March 21, 2010
The Georgia Teachers Organization
The Georgia Teachers Organization, mostly known as GTO, is one of the prominent organizations
that stresses on making a better environment and gains for the educators in the state of Georgia. The
goal of this organization is to bring together all Georgia educators into a sole state organization which can speak out in behalf of the benefits that
they should get. Among the issues that they talk out, high salaries is one of the key
worries. In addition to that, abolishment of the state salary step structure by which the veteran teachers are discriminated is one of other
principal concerns where they also emphasize on improved retirement benefits. Since
the educators have The Georgia Teachers Organization in place, the communication and action execution have been effective among the members.
It is All about Volunteering
The Georgia Teachers Organization states that they do not have "luxury" office apartments and none of their members run for elected
office. It is run by a group of volunteer members of the organization that work in order to achieve better
gains for all teachers, faculty and staff members in the state of Georgia. The Georgia
Teachers Organization also tries to educate the educators on various issues, concerns, and rights, so the educators know what they are
eligible and take necessary steps when required. The Georgia Teachers Organization maintains an email network, so the organization communicate with the members easily. The organization advocates every Georgia educator to join the organization by paying a $25 annual membership fee to beef up their efforts.
Motivating the Educators
The GTO promotes any lawmaking that would step-up the educator benefits and spirit. The Georgia Teachers Organization mentions that all the states that border Georgia have educators
retirements plans that does not include any early retirement penelties, but Geogia does not have it yet. In addition the Georgia Teachers Organization also appears for
several other movements such as ending the salary step caps which stops the salary increases of master teachers after 20 years of service and higher salaries for educators who
posses educational qualifications including masters, specialist and doctorate degrees.
The organization also state that the retirement benefit for each year of service should be increased to 3%. As a result 25 years of service would provide
75% (25*3%) salary upon retirement in contrast to the presently offered 60%. At present, Georgia state employee get 90% of the salary in their retirement plan and The Georgia Teachers Organization argues that it should be same for the educators.
The Opportunities
There are many rewards of joining The Georgia Teachers Organization as the organization always keeps the members in the loop
regarding the latest growths in the front and info resources. The names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of those who should be
reached to help pass critical lawmaking would be given to the members. Moreover, members would receive the chance to attend local, regional and state gatherings and meetings to gain first-hand knowledge about
the ideas that other teachers might present to better the working conditions.
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