Nineteen members of the Executive Committee were present at the meeting.  President Ron Snowberger called the meeting to order and asked Secretary Ruth Weigand to read the minutes of the March meetings.

Darlene Fetterhoff reported a treasury balance of $10,148.58 ($3,991.09 scholarship and $6,007.53 working balance).  There was income from dues, donations, and luncheons.  Expenses included the newsletter, audit/990 form fees, labels and postage, and ORTA dues.

Darlene said she sent out 35 postcard reminders for members to pay their dues by June 15.

Vice-President Nancy Granville said that Jane Bissler will be the speaker at our memorial luncheon.  Mary Jane Brannon and Joanne Cardinal will set up displays for the 16 deceased members, and Mary Jane will read a short synopsis of each person’s life.  Georgia Darrah will deliver the meditation.

ORTA Trustee Dan McCombs said that he had received official notice from Ann Hanning stating that our chapter qualified to have a Trustee because we were one of the ten largest chapters in the state.  Dan is finishing his term, so we need to get a new Trustee.

Past President Dave Gynn was attending another chapter meeting, but he sent a message encouraging PCRTA  members to use the ORTA and PCRTA websites and go into the Members Only area for up-to-date information.

Dan McCombs asked members to sign the petition to put the repeal of SB5 on the ballot.  He and Dave Gynn would both have petitions at the luncheon meeting.

Community Service Chair Judy Morgan said there were many items donated, plus $94 and Acme cards donated for Freedom House at the March meeting. We will collect items for Safer Futures at the next luncheon.

-udy Morgan, JoAnn Stikes, and Ruth Weigand were judges at the Future Educators Association conference at KSU on March 25.

PCRTA members will help serve refreshments at the GED Graduation at Maplewood on June 9.  Let Judy know if you can bake some cookies or help (614-309-4893 cell).

Legislative Chair Dan McCombs gave a synopsis of the many bills now pending: US HB 1332 for the GPO/WEP has 62 sponsors; HB 153 budget bill passed the house and may be placed in the pension bill, reducing funding for K-12 and higher education; HB 21, Teach for America for education licensure passed; HB 36 restores two calamity days; HB 136 for state vouchers allows money left over to be put into a college account.  He said that the ORTA Executive committee and ORTA legislative committee both support placing SB5 on the ballot for referendum.

Helena Parry, Membership Chair, reported she sent out 34 packets for prospective members, which is about half of the teachers retiring this year.

Pat Gynn reported that the number of newsletters emailed has nearly doubled.  387 stamped newsletters were mailed.

Jan Fencl, Nominations Chair, said the offices up for   election this year are Vice President, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustee.

Kay Wise reported that the AARP Safe Driving Program will be May 17 at Ravenna HS.  Dr. Schneider from NEOMED will bring students to check blood pressures at the July meeting.

Georgia Darrah, PR Chair, said she is trying to get our  notices on the Portage County list of activities online.

Jim Montaquila, Scholarships Chair, said there were 22 applicants from ten schools who applied for this year’s scholarships.  Seven $1000 scholarships will be awarded.

John Kerstetter, Travel co-chair, said he is working on planning tours at the Ravenna Arsenal, a return tour of Beckwith Orchard, and a Cuyahoga Valley National Railroad trip.

-Webmaster Connie Evans reported that there are now downloadable membership and luncheon reservation forms available on our website at www.pcrta.net.

-wo guests were in attendance to help honor their loved ones-Eunice Michaels, wife of John James Michaels, and Lowell Meyers, husband of Carole Joyce Meyers.

Georgia Darrah introduced the speaker, Jane Bissler, the founder and clinical director for wellness in Kent and who also does grief counseling. She spoke about remembering and forgetting-using a special memory to help bring joy to life.

A brass trio of Ken Granville, Sam Mayes, and Ray Harcar entertained us with special music.

The winner of the 50/50 drawing received $73 out of the $147 collected.  Dan McCombs was the winner and he donated it to the Scholarship Fund.  Georgia Darrah also won in the drawing-two tickets for “Chicago” at the Porthouse Theater.

PCRTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

March 10, 2011

Members present: Ron Snowberger, Dave Gynn, Ruth Weigand, Helena Parry, Pat Gynn, Nancy Granville, Kay Wise, Jim Montaquila, Georgia Darrah, Darlene Fetterhoff, Edith Scott, Mary Jane Brannon, Norm Park, John Kerstetter, Saroj Sutaria, Connie Evans

President Ron Snowberger called the meeting to order.

