Southwest Washington School Retirees' Association

Serving all school retirees and employees since 1946

SWWSRA Zoom Meeting Minutes – April 15, 2021

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At 11:33 AM Linda Bannon opened the meeting and guided the members in the flag salute.

Attending: Mina Milligan, Linda Bannon, Jane Madden, Marty Erickson, Annette Erickson, Despo Varkados, Fran Person, Loretta Babbitt.

FRIENDSHIP (Jane Madden)

Sympathy Card was sent to the family of Betty Garborg. A get well card was sent to Loretta Babbitt. A birthday card will be sent to Mina Milligan on April 19th.

TREASURES REPORT: (Marty Erickson)

  • Savings Account Revenues $8,222.73
  • Checking $84.98
  • 12 Month Certificate $3,121.93
  • Scholarship Account $3,031.34
  • Net worth to date $14,460.98

Marty Erickson reported that SWWSRA currently has left $1017,00 in mini-grants. He delivered two checks to Clark College, totaling $1600. A blow up of a picture of one of our blank checks was shown. This will allow us to have a picture of a School Foundation’s recipient’s acceptance. This picture will then be sent to The Columbian. Marty Erickson said he will take the picture with one of the recipient’s acceptance and send it to The Columbian.

MINUTES (Mina MilIgan)

March, 2021 Minutes were approved as written.

Limerick:

Linda Bannon read a limerick by Donna Quesnell. Very good!

Convention: (Linda Bannon):

This year’s live annual convention will be October 3-6 in Pasco, WA. There will be a virtual business meeting in June.

Retirement: (Despo Varkados)

The WSSRA-Sponsored Pre-retirement Webinar on February 18, 2021 was overwhelming, with 1,700 attendees and 2,300 teachers and support staff who indicated interest in learning more about retirement planning. It was decided to split this into two follow-up evenings;

  • Repeat Pre-Retirement Zoom Webinars Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 4:30 – 6:30 PM. Department of Retirement Systems and Health Care Authority/PEBB

Thursday, May 6th , 2021 4:30 – 6:00 PM Social Security/Medicare and VEBA Sponsored by Washington State School Retirees’ Association.

Certificated and Classified Employees: If you are within 1-5 years of retirement, you will want to attend this (no fee) virtual webinar to learn about your retirement plans (Plan 2 or Plan 3), medical/dental options, sick leave buyout (VEBA), Social Security options, and Medicare. These presentations are repeats from the WSSRA February 18 webinar, but with more time allotted for Questions and Answers.

Thank you letter: (name has been eliminated)

Firstly, I’d like to apologize that this thank you isn’t handmade. Due to COVID restrictions, I can’t simply waltz into the scholarship office with a card and drop it off. So, I figured I would write you a letter letting you know a bit about me and why I’m so grateful for this scholarship.

I’m not sure how much you know about me; if the Foundation chooses the scholarship recipients or you do. I’m twenty (Although most people, upon looking at me, guess that I’m more in the fourteen or fifteen range) and am studying to become a teacher. I loved Advanced Placement classes, especially US History and Comparative Politics. Not only do I hope to teach those, but I’d also have a passion for financial literacy. Whether it be teaching an after-school program or club, I want to teach students about practical money skills as well as Social Studies. I’ll likely be spending a lot of time in school; of course, I’ve always loved learning. It’s the type of future I want.

Which brings us to your scholarship. Learning is my passion, and I hope to inspire it in others who may not otherwise realize its value. Clark College, my first post-high school educational experience, blew me away. Not only was I fascinated at the depth and content of classes, but at the people surrounding me. I got to travel outside of the country for the first time (Not counting a short family trip to Canada) to Peru and learn in one of their universities. I got my first official job and dove into extracurriculars. To me, college has provided me with some of the longest-lasting experiences I will have (At least, I’m fairly sure. I am only twenty after all), and I’m so grateful for it. That would, and will continue to be, not possible without the funds to pay for school.

Scholarships have granted me a relief that is hard to describe. I know friends who are twenty thousand dollars in debt, and that scares as someone just starting out their adult life. Furthermore, my parents and my grandparents both worked their way through school to pay themselves. It’s liberating to know that I am able to pursue extracurriculars and make the most of my college experience without having to worry as much about work. Less to no debt can make a world of difference not just now but in my future. It gets me out on the right foot. Plus, it would be embarrassing to talk about financial literacy if I’m in debt myself. Again, I can’t really describe the relief our scholarship provides.

Finally, I want you to know that I intend to use your money to the fullest. I don’t want to just learn at college: I want to get involved, make connections, and have a little fun in the process (I’m looking forward to getting back to campus: I’m thinking I might start an East Coast Swing dance club). Thank you for investing in my future and believing in me. I’m going to make the most of it.

Health: Fran Person

Always use the back of the bath towel for drying off. It is not plush and is good for drying off quickly. It also gives a great massage.

Support stockings can be difficult placing and taking off your leg. Using a Stocking Donner can help with placing the stockings on your leg. The following are directions:

  1. Slide the stocking over the donning device. Feed the stocking over the device until the heel pocket is exposed.
  2. Slide your foot into the stocking on the donning device.
  3. Take the device and slide the stocking up your leg.
  4. Position the rest of the stocking over your leg by pulling upward and remove any wrinkles.

The best way to remove your stocking is to slide them straight down from the top. Or, you can buy a device called Medi Butler by Medi.

New Business (Linda Bannon)

Donna Quesnell selected a member for the Patrick T. Hoban Meritorious and Stan McNaughton Outreach Awards, but the deadline was miscommunicated and missed.

Jane Madden will read names for the memorial ceremony and Bruce Boyer will be invited to attend.

President and Vice-President are needed for next year. Marty Erickson and Mina Milligan will continue their office. The search for new officers has been difficult. There will be a special meeting Thursday, May 13, 2021, 11:30 AM at Elmer’s by the Mall. We will discuss different scenarios concerning our leadership.

Next Zoom Meeting is May 20, 2021 at 11:30 AM

Adjourned at 12:38 PM

Mina Milligan, SWWSRA Secretary

DATES TO REMEMBER

  • APRIL 22ND, 2021 EARTH DAY
  • APRIL 30TH, 2021 ARBOR DAY
  • MAY 2ND , 2021 ORTHORDOX EASTER SUNDAY
  • MAY 5TH, 2021 CINCO DE MAYO
  • MAY 9TH, 2021 MOTHER’S DAY
  • MAY 15TH, 2021 ARMED FORCES DAY
  • MAY 20TH, 2021 ZOOM BOARD MEETING 11:30 AM