LETS

“JAZZ IT UP” THIS YEAR IN

BCRSP!

BCRSP NEWSLETTER APRIL 27 , 2016 – VOLUME 8

Meeting Agenda

Gathering: •Pay for lunch and sign in/ pick up materials •Perhaps donate to scholarship jar or book basket (money or books) •Put on name tag/ socialize/find table Luncheon: ⇒Stand for Invocation and Pledges Effie Perry and Shirley Burkhalter ⇒Serving begins at 11:30 Meeting format: # Treasurer’s Report and Minutes Diana DeFrancesco and Elaine Peninger Unfinished Business: v Dues for 2016-2017, Patsy Bolch New Business: v Report on State Convention,

District VI Leadership Workshop Huntsville - May 12, 2016,

Carolyn Taylor v Scholarship Activity,

Linda Coats v Program Suggestions for 2016-17,

Sheila Fields Membership Appreciation: In the Spotlight, Mary Sue Ribardo Birthdays, Mary Sue Ribardo Recognition/New Members, Patsy Bolch Pats on the Back, Carolyn Taylor Chuckle of the Day, Linda Coats

Door Prizes, Cathy Berry

PROGRAM  

MARK JOHNSON

“How To Hit Home Runs In Retirement”

MEMORIAL CEREMONY

Dr. James “Jim” Boone Mary Bradley

Billie Jean Casey Jean Lewis Ross

Thomas Alan Stolt Joyce Stribling

Gail Todd

MAY  MEETING    

Wednesday,  May  25    

scholarships  and  Awards    

Special  Guests  from:    

College  Station  ISD  and  Bryan  ISD                                                                                                                  

Brazos County Retired School Personnel APRIL 27, 2016

Newsletter

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

Ali McDonald was born in LaGrange, Texas on October 27th. She is a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin (better known as tu, but we won’t hold that against her!) with a degree in Math and English. She has a Masters of Library Science from Sam Houston State University. She has also completed graduate work at Colorado State University. Her work experience includes being librarian at Bryan High, Lamar and Jane Long and also a math teacher at Bryan High, all in Bryan ISD. Ali is married to Adrian McDonald. She says many of us would know her as Ali Wiese. She has two beautiful daughters, Ali Wiese and Andi Wiese. She enjoys travel, yoga and being a member of BCRSP because of the fellowship with many wonderful retirees. Welcome to BCRSP, Ali!                                                                                                  

 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: We had no idea when we planned our April meeting last summer that a baseball theme would be so timely! Aggie baseball season is in full swing (pardon the pun!) and they are ranked in the top 10! Our high school teams are also doing well and Little League will be starting soon! Take me out to the ballgame! I saw a sign recently that said “When life throws you a curveball, hit it out of the park!” We all get curveballs in life and I thought this was a great bit of advice! Your four delegates to the TRTA Convention, Patsy Bolch, Elaine Peninger, Diana DeFrancesco and I, would like to thank the organization for sending us as your representatives. We learned a lot and got some new ideas we hope to implement next year. Speaking of next year, your Executive Committee will be meeting in June to make plans for 2016-2017. We welcome your input on what we can do to improve our organization and better serve you. Please give us your ideas on programs, entertainment, and any other areas. You can give your suggestions to any of the officers or committee chairpersons.

WELCOME TO OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS: We are honored to have Mark and Linda Johnson as our guests today. Mark, the former Texas A&M Head Baseball Coach will address the group with “How To Hit Home Runs In Retirement! Welcome, Mark and Linda! TRTA DISTRICT VI SPRING TRAINING CONFERENCE - MAY 12: The registration deadline is upon us. The cost is $10 per person and includes lunch. If you wish to attend, please contact Carolyn Taylor no later than Friday, April 29. TRTA CONVENTION REPORT: The 63rd Annual TRTA Convention was held in Houston, April 10-12. More than 1,000 retirees attended the event, which was held at the Westin Galleria. This year’s theme, “Hearts of Texas: TRTA Proud” focused on the strength and dedication of TRTA’s 257 local units and their homegrown, grassroots advocacy.

