ORTA Minutes
August 2008
The August meeting of the Gallia County
Retired Teachers Association was held on August 14 at the Senior Resource Center. President Lois Carter called the meeting
to order by ringing a school bell. She read a humorous article entitled "Senior Exercises for Future Olympics"...a
sampling:
- Beating
around the bush
- Pushing your luck
- Passing the buck
- Running around in circles
- Tooting your own horn
We recited the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Bob Powell gave the blessing. A delicious
meal of chicken salad plus trimmings was served by the Resource Center staff and enjoyed by all. The highlight of the meal
was their unique orange cake.
Lois welcomed several guests. First was Donna Dewitt, a "Health Care
Champion" to speak about HB 315. Also introduced was a team from Holzer Medical Center, Bonnie McFarland and "the
girls". The program for the day was a health fair, which was staffed by Bonnie and her team. Members had the choice of
the following screenings, which were conducted both before and after the meeting:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Glucose
- Bone density
- Weight
Donna Dewitt gave an informative talk on HB 315 and distributed a fact
sheet regarding the need for passage of this very important bill. As reported in the June newsletter this bill is currently
"on hold". It is imperative that we not forget about this bill, we need to continue to contact our legislators regarding
how vital the passage of this bill is to both current and future retirees. Legislator Clyde Evans was in attendance and offered
remarks regarding this subject as well as other legislation that affects STRS.
We signed a sympathy card for the family of
Charles Jeffers and a birthday card for Estivaun Matthews. Volunteer chairperson, Karen Cornell, reminded everyone to
be keeping track of volunteer hours. Christine Williams suggested a volunteer opportunity that could be a community project
for our association. She distributed a handout regarding the "Fear of Falling" and described a program sponsored
by the AAA7 entitled "A Matter of Balance." A representative of the AAA7 will be present at our October 9, 2008
meeting to discuss this program.
Lois reminded us of an important form STRS sent to non-Medicare eligible retirees
that must be completed and sent to STRS by Sept. 1. The form has to do with employment plans for 2009. It is imperative to
return this form or those retirees will lose their STRS insurance on December 31!
Marlene Hoffman gave a
report on the website development workshop she attended on August 11 at the ORTA offices in Columbus. She stated it was an
excellent workshop and she learned all that she had hoped to learn. In fact she went ahead and signed our chapter for one
year of publication of our website (still in development). The chapter voted to okay this project for a period of one year.
The yearly cost is approximately $100, cheaper if you buy 2 years. We also voted to reimburse Marlene for the money she paid
to the host company to get us online for the coming year. One of the presenters of the workshop stressed that not many of
current membership may be "internet-savvy" but you can guarantee the next generation is. If we want to attract and
retain new members we must be forward looking in the way we communicate. She thanked the members for allowing her to represent
our chapter at this workshop. As a side note, she had the opportunity to view the 60th anniversary quilt on display at the
ORTA office. She said it is interesting, educational and absolutely beautiful; the pictures we received do not do the quilt
justice. If anyone has an opportunity to view this quilt in person they should definitely do so.
The raffle
this month consisted of a basket of fresh from-the-garden vegetables donated by Donna Dewitt, a red vase and several apple
recipe/photo holders. The raffle netted $95.
NEXT MEETING: OCTOBER 9 - Rodney Methodist Church
Menu: Ham Loaf
Program: Melvin Biars from Floral Fashion
"A Matter of Balance" by AAA7
Memorial
Service by Marlene Hoffman
Respectfully Submitted,
Marlene Hoffman, Secretary
