EVENTS
Lunch at the Jackson Estates
Phylinga Jackson, Kay Horn,
Ilene Howard, and Beverly Jackson
Phylinga Jackson getting the tram ready to go—Corinne Pickens, Cindi Leffel, Kay Garrett, Cheri Meiser and Joellen Wynn (129 days away from retiring)
Gordon Bohs sent word that there is a need for readers for the Head Start program and wanted some volunteers. He is doing the Partners in Education reading program at Columbia School. You may contact Gordon at the Library if you are interested.
A person to keep an archival account of retired teacher activities was also requested. Someone to keep an account of deaths, community activities and the like. It was suggested to contact Millie Redweik to see if she has ideas.
Memorials for those members who pass away was discussed. Karmin Reeves made a motion, seconded by Sandy Denton to give a single rose tribute. Then further discussion was concerning some sort of contribution to the deceased person’s favorite charity or charity of choice. This led to discussion of some sort of local scholarship, grant-in-aid to local students graduating from high school or an endowment or pooling fund. It was decided to get someone at our April meeting to talk about the specifics of such a fund.
President Howard then told of a NO CALL number for your cell phone to sign up to avoid those unnecessary, annoying phone calls. Call 1-888-382-4222 from your cell phone to sign up.
Katie McCarter asked that we send our volunteer hours to her by December 12th, so she can compile her report. You may call her with your hours for youth or other, or e-mail her. Karmin Reeves suggested writing the hours on each day of the calendar and then adding them up at the end of the month.
Marilyn Ruberg gave a plug for substituting at the schools. She has been doing half days and is loving it. Volunteering is also easy to do just by calling the schools and asking if there is a need.
Mrs. Howard also suggested becoming a state retired teacher member or using the dues deduction method to become a life member. She handed out brochures to those who were interested. The more numbers we havethe stronger ourorganization to show the state that retired teachers are valuable assets to their communities. Local dues are $10 per year and state dues are $35 per year and you can opt to have the dues deducted once a year from your September check.
President Howard then introduced our speaker Brenda ChristmanYocum who is with JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates). JAG was first started in 1979 by George Bush. Indiana is in Region 2 which is with South Bend and Elkhart areas. There are state and national conventions that help with networking. Brenda is a Rochester High School and Manchester College graduate with a degree in Social Work and a Masters degree from Andrews University. She worked with Four-County Counseling Center and left there to WorkOne and full time at Rochester High School. Superintendant Dan Ronk hired Brenda at the beginning of this school year to work with at-risk junior and senior students at Rochester High School. She currently meets with six students twice a day and they are in regular class the other periods of the day. She will add more students during second semester.
Things that Brenda helps the students in her classes with are personal skills, how to have a good attitude, try to keep them in school, help them set up a plan or goal to help them get there. She also will do a one year follow-up after graduation whether they go into the military or on to more technical training. She helps them do a job search, resume building, or mock interviews. Some students want to do what their parents did. She tries to show her students options; college planning, how they qualify for loans based on their learning abilities and seeing that they aren’t stuck in a rut. They do job shadowing to the hospital, police ride alongs, or computer programs. The students are told the importance of first impressions and the expectations of the people they are working with.
Brenda says she brings in speakers from colleges, the military, nursing field, or the lumber industry. She said her students volunteer at the middle school, or help the Optimists with the pumpkin project.
Her students benefit from the class and get credit for it. She checks their grades and gives individual attention. If they are failing a class they will see Brenda in a case management situation. Right now there is a need for extra help in math classes. Some students have dropped their study hall to participate in this class. She wants them to graduate and be successful. After returning from fall break they will be going on a college visit.
WorkOne is government funded and Mrs. Yocum received a grant for four computers and iPads with help from Loretta Deardorff. The college visit was paid for by a fund raiser held during Homecoming week when they sold suckers. Transportation is provided by WorkOne or help from teachers as needed.
After Brenda’s presentation President Howard gave a plug about the breast cancer fundraiser at Flirt and urged members to vote for their favorite bra. She has decorated a bra called “Miss Manitou” and Nikki Wilson has one on display also. Vote for your favorite to help a worthy cause.
Kay Horn closed the meeting with “Do It Anyway” a motivational poem made famous by Mother Teresa.
Members enjoyed tram rides around The Jackson Estates after adjournment.
