Articles for Chapter Newsletters

Promoting CTA Member Benefits through your local chapter newsletter is easy. Just check out the newsletter articles drafted by CTA Member Benefits.    

4/17/2025 (download)
Breaking News! Register now to join Member Benefits at CTA Summer Institute

4/17/2025 (download)
Give the Gift of Calm to Your Loved Ones!

3/13/2025 (download)
Special enrollment opportunity ending soon for new hires and district transfers

3/13/2025 (download)
Sleep is your Superpower

2/14/2025 (download)
Special Virtual Town Hall for Newly Hired CTA Members and District Transfers

1/13/2025 (download)
Member Benefits Good Teaching Conference North Pre-Conference

12/12/2024 (download)
Pregnancy and Childbirth and CTA-endorsed Disability Insurance

11/15/2024 (download)
Limited Time Opportunity for CTA Members to Switch Disability Insurance Coverage with No Health Questions

11/15/2024 (download)
Member Benefits New Educator Weekend North Pre-Conference

10/13/2024 (download)
Don't Miss Out! Last Month to Enter the Provident Educators Giveaway!

10/13/2024 (download)
Special enrollment opportunity for new hires and district transfers for CTA-endorsed Disability and Life insurance

9/13/2024 (download)
CTA Access to Savings September Giveaway

8/14/2024 (download)
Enter Now: Provident Credit Union's $4,000 educator giveaway!

6/13/2024 (download)
Summer Benefit included with CTA-endorsed Disability Insurance 

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Breaking News! Register now to join Member Benefits at CTA Summer Institute

Looking for ways to engage with members and add value to your Association membership? Be part of the “winning newscast” and join CTA Member Benefits at CTA Summer Institute. Download the flyer for more information or visit www.CTAMemberBenefits.org/SI2025.

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Give the Gift of Calm to Your Loved Ones!

Good news! As a CTA member, you now can share the Calm app with your dependents — at no extra cost. 

Calm is the #1 app for mental wellness, designed to help you and your loved ones sleep better, reduce stress, and build healthier habits. It features:

  • Guided meditations for stress, anxiety, and focus;
  • Sleep stories (including some read by celebrities!) to help you fall asleep faster;
  • Soothing music and soundscapes for relaxation; and
  • Breathing exercises and mindfulness tools to stay grounded throughout the day.

How to Gift Calm to Your Dependents:

Eligible members can invite 5 dependents to join Calm. Visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/Calm for instructions.

It’s an easy, meaningful way to support the mental health of those you care about.

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Special enrollment opportunity ending soon for new hires and district transfers

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use this article for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

Newly hired educators and education support professionals have a limited-time special opportunity to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and up to $400,000 in Life insurance* from Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) without having to answer any health questions. The Standard is the only CTA-endorsed provider for Disability and Life insurance and has been since 2007.

  • Disability insurance can help protect CTA members’ paychecks if they’re unable to work due to an injury, illness (including mental health conditions), pregnancy or childbirth. They’ll receive funds paid directly to them to use for things health insurance doesn’t cover. Benefits can be used for rent, mortgage, groceries, student loans and more.  Where health insurance pays your doctor, Disability insurance pays you.
  • Life insurance helps protect CTA members’ loved ones in the event of their passing. They’ll also get access to additional features they can use now.

Apply for coverage within 270 days of starting your job. Learn more or apply at standard.com/cta/newhire.

Transferred Districts this year? CTA members who previously had coverage with The Standard must re-apply within 270 days of starting their new job to continue coverage at their new district as coverage doesn't automatically transfer. Apply at standard.com/cta/transfer.

*Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.

For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policies may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.  Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204      GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1      GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3     SI 23333-CTAvol (2/25)

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Sleep is your Superpower

CTA Member Benefits and Calm will be hosting a workshop: Sleep Is Your Superpower. Sleep is often viewed as a luxury. However, sleep powers our minds and our bodies. There is no tenet of health that sleep doesn’t affect. Even a few hours of lost sleep can impact our thinking, mood, and memory. During this session we will learn about the effects of poor sleep and share practical tools to unleash the power of rest.  

Use this link to register: https://calm.zoom.us/meeting/register/YLVPJTGpSQC_tpgDwIvMEQ
Date March 27, 2025 
Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm PST

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Special Virtual Town Hall for Newly Hired CTA Members and District Transfers

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use this article for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

Newly hired CTA members or those new to their district have a special enrollment opportunity to enroll in CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and up to $400,000 of CTA-endorsed Life insurance.* They can enroll without answering health questions when they apply for coverage within 270 days of starting work at their new district. 
 
