President Sandy Holcombe welcomed everyone; members said The Pledge of Allegiance; Invocation was led by Fred Ciminello, and lunch followed .
Business Meeting:
Meeting called to order by President Sandy Holcombe, who began the meeting with a moment of silence in honor of member Bob Tharp, who died recently.
Secretary’s Report was read by Secretary Linda Leffel. Motion was made by Louis Whitis and seconded by Bob Palagi to accept the minutes; motion to approve carried. Members are reminded to look at our website for complete current minutes.
Treasurer’s Report was given by Treasurer Sharon Koppert.
Treasury Balances as of end of March:
Checking: $ 1233.85 Scholarship: $2166.12
Savings: $4076.88 CD: $1655.88 TOTALs: $9132.83
*$72 for our Scholarship Fund was also collected today!
ORTA Standing Committee Reports
Community Services:
David Greene announced that has volunteered to promote and collect our members’ Volunteer Hours, and urges everyone to try to keep a general log of hours served.
Informative & Protective Services: (nothing to report)
Legislative: (nothing to report)
Membership:
Mary announced we had about 330 members at the end of 2012, and presently have about 190 paid members and 30-some members who have not paid current dues. She will call those needing to renew. At our executive meeting it was mentioned that we need to promote membership, particularly with new and close-to-retiring teachers (at our pre-retirement seminar this week for instance); we also should think of some “perks” for those who join when they first retire.
Pre-Retirement Planning:
Eileen reported everything is in place for this week’s Pre-Retirement Seminar, with 88 signed up to attend. EILEEN REALLY NEEDS HELP WITH SNACKS and asked people to please let her know today if they can bring snacks by 4 PM tomorrow to FUMC-or can give her money donations to buy more snacks. Main speaker is Tamara Cole again, and speaking briefly to the group will be Tom Tornabene from the Ohio Deferred Compensation program and Colby Cantrell, discussing general investing.
LCRTA Local Committees
Auditing Committee:
Yearly audit has been completed by Sandy Stocker and Karen Birtcher, and our records were in order.
In Memorium:
As mentioned, we had a moment of silence for Bob Tharp.
Luncheon Committee:
Sandy Turco will now be in charge of collecting luncheon money at our meetings, with Jean McCallin assisting her when possible.
Scholarship Committee:
Mary Ellinger shared that extra money for scholarship has come in to her. She and Carolyn Myers will be new co-chair of the Scholarship Committee.
Social Committee:
Our next luncheon meeting will be Wednesday, June 12th, 12 PM, at Christ United Methodist Church on Cedar St. Wilson’s Garden Center will present a program on container planting.
Old/Unfinished Business:
Sandy promoted the ORTA Cookbooks that we need to sell-a good value at $10/each or 2/$15. We did buy them at cost and need to sell them to make a little profit!
New Business:
Sandy asked members if they had voted for STRS Board Representatives as yet-and urged everyone to do so. She noted that we should have received some candidate information in the mail, and shared some info sent from candidate, Nadine McIlwain. Sandy also asked if everyone was registered to vote, and to be sure to exercise this right to vote in the up-coming May 7th Primary Election.
Announcements:
*Please remember to help with snacks for Thurs. Pre-Retirement Seminar.
*Sandy thanked everyone for Pasta items brought today for the food pantry, announcing that next meeting’s item is “hamburger/tuna helper”-type items.
Also-remember that monetary donations are always well-received.
*Linda Leffel announced that the Licking County Historical Society has established a scholarship to honor the memory of Bob Tharp. The D. Robert Tharp Scholarship will be open to Licking County students seeking a college degree in Education, History, Historic Preservation or Religious Studies. Anyone wanting to contribute can send their donations to: Licking County Historical Society, D. Robert Tharp Scholarship, P.O. Box 785, Newark, Ohio 43058
*Our next meeting is Wed. June 12th at CUMC on Cedar St.
Program:
We were entertained by popular local actor, and retired art teacher, Dennis Kohler, who shared some scenes and songs from a couple of his most favorite roles from “Oliver” and “Fiddler on the Roof”, etc.
Business Meeting was adjourned, & then we went to the sanctuary for the program.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Leffel, Secretary, LCRTA