Recording Secretary – Ruth Weigand

Ruth read the minutes to everyone. There were three corrections, two of which had been corrected before the minutes were emailed to all committee members on May 15. The AARP Safe Driving course will be on May 17^th, not May 19^th.

Barb Cribbs will mail copies to Mary Jane and Edith; Norm said that he doesn’t mind waiting until the newsletter comes out.

Ron announced that the NEOEA Spring conference would be in Garfield Heights on April 13 at 9:00 A.M., which includes a continental breakfast and lunch for $20. He said legislative updates, pension reform, health care, and navigating face book and skype will be some of the topics discussed. He said the registration forms have to be in by April 4^th.

Ron announced that the NEOEA Spring conference would be in Garfield Heights on April 13 at 9:00 A.M., which includes a continental breakfast and lunch for $20. He said legislative updates, pension reform, health care, and navigating face book and skype will be some of the topics discussed. He said the registration forms have to be in by April 4^th.

Treasurer – Darlene Fetterhoff

Jan. 27 – Mar. 9, 2011

Beginning Checking Account Balance $48,636.36

Income Total                                    $1985.00

NEOUCOM, dues

Expenses

ORTA                                                     90.00

B Cribbs postage                                     59.38

D Fetterhoff office supplies                       15.48

M Leedom newsletters                            351.82

M Leedom directories                               70.00

Stifel-Nicolaus Investment                  40,000.00

  (from Life cd and scholarship monies
in checking account)

Bank fee – Feb.                                         2.00

Total Expenses                               $40,588.68

Checking Account Balance                  $10,032.68

Scholarship Total in Ck Account            $3,723.59

Working Account in Ck Account             $6,309.00

Investment Summary

Darlene asked what her duties about the investments in the mutual funds should be.

Ron suggested that she make a quarterly report on the investments.

Darlene announced that she received 30 invitations, all of which had been addressed to her. She passed them to everyone whose names appeared on the invitation. The invitations were for a tea sponsored by the Portage County Literacy Coalition to celebrate National Reading Day on March 2. The problem was that the invitations arrived on March 2, the day of the tea. The invitation included a teabag. Participants were supposed to sit in the comfort of their own home and read a book with a cup of tea. The RSVP included a request for a donation to this non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to educating adults on the awareness of illiteracy in the county. The contribution will help recruit tutors and purchase materials.

Darlene said the 2011 directories were ready. Executive Committee members informed everyone of recent changes in their Email addresses.

Vice President – Ken & Nancy Grandville

Nancy said that she will do the meditation for the March 17 luncheon meeting.

She said that Gerald Payn, the guest speaker will portray Abe Lincoln.

She said that May is our memorial meeting and Ralph Pfingsten will speak about the history of the Ravenna Arsenal at the Sept. meeting.

Dave said that he acquired two Applebee’s gift certificates to put in the 50-50 drawing to encourage more people to participate. So there will be three chances in the drawing; namely, money and/or the gift certificates.

ORTA Trustee – Dan McCombs

In Dan’s absence, Dave Gynn said he would give the report under Legislative. Dave and Ron attended the STRS Pensions Champions meeting.

It was stated that PCRTA will not know if we have a trustee until May 25. It was also stated that Dan McCombs has served two terms as trustee, so he could not serve next year.

ORTA trustees are required to attend ORTA meetings twice a year, are also required to attend the committee meetings in which they are involved, and give reports to their local organization and to ORTA.

(The district director represents those organizations who do not have a trustee).

Archival – Norm Park

Norm said that he has nothing new, but has something to place in our archives which are stored at the Portage County Historical Museum.

One of the committee members presented Norm with a news item that about Ashley Bolt, one of PCRTA’s 2008 scholarship recipients, who was recognized for being outstanding in sports at Marietta College.

Community Service – Judy Morgan

In Judy’s absence, it was reported that Judy said that she has enough volunteers for judges for the Future Educators Association Ohio State Conference at KSU on March 25.

Ruth Weigand said that she enjoyed judging posters last year by following the FEA Ohio Chapter rubrics.

Dave Gynn judged speeches according to the rubrics (A timer was also used in that judging).

The March service project will be for Freedom House, a transitional shelter in Kent for male veterans who may also be homeless.

Freedom House has requested the following items: canned fruit, pancake or waffle mix, pillowcases, plastic containers with lids, and money donations for meat.

Scholarship – Jim Montaquila

Treasurer Darlene Fetterhoff requested permission to write a check, because a PCRTA member donated one check with instructions to give a certain amounts to Freedom House and to Scholarship.

Jim said that Norm worked with him in getting the PCRTA scholarship info to the Portage County Schools.