You and your new hires/district transfers are invited to our Town Hall via Zoom on February 25th at 4 p.m. to learn more.  
 
We’ll cover:
  • Special enrollment opportunity overview
  • How Disability insurance protects your paycheck
  • Additional benefits at no additional cost
  • How to apply
  • Q&A
  • Trivia for your chance to win some gift cards 
Registration is required. Register at stdrd.co/townhall2025.
 
*Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.
 
For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.  Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204      GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1    GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3     SI 23333-CTAvol (2/25)
 
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Pregnancy and Childbirth and CTA-endorsed Disability Insurance

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use this article for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

Did you know pregnancy and childbirth are covered disabling conditions with CTA-endorsed Disability insurance from Standard Insurance Company (The Standard)? In fact, 43% of CTA-endorsed Disability claims are pregnancy-related.1 

Think about it this way: You get car insurance to protect your car. You get home/renters insurance to protect where you live. Disability insurance works the same way – it helps protect your paycheck before you need go out on leave for a covered disabling condition (pregnancy, childbirth, illness or injury). 

  • Benefits are paid directly to you and can be used for expenses health insurance doesn’t cover.
  • Replaces up to 80% of your daily income2
  • Starts paying benefits after you are out of work for 7 consecutive workdays3
  • Covers any preexisting conditions once you are enrolled and work for 10 consecutive workdays
  • Includes access to Summer Benefit, 4 Student Loan and Cancer Benefits for eligible members

Applying for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance from The Standard can help you prepare in advance if you’re family planning.  Learn more about this important coverage and apply anytime at CTAMemberBenefits.org/Disability.

1 Based on the claims decision data developed by The Standard for period of 8/1/2020 – 7/31/2023.
2 Daily income is based on your regular daily contract salary. Benefits will be reduced by deductible income. Examples of deductible income include: personal leave pay, severance pay, substitute differential pay, catastrophic/extraordinary leave bank, salary continuation, workers’ compensation, work earnings, social security, state disability, CalPERS/CalSTRS benefits.
3 Workdays means any Regular Day(s) of Required Attendance you are required to be actively at work based on the calendar dates of the school calendar and your employment contract in effect on the date you become disabled.
4 Summer Benefit is offered by CTA to eligible members who meet the Definition of Disability with a Disability date on or after 9/1/2022 who meet additional specific criteria. Summer Benefit is only payable during the calendar months of June and July, for up to two Benefit Years for each instance of qualifying Disability. Summer Benefit is not provided under the Voluntary Disability insurance policy. CTA provides this benefit at no extra cost and The Standard acts only as the claims administrator of this benefit.

For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods, any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204    GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1    SI 24023-CTAvol (11/24)

 
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Member Benefits Good Teaching Conference North Pre-Conference

Join us for an engaging, full-day training designed to equip educators with the essential tools for success. Learn how CTA supports educators with valuable resources and Member Benefits to help you excel in your career. 

  • Calm in the Classroom
  • Student Loans
  • Maximize your CTA/NEA Membership
  • Boost Financial Wellness

Register at https://www.cta.org/event/2025-gtcnorth.

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Limited Time Opportunity for CTA Members to Switch Disability Insurance Coverage with No Health Questions

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use this article for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

 

If your chapter is not currently offering a special enrollment opportunity for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance, your members may have another opportunity to take advantage of their union endorsed benefits.

From October 1 through November 30, 2024, CTA members covered by a different Disability insurance plan have a special opportunity to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability from Standard Insurance Company without answering health questions. Before switching, it's important for members to understand any differences between their current disability coverage and the CTA-endorsed plan. There’s a checklist on our website to help compare Disability insurance plans. 

CTA-endorsed Disability insurance includes additional benefits at no additional cost. Learn more by watching this short video. Watch video.

Compare plans or learn how to switch coverage at standard.com/cta/portover.

For costs and further details of the coverage, including exclusions, benefit waiting periods and any reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.    GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1     SI 23333-CTAvol (10/24)

 
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Member Benefits New Educator Weekend North Pre-Conference

Join us for an immersive, all-day training designed specifically for new educators! Whether you're just starting your teaching career or gaining momentum a couple years in, this session will provide you with the essential tools to help you succeed. Discover how CTA champions educators, offering powerful resources and Member Benefits to help you thrive in your first few years of teaching. 

