The Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel (MRTA) will honor its 2010 MRTA Distinguished Retiree at its annual meeting to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 14 and 15, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, 415 W. McCarty, Jefferson City.
Nominations for this award are accepted from retired educators who are members of MRTA. The Distinguished Retiree is selected from a panel representing several education organizations within the state of Missouri.
Regional winners, and ultimately, the Distinguished Retiree are selected based on their MRTA involvement, contributions to public education and the teaching profession, commitment to community through service-oriented activities such as volunteer work and civic activities since retirement, and their professional biography. MRTA, organized in 1960, is an association of retired educators whose purpose is to promote the professional, social, and economic welfare of all retired school employees.
Attendees will honor this year’s MRTA 2010 Distinguished Retiree of the Year, Rosemary Bane, Springfield, MRTA Springfield (SARTA) Unit. A luncheon, honoring Ms. Bane and the MRTA Regional Distinguished Retirees of the Year, will begin at 12 noon, Sept.15.
Other activities at the MRTA Annual Meeting include a Delegate’s Assembly, a Legislative Reception held in conjunction with the Legislative Veto Session, a Birthday Celebration recognizing 50 years of existence of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel and a Fundraising Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation. The General Session, with President Walter Cochran, Nevada, presiding begins with the Foundation Fundraising Luncheon at 12 noon, Sept. 14, with the theme: “MRTA is here to Stay.” For reservations call 1-877-366-6782.
Winner of the 2010 MRTA Distinguished Retiree of the Year Rosemary Bane is a member of the Springfield Area Retired Teachers Association (SARTA) of Region 10. She taught public school music for 30 years beginning at her hometown, Clever, in 1948. Ms. Bane has belonged to MRTA for over 20 years. During these years, she served MRTA in many leadership positions. On the state level she served on the MRTA Board of Directors including fulfilling the duties of President from 2002 – 2004.
Ms. Bane served on many state committees and led fundraising efforts for the new building. Rosemary was the first person to give a $5,000 donation to the Building Fund. Her Regional service included participating in regional events including speaking and providing music, and serving as Region 10’s program planning and decorating committees for 20 years.
Rosemary’s service at the local unit level includes serving as President and actively participating in local unit committee meetings and projects of the SARTA Unit. Since retirement, Ms. Bane is very active in community service, many times providing musical expertise including serving and membership with many philanthropic organizations – to name a few: Springfield Ladies Saturday Club, Kappa Kappa Iota (women educators honorary), Sigma Alpha Iota (honorary music), South MO Museum of Art Associates, Greene County Historical Society, Daughters of American Colonists, Delta Kappa Gamma and volunteering her musical expertise to members of her community. Rosemary has dedicated her life to public education.
Even in retirement, she continues to be a strong advocate for education. She has authored a book, Recorder Fun; written curriculum and trained docents; presented historical programs at local schools and served on the Boards and Advisory Committees of numerous higher education facilities. Her loyalty for education, teachers, and MRTA is unsurpassed.
Following is a list of the 2010 MRTA Distinguished Retiree Regional Winners.
Gay Dittemore, Savannah, Andrew County RSEA, Region 1 Winner;
Wendell E. Doyle, Kansas City, Clay-Platte Unit, Region 2 Winner;
Jane T. Chick, Brookfield, Linn County RTA, Region 3 Winner
Owen Jackson, Columbia, Boone County Unit RTSPA, Region 4 Winner;
Morris Shikles, Marshall, Saline County RTA, Region 5
Jane Fullerton, Bolivar, Polk County RTA, Region 6;
Veronica J. Hambacker, Salem, Dent County RPSP, Region 7;
Nancy Craig, Fenton, Jefferson County REA, Region 8;
Naomi L. Maze, Lamar, Barton County RTA, Region 9;
Rosemary Bane, Springfield, Springfield Area RTA, Region 10;
Don Meloy, Centerville, Reynolds County RSP, Region 11;
Arvella “Tracy” Gant, Dexter, Stoddard County PSREA, Region 12;
Betty Takahashi, O’Fallon, Daniel Boone 76 RTA, Region 13;
B. Suzanne Gittemeier
St. Charles, Pattonville Retirees’ Association, Region 14.
