Welcome/Call to Order/Invocation: President Eileen McNally welcomed everyone, gave the invocation and read from a Guidepost article on Friendship, for her theme of this month’s meeting…”See the beauty”. Luncheon: Delicious lunch served by members of the church.
Program/ Introduction: Eileen thanked Janet Simross for all her efforts in obtaining speakers/programs for this year.
One of our speakers for today, a representative from the sheriff’s office talking about Senior Safety unfortunately did not show up for today’s meeting. She introduced our other speaker, Sandra Benson, from “Home Instead Senior Care”, who shared about all of the services their company has available to area senior citizens, and told us how we can be involved as paid care-givers if we are interested.
Sandra is also on the board of the Red Cross, and discussed getting the right items for “disaster kits” in case of emergencies.
Welcome Visitors/Guests: Our two scholarship recipients from Lakewood HS along with one parent joined us today.
Business Meeting
Pledge of Allegiance: David led us in the Pledge.
Secretary’s Report: Members were reminded to look over last meeting’s minutes, found on the tables; minutes are also placed on our website each month. Let Eileen or Linda know of any mistakes found.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Debra Shelly reports as of May 2015: Checking: $1,550.41; Savings: $1,644.21; Scholarship: $2,512.92; S. Stauch Scholarship: $10,000; CD: $4,675.94.
*Besides supplies, $63 was donated to the Licking County Animal shelter at our last meeting.
*In April & May, we deposited $163 in the scholarship account. This money came from our April meeting and from donations made with membership renewals. Members have been very generous! Thank you!
Committees
Community Affairs: David Greene reminded us that he is our representative to the Senior Labor council. Today he gave everyone paper to register our volunteer hours from January through June. Please continue to collect your hours-we are a very caring, volunteering group!
Information / Protective Services: Judy Phlaumer shared that at the spring conference, it was announced that Medical Mutual Plus will not be offered this next year due to Obama-care-as it is now considered a "Cadillac" plan-too expensive.
Legislative: Sandy Holcombe discussed the importance of knowing what is going on with the legislature, and who to support for our interests, by being a member of ORTA. She also shared ORTA report about “lump sum” verses “defined payment”; we need to keep the defined payment for teachers. In improving services and PR, ORTA would like local chapters to get involved with “Habitat for Humanity”. Through supply donations, food for workers, etc., there are many ways LCRTA could get involved and help our community.
Membership: Mary Ellinger shared that 34 members do NOT belong to ORTA, only local. You are encouraged to join both. Also-ask those new retirees to join us…your executive board all agreed that we should advertise to new retirees that their first lunch will be on us!
Public Relations: Look for notes from today and our upcoming meeting in the Newark Advocate, and look for our minutes on our website.
Scholarship: Carolyn Myers shared information about Fran Alspach, and the Fran Aspach Award Scholarship, presented this year to 2 Lakewood students, who were present and spoke to the group today. Kayann Hoffman, will attend will attend OSU Main Campus in early education, and Lauren Samsal, will attend OSU Newark, in early education also. The S. Stauch Award will award 2-$1,000 Scholarships a year for 5 years, beginning next year.
*Money collected TODAY towards next year’s scholarship was $83!
Courtesy: Please remember to let us know the names of any members needing get-well card or uplifting in any way; Thanks to Elizabeth Troyer who will continue to send out the cards.
Old Business: Eileen reminded us that we will be giving a $200 grant for new, first year teachers for help in setting up their room, beginning next year.
New Business: Eileen reported we have had some email problems with disputing email companies blocking some mail--may not have been able to get their reservations through-fewer post cards were sent out this month. Remember that Jean McCallin is our new reservation person. After you receive the email and you reply your reservation to Jean, If you do not receive a reply from Jean YOU DO NOT HAVE A RESERVATION.
Other Announcements: Eileen and Treasurer Debra Shelly are currently working on a basic budget for us to soon have in place-will share at our next meeting.
Next Meeting / Donations: Our next meeting is August 12th at Heath United Methodist Church, Rte. 79, Heath. Donations will be personal hygiene products.
Closing thoughts: Eileen closed today’s meeting with another short reading.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Leffel
Secretary, LCRTA