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NEA Retired members gather at the retired convening in 2023

Standing Strong for Public Education We are NEARI Retired

We're the organization that continues to fight for public education and for your rights in retirement. We can do more together than any of us can do alone.

We retire from our jobs, not our calling

Your dedication to your life's work doesn't end when you retire, and your membership in your union doesn't need to either. 

NEARI Retired offers members meaningful opportunities to connect with fellow retired members, advocate for positive changes, and have a productive and successful retirement. By belonging to NEARI Retired, you will stay up to date on critical issues in education, remain engaged in your profession, and maintain access to valuable benefits. 

VICTORY! GPO AND WEP REPEALED!

Together, we finally repealed GPO and WEP, the unfair penalties that denied retired educators, first responders, and other public service workers their full Social Security benefits.

NEARI Retired Leadership

NEARI Retired Officers 2024-2026

Ray Pouliot, President
Donna Meizoso, 1st Vice President
Jean Goulet, 2nd Vice President
Steve Diomandes, Treasurer
Larry Purtill, Secretary

At-Large Executive Committee Members 2024-2026

Mike Twohey
Fran Harris
Roger Ferland
Nancy Ryan
Linda Martin
Anna Sullivan
Joan Hernandez
Alice Gordon
Joe Gordon 
Cheryl Hawes
 

President Pouliot represents NEA Rhode Island retirees, state, and municipal workers. He is also vice chairperson of the Rhode Island Public Employees Retiree Coalition (RIPERC) of which NEA Rhode Island Retired is a member. Before retiring, Ray taught social studies in the East Greenwich School system for 35 years.

As NEARI Retired President, Ray is active in advocates for the respect, dignity, and care that NEARI Retired members deserve. Watch his testimony at the Pension Advisory Group. 

NEARI Retired Organized and Involved

2024-2025 NEARI Retired Officers and At Large Committee
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From left to right: President Ray Pouliot, Mike Twohey, Fran Harris, Roger Ferland, 1st Vice President Donna Meizoso, Nancy Ryan, Linda Martin, Treasurer Steve Diomandes, Anna Sullivan, 2nd Vice President Jean Goulet, Secretary Larry Purtill, and Joan Hernandez. Not pictured: Alice and Joe Gordon and Cheryl Hawes.
Five people elected as NEARI Retired Officers
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From left to right: President Ray Pouliot, 2nd Vice President Jean Goulet, Treasurer Steve Diomandes, 1st Vice President Donna Meizoso, Secretary Larry Purtill
Large table with people in a meeting
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Large group of people eating dinner
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A gathering at Harbor Lights for the annual NEARI Retired Fall Event (2024)
NEARI Retired President Ray Pouliot
It is time to treat public employees with the respect and the pension that they deserve.
Quote by: Ray Pouliot, NEARI Retired President

A Voice on the National Level

Members of NEARI Retired also belong to NEA-Retired, where we use the power of 320,000 voices to make change for retirees and for public education on issues ranging from repealing GPO-WEP to advocating for a national school meals program to protecting voting rights.

NEA-Retired is governed by a nine-member Executive Council, elected by NEA-Retired members. NEA-Retired members serve on various committees within NEA and meet annually in June to conduct the business of the organization.

A snapshot of the cover of NEA Today for NEA-Retired members

National Education News for Retirees

In the latest issue of NEA Today for NEA-Retired, retired members are super-voters. Find out how your retired colleagues are getting out the vote and how you can take action. Plus, on the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, segregation efforts are growing under a different name.
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A labor union and professional organization.

Our Association is a remarkable blend of union and professional organization, with a proud history of serving Rhode Island. Since its inception in 1845, our members have been at the center of every struggle to advance the finest of American dreams: the promise of a quality public education for every child. One in every 100 Rhode Islanders is a member - chances are, you know us already!
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The NEARI is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

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