FACTS ABOUT OKANOGAN COUNTY SCHOOL RETIREES’ ASSOCIATION
OCSRA was organized as Unit 15 of Washington State School Retirees’ Association on April 19, 1955, with sixteen members attending. Today OCSRA has more than 320 members—1/3 actively employed; 2/3 retired.
On March 10, 2016, the IRS designated OCSRA as a 501(c)(3) with a Public Charity Status of 509(a)(2) retroactive to April 6, 1992.
Among the purposes stated in Unit 15 Bylaws are to promote the general welfare of all active and retired public school employees in Okanogan County; fund school grants and scholarships in Okanogan County; and to participate in community affairs. To achieve these purposes, OCSRA has done the following:
- Before the COVID Pandemic, OCSRA provided a free Pre-Retirement Seminar for all Okanogan County school employees. Since the Pandemic, OCSRA has emailed notices of WSSRA’s Pre-Retirement Webinars to all area schools.
- Since 2006, OCSRA has awarded 127 school grants, totaling $19, 800. This year’s budget allows for eight $300 grants.
- Since 2007, OCSRA has granted 15 college scholarships, totaling $16,000. This year’s budget contains money for a $2000 scholarship.
- Beginning in 2011, OCSRA members donated items for Okanogan County military personnel serving overseas, area food banks, and the Support Center. In addition, $8,300 has been donated to various Community Service projects such as Community Action Council for weatherization and fire relief; Cold Springs Fire Relief; meal cards and gas cards for WVC-Omak students; rebuilding Almira Schools; “Our House” Cancer Care of NCW; Meals on Wheels; Okanogan Valley Music Camp; 9 area food banks; meal cards for Okanogan Alternative and Outreach School students, etc.