As a chapter president, I was always seeking resources to keep my members informed and up-to-date about their CTA membership benefits. Including information about CTA's Member Benefit programs in your local newsletter is a great way to remind your members about the true value of CTA membership.

To make this easy for you, we have designed an e-mail newsletter program that will provide regular updates to you for inclusion in your local newsletter, website or e-mail campaigns. These articles will provide updates and information about the CTA Member Benefits Programs for you to download to use in your various publications and communications.

This is the first e-mail newsletter message and it contains new articles that can be accessed anytime by simply visiting www.cta.org/MemberBenefits/Articles. This link will take you to the CTA Member Benefits website where these articles will be featured. In the future previous archived articles can be viewed on the same link.

I encourage you to forward this e-mail to other chapter leaders or members who have responsibility for membership promotion or publications. They may be added to the distribution list by simply following the instructions below.

CTA First Time Homebuyer Program (3/21/05)

Recognizing the special needs of first time homebuyers, First Financial Credit Union (FFCU), CTA's endorsed credit union, is pleased to offer a first time homebuyer program with valuable savings for CTA members. With virtually no money down, first time homebuyers (limited to those who have not owned a home within the last 3 years), can purchase a home with FFCU's special home loan rates. Additionally, FFCU also has a first time homebuyer program for CTA members teaching at high-priority schools. With lower rates and flexible loan terms, FFCU's first time homebuyer loan programs can make it easy for you to buy your first 
home.

For more information, or to apply for the CTA First Time Homebuyer Program, please call First Financial Credit Union at (800) 537-8491.

NO-COST AUTOMATIC INSURANCE PROTECTION (3/21/05)

As a CTA/NEA member you are automatically eligible for two valuable insurance programs at no additional cost, the CTA Death & Dismemberment Plan and the NEA DUES-TAB. These plans are a no-cost insurance 
protection exclusively for CTA/NEA members. The CTA Death & Dismemberment Plan and the NEA DUES-TAB automatically cover you on September 1, following the date you become an eligible member, but even if you have just one year of credited membership, you will be eligible to receive a benefit.

You may name anyone as your designated beneficiary. Simply complete one beneficiary registration form for CTA and one for NEA. By doing so, you will not only ensure that your designated beneficiary is registered, you will have personal security that comes with your CTA membership.

The CTA Death & Dismemberment Plan is designed to provide a life insurance benefit that increases with each year of continuous CTA membership, until the maximum benefit is reached after ten (10) years. The NEA DUES-TAB maximum benefit is reached after five (5) years.

CTA NEA
Death Benefit up to $2,000 up to $1,000

Accidental Death and 
Dismemberment Benefit up to $10,000 up to $5,000

Occupation/Association 
Leader Accidental Death and 
Dismemberment Benefit $50,000 $50,000

Unlawful Homicide while on 
the Job NA $150,000

This is only a brief summary and not a complete description of the Plans. For a complete description of the CTA Death and Dismemberment Plan, please refer to the booklet entitled "CTA Death & Dismemberment 
Plan and Summary Plan Description," a copy of which is provided to all CTA members. To register a beneficiary, please call the CTA Risk Management and Member Benefits Department at (650) 552-5200 or e-mail: member_benefits@cta.org. For a complete description of the NEA DUES-TAB or to register a beneficiary, please call the NEA Member Benefits Department at (800) 637-4636.