To date, He said that there has been only one scholarship application submitted which was from a Rootstown student. Jim stated that he sent post card reminders about the April 1 deadline to the guidance counselors in all of the Portage County Schools.

Mon. April 11, the Scholarship Committee will meet to choose the scholarship recipients.

Dave suggested Georgia Darrah put an article in the newspaper to advertise the deadline.

Legislative – Dan McCombs

Dave reported that HB69 and SB3 concerns the pension funding of the retired teachers and SB 5 for active teachers.

Retired and active teachers wish to see the Defined Benefit plan for funding pensions continue and for the five-point plan to be adopted. The defined benefit plan has not been discussed by lawmakers.

STRS Ohio plan:

Change in Eligibility for Retirement Beginning Aug. 1, 2015 Age and service requirements for retirement would increase to a minimum age of 60 with 35 years of service beginning Aug. 1, 2015. (Members may still also retire at age 65 with a minimum of five years of service.)

Change in Benefit Formula Beginning Aug. 1, 2015 New formula would be 2.2% for all years of service and the current 35-year enhanced benefit formula would be eliminated . Teachers retiring with 35 years of service at age 60 or older would receive 77% of their final average as a pension. Those who have 30 years of service; who are age 55 with 25 years of service; or who are age 60 with five years of service as of July 1, 2015, would receive the greater of: (a) The benefit as of July 1, 2015, under the current formula; or (b) The benefit upon retirement under the new formula.

Increase in Final Average Salary (FAS) with Years Beginning Aug.1, 2015 –FAS calculation would be based on the five highest years of earnings; the current FAS period is three years.

Reduction in Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) beginning July 1, 2012 Current retirees would receive an annual 2% COLA; members retiring Aug. 1, 2012, and later would also receive a 2% COLA, but it will not begin until 60 months after the date of retirement.

Increase in Member Contributions Beginning July 1, 2012 Increase member contributions by 3%, phased in 1% per year beginning July 1, 2012, through July 1, 2014.

Dave said they met with Todd McKinney, one of five on the subcommittee, and suggested some of us should go as an individual and try to get on the schedule of testimony for HB 69 in Columbus.

He said that Kathleen Clyde who is on the SB5 subcommittee will hold office hours in Kent from 11:00 A.M.-12:30P.M. this Fri., Mar. 11 at Scribbles Coffee Co. and on Sat., Mar.12 Todd McKinney will be at the Waterloo Restaurant in Akron from 7:30 – 8:30 A.M.

Darlene suggested that Record Courier has many negative opinions on the subject. She suggested that PCRTA needs to prepare a letter to the editor with correct information and present it to the general meeting next week, personalize it, and then submit it to the newspaper editor.

Dave said that one of the real problems is the composition of the 5 active teachers on the STRS board who do not need a COLA and the 2 retired teachers on the board don’t seem to have a voice.

Membership – Helena Parry

Ron, Dave, and Helena met at a restaurant brainstorming ideas for new membership: how to contact schools and perhaps a committee go to talk at the schools. Saroj and Adele are willing to help.

It was suggested that perhaps we should have a pre-retirement seminar this spring due to the possible changes for pension funding and maybe include a membership drive at the meeting.

Memorial – Mary Jane Brannon

Mary Jane said that Jane Bissler will be the speaker for the May 19 Memorial meeting.

She said that there are10 deceased members to be recognized.

NEOUCOM Proctor Scheduling – Edith Scott

Edith announced there will be an orientation for new proctors on April 4 at 9:30 A.M. at NEOUCOM.

She said there is a new security policy at NEOUCOM. Proctors should enter at the first door on the left and will go to the Academic Affairs office for a guest badge.

Edith said that the schedule for Feb.-July had 6 pages and cost 61cents per copy to mail.

The cost for 25 copies was $32.14 and she requested to be reimbursed.

Since there was nothing listed in the budget for proctoring, Edith was told to turn it in as an expense. donation.

Newsletter – Pat Gynn

Pat said there were 396 newsletters mailed and 9 extra ones at the cost of $351.82.

Pre-Retirement Planning

Ron said that a chairman is needed for pre-retirement planning.

Informative & Protective Services – Kay Wise

Kay said that the 4 hour AARP Driver Safety course is scheduled for May 17 at the Methodist Church.

There needs to be at least six signed up.

Ron said that he recently had shingles and it was miserable. He suggested that members check in to getting the shot. One member said she was counseled by a nurse before it was to be administered and was told that you can not be around pregnant women and small children for six weeks because the shot can possibly cause you to develop a light case of shingles.

