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MCRT2 - TIDINGS

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Volume 24 Number 3
February, 2015

Madison County Retired Teachers #2

Illinois Retired Teachers Association Unit 74 Area 6 Region 15

....................................................................................
Message From the
President
Each year many people
make new years
resolutions. Although I am
not usually a big fan of this
practice, I think there are a
few very simple resolutions
we could make in regard to
our IRTA membership this
year. The number one
thing we can do is to keep our dues current and attend our
four meetings. Sticking together and supporting our
fellow retired teachers is extremely important.
This past November we had state and national elections.
Many of the elected candidates made promises to IRTA
members. We need to hold them accountable for these
pre-election promises. With our pensions and especially
our COLA in jeopardy this is probably the most important
time in the history of IRTA. Please let the governor and
state senators and representatives know our position on
these issues. Even though our first responsibility is to
protect the interests of retired teachers, we also need to be
concerned about those teachers still in the work force.
Even though the courts this past year have acted favorably
on pension issues, we must keep up the fight. There are
many individuals and groups in the state who are not
supportive of our pension benefits. One of the best things
you can do is to send an additional gift to the IRTA legal
defense fund. Litigation is very expensive. You can help
by mailing a contribution to:
Legal Defense Fund
IRTA
620 N. Walnut St.
Springfield, IL 62702
You may also donate online by going to the IRTA
website and clicking where it says "DONATE".

We are looking forward to our March meeting which

will focus on a need in our area. The message from the
representative from Oasis will be challenging. Most of
all we will have the opportunity to bring gifts to help
with the work of Oasis.

Charles Finley, President

Our Next Meeting
Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Place: St. Paul's Methodist Church
Rosewood Heights

Program:
Impact of Domestic Violence
And Researched Information
For Distribution
Speaker:
Marcy Jacobs
Client Services Coordinator
Oasis Women's' Center
(Please bring donations of personal items for
Women and children of the Center)

Registration:
Meeting:
Lunch:

10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m

11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. 12:30 a.m.

Cost: $15.00
Please call or e-mail reservations by
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Call or e-mail Joyce at 259-8774
joycetappy@sbcglobal.net
or
Call Charlotte Heeren at 377-8931

Minutes of the
Last Meeting
MCRTA2 met at
Trimpe Technical
Building on the Lewis
& Clark Community
Campus on December
2, 2014.
Approximately 41
members were in
attendance. President
Charles Finley called
the meeting to order at
11:00 a.m. The
Pledge of Allegiance was given. The minutes of
October 14, 2014 meeting were approved as
printed in the TIDINGS. Joyce Tappy, treasurer,
gave the treasurers report. It will be filed for audit.

Committee Reports:
Budget/Finance: Dale Dickerson reminded the
members the budget will be presented at the
March meeting.
Communication: Charlotte Heeren/Joyce Tappy:
All members are to make sure their address,
phone number, and email are correct.
Foundation/Information Services: Linda Brazier
reported that IRTA is assisting ten annuitants on a
monthly basis with the benefits from $200 to $500
per month. Scholarships: Six scholarships, one
per area, in the amount of $1500 each, need to be
submitted by March 7, 2015, for the year 2015.
Two more scholarships will be given, one in each
Area 4 & 6 by an IRTA member. If you need more
information, call or email Linda. The judge ruled
Illinois Pension Law unconstitutional. The state
will appeal.

Programs and Meetings: Donnie Calvin/Jodi

HendersonDonnie Calvin reported the next
Meeting on March 10, 2015 will be at St. Pauls
Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. The ladies of the
church will fix the buffet. Speaker will be from
Oasis talking about abuse. A list of items will be
listed in the TIDINGS to bring to the meeting by
members to give to Oasis.
Retirement Education/Activities: Walter
Ahlemeyer is having treatments for cancer. Walter
Ahlemeyer is being honored by Lewis & Clark
College by naming the room we were in for the
meeting the Walter F. Ahlemeyer Atrium.
Activities/Member Benefits: Lucille Stevenson
recommend that people use the microphone when
speaking. On December 14, 2014 The Victoria
Christmas Walk will be held in Bethalto.
New Business: 50/50 drawing of $49.00 was won
by Pat Sullivan.
Invocation: Jodi Henderson gave the invocation.
The buffet was enjoyed by everyone present. The
free meal was won by Cindy McCormick. The
following members won the Poinsettias that
decorated the tables: Carol Rosenthal, Christine
Wallace, Lucille Stevenson, Nancy Goodson, Ann
Jacox, Janet Little.
Program was given by Louis Michaels, Professor
of Music, & Jazz Ensemble during the meal and
after the meal.
The next board meeting will be on February 10,
2015 at Eden United Church of Christ in
Edwardsville, IL starting at 9:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by

