A self-described “firecracker,” Jeanne Paull-Turner is always taking the opportunity to tell people about the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) and the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF). Whether it’s talking to strangers in the line at a gas station, or communicating with Texas legislators at the Capitol, Jeanne is continuously finding ways to promote TRTA’s and TRTF’s missions.
Jeanne believes that engagement is the key to building up TRTA and TRTF. Jeanne, whose background is in public relations as well as education, has a wealth of experience in creating engagement through personal relationships.
Jeanne was born and raised in Fort Worth and has been working to connect TRTA with public figures and organizations for years. At the Day at the Capitol in March, Jeanne was the driving force behind TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee being honored with a resolution by Sen. Tan Parker. Jeanne used her connection as Sen. Parker’s first grade teacher to guide the resolution.
Jeanne believes the key to bringing awareness to TRTA and TRTF is the ability to “stand out” and “be remembered.”
“Things can get done by raising money, but really and truly spreading the word is even better,” she said. “I talk about TRTA everywhere I go. I go to a gas station. I go in to pay for my gas, and to whoever is standing in line with me, I will say, ‘I’m a retired educator and did you know that approximately 94% of us do not get social security?’ And they’re like, okay, this is a crazy woman. But they would listen. And none of them ever knew that we don’t get it.”
Early on, she aligned herself with the association’s mission to get more people involved because she understood inducing change truly is a numbers game. Recently, she’s brainstormed ways to recruit new members to TRTA with Leigh Steinberg, a high-profile sports agent who represents NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes. She’s even reached out to her local Toyota dealership about contributing to TRTF. Jeanne views these forays much like the cold calls she made when she worked in public relations.
“I have been cold calling my whole life, and I am telling you, cold calling is much more than people think it is. Somebody once said to me, ‘that is like going door to door’ and it’s true. Most people do not answer the door, or they just shut the door in your face, but you know, you go on to the next one and you will just find that perfect one. The other 20 doors might not have had anything to do with getting that one. It is just amazing.”
Jeanne’s latest efforts include traveling and speaking about important topics such as Prop 9, WEP, GPO, and illustrating personal hardship stories to state legislators. Understanding that power is in the numbers and accepting the fact that the tireless work will always be necessary, she said, “We’ve got to raise our membership, and we’ve got to do it in such a way that people, number one, know exactly what they’re getting from TRTA, and number two, they understand that TRTA loves us, and they are fighting for us every single day. It is the kind of thing that will never be through. Long after I’m underground, TRTA will still be working to help retirees.”