Publicity- Georgia Darrah

Georgia said she submitted the Mar. 17 luncheon meeting notice to the Record courier ten days before the meeting and it appeared in the paper on March 9.

She was told to contact Connie to also put it on the website.

She needs info from Vice-President Nancy Granville for the meetings.

Reservations- Les Bennett

Always contact Les for luncheon reservations at least one week before the luncheon meeting.

Social & Travel – John & Sandy Kerstetter

John said that a few members signed up for the Hamlet study groups.

The play Hamlet starts April 13 and will be performed on multiple dates.

In looking for a spring tour, he would like to schedule a tour at the Ravenna Arsenal and have lunch in Newton Falls. It was mentioned that the National Guard conducts the tours and does very few of them.

Telephone – Saroj Sutaria

Saroj said that she hasn’t had any requests for transportation.

It was mentioned that Bob Stanton might come if someone offered to bring him to the meeting.

It was noted that Dick Roberts might also attend if someone offered to bring him.

Website – Connie Evans

Connie said that she added to the website a way to click on to copy the mail-in form to copy for the luncheon reservation.

Helena Parry requested that she put a click for copying the membership form.

Nancy Granville said that she needs to get greeters for next week’s meeting. Someone suggested she choose a new member.

Ron requested a motion to adjourn.

Kay Wise made the motion to adjourn, seconded by John Kerstetter.

Meeting was adjourned.

_________________________________________________________________

PCRTA Luncheon Meeting

March 17, 2011

Newly elected President Ron Snowberger called the meeting to order.

He thanked Adele and Bill Fussner for being greeters.

He said that this was the biggest attendance in awhile with over 90 people present.

He offered a challenge to all those present to bring a friend to the May meeting and to bring them back as a member at the July meeting.

He thanked Public Relations chairman, Georgia Darrah, for the two announcements in the Record Courier.

He thanked everyone for the great amount of donations to the Freedom house for Community Service.

Announcements:

NEOUCOM proctoring CHAIRMAN, Edith Scott, thanked all the proctor volunteers and announced that the next orientation session would be Mon., April 4 at 9:30 A.M.

She said to enter the building at the Security office to the left of the main entrance and go to the Academic Affairs office to get a badge.

Ron announced that the fliers for becoming a Legacy Corp volunteer are on the table and are also on the website.

Connie said they are on the PCRTA and ORTA websites.

It was announced that there would be two Applebee’s gift certificates in the 50/50 drawing in addition to the money drawing.

Ron announced that the Northeast Ohio Education Association- Retired (NEOEA-R) spring conference would be in Garfield Heights on Wed. May 13. Interested attendees will be learning how to use face book and skype. Ron said that he and Dave Gynn will be in attendance.

Community Service Chairman Judy Morgan said the Ohio Future Educators Association will have a competition for posters, displays, and speeches by future educators at KSU on Fri., Mar. 25. She said some PCRTA members are going to be judges.

Informative & Protective Services chairman, Kay Wise, announced that there is an AARP Safe Driving course being offered here at the Methodist Church if six people sign up and four have already signed up. She said there is a discount on auto insurance by some companies.

She said there is a Friends of the Library book sale at the Ravenna Library on Friday and Saturday.

Social Committee Cochairmen, John and Sandy Kerstetter, announced that KSU will present the play, Hamlet, which will open on April 15. John said, “To be or not be” “To attend or not to attend”.

He said he would like some of our members to meet at the Pufferbelly restaurant in Kent and then to attend the play as a group some evening. He said the details are on our website.

Ron said that Legislative chairman, Dan McCombs, is on vacation.

Ron said that he and Dave Gynn spent the whole day in Columbus yesterday.

Dave Gynn gave testimony to the subcommittee hearing comments on HB69. He encouraged the legislature to the adopt the January recommendations from STRS which will strengthen the STRS system.

Dave said that STRS has taken responsible and prudent steps with the five-point plan that shows everyone has to give a little due to the present dire situation with the pension system.

STRS has information kits stating the facts.

HB 69 and SB3 is for retirees.

Dave stressed all PCRTA members should be informed and be active.

Dave said that it was suggested at last week’s Executive Meeting that PCRTA present their own letter with correct facts to the editor of the Record Courier.

He said that copies were being passed around for members to sign.

The letter reads as follows:

Retired teachers in Portage County are concerned about our retirement. We endorse the recommendations of the State Retirement System to amend pending legislation House Bill 69 and Senate Bill 5 govern Ohio’s Five public employees’ retirement systems.

STRS operates the retirement program for 470,00 active and retired teachers. This is the first time in 90 years that the system is recommending reduced benefits which are necessary to stabilize the system.

