welcome to our website

 

Okanogan County School Retirees' Association
 

is one of the state units of The Washington State School Retirees' Association (formerly the Washington State Retired Teachers' Association) is often referred to as WSSRA. More than 17,000 active and retired school employees belong to WSSRA.

We consider ourselves educators for life. If you are or have been a certificated or classified school district employee in the state of Washington--from superintendent to school nurse or behavioral psychologist to bus driver--you are welcome at the Washington State School Retirees' Association.

If you would like to support future teachers we always welcome
donations to our Scholarship Fund -  See below

 

To Donate to OCSRA's Scholarship Fund
To Donate tocholarship Fund: 
Make your check payable to OCSRA.
In the "For" section, write: "Scholarship Fund in memory of _________".
 Mail check to: OCSRA, 185 Hennepin St, Okanogan, WA 98840


 

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WSSRA MISSION STATEMENT

To develop, propose, and implement action that will benefit all school retirees.
To propose legislation and legislative action that will enhance school retirees' lives.
To provide the support necessary to strengthen local units of WSSRA.
To foster involvement by school retirees in educational and community activities and organizations.
To support and communicate to local units the activities and priorities of NRTA, AARP,
Congress and other entities that affect retired school personnel.
To represent all present and future Washington State School Retirees both classified and certificated.
 

WSSRA aims to enhance the security and vitality of your retirement years.
We welcome all present and future TRS, PERS and SERS retirees. We provide pro-retiree and pro-education advocacy and leadership to the Washington State Legislature. We have representatives on governmental bodies that impact retirement and pension issues, and we collaborate and advocate with other groups that share our vision, values, and aims.


WSSRA provides support for current and future teachers

We also sponsor pre-retirement seminars throughout the state, award substantial scholarships to future teachers, provide classroom grants to active teachers in local schools, and foster volunteer activities with Washington's school children.
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If you would like to support future teachers we always welcome
donation to our Scholarship Fund
 

To Donate to OCSRA's Scholarship Fund
To Donate tocholarship Fund: 
Make your check payable to OCSRA.
In the "For" section, write: "Scholarship Fund in memory of _________".
 Mail check to: OCSRA, 185 Hennepin St, Okanogan, WA 98840

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WSSRA provides access to many members-only benefits through
 the Association Member Benefits Advisors
(AMBA).

Special insurance rates, travel discounts and product savings are available to our members.




 

Become a Member

Why not consider joining us...visit our Membership Page




OUR OFFICERS

2022-2023 OCSRA Officers and Committee Members



President Rita Figlenski
Vice President
:  Jennie Hedington
Secretary
:  Maralee Bowling
Treasurer
:  Penny Garrison
Past President:
Marcelle LaGrou

 
Scholarship Trustee Board
: Richard Johnson, Donna Sanford, Dee Blank
Communications
:  Maralee Bowling, Penny Garrison, Rita Figlenski
Community Service
:  Mary Johnson, Carol Payne, Jennie Hedington
Grants:
 Carol Payne, Marcelle LaGrou, Sibyl Wehmeyer
Health
:  Colleen Pock
History
: Ida Laurie
Legislative
:  Penny Garrison
Membership
Marcelle LaGrou
Program: 
Jennie Hedington, Homer Hedington
Retirement Planning:
 Penny Garrison, Donna Sanford
Scholarship
: Barb Christensen, Sibyl Wehmeyer


 

 

meetings and events

We look forward to your joining us.  School employees always welcome.

 

NEW INFORMATION
 

OCSRA MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS

January - May 2023

*Times and venues will be announced before each meeting via local radio stations and community newspapers
 

10 a.m., Friday, January 27, 2023          

General meeting. Program: Roy Johnson, Okanogan Alternative High School/Outreach Principal/teacher: “A Discussion on Alternative Learning Programs” and Okanogan Superintendent Steve Quick: February school levies. Venue: Omak Community Presbyterian Church, 9 Birch St. S, Omak; No lunch: coffee/goodies provided.

 

9:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023

E-5, E-6 Coordinating Council online ZOOM Meeting. Contact tara@wssra.org for log-in information via smart phone or computer.

 

Friday, February 24, 2023

General meeting. Time, venue, and program: TBA

 

Friday, March 31, 2023

General meeting. Program: US Forest Service—wildfire preparation, forest health, and fire prevention. Time and venue: TBA

 

Friday, April 28, 2023

General meeting. Program: Dr. Sue Kane, Director of STEM Initiatives and Strategic Partnerships at ESD 171. Time and venue: TBA

 

Friday, May 26, 2023

General meeting. Budget approval. No program. Time and venue: TBA

 

 

 






Bylaws-Policies & Procedures



To view Bylaws–Click here

To view Policies & Procedures–Click here








membership information

We hope you will consider joining us!

