The Fulton County Retired Teachers met at the Moose Lodge on Thursday, October 30, 2014.  Pictures of the 2015 Officers were taken at 11:30 a.m. and a wonderful luncheon consisting of salads, soup, and desserts was served buffet-style by the Burketts at noon.  

Ilene Howard passed get-well cards around to be signed for Jim Lund and Bob Kraft.  She then announced the slate of officers for 2015.  They are as follows:  Jeri Good, President , Necrology, and Funeral Flowers; Karmin Reeves, Vice President; Kay Horn, Secretary/Treasurer; Alona Leininger, Historian; Carol Walker, Publicity; Sandy   Denton, Meeting Contact Person; Patty Hiatt, Programs; Kaleen Krom, Meeting Places; Cheryl Downs, Community Service; Kathy Christman, Computer Graphics; and Ilene Howard, District and State Business, Badges, and Indiana Retired Teachers Foundation.  Judy Climie moved that we accept the slate of officers and Sandy Denton seconded the motion.  The slate was unanimously approved.  Ilene then handed over a huge back of presidential papers, folders, etc. to Jeri that she had from being a previous president.

Ilene told a little about our last meeting which was held at the Jackson Estate in June.  We also have $420.12 in our Treasury.

Gordon Bohs thanked the group for the $45 donation to the Literacy Coalition for the Spell Bowl.  The money is used to provide books for such organizations as WIC, Compassionate Care, pediatricians, etc. and other local organizations.

Kaleen Krom returned a presidential pin to Ilene Howard and presented Jeri Good with a presidential pin.  She also passed around a basket for donations to be given to Helping Hands and Scholarships.  

It was suggested that we raise our dues because of increased costs, booklet, flowers, etc.  Judy Climie moved that we increase our local dues from $10 to $15 for 2015.  Stephenia Barkman seconded the motion.  It passed unanimously.

Ross Bailey from AMBA talked a little about Plan F and G for a Medicare Supplement.  He was available after the meeting if anyone needed to talk with him.

James Lund, the Area 3 Director and his wife were there.  Jim thanked everyone for their concern and cards and said that he was improving nicely.  He spoke about his health journey.  He also encouraged us to write our senators and representatives and tell them to support the education process.  He said Nancy Tolson will be retiring and the board will be voting in December for a new leader for the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.  Financially, IRTA is in good shape.  Jim’s term will end in June/July, also.

Stephenia Barkman spoke about the WAVE program.  She said all three county school corporations have been contacted but so far, Tippecanoe Valley is the only one that has had any students tested.  They had their 2nd and 3rd graders tested.  A password and login number for each student was made by Gary Smith in Colorado for the Tippy Valley students. The testing went well and the teachers were given their students’ scores.  The teachers decide what they want to do with the test results.   Rochester and Caston have done nothing yet.  They have had all of the information presented to them and they seemed interested.  However, it is now up to them to contact us about the testing.  Lori Fellers Williams input all of the information for the Valley students.  Now, Shoda Beehler will do the same for Rochester and Caston students if they decide to go ahead with the testing.  Testing is free.  The remediation program may have a cost.  Several people had questions that Stephenia was able to answer.

Ilene said we want to make sure our senators and representatives know what we want.  We want a defined benefit not a defined contribution. With a defined contribution it’s possible for teachers to select an IRA and take out when they want.  There may not be retirement funds available for teachers when they get ready to retire.

The gourds and pumpkins used for decorations were from the Optimist Club and provided by Vicki Onstott.  The luncheon cost $10.70 per person.  The tip was extra and $56.35 was collected for tips.  

Kaleen said the next meeting would be Thursday, April 30.  The time and place will be determined at a later date.

A few people stayed and wrote a thank you note to some of the people that voted in our favor for REPA III.