 

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Don't Miss Out! Last Month to Enter the Provident Educators Giveaway!

Enter to win!

In honor of all CTA Members, Provident Credit Union is hosting a giveaway with a chance to win up to $4,000 in prizes. Founded by the California Teachers Association in 1950, Provident Credit Union continues to serve the needs of the educational community and we would like to celebrate you!

Contest Rules:

  • You don’t have to be Provident member
  • You do have to be a CTA member
  • Must be a resident of California
  • You can enter once a month (max 3 entries) per household

Entry Period
August 1 - October 31, 2024
Winner will be announced: November 15, 2024

[Enter Giveaway]

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Special enrollment opportunity for new hires and district transfers for CTA-endorsed Disability and Life insurance

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use this article for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

Newly hired educators and education support professionals have a limited-time special opportunity to apply for CTA-endorsed Disability insurance and up to $400,000 in Life insurance1 from Standard Insurance Company without having to answer any health questions. The Standard is the only CTA-endorsed provider for Disability and Life insurance.
  • Disability insurance can help protect CTA members’ paychecks if they’re unable to work due to an injury, illness (including mental health conditions), pregnancy or childbirth. They’ll receive funds paid directly to them to use for things health insurance doesn’t cover. Benefits can be used for rent, mortgage, groceries, student loans and more.  Where health insurance pays your doctor, Disability insurance pays you.
  • Life insurance helps protect CTA members’ loved ones in the event of their passing. They’ll also get access to additional features they can use now.
District Transfer? CTA members who previously had coverage with The Standard must re-apply to continue coverage at their new district as coverage doesn't automatically transfer.
 
Members must apply within 270 days from starting their new job. 
 
Learn more or apply at standard.com/cta/newhire. 
 
1 Coverage reduces to 65% of the amount in force at age 70, 45% of the amount in force at age 75 and 30% of the amount in force at age 80. Offer not available to retirees.
 
For costs and further details of the coverage and this enrollment opportunity, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policies may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406.  Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204      GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1      GP190-LIFE/S399/CTA.3     SI 23333-CTAvol (8/24)
 
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CTA Access to Savings September Giveaway

Who doesn’t love to win and save at the same time?  Enter to win a $150 Spafinder gift card while saving with Access to Savings.  The Access savings network offers you a multitude of exclusive, value-packed, easily redeemable, convenient savings.  Visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/Access click on the green Enter to be automatically entered and start saving! 

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Enter Now: Provident Credit Union's $4,000 educator giveaway!

Enter to win!

In honor of all CTA Members, Provident Credit Union is hosting a giveaway with a chance to win up to $4,000 in prizes. Founded by the California Teachers Association in 1950, Provident Credit Union continues to serve the needs of the educational community and we would like to celebrate you!

Contest Rules:

  • You don’t have to be Provident member
  • You do have to be a CTA member
  • Must be a resident of California
  • You can enter once a month (max 3 entries) per household

Entry Period
August 1 - October 31, 2024
Winner will be announced: November 15, 2024

[Enter Giveaway]

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Summer Benefit included with CTA-endorsed Disability Insurance

[Note to Chapter Leaders: If you choose to use the article above for your newsletter or website, please use the article in its entirety and do not alter the text in any way other than to change the capitalization, typeface or point size to meet your publication's style guidelines.]

Summer brings us some great things - barbecues, popsicles and summer fruit cobblers. And now, you can add the new Summer Benefit* from CTA to the list! This exclusive benefit gives you extra protection during the months of June and July – even if you’re not scheduled to work. It pays $500 a week if you become or continue to become Disabled during those months.

Exclusively offered to CTA members, Summer Benefit is included at no additional cost when enrolled in CTA-endorsed Voluntary Disability insurance. To learn more, visit CTAMemberBenefits.org/TheStandard.

*Summer Benefit is offered by CTA to eligible members who meet the Definition of Disability with a Disability date on or after 9/1/2022 who meet additional specific criteria. Summer Benefit is only payable during the calendar months of June and July, for up to two Benefit Years for each instance of qualifying Disability. Summer Benefit is not provided under the Voluntary Disability insurance policy. CTA provides this benefit at no extra cost and The Standard acts only as the claims administrator of this benefit.

For costs and further details of the coverage, including the exclusions, benefit waiting periods, and reductions or limitations and the terms under which the policy may be continued in force, please contact Standard Insurance Company at 800.522.0406. 
GP190-LTD/S399/CTA.1      SI 23333-CTAvol (3/24)
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