How to become a member


Membership Payment Options:
1. Print the form below, mail it to OCSRA, c/o Penny Garrison, 185 Hennepin St, Okanogan, Washington 98840.
We will process the form and $7 will be deducted from:  a. your monthly paycheck for those currently employed with a school district;
OR b. from your monthly Department of Retirement Systems retirement check. (These are the preferred methods.)

2. Go to the following link and fill out the form and select "I will pay $84 via PayPal right now, rebilled annually.
https://wssra.org/membership-application/

3. Print the form and mail it with a check for $84 payable to WSSRA to OCSRA, c/o Penny Garrison, 185 Hennepin St, Okanogan, WA 98840

Join today!
MEMBERSHIP FORM

Dues for current year July 1-June 30
Questions?  please e-mail: pgarrison07@gmail.com


 

 

Benefits of Membership


  • Benefits provided by:



    > Long Term Care/Home Care
    > Medical Supplement
    > Final Expense Whole Life Insurance
    > Dental Insurance
    > Vision Plan
    > Tax Deferred Annuity
    > Hearing Benefits


    Other Services provided by AMBA
    > Dell Computer Discount Program
    > Medical Air Transportation Services
    > Group Travel
    > Travel & Resort Program
    > Hotel Discount Program
    > Rental Car Discount
    > Identity Theft Solutions
    > Apple Computer Discount Program

    FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION TO ALL THE BENEFITS VISIT AMBA WEBSITE-CLICK HERE


 

Membership Benefits -- Okanogan County SRA

 
Bi-partisan Legislative advocacy
Mini-grants to active teachers
Scholarships for future educators
Opportunities for community service
Fellowship with other school employees--both active and retired
Retirement information
Meetings with programs of interest


Our state publication, the JOURNAL five times a year.

 

View Our Newsletter






grants & scholarships

 


GRANTS
GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR OCSRA MEMBERS

ATTENTION Members of the Okanogan County Retirees' Association (OCSRA)
currently employed or volunteering in one of the Association's school districts:




The Okanogan County School Retirees' Association (OCSRA) offers 8 grants for $300
each to fund projects and materials (excluding field trips) not covered by other financial means.
The grant must be used in an OCSRA School District. Four grants will be awarded in fall and4 in spring.

CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION

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To Donate to OCSRA's Scholarship Fund: 
Make your check payable to OCSRA. In the "For" section, write: "Scholarship Fund in memory of _________".
 Mail check to: OCSRA, 185 Hennepin St, Okanogan, WA 98840
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SCHOLARSHIPS
The OCSRA scholarship is limited to an Okanogan County graduate who is at least a
college junior working toward an initial certificate in an educational field to work in public schools.
The Scholarship Trustee Board will determine the amount available for the annual award.




CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION






Links of Interest



Okanogan County SRA

WSSRA– Washington State School Retiree's Association
DRS– Department of Retirement Systems
AMBA– Association Member Benefits Advisors
PEBB– Public Employees Benefits Bureau
SHIBA– Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors
Social Security
National Retired Teachers Association


LEGISLATIVE TIPS
Legislative Hotline
1–800–562–6000
IN SERVICE ONLY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
Leave brief message for legislators and all other officials.

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WSSRA Message Center

(Legislative & Association Updates- CLICK HERE)
1–800–221–1269
Use this number year around to receive a recorded message, frequently updated, on
what is happening in Olympia. This is especially useful during legislative session. 

 



12th Legislative District
 
  Senator Brad Hawkins (R)
Brad Hawkins Image
Email
 
Olympia Office
107 Irv Newhouse Building
PO Box 40412
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 – 7622
  Representative Keith Goehner (R)

Email

 Olympia Office
122C Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 - 7954
  Representative Mike Steele (R)
Mike Steele Image
Email

Olympia Office
122F Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 – 7832
 
             
      7th Legislative District
 
     
  Senator Shelly Short (R)
 

Olympia Office
1
409 Legislative Building
PO Box 40407
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 – 7612

  Representative Jacquelin Maycumber (R)

Jacquelin Maycumber Image
Email

Olympia Office

411 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 – 7908
   Rep Joel Kretz (R)

Joel Kretz Image
Email

Olympia Office
335A Legislative Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 – 7988

get in touch

Concerns, Comments or Suggestions...we are here to answer all of them. Contact information below.



Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region
Penny Garrison
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