The economy's nosedive in the state of California is the primary reason, said Betty Soennichsen, 76, co-chairperson of the association's legislative committee.

But the economy's decline and the association's subsequent slowdown in legislative activities has not stopped retired teachers and Willow Glen residents Jack and Dianne Edwards from joining CRTA.

The Edwards, who recently retired after teaching for 30 years, joined the organization because it also offered a variety of social activities and has an active volunteer program that helps mentor young teachers.

As members, the Edwards are active volunteers in the community, mentoring students and teachers on a volunteer basis. This is important, says Jack, because it takes at least five years to become a good teacher.

"CRTA is worried about the lack of teachers with credentials. There have been a lot of teachers on emergency credentials and it used to be a full-time teacher's job to mentor new teachers, but they have no time," says Jack, 59, who taught drama at Lincoln High School and was the head of the English department at Willow Glen High School. "But retired teachers can mentor new teachers."

Association members take part in a volunteer program that provides thousands of hours of service each year. Members tutor students, serve as unpaid educational consultants, proctor tests, read stories to elementary school children and are involved in local politics. Volunteer hours are logged and used while lobbying in Sacramento for teachers' retirement rights and education issues.

"This shows politicians and the public in general that CRTA is a large group of intelligent people that are helping and giving back to the community," says Dianne, 57, who taught English at Wilcox High School in Santa Clara.

Retired teacher Laura E. Settle founded the association in 1929 because she felt teachers were entitled to more than the $500 annual stipend they received as a result of the retirement compensation law for California's retired teachers that went into effect in 1914.

Any active or retired educator may join CRTA. Its mission is to honor the educational achievements of California's retired educators by ensuring that their retirement is as secure and comfortable as possible. This includes active legislative representation. Members are also entitled to special services, including insurance, membership in credit unions and retirement community discounts.

"Young teachers often don't understand that if we get things for us it will affect them in the future, too," Dianne says. "As new retirees we're now getting benefits from those who went before us. For example, the governor is no longer able to dip into our pension fund. Teachers can now buy into Medicare."

An office building in historic downtown Campbell, 34 S. Second St., is used by the association's Santa Clara County chapter, one of the largest in California with more than 1,600 members from local districts. There are 89 divisions of the association in the state.

Fundraising, membership dues, book sales and memorial funds all go toward scholarships that the association provides each year to college students who plan to enter the teaching profession. The Santa Clara County chapter recently awarded five scholarships, all to students at San José State University, for $2,000 each.

Founded in 1935, the Santa Clara County chapter was the sixth division organized in the state.

Today members benefit from "the guarding of our retirement resources," says chapter President Ann Hansen, 63, who retired from teaching in the Moreland School District. "I know even in these times my funds are quite secure. I can depend on that pension check."

The association is also about socialization. Every other month a luncheon meeting is held, and once a year there is a free spaghetti lunch and a hot dog lunch. Often meetings also include musical programs or speakers. It is a way to get together with old friends and meet new people, Soennichsen says.

"The bottom line is, just because you retire doesn't mean you stop teaching," Dianne says. "Teachers continue their commitment to learning and students long after they close and lock their classrooms for the last time. Once a teacher, always a teacher."

For more information about the CRTA call President Anne Hansen at 408. 257.8899 or visit the website on www.calrta.org