Survey Summary

Dear Pension Concerns Members,

Here are the results of our next steps survey.  I am extremely pleased that we had 109 responses to this survey.  Our numbers and strength as an advocacy group are growing. Hooray.

Mary Cheryl Opatz and I will follow up with information about organizing our next steps shortly. Please consider how you could use your skills and talents to help the group advance these priorities.

Yesterday, the reading from the lectionary was about David and Goliath.  I thought that was appropriate given our situation. There was a phrase that struck me in the reading: “five smooth stone.”  David picked up five smooth stones for his battle with Goliath.  I thought that applied to our group.  We are picking up five smooth stones (our gifts, talents, and resources) to advance our advocacy for receiving the full pension benefits we were contractually promised.

Here is a summary of the highest priorities from the survey results.

Blessings,
Jeff Kaster

Highest Priority Percent

Proposed Next Step

80%

We should pressure the diocese to be more transparent on their plan to fully fund our retirement.

74%

We should get and review all agreements between the diocese and Christian Brothers to asses our rights.

69%

We should meet with the bishop to stress our expectations for representation on the diocesan committee, listening sessions, and letter to parishes. Basically, we should keep the pressure up.

66%

We should establish representatives from our group in each school and parish?

65%

We should develop a plan to get younger teachers/employees involved in our advocacy group.

64%

We should meet again soon.

63%

We should start to explore our legal options.