February 14, 2018 Minutes, Stacey’s Buffet, Elder Care, AMBA
Welcome:
President Eileen McNally welcomed the 20 members present. Today’s theme was “Try, Try Again” and she read a verse about try, try again. Lunch at the buffet.
Program:
Robert Hendrix spoke about Elder Care and offered his services to anyone who had questions. Dennis Evans and Jim Cane from AMBA (Association Member Benefits Advisors) spoke about benefits available to ORTA members and encouraged us to take advantage of these benefits. They also offered their services for anyone who had questions or wanted more information.
Reports:
Scholarships
Student Teacher Grant - Gail Dufford reported that the Student Teacher Grant will not be awarded until late next fall. This is due to the fact that all student teachers at OSUN do their student teaching in the fall semester. Then some graduate in Dec. and some have courses to complete during the spring semester. If we offered the Grant this spring we would not be able to include those who graduated in Dec. OSUN will help distribute the information and applications in late April, to be submitted by September 1, 2018. Then the committee will review the applications and make decisions.
Labor Scholarship Essay Contest - David Greene reported that the information for the scholarship contest has been released to schools in the Licking, Knox, Muskingum and Coshocton County Area. There is an April 4 deadline. Anyone interested in helping review the essays should contact David.
Freedom School Film - Thursday, February 3 the film will be Overnighters (gas and oil workers in the job field needing homes where they are working and how this affects the community)
Public Transportation Meeting – Feb 24th.
Business Meeting:
*David Greene opened the business meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
*Eileen reported that most of the executive committee was not able to make the meeting on Monday and that many of these people are not able to attend our meetings on a regular basis due to travel, or health concerns of family members. Members need to be willing to step in to some of these positions. Membership Committee especially needs assistance as Mary Ellinger will not be working on that committee any more.
*Eileen also spoke to that fact that getting things ready for a meeting at Heritage Hall had been extremely difficult for her (getting ice, making coffee, set up and clean up, etc.) Having today’s meeting at Stacey’s was good because she had no pre-meeting preparations and no clean up. It is also nice because no reservations are needed which saves Jean a lot of work. Also, members could decide at the last minute to come.
*Eileen stated that if we would switch our meetings to Stacey’s for every meeting she would remain as president, as it would be easier for her.
**It was decided that we would discontinue our meetings at Heritage Hall and meet at Stacey’s for the rest of 2018. The only problem will be space in the meeting room. Another group meets in the room connected to ours and we probably wouldn’t be able to have a double room. This may be a problem when STRS representatives come because we usually have a bigger group that day. (ASIDE from Eileen: Karen Butt will check on the possibility of have both portions of the room, at least for the April meeting.)
Secretary:
Minutes from the December meeting were available at the front table of the room. Minutes from each meeting can also be found online.
Care and Concern:
You are reminded to please write down names of any members needing a card form us in various circumstances. Please get those names to either Linda or Eileen between our meeting dates.
Membership Gift Card Drawing:
In February, all members who have paid their dues are entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card at a restaurant of their choice in Newark. The winner was Anastacia Anest. Debby will contact her.
Treasurer’s Report:
Savings - $1144.57
Checking - $2800.27
Scholarship (includes Stauch endowment) - $3408.12
Todays’ Donations:
Food Pantry - $48.00 plus a few items
Scholarship - $52.00
* February door prizes were handed out to lucky attendees!
Next meeting – Wednesday, April 11 – 12:00 – Stacey’s
Speaker – Bob Stein, STRS updates
Donations – Pet supplies for Licking Co. dog shelter
Respectfully Submitted,
Gail Dufford
Stand-in Secretary