The Douglas and Ozark Counties Area Retired Teachers and Other School Personnel met for lunch, Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at the Highway House Café in Ava. Doris Morrison, president, called the meeting to order. The meeting was opened with an invocation by Sue Robirds.
Retirees attending the September 21 meeting of the Douglas and Ozark Counties RTA were: Ida Mae Huse, Sue Robirds, Norma Stillings, Barbara Roberts, Lena Pierce, Doris Morrison, Marie Bristol, Betty Moore, Terri Hall, Thelma Chisam. Kay Transano, Edith McKinnon, Barbara Groover and their guest, Richard Lorenz.
Richard Lorenz gave a report on eight straw bale homes that have been built in the area due in part to a grant that had been offered from HUD for the Straw Bale Home Construction Initiative proposed by the Top of the Ozarks Resource Conservation and Development, Inc. Houston, MO conducted in partnership with the University of Missouri Extension in Douglas County. Each home was designed by the owner and has incorporated other systems and designs for energy efficiency. All of them have used wide overhangs and some have used active solar power, energy efficient appliances, and passive solar heating.
Minutes and treasurer’s report were approved as presented. Several members paid their 2011 RTA dues. Marie Bristol gave a report on the 2010 MRTA Delegate Assembly on September 14 and the Legislative Reception and MRTA 50th birthday Celebration that followed that evening. Norma Stillings gave a review of the report on the financial condition of the retirement system that had been presented on Wednesday, September 15 by Steve Yoakum, Executive Director of the Missouri Public School Retirement Systems.
The Douglas and Ozark Counties RTA approved a $100 Scholarship for Bradley Mills who is majoring in Education.
An announcement was made about the upcoming Region 10 MRTA meeting being held on October 15 in Springfield at St. John’s Cancer Center Auditorium. Checks payable to Tri-Lakes RTA for $11.50 are to be sent to Mary Lynne Grimes by October 7. Norma Stillings will send the names and checks that she has received, October 5.
The next Douglas and Ozark Counties RTA meeting will be held, October 12 at the Senior Center in Gainesville, MO. Lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 with the RTA meeting following lunch. Paul Mruk will be speaking on “Self Defense.” Paul comes from the Mruk Family Center on Aging in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
