The following is an overview of the job description for the Executive Director position. This role necessitates a bachelor’s degree or higher, with a preferred specialization in one or more of the following disciplines: Education, Administration, Public Policy, and/or Communication. The responsibilities of this position are broadly categorized into four main constructs, each followed by a description of the general skills and experience required for the role.

• Administrator as Outlined in LRTA’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Employee Handbook

Skills/Experience: Proven leadership skills. Supervise the office and staff. Maintain board policies and procedures in employee handbook. Assist Budget Committee and Executive Committee in development and implementation of annual budget; provide semi-annual financial reports to Executive Board; provide necessary information to the association’s CPA for annual audit; manage LRTA’s investments through a professional investment advisor. Design and develop newsletters in print and digital format. Communicate with key stake holders through the LRTA website, social media, email club, and other platforms. Assist units and districts in membership recruitment and retainment. Facilitate planning of district meeting. Attend district and state meetings. Attend local unit meetings when possible.

• Legislative Advocate/Lobbyist Guided by LRTA’s Legislative Priorities

Skills/Experience: Develop tools and provide resources for members to successfully advocate/lobby on retirement legislation and statutes affecting retirees in the TRSL system; Work with the LRTA Board and the Board of Trustees and staff of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) monitoring and reviewing legislative documents and recommending positions to the LRTA Legislative Committee on potential retirement legislation and statutes affecting members. Work with the LRTA Legislative and Executive Committees in preparing and implementing the legislative priorities, legislative programs, and legislative activities of the association. Advocate in state legislature on proposals affecting retirees and TRSL, provide testimony in committee meetings at state capital if necessary. Provide leadership and updates to the LRTA membership regarding legislation. Develop positive relationships and communicate with state/federal legislators and TRSL staff.

• Professional Developer & Trainer of Tools for Advocacy and Membership Recruitment and Retainment

Skills/Experience: Develop tools and resources for advocacy and membership recruitment and retainment; use these materials to train LRTA members at unit, district, and state meetings. Knowledgeable of, and competent in, computer applications, online platforms, and website design to effectively communicate with the LRTA staff, membership, and other stakeholders.

• Policy Development, Interpretation, and Implementation

Skills/Experience: Facilitate and recommend periodic updates to the LRTA Strategic Plan as it applies to membership growth and legislation. Develop policy and guidance for the LRTA Executive Board to approve, periodically re-examine the LRTA Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Employee Handbook, and LRTA Resource Book and make recommendations on updates, as necessary. Provide communication to the Executive Board and membership on policy development, interpretation, and implementation through a variety of tools both in written format and technology platforms.

The Louisiana Retired Teachers Association (LRTA) is a nonprofit, membership organization that was incorporated in 1956 to organize and establish a body of retired educators that could work together as an incorporated organization to protect and enhance benefits for individuals receiving retirement benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). LRTA remains the only membership organization in Louisiana devoted solely to protecting the interests of retired educators and continues to promote the professional, social and economic welfare of all Louisiana retired educators.

The association’s headquarters is located in Baton Rouge, La. There are eleven District subdivisions located throughout the state headed by a District president. Within those eleven Districts are several local Units of retired educators. The local Units meet regularly and serve as the “backbone” of the association. The Executive Board (made up of state officers of the association, the eleven District presidents and five ex officio members) sets policy for the association. The board operates through a committee structure and employs a full-time staff to implement the board-set policies. The staff is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the association.

The association encourages all retired educators to join. LRTA offers four tiers of membership, including an associate membership for actively employed educators and school employees or any individual who would like to support the retired educator community. Whether you just retired or are nearing retirement, LRTA has something for everyone. LRTA members receive four newsletters a year that contain information on current and pending issues of interest and importance to the membership. In addition, the association holds two annual meetings to conduct business and provide an opportunity for retired educators to connect with one another: one in April and one in October.

In conjunction with Districts and local Units, LRTA promotes activities that support its members and their communities by offering social, information and service opportunities. Many members of the association also join NRTA, AARP’s Educator Community, and AARP.

Every retired educator has unique goals and interests, but all are concerned about their retirement and insurance benefits. The collective effort of the LRTA Executive Board, committees, staff and volunteers have directly impacted the protection and enhancement of benefits. Through the years, the members of LRTA have worked together to create a strong, viable and professional organization, and the association looks forward to carrying this legacy far into the future.