The STRS system is funded by contributions from active teachers, school boards, and investments. It is not funded from the Ohio budget.

Historically 75 percent of benefits are paid from investment income. Teachers do not pay into Social Security and will not receive Social Security benefits.

STRS recipients in Portage County received $81.5 million in pension benefits in 2010. Much of this earned pension was spent in Portage County, making retired teachers an important economic influence.

We support the recommendations to change our retirement system, even though it will reduce our annual cost of living adjustment, because it is necessary to stabilize the system. Our website (pcrta.net) has links to the details of the proposed legislation.

70 members signed the letter to be sent to the Record Courier.

He announced that the legislative testimony would be on our website Tues. at 7:00 p.m. and at 2:30 P.M.

He said if we can’t agree on a plan, the legislature will develop a worse plan.

Ron introduced newly-elected ORTA president, Karen Butt.

Karen said that she was from Johnstown, close to Newark and 23 miles north of Columbus, in Licking Co.

and she retired from Greenville County Schools.

She praised Dave Gynn, Dan McCombs, and Ed Hall who have been very active in ORTA.

Karen said Ann Hanning, Executive Director, attends all the meetings.

She suggested that ORTA members read the ORTA Quarterly and to go to the ORTA website.

The phone number for ORTA is free.

She stated that she’s concerned about what’s going to happen to active older teachers who stayed in teaching because they loved it and we should tell them that we’re really behind them.

Contact legislators with a short message by writing Emails and letters.

Keep diligent.

Ron mentioned that PCRTA needed to stay in the top ten in number of ORTA members in order to keep an ORTA trustee.

Les led the music, accompanied by Adele Fussner.

Ken Granville led the pledge of allegiance.

Nancy Granville led the invocation.

Adele and Bill Fussner dismissed the tables for lunch and handed each person a raffle ticket for a chance to win an Applebee’s certificate and/or the 50/50 drawing.

Ron asked who were first time attendees and new retirees.

New members present were Bob and Carole Stokes from KSU and Kathy Lawson from Streetsboro.

First time attendees were Diana Cain and Neil Jennings.

Ron announced that two more people are needed to sign up for the AARP Driver Safety course to be held here at the church and PCRTA is in need of a committee chairman for Retirement Planning.

There were fliers on all the tables for the PCRTA dinner at 5:30 on Tues., April 19 at the Pufferbelly and the Hamlet production at KSU Curtis Theater at 8:00 P. M. at a cost of $7.00 prepaid for no reserved seats. If interested, please mail your money and reservation to Kerstetters by April 4.

Vice-President Ken Granville introduced Ralph Payn, guest speaker, who portrayed our 16^th U. S. president.

“Abe” said that his father kept him home on the farm and he only attended school a few weeks here

and a few weeks there. He said the Civil War was a terrible war with Americans against Americans and sons against sons. When Abe ran for president, his name was not on the ballot in the southern states.

When Abe was elected president, a departure crowd saw him off on Feb.11, 1861 and it took him two weeks to arrive at Washington City. His train car was pulled by an “iron horse” and made many stops to get water. Abe gave talks at many of these stops with the basic theme that “we do not to go to war and promised not to interfere with slavery in the south”.

His stops in Ohio were in Alliance, Ravenna(Feb. 15), Hudson, and Cleveland. During the Ravenna stop, the cowcatcher got caught on the platform. A salute to Abe broke the train window when someone overloaded the cannon.

Abe said he was the first president to communicate with generals on the field with the telegraph. The Pony Express carried news out west.

A lady wrote to him that since his face was so thin, he should grow chin whiskers (ladies did not vote at that time). When he was in Westfield , PA, he asked Grace Bedell in the crowd how she liked his chin whiskers.

The home of Frederick Loudon, one of the two slaves freed by Lincoln, is still in Ravenna.

General Grant, General Sherman, and General Sheridan were all from Ohio.

After his talk, “Abe” answered questions and returned to being Gerald Payn for personal questions.

Mr. Payn’s wife was present dressed in costume of the day.

Mr. Payn said that he was a junior high science teacher. Once he became interested in being a Lincoln presenter, he visited everywhere Lincoln lived and the civil war sites. He is a member of the Association of Lincoln Presenters, attends conventions, and is a member of the Wayne County Historical Society.

Ron asked everyone to bring a friend in May and return in July with a new member.

Ken announced that Sylvia Armstrong won $92.50 from the 50/50 drawing.

Judy McKinney and Michelle Worthing won the Applebee’s gift certificates.

Ron adjourned the meeting.