Joan L Gusewelle, Secretary

Health/Legislation: Lori Uhe reported if you

wanted to change health insurance, the last day to
change was November 15, 2014.
Membership: Mary May reported we had gotten 6
new members. Any member who needed the list
of new members or Charles Finley's telephone
number could pick them up on the table .
Tidings: Vickie Klopmeier reported that members
needed to let Lori Uhe or Mary May know when a
member has died.

Treasurer's Report - December 31, 2014

Checking Balance
Money Market CD

$3,803.03
$2,496.83

Joyce Tappy, Treasurer

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OUR LAST MEETING

Our December 2 meeting was held in the Walter F. Ahlemeyer Atrium in the Trimpe Technical Building at Lewis and
Clark College in Godfrey. The program was an enjoyable and refreshing presentation of Christmas music presented by
the Lewis and Clark Jazz Ensemble and directed by Louis Michael, Professor of Music. It was a wonderful beginning for
the Christmas season.
The Lewis and Clark Board of Trustees selected the name of their atrium to be the Walter F. Ahlemeyer Atrium at their
November 18th meeting in honor of our own Walter for his service on the board. Walter has been an elected Trustee for
Lewis & Clark Community College for 4 six-year terms. For two of those six-year terms, he has been voted by the Board
of Trustees to be the Secretary to the Board.

February is Heart Month

Because February is heart month, this is a good time to look at risk factors
for cardiovascular disease which includes heart disease, stroke, and high
blood pressure. It is the number one killer of women and men in the
United States. It costs the United States 300 billion dollars yearly in health
care, lost productivity, and medications. Most cardiovascular disease is
preventable by controlling blood pressure, diet, obesity, diabetes, tobacco
and alcohol use. Exercising regularly is also important.
A memorial has been sent by MCRT#2 to
the IRTA Foundation in honor of:
Barbara VanDoren, Ed Knies,
and Bill Deterrman.
A memorial has also been given by a
member in honor of Roxana teacher
Jeff Welker.

As we celebrate President's
Day this month, may we
remember the gifts and
blessings we have because
of the sacrifice and hard work
of the patriots in United
States history.

TIDINGS - February, 2015

Vickie Klopmeier
6209 N. State Route 159
Edwardsville, IL 62025

Madison County Retired Teachers #2

Officers
President
Charles Finley
Vice President
Mary May
Secretary
Joan L. Gusewelle
Treasurer
Joyce Tappy
Past President
Ann Jacox
Committee Chairs
Budget / Finance
Dale Dickerson
Communications
Charlotte Heeren, Joyce Tappy
IRTA Foundation /
Info. Services Area 6
Linda Brazier
Health Ins./Legislative
Lori Uhe
Membership
Mary May
"Tidings"
Vickie Klopmeier
Programs & Meetings
Donnie Calvin, Jodi Henderson
Retirement Ed./Activities Walter Ahlemeyer
Member Benefits
Lucille Stevenson
Information Sources
IL Teacher Ret. System
1-800-877-7896
IRTA
1-800-728-4782
State and Local Info. Lori
1-618-656-1752

MCRT2 Calendar
November, 2014- June, 2015
February 10

Ex. Bd. Mtg. 9:30 a.m.

Eden U.C.C., Edwardsville

March 10

MCRT 2 Mtg. 11a.m.

St. Paul's Methodist Church
Rosewood Heights
Buffet of home-cooked food
Please bring personal items
for women and children of
Oasis Women's Center

May 12

Ex. Bd. Mtg. 9:30 a.m.

Eden U.C.C., Edwardsville

June 2

MCRT 2 Mtg. 11a.m.

N.O. Nelson, Edwardsville
Program: TBA
Please note that this meeting is the first
Tuesday of the month instead of the second.