In addition to conducting the business of the association, such as officer elections and bylaws amendment considerations, members attended a number of training and educational sessions. Legislation is always a key focus of the annual conventions and despite 2016 being an interim year when the Legislature is not convening, our members are ready to address the looming $1.5 billion shortfall expected for the TRS-Care insurance program in 2017. During the Legislative Luncheon, members heard from TRS Executive Director, Brian Guthrie and area Senators Joan Huffman and John Whitmire about potential solutions to the TRS-Care shortfall in 2017. Members also heard from Texas Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) during Opening Ceremonies. Brady discussed progress on The Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (HR711). HR711 is a bill that proposes to replace the current Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) with a newer, fairer formula. I was honored as your president to be asked by our State President, Fran Plemmons, to share some of the successful things we are doing in BCRSP in the Local Unit President’s Session! Again, thank you for sending us as delegates! We were so busy attending meetings, training sessions, luncheons, awards banquets, etc. that we didn’t even have time for shopping!

“HEARTS OF TEXAS: TRTA PROUD” PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS: In this newsletter you will find a page titled “Program Suggestions for 2016-2017. Please fill this out and return to Sheila Fields. We want to have programs that are informative, interesting and enjoyable. Please help us identify potential speakers.

PATS ON THE BACK: VERA WALLEM: Vera is our Committee Chairperson for Member Benefits. She makes members aware of the benefits available through TRTA membership. She attends Executive Committee meetings regularly and deserves an Academy Award for her performance in the Officer/Committee Chair Skit at our September meeting! Thanks Vera! BECKY COKER: To borrow a familiar quote from baseball, Becky “stepped up to the plate” when I asked for someone to volunteer to replace Linda Ferguson as Co-Chairperson of the Children’s Book Project. Thanks so much, Becky! We look forward to working with you in this very important role! ANN SEALE: Ann provided the extraordinary decorations for today’s meeting! Her husband Frank was so gracious to share some items from his vast collection of baseball memorabilia with us. Thanks Ann and Frank!

Today we honor the following educators and former BCRSP members who have passed away this year: Dr. James “Jim” Boone Mary Bradley Billie Jean Casey Jean Lewis Ross Thomas “Alan” Stolt Joyce Stribling

Gail Todd Through their many years of service combined, they have touched the lives of thousands of children. May they rest in peace. CORRECTION: At our last meeting Joyce Cawley received a Pat on the Back for her service as chairperson of the Phone Callers Committee. (Mary Sue Ribardo is actually the chairperson of that committee.) Joyce is member of the committee, along with Thomye Steen and Francis Turbyfill. As the younger generation says, “My bad!” Anyway, thanks to all of you for your faithful service! MEMBERSHIP DRIVE FOR 2016-2917: Our membership drive for 2016-2017 is officially underway! Please see Patsy Bolch, 1st Vice-President for an enrollment form. To encourage early payment of dues, we will have a drawing at the end of the May meeting for those who have paid by that time. Dues are $50 ( $35 for TRTA and $15 for BCRSP). You may also wish to contribute to the Scholarship Fund when you pay your dues. We are counting on all of you to join again for next year and bring a new member in with you! LET’S HIT A HOMERUN WITH MEMBERSHIP !

APRIL BIRTHDAYS: 01 - LUCILLE FOSTER 03 - BECKY ALTER, MARIE THOMPSON 05 - JOY SCHULZ, MILDRED THOMAS 08 – CYNTHlA COMPTON 09 - MARY SUE RIBARDO 11- SHARON OGDEN 12 - LYNNE BLINKA, MILDRED DAVIS 16 – MARY NELLE ARMSTRONG, HARRIETT YOUNGBLOOD 20 - LINDA COATS 26 - BILL PRESNAL 30 - LINDA BROWN

BCRSP PROGRAM SUGGESTIONS 2016-2017

Do you have suggestions for programs for our meetings for next year? We would love to have your thoughts. Please list your suggestions below along with any contact information you may have. Also include your own name and contact information in case we need help in locating and/or scheduling the person. 1. ________________________ 2. ____________________ ________________________ ____________________ 3. ________________________ 4. ____________________ ________________________ ____________________ 5. ________________________ 6. ___________________ ________________________ ____________________ YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION: Please leave your list of program suggestions with Sheila Fields, Carolyn Taylor, Elaine Peninger, Patsy Bolch or any other BCRSP officer. Thanks for your help!

