Minutes Nov 2017

Monroe County Retired Teachers' Association Minutes

Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 6 th , 2017

Location: MCCSC Service Building

Jo Weddle, our president, called the meeting to order and welcomed our guests for the

afternoon: Tom Mellish, Executive Director of IRTA, and David Lennen, Area 8 Director.

We also welcomed our presenter Dayna Thompson, an Alzheimer Educator for IU Health.

1. Jo reminded us that the October minutes had been sent out and inquired whether

any of us were not receiving the email updates. Mike Horvath is keeping our

information updated and he reported to Jo that our numbers of members were

down this year. Dues are just $5 for the year and may be mailed to Mike at 2444

Rock Creek Drive, 47401.

2. Martha Street reminded us that the donations being collected (a basket was

passed around) go toward scholarships through the IRTA Foundation. Our

donations are sent in memory of our deceased members.

3. More members would be welcome for the social committee for refreshment

preparation. More members are needed for the nominating committee too. Please

let Jo know if you are interested in either of these committees. The nominating

committee starts work in January and needs 2 more members.

4. MCRTA Volunteer hour forms for 2017 should be sent to Dianna Johnson by Jan

15 th . Forms were passed out at the last 2 meetings. Jo's challenge is to have more

volunteer hours for 2017 than last year; hopefully 16,000 hours. Hopefully

someone will win the CLOCK award for great volunteerism. Dianna's address is

4274 W. Meadowvale Drive. 47404. If you do not have a form, you can send her a

note with your total hours.

5. Dianna Johnson is responsible for the April field trip to Derby Dinner Playhouse in

Clarksville, IN on Wednesday, April 18 th . A newsletter will be sent to you in

January with a reservation form included. Total cost for the buffet dinner and

theatre presentation is $58. Dianna is putting together a list of names so send

yours to her any time.  We have space for 50 people on the bus.

6. Dianne Shewmaker reported on the Monroe County Community Schools Foundation

Great Grownup Spelling Bee. She was a volunteer participant on the Foundation

team which won first place. Bravo!!

7. Monday, Dec 4 th is a volunteer opportunity for MCRTA ringing the Salvation Army

bell in front of Ulta Beauty, the remodeled entrance to the College Mall. Contact

Dianna if you can help.

8. Tom Mellish, Executive Director of IRTA spoke about what is happening in the

legislature with regard to retired teachers' benefits, how plans are changing for

future teachers, and about staying connected. The website, retiredteachers.org,

is a location for retired teachers and those nearing retirement to visit to find out

about advances and changes. State membership in IRTA is $35 and can be

accessed online.

9. Our main speaker was Dayna Thompson, Alzheimers Educator for IU Health.Her

topic was “Dementia: What is it and How Do We Help?” In case you have

questions, her email is dthompson6@iuhealth.org. Her focus was on dementia and

Alzheimers and the similarities and differences. She also discussed what is normal

aging and what is NOT normal aging as well as what parts of the brain are

affected as one moves into Alzheimers and dementia. Her presentation was

fabulous and many folks got specific questions answered.

Benny Holt and her committee provided delicious refreshments again this meeting. Many

thanks.

Respectively submitted,

Nancy Stockwell, Secretary