At 11:40 AM Linda Bannon opened the meeting and led the members in the flag salute.
Attending:
- Mina Milligan
- Linda Bannon
- Jane Madden
- Marty Erickson
- Annette Erickson
- Despo Varkados
- Donna Quesnell
- Larayne Anderson
- Alan Burke.
FRIENDSHIP (Jane Madden):
Cards were sent to the family of Roy Brothers who passed away Feb 15 at age of 92. A card was also sent to the family of Raymond Gilbert. Birthdays Cards sent in March—March 8, Irma Slocum age 100, March 16, Linda Bannon, and March 17, Mary Joyce Fears.
TREASURES REPORT (Marty Erickson):
| Savings Account Revenues | $7,263.38 |
| Checking | $109.98 |
| 12 Month Certificate | $3,119.62 |
| Scholarship Account | $3,031.20 |
| Net worth to date | $13,524.18 |
Marty Erickson reported that SWWSRA has currently presented $6,900 in mini-grants. He delivered two checks to Clark College, totaling $1600.
Walmart can blow up a picture of one of our checks so we can have a picture with a School Foundation’s recipient’s acceptance, which will then be sent to the Columbian. Marty Erickson said he will take the picture of the check and attach it on a piece of plywood for current and future occasions.
MINUTES (Mina MilIgan):
February 18, 2020 Minutes were approved as written.
Irma Slocum:
Irma Slocum celebrates 100th birthday. Vancouver United Church of Christ celebrated Irma Slocum’s 100th birthday by holding a drive-thru parking lot party on March 6, though her official birthday was on March 8. More than 200 cars passed through while she and her family sat under a pop-up tent to wave and welcome everyone at the church. The Vancouver Police Department’s Happiness 911 also visited to sing “Happy Birthday.” Slocum, as was her late husband, Bill, has been a member of the church since they moved to Vancouver in 1948 from New York City, where both attended The Juilliard School of Music, according to a news release. They both served in the Army, with Irma Slocum in the Women’s Army Corps. She taught music and kindergarten at Evergreen Public Schools for many years. “Vancouver was a wonderful place to raise our five kids. We loved it. It has changed so much over the years. It has gone from a small quiet little town to a sprawling city with all kinds of activities. It has been a good place to call home for the past 73 years,” Slocum said, according to the news release. SWWSRA presented Irma with a framed certificate, gorgeous live Orchid, and signed 100th Birthday card.
Dr. Alan Burke (Executive Director):
Dr. Burke reminded us that this year’s live annual convention will be October 3-6 in Pasco, WA. There will be a virtual business meeting in June.
Dr. Burke stated that 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. Clearly, WSSRA struck a chord with veteran staff overwhelmed with the challenges of virtual education who have decided to strongly consider moving up their retirement date. The previous webinar scored high marks on evaluations, but many attendees expressed frustration with having to absorb so much information at one time. Consequently, we decided to split this second, spring webinar into two evenings, April 29 for DRS and HCA/PEBB, and May 6 for Social Security/Medicare and VEBA. The event flyer is for you to distribute in a similar way that was done for the February event. Whatever method you used to get the word out (e.g., emails to school leaders and local actives, visits to district offices, faculty room postings) worked well in February and undoubtedly will work well in April. Information from the event flyer: Follow up – Repeat Pre-Retirement Zoom Webinars Thursday, April 29th , 2021 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 Still Thinking About Retirement?? 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. What’s in it for me… These presentations are repeats from the WSSRA February 18 webinar, but with more time allotted for Questions and Answers.
New Business (Linda Bannon):
President and vice-President are needed for next year. Despo Varkados is concerned because she knows this selection committee is a difficult job. The names have to be submitted by May, 2021. Marty Erickson and Mina Milligan will continue their office.
Donna Quesnell will select a member for the Patrick T. Hoban Meritorious and Stan McNaughton Outreach Awards.
Limericks:
Limericks were read by various members. They were enjoyed by all.
Adjourned at 12:11 AM
Mina Milligan, SWWSRA Secretary