Kay Horn, Secretary
The Fulton County Retired Teachers met Thursday, October 25, 2012 at The Jackson Estates for their fall meeting. There were 26 retired teachers and guests present to enjoy a luncheon prepared by Beverly Jackson and her daughter Phylinga. Guests were introduced with first time attendees Corinne Pickens, Cyndi Leffel, Kay Garrett, Nikki Wilson, and Kathy Christman. Also, Rev. Jim and Dorris Lund, Area #3 director, Joellen Wynn, and Brenda ChristmanYokum who was our speaker.
President Ilene Howard welcomed everyone and lead in saying The Pledge to the flag. Mrs. Howard then asked the blessing for our country, and the meal. Everyone helped themselves to a delicious buffet. Following the meal before a short business meeting was conducted a moment of silent remembrance was held for three teachers who had passed away during 2012. Virginia Gady-Kinsel, Nancy Moore and Billie Rakestraw. Kay Horn read the minutes of the August meeting and they were approved. Mrs. Horn gave the treasurer’s report of $737.09. Expenses since the August meeting were the website set up with the help of Scott Sayger from IMMERSION Marketing and More and the expense of postage for the mail notifications and floral tributes to deceased members.
Lana Louderback, Kay Horn and Kaleen Krom-Davis volunteered at The Career Fair to answer any questions from juniors and seniors who attended from Tippecanoe Valley, Rochester and Caston Schools who might be interested in pursuing a teaching career. Dennis Grossnickle also volunteered during the morning session but is not pictured.
Career Fair Volunteers:
The Indiana Retired Teachers Association Areas 3 and 4 Fall Workshop was held at Honeywell Center in Wabash, IN on September 19, 2012. Local Fulton County retired teachers attending were President Ilene Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Kay Horn, Kaleen Krom-Davis, Joanne Ewing, and Cheri Meiser.
Upon arrival the teachers were greeted with coffee and crumpets, displays of Tri-Folds showing the various programs and activities of IRTA. Barry Conrad, Wabash RTA president welcomed the 65 educators and Don Metzger Area #4 director responded. The presentation of the American flag with the saying of the pledge, and recognition of those who have served their country in the Armed Forces was followed by an invocation given by IRTA president-elect Carol Greiser.
Roll call of IRTA local chapters in areas #3 and #4 followed with presidents sharing one thing they were most proud about their chapters. Ilene Howard introduced Kay Horn who told of the new website that has just been published for Fulton County teachers with the help of Immersion Marketing & More, LLC. The site can be accessed by going to:www.fultoncountyretiredteachers.org
Robert Kraft IRTA president was introduced by Jim Lund Area #3 director who gave introductory remarks and challenges. An AMBA (American Member Benefits Advisor) representative had a presentation and went over the benefits available to all retired teachers. These included Long term care/home health care insurance; Cancer First Diagnosis insurance, Medicare supplement insurance; Final Expense Whole Life insurance; Tax deferred annuity; Dental insurance; Vision plans, and Medical Air Transportation services; GETO (Government Employees Travel Opportunities); Auto rental discounts using Avis, Budget, or Hertz; CSidentity Protector; Apple or Dell computer discount programs; 1-800-FLOWERS; and AMBA Travel Perx.
Portal training was available to those who signed up with Mary Robinson, database manager with the IRTA staff. This training was very helpful to local groups as it listed all the retirees in each county and gave addresses so they could be easily contacted about important dates and activities. Local presidents could update information and send downstate about deaths, changes of address etc.
After a delicious buffet lunch served by the Honeywell staff, attendees joined in table talks and role played how they might encourage teachers to join the IRTA local groups.
Fall Workshop at Honeywell Center in Wabash: Indiana Retired Teachers Association Areas 3 and 4
The Legislative team of Nancy Tolson and Carol Greiser gave their presentation with handouts. Donations were collected for the IRTA Foundation. Carol Greiser, president-elect gave a Power Point presentation about membership. The attendees then learned of a membership contest called SWEEPS. S-spread the word; W-with more members, the Association can continue to work for the cost of living adjustment (COLA) and/or one time check (13thcheck); E-encourage non-members and active educators to join; E-educate the retired educators of the attack on pensions of public employees; P-promote the benefits and rewards the association provides; S-sign up new retirees, retired non members, and active educators as associate members. The contest dates are from September 24, 2012 until December 31, 2012. If you have been contacting and encouraging retirees to sign-up your name will be placed into a drawing to take place February 12, 2013 at the Retired Teachers Appreciation Day and Legislative brunch in the winter of 2013.
The meeting concluded with a final word from President Robert Kraft.
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