BRAZOS COUNTY RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNELL

Minutes: March 23, 2016 Call to order/Remarks:

• The regular March meeting was called to order by President Carolyn Taylor at 11:30 A.M. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 3081 University Drive, College Station 77802. The Secretary was present.

• Pledges to the United States and Texas flags: Shirley Burkhalter • Invocation: Effie Perry • Serving began at 11:30 • Attendance: 58

Program: • “Historical Jazz” Henry Mayo • Entertainment: Aggie Wranglers

Meeting: • Treasurer’s Report and Minutes: Diana DeFrancesco and Elaine Peninger • Membership Update – Patsy Bolch 310 members • TRTA State Convention (April 10 – 12) Delegates: Carolyn Taylor, Diana

DeFrancesco, Elaine Peninger, Patsy Bolch • Legislature: James Warner • District VI Spring Leadership Training Conference, May 12, Hunstville, Region VI

Education Service Center • Becky Coker will be working with Mary Ann Gaylord as Co-Chair for the

Children’s Book Project Membership Appreciation: Mary Sue Ribardo

• Birthdays • In the Spotlight: Ali McDonald

Pats-on-the-Back – Carolyn Taylor • Joyce Cawley • Elaine Stephens • Sandy Sherrod

Chuckle of the Day: Carolyn Taylor Door Prizes: Cathy Berry Elaine Peninger, Secretary

LEGISLATIVE REPORT TRS-CARE The TRS-Care Joint Select Committee meeting was conducted on March 30 in Austin. An overflow crowd was in attendance as Senators Joan Huffman, Jane Nelson, and Craig Estes, along with Representatives Dan Flynn, Trent Ashby, and Justin Rodriguez received input from Tim Lee, Brian Guthrie and other TRTA members. It is safe to say that the committee members are well aware that a new funding plan for TRS-Care must be developed. The Select Committee will continue to meet between now and the convening of the 85th Legislature in January 2017. TRTA and TRS will be advancing proposals for correcting the constant funding shortages faced by our health insurance plan. As a solid proposal begins to take shape, we will be calling on members to contact our local officials for support in salvaging our health insurance program. PROGRESS ON THE WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION (WEP) Congressman Kevin Brady (R-Woodlands) was in Houston last week to report to the TRTA State Convention on progress being made in correcting the unfair Social Security formula being imposed on teachers, law enforcement officials, and firefighters by the WEP. Congressman Brady reported that following hearings before the House Ways and Means Committee in March, that he is “cautiously optimistic” about the chances of his bill, HR 711, advancing to a House vote later this spring. We need to continue to encourage both Congressman Brady and Congressman Flores (a co-sponsor of the bill) to maintain their efforts to advance this legislation. Hand-written notes are by far the most effective means of communication in this case.

Informative and Protective Services

Report

SIGNS OF A SCAM Often scammers who operate by phone don’t want to give you time to think about their pitch, they just want you to say “yes”. But some are so cunning that, even if you ask for more information, they seem happy to comply. They may direct you to a website or otherwise send information featuring “satisfied customers”. These customers known as shills, are likely as fake as their praise for the company. Here are a few red flags to help you spot telemarketing scams. If you hear a line that sounds like this, say “no, thank you”, hang up and file a complaint with the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint:

• You’ve been specially selected (for this offer). • You’ll get a free bonus if you buy our product. • You’ve won one of five valuable prizes. • You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery. • This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get

anywhere else. • You have to make up your mind right away. • You trust me, right? • You don’t need to check our company with anyone. • We’ll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card.

March Meeting Fun!