Twenty-two members and guests attended the Douglas and Ozark Counties Retired Teachers and Other School Personnel meeting that was held April 12 at the Highway House Café in Ava, Missouri.
Marie Bristol, president, welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. Betty Moore gave the invocation. The minutes and treasurer’s report were approved as presented. Doris Morrison, chairman of the Community Service Committee, reported on some projects that she had undertaken. She had made a few phone calls and had gathered up and delivered coats for one project. She reminded RTA members to save the pop tabs and bring them to the next meeting.
Marie Bristol appointed herself, Ida Mae Huse, and Doris Morrison to take treats to the teachers’ lounges at Ava, Plainview, and Skyline Schools. Lena Pierce, scholarship chairman, mentioned that the RTA had approved an increase in the scholarship amount from $100 to $200. The revised Scholarship applications were handed out to the members present. Norma Stillings, chairman of the Informative, Protective, and Health services committee gave a report on the duties of long-term-care Ombudsman Volunteers in Missouri. Teri Hall gave a report on the Spring Leadership meeting of last month in Jefferson City.
Marie also announced several upcoming events. The MRTA Fall meeting will be held September 13 and 14 in Jefferson City. Teri Hall was nominated and elected to be the delegate, Marie Bristol was elected to be the alternate. There will be a Silent Auction for the MRTF Building Fund. All RTA’s have been asked to donate nice items for that auction. This years-Distinguished Retiree will be honored at the MRTA Fall Meeting. Ida Mae Huse was nominated to be our Douglas and Ozark Counties RTA Distinguished Retiree. This will be finalized in May.
MRTA Region 10 Vice President, Barbara Self reported that eight of the seventeen units that had received Unit of Excellence Awards were from Region 10. She discussed several ways that MRTA leaders hope to build membership in MRTA. She asked that the local unit submit the names of the new retirees to MRTA.
Barbara also reported that PSRS is 79% funded in spite of continuing economic challenges. The MRTA continues to watch for and oppose legislation that could negatively impact retirees and public school funding.
Members and guests at the April meeting were Ruth Evans, Thelma Chisam, Kay Transano, Marie Bristol, Virginia Parsley, Keith Pellham, Lena Pierce, Eva Painter, Teri Hall, Norma Griffith, Ida Mae Huse, Geraldine Gray, Jim Norman, Marge Norman, Norma Stillings, Betty Moore, Barbara Groover, Sherry Bradshaw, Doris Morrison, Mary Lou Sallee, Don Sallee, and the guest speaker, Barbara Self.
