goal is ambitious, but achievable: to grow NCRSP membership by 360 members.
To strengthen our membership efforts, I’ve appointed an Ad Hoc Membership Grant Committee, chaired by Oliver Johnson. The committee has applied for an $8,500 NEA-R Membership and Organizing Grant, with NCRSP pledging $3,000 toward the initiative. This grant will focus on membership recruitment, organizing, and leadership development in our regions. Our goal is ambitious, but achievable: to grow NCRSP membership by 360 members.
Over the past two years, our dedicated members have contributed nearly $40,000 to the Great Public School Fund during our annual convention month. These funds were channeled directly into our NCRSP local PAC account with NCAE, and one-third of the sustainer funds were added to our total. This year, each region was empowered to decide which candidates in their area would receive PAC support for the 2024 election. Our retired members have shown unprecedented engagement in raising funds for the upcoming election, demonstrating our collective commitment to changing leadership or, at the very least, securing a supermajority in the General Assembly, where securing a retiree COLA is a priority, as opposed to funding vouchers for private schools.
Over the past two years, our dedicated members have contributed nearly $40,000 to the Great Public School Fund during our annual convention month. These funds were channeled directly into our NCRSP local PAC account with NCAE, and one-third of the sustainer funds were added to our total. This year, each region was empowered to decide which candidates in their area would receive PAC support for the 2024 election. Our retired members have shown unprecedented engagement in raising funds for the upcoming election, demonstrating our collective commitment to changing leadership or, at the very least, securing a supermajority in the General Assembly, where securing a retiree COLA is a priority, as opposed to funding vouchers for private schools.
As we embark on this new year, we need YOU to be part of the NCRSP team at the local, regional, or state level. Reach out to your local president or region directors to see how you can get involved. Imagine what we could achieve if everyone shared their time and talents by serving on a committee. Our Convention Committee is bustling with tasks, and we’re eager to welcome new hands on deck. Make new friends, contribute your skills, and become part of our vibrant team. You can email me at NCRSPPresident@gmail.com to let me know how you’d like to volunteer— I promise to find something that suits your interests!
As we embark on this new year, we need YOU to be part of the NCRSP team at the local, regional, or state level. Reach out to your local president or region directors to see how you can get involved. Imagine what we could achieve if everyone shared their time and talents by serving on a committee. Our Convention Committee is bustling with tasks, and we’re eager to welcome new hands on deck. Make new friends, contribute your skills, and become part of our vibrant team. You can email me at NCRSPPresident@gmail.com to let me know how you’d like to volunteer— I promise to find something that suits your interests!
Looking forward to a fantastic year together!
Looking forward to a fantastic year together!
NCRSP President’s Message
NCRSP President’s Message
“As your state president, my primary goal is to make NCRSP a more member-driven organization: (1) Grow our grassroots legislative involvement as our members develop relationships directly with their state legislators; (2) Modernize the Panorama to an award-winning NEA-R publication; (3) Increase our membership by 500 members (5 per local) over the next two years; (4) Launch a Membership Benefit Ambassador Committee to raise the standard of living for all retirees; (5) Strengthen the political voice of retirees through PAC funds; (6) Support the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children; (7) Seek a solution to a navigable and daily updated website -which resulted in the development of a whole new NCRSP site by a member volunteer.
“My vision for growing our membership is to strengthen the voice of our retirees’ needs in the face of 21st century demands with only current 20th century benefits. Colleen Lanier and I both serve as NCRSP’s registered unpaid lobbyists who pursue legal relationships with policymakers so that we become known constituents who have served our state by having nurtured our youth in the educational systems. My purpose in contemporizing Panorama is to make our literature and updates appealing to all readers. If the audience is interested in its visual impact, odds increase that the content will be read and considered. My purpose is to grow our membership base to help Raleigh policymakers notice that we retirees matter.
“The May 2023 release of the Brookings Institute study of voting demographics shows that Americans 65 years of age or older formed the largest ballot group in the last election. If we can also prove that an important segment of voters is part of NCRSP, that factor may be one that cannot be ignored and must be heeded.
“I am grateful to serve as your president, and as those of you who work with me know, our NCRSP leadership team and I are purpose-driven to make a positive difference for North Carolina Retired School Personnel. . . because Retirees Deserve Better.”
Who is Linda Gunter?
Who is Linda Gunter?
Lobbyist for NCRSP, former NC Senator Linda Gunter, retired social studies teacher, once NCAE UniServe Director, always grandmother and chief spokesperson for retired school personnel, fighting for our benefits.
After graduating from Cary High School, Linda Gunter earned a degree in social studies education from High Point College in 1971 and taught at Cary High School from 1971 to 2002. She was known for encouraging civic involvement by her students. In 1988, she received $1,000 along with the John Stevens Excellence in Teaching Award from the Wake Education Foundation. In the fall of 1991, her classes began the Adopt-A-GI project in which students corresponded with local soldiers serving in the Gulf War. Two years later, the project resulted in a student-generated book. Linda has taught social studies: American History, Law and Justice, American Political Process and Vietnam.
Also in 1971, Linda joined NCAE where she has served in various leadership capacities over the past 52 years. She became an Association Representative, and her political involvement began when Wake NCAE encouraged her to attend a precinct meeting. She serves as a Congressional Contact Team member for US Rep. David Price, and a Legislative Contact Team member. Linda chaired various committees for Wake NCAE including the PAC Committee, and she was elected Vice President.
In 1992, Gunter was elected to the North Carolina Senate representing the
36th district with the support of educators in our campaign, winning by about 600 votes. Legislation Linda passed included making wading pools safe for children and requiring an expiration date on all prescriptions. Due to her 100% voting record for public education, Linda received the NCAE A+ Legislator Award.
After retiring from teaching, Linda worked as a UniServ for Wake NCAE. The next year she moved to the NCAE Government Relations Office as a Legislative Specialist, lobbying in the General Assembly. She also recruited the Legislative Contact Team members and managed all the NCAE endorsements statewide.
In 2014, Linda was recruited to run for Wake RSP President and served two terms. In 2018, she ran for NCRSP Vice President and served two terms. She continued her service on the State Legislative Committee working to expand our lobbying efforts. Earlier in 2022, she worked with an ad hoc group to develop a statewide PAC fundraising effort which raised $21,035.95. In addition, she has diligently worked to improve the Panorama as a member of the communication committee.
Governor Cooper appointed Linda as the retired member on the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement Board of Trustees where she learned about our retirement and shared it with our NCRSP members (2018-2023). Linda resigned from this position to register as NCRSP’s lobbyist.
In 2019, Governor Cooper honored Linda Gunter with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Linda states, “The leadership opportunities provided by NEA, NCAE and NCRSP, have given me the skills to serve as your president. When I first joined, I had no idea I was making a lifetime commitment to the Association and its members, but it continues to be a noble and rewarding cause.”
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