MINUTES
Woodford County Reti red Teachers’ Association
November 21, 2014
OPENING
With 28 members and one guest (Madelyn Rothgeb) present, WCRTA met at the Maple Lawn
Gathering Place in Eureka.
PROGRAM
President Lynn Campbell introduced retired history teacher Don Samford who is active in the Peoria
Area World Affairs Council. He shared pictures and information about his spring trip to Cuba. To travel in Cuba US citizens must have special permission. The current leader is Raul Castro, brother of Fidel. Don advised the Cubans, young and old, do support their government. If the opportunity arises, they are interested in visiting with Americans. Because of many shortages, life is not easy for the people. Despite having the highest literacy rate in our hemisphere, people are poor because there is very little manufacturing and product to sell. Most of their revenue comes from selling goods brought in by Cuban émigrés and through tourism. But Samford enjoyed his stay and hopes to arrange a trip to Cuba in 2016.
Following the program Sam Harrod, husband of member Nancy Harrod who passed away in October, said a survivor needs to be aware of certain issues. For example, the survivor should respond quickly when receiving a bill for health care. Also a survivor needs to reapply as an individual for the health insurance that covered him or her while their spouse was alive.
MEETING
President Lynn Campbell called the meeting to order at 11:49 and thanked Caterer Kathy Bowald who will continue serving us in 2015.
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Minutes and Treasurer’s Report. Minutes of the Sept. 19, 2014 meeting were approved as printed.
Treasurer Jane Roth reported an ending balance of $2,335.21. The report will be filed for audit.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Membership: Judith Quiram reported that she and Jennifer Lindsey passed out information on IRTA to 46 prospective members at the TRS area informational meeting at Metamora High School on
October 2. She also noted that only four members have not paid their 2015 dues and that Betty Stine from El Paso is a new member.
Member Benefits: Pete Hughes suggested that if members do not have nursing home insurance, they should consider getting it through IRTA as more than likely, some aspect of it would be used during our lifetimes. Discussion of the benefits of MASA was offered by Jo Crow.
Foundation: John Byrne reminded members that teacher grants and scholarships for relatives of
IRTA members are available through the IRTA Foundation. Foundation donations amounting to $276 were collected. Judith Quiram moved and Betty Stine seconded that WCRTA add $24 to round off the donated amount to $300. Motion adopted.
Community Participation: Jo Crow reported that a large amount of gowns, dolls, and blankets have been made. But funds for postage to mail the packages are needed. Jennifer Lindsey moved and
Judith Quiram seconded to give $100 to pay for the postage. Motion adopted. At the end of the meeting $80 had been collected in the raffle of two baby quilts. The funds will go toward postage.
Winners of the drawing were Jo Crow and Jeanie Oyer.

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Unfinished Business: Pres. Campbell announced the 2015-2016 officers: President and Vice
President: Lynn Campbell, Secretary: Carol Hughes, and Treasurer: Jane Roth.
New Business: Pres. Campbell passed signup sheets for Greeters/Reservations and WCRTA
Committees. The Reservationist for a meeting needs to arrive at 9:45 am to help check in members and guests. The Setting Up Table Committee needs to arrive at 9:30 am and to help clean up tables at end of meeting. Also, she passed a petition requesting signatures for Daniel S. Winter who is a candidate for Annuitant Trustee of the Teachers’ Retirement System.
A check for $100 will be given to the Gathering Place for use of the facility and a check for $150 will be given as a bonus to Caterer Kathy Bowald.
Announcements: Breakfast Lovers will be on Feb. 9, 2015, 8:30 am, at the Cornerstone Restaurant in Eureka. Next WCRTA meeting will be March 20, 2015. Area I Conference at Oglesby will be May
19, 2015. IRTA Convention in Springfield will be Oct. 26 and 27, 2015.
The meeting adjourned at 12:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Hughes, Secretary