Minutes September 24 2019

MCRTA Minutes from Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at Bell Trace

Jo Weddle, President, called the first meeting of the 2019-2020 MCRTA to order with a welcome

to members, an introduction of Barbara Carroll, Bell Trace Coordinator, and a blessing before we had

lunch. Barbara welcomed us to Bell Trace and told of a few features of BT including a workout room open

to the public for a nominal fee; PT opportunities; Bloomington Humanitarian classes; monthly luncheons,

with guest speakers, called Get Smart; and then added that most residents said they wished they had

moved into BT sooner than later.

Highlights from the meeting:

 Focus of the meeting was to explain plans for the year and to celebrate volunteerism, focusing on

several CASA volunteers who are a part of our group: Sheila Henry, Amee Yoder, Kathleen

Boggess, Cheryl Frank, Karen Adams, and Diane Koch-Swing.

 Jo thanked many folks who helped her plan this year's programs including Dianne Shewmaker,

Sandy Bender, Martha Street, and Shirley Pugh. The year's programs have already been sent out

in the newsletter and were also printed on the back of the agenda.

 David Lennen, our Area 8 Director, was introduced and a paper was on the table with his Board of

Director's minutes from August. Most significant was that Tom Mellish, IRTA Executive Director,

is retiring.

 Those receiving awards at the IRTA General Assembly this summer were as follows: Dianna

Shewmaker- Outstanding Volunteer for 2018, MCRTA; Nancy Stockwell- Community Service

Honorable Mention, MCRTA; Pam Rainey – Community Service Honorable Mention, MCRTA; MCRTA

Outstanding Group Project submitted by Dianna Johnson; MCRTA website- Honorable Mention.

 Jo explained the proposed project for this year- Global Studies Books for Templeton Elementary

School which is an International Baccalaureate School. Donations will be collected at meetings or

checks may be made out at any time to MCRTA and will be donated in an account at First Book for

Templeton to purchase the books that will best serve their school. Checks may be sent to Martha

Street, MCRTA Treasurer.

 CASA volunteers were thanked and recognized and Sheila Henry was recognized for the IRTA

CASA Award 2018 for Area 8. She and Kristin Bishay, CASA Executive Director, both spoke to

the group about CASA and their responsibilities and experiences.

 MCCT (Monroe County Civic Theater) President, Steve Heise, was introduced and spoke briefly

about the organization. Dianne Shewmaker and Marty Cusato were introduced as actors in the

skit.The skit, written by Dianne, was about a retired couple and their choices about personal

health as they moved into older age.

 The next meeting is Friday, October 18 th at Ellettsville Public Library from 1:00-3:00 focusing on

Glorious Indiana Limestone with a presentation by Mike Donham of Accent Limestone.

 Remember to record your volunteer hours through all of this year. The year’s total are to sent to

Dianne Johnson by January 15, 2020.

Jo adjourned the meeting after the skit.

Respectively submitted,

Nancy Stockwell, Secretary