Minutes of our last meeting

Minutes
Henry County Retired Teachers Association
July 12, 2010

President Charles Griffith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Northwest State Community College. Attending the July 12th dinner meeting were 54 members and guests. The Pledge of Allegiance was said and a moment of silence was offered for Elizabeth Boomgarden (Mrs. B.) who recently passed away.

Tom Jenny, President of the HCRTA Foundation, announced the two 2010 Book Grant recipients. The Sherman Book Grant was given to Ben George, a Patrick Henry H.S. graduate and a junior majoring in social studies at BGSU. The Lois Griffith Book Grant was given to Emily Schroeder from New Bavaria. Emily is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School with plans to attend BGSU to major in mathematics. Due to summer jobs the recipients were unable to attend the meeting.

Webmaster Karen Brubaker asked members to sign a form giving her permission to use their name or picture on the web page. She also asked members to assist in developing a logo for use on the web site and other printed information.

Louisa Strock informed the chapter that The Center for Lifelong Learning at Northwest State Community College has two programs planned for fall. The "Magic of Mackinac" will be a 2 day event on September 20 & 21. The "Back Behind Bars" program will be offered October 22 at Northwest State Community College. Telephone either Louisa at 533-2361 or Cecily at 267-5502 for more program information and to register.

Janice Rettig and Doris Ruby are maintaining information for the directory. Please give them any e-mail, telephone, cell-phone or address changes.

Charles mentioned again his interest in developing a mission and a vision statement for the Association. He asked for volunteers to assist him in accomplishing this goal. He named Becky Chamberlin as chairperson of the nominating committee and asked that the slate of 2011 officers be presented at the September meeting.

The secretary's minutes for the May meeting were read in the newsletter, A spelling error was corrected in the report. Rosalie Ashenfelter moved approval of the minutes, Larry Long seconded motion. Motion carried.

The treasurer's report was read as printed in the newsletter. Treasurer Duane Ressler presented a motion to increase the annual dues to $15 annually. The dues increase is necessary to meet the needs of the budget. Bill Lytle seconded the motion. Motion carried. ORTA annual dues also increased to $30. Members can pay the old rate for ORTA dues if paid by September 1.

There was no old or new business. Gene Grime conducted the 50/50 raffle with Janice Rettig holding the winning ticket worth $17. Bob Joseph gave the table prayer and a delicious dinner was served by the cafeteria staff.

Louisa Strock introduced program speaker Dr. Tom Stuckey, President of Northwest State Community College. Dr Stuckey's program gave information on the growth of the college and plans for expansion in the future. Dr. Stuckey explained that some classes are offered at a reduced cost per credit hour on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Collaboration with adjacent colleges and universities make it possible to transfer the credits earned at Northwest State Community College to earn bachelors and masters degrees. Several new programs will be offered this fall. Dr. Stuckey invited the community to visit the library and atrium at the college during the hot summer days.

Vice President Gene Grime announced the next meeting for September 13^th. Richard Eppstein, president of the Better Business Bureau of Northwest Ohio, will be the guest speaker.

Meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marlene Jones
Secretary

Minutes
Henry County Retired Teachers Association
May 10, 2010

On a beautiful spring evening fifty (50) members and guests met at Oberhaus Park Shelter House in Napoleon. President Charles Griffith called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. with members joining in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Charles informed members that several e-mail newsletters were returned. He provided a form for members to add or correct their e-mail addresses at the registration desk. He also provided a form for new members to join one of the committees.

Charles reported that approximately 40 members of the Association are not life members and pay annual dues. To cover expenses the treasurer had to move money from a CD to the checking account. Charles asked treasurers Duane Ressler, Bill Lytle and Gene Grime to meet and determine the income needs for 2011 and suggest way(s) to increase the treasury. Members with ideas for increasing revenue should share them with the finance team.

Nominations for year 2011 will begin at the July meeting. Becky Chamberlin is the nominating committee chair. Charles Griffith asked not to be president another year having severed as president for several years. He encouraged members to volunteer as an officer.

The secretary's minutes for the March meeting were found and read in the News to Share. Bonnie Eddy moved the minutes be accepted. Karen Brubaker seconded the motion. Motion carried.

The treasurer's report was also read in the News to Share. Janice Rettig moved to accept the report. Gary Richey seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Doris Ruby, Karen Brubaker and Janice Rettig reported on the April 7th District ORTA meeting held in Findlay. Six members attended the meeting including Karen Brubaker, Gene Grime, Faith Hurst, Duane Ressler, Janice Rettig and Doris Ruby.

Becky Chamberlin introduced the new HCRTA Foundation officers:
          President - Tom Jenny
          Vice President -Max Fetterman
          Secretary - Charlene Freppel
          Treasurer - Gene Grime
          Agent - Becky Chamberlin
          Ex-Officio member - Charles Griffith
Becky reported on the need for the Foundation to increase income to continue to give two $500 book grants. The interest on the current invested principle is not returning enough money to cover the cost of the book grants. Donations and memorials are needed. Becky prepared a display with envelopes for anyone wishing to donate to the Foundation.

Janice Rettig asked members who know retiring teachers to report their name and address. Janice will send each a letter and information inviting them to become a member.

Bonnie Eddy brought a table of plants from her garden to sell. She also furnished a potted hosta for each table. She announced that the money from the sale of the plants would be given to the HCRTA treasurer to use where needed.

Webmaster Karen Brubaker announced the web site has received positive comments.
Delorse Ullmann, webmaster of the ORTA, sent a complimentary note for a job well done. Karen has a release form for members to sign allowing her to legally print name/picture on the website http://www.hcrtaonline.org/

Gene Grime announced that the July 12^th meeting will be held in the auditorium at Northwest State College. President Stuckey will be the program speaker.

The 50/50 drawing went to Eleanore Meyer. Bob Joseph provided the meal prayer.
Members enjoyed a delicious steak dinner complete with pie.

Gene Grime introduced Tom Mack, Director of the Henry County United Way. Mr. Mack presented information on the newly developed ‘Born Learning Program.' This is an early childhood education program being promoted in the county. He reported that in the short time the program has existed 43,000 books have been distributed in the county. Tom also spoke about the ‘Born Learning Trails' that will be developed this summer in Napoleon and in each village in the county to promote learning thru play. Mr. Mack demonstrated computer learning activities which are available to children on http://www.unitedwayhenry.org/.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marlene Jones, Secretary

Minutes
Henry County Retired Teachers Association
March 8, 2010

President Charlie Griffith called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. at the Oberhaus Shelter House in Napoleon. Fifty-three members and guests were in attendance. Joyce Doust Director of District 1 was introduced. Four new members have joined since our December meeting - Wayne Short, Margaret and Wendell Short and Don Bright. Members stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Becky Chamberlin conducted the HCRT Foundation meeting. The book grant applications will be evaluated using a rubric developed during the year. Becky asked for members interested in reading the book grant applications to see her.

Charlie welcomed members to Oberhaus Park where there will be sufficient space for the meetings this year. The dates and menus for the meetings are listed in the March News to Share. The 2010 leadership team was introduced:
          President - Charlie Griffith
          Vice President - Gene Grime
          Secretary - Marlene Jones
         Treasurer - Duane Ressler
          Chaplin - Bob Joseph

The HCRTA is experiencing a cash flow problem. Most members are life long members leaving only a few members paying annual local dues. The Board met and money has been moved from a CD to eliminate the financial problem. Charlie asked for ideas to eliminate this treasury problem.

Forms were placed at each table for members to sign their name to a committee and to report their volunteer hours. Committee chairpersons need new members to help do the work of their committee. At each table members also found a list of e-mail addresses. Charlie asked members to check their e-mail address for accuracy and to indicate if interested in receiving the News to Share on the internet. This will save the cost of printing so many copies of the newsletter.

Charlie gave a challenge for the year. He would like for the Henry County Retired Teachers Association to prepare a mission and a vision statement.

The courtesy chairpersons, Sandra Honemann and Nancy Hoover are reminding members to inform them when a card is needed for an ill member, a grieving member or someone celebrating a special occasion.

The secretary's report for December was found in the News to Share. Bill Lytle moved to accept the report. Bonnie Eddy seconded the motion. Motion carried.

The treasurer's report was reviewed by Duane Ressler. The report was accepted for audit.

Vice President Gene Grime reported on programs for the year. Gene is working on finalizing some details. Programs dates, locations and the menus can be found in the News to Share.

Louisa Strock encouraged members to attend the life-long-learning programs available at     NW State College. Two spring programs will be offered. "Wigwams Along the River" will be an all day Seminar on March 26. Cost is $5. The May 1-5 tour of "Richmond and Its Neighbors" has a few seats available. If anyone is interested in more information about the programs they should contact Louisa.

Under new business Doris Ruby announced the District 1 meeting on April 7^th in Findlay. The cost is $20. She would like to see at least ten members attend the meeting.

Gene Grime conducted the 50/50 drawing of $19. Doris Ruby had the lucky ticket.

Bob Joseph offered prayer and a delicious lasagna luncheon was enjoyed.

Myrna Grove, a retired Williams County teacher and author was introduced as the program speaker. Myrna presented a power point program on the "Legacy of One-Room Schools." She discussed how schools were built in the Northwest Territory and in each of the counties in the states to educate youth from ages 4-18. Her pictures showed the change in architecture during the years the schools were in use. Some schools have been restored and some have been refurbished for another use. At one time Myrna reported there were over 12,000 one-room schools in Ohio.

Joyce Doust District 1 Director encouraged members to attend the April 7 meeting in Findlay. She also reported that many counties are having the same cash flow problem our chapter is experiencing. Several counties are adding $1 to the cost of the meals and some counties are asking members to pay dues annually to cover the costs.

Charlie thanked Bonnie Eddy for furnishing the tablecloths and flowers for the meeting. Meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Marlene Jones, Secretary