MRTA 2015 Regional Meeting

Over 70 MRTA members attended the 2015 Region 13 meeting October 27. The Lincoln County unit hosted the event with a WESTERN theme.    

Participants were welcomed with  goodie bags and breakfast snacks.

There were raffle baskets available that netted about $450 for the MRTA Foundation 

and LOTS of books for door prizes!

LCARSP kicked off the event with a sing-along of several old favorite songs.

Unit reports were given by the president of each local unit.

    Pike County President Frank Berlin

    Daniel Boone Area President Sherri Brandes

    St. Charles County President Barb Prideau

     Lincoln County President Diana Gough.

Region 13 Vice President Debi Ingram led the meeting.  Here she is (in the hat) recognizing the Region 13 Retire Educator of the Year, Cheryl Ward of the Pike County Unit.  Cheryl also gave a report from the Legislative Committee.

Other committee reports that were given included the Service Committee, Linda McGlothlin and Jane Coose,

and the Membership Committee, Brenda Bryant and Betty Takashashi.

Forrest T. Jones representative, Tom Wales, was available to offer a variety of insurance opportunities to the retired educators.

The entertainment was provided by the Lincoln County Second Chance Choir.  Lincoln County Sheriff John Cottle shared how the choir started and how it has helped a number of inmates turn their lives around.

 

 Not only did these gentlemen share their gift of music but they also told how it has given them an opportunity to see new possibilities through faith and character building.  Their presentation was quite inspiring!

After a delicious meal of Monty's burgers and pulled pork, the meeting continued with reports from MRTA Foundation representative, Margaret Smith

and MRTA State President, Barb Self.

Finally, MRTA executive Director, Jim Kreider, shared that we were within 5 new members of reaching our BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) of increasing our membership to 25,000 members this year!  He also emphasized how important those memberships are in protecting our  pensions.  

Region 13 wants to thank the Lincoln County Area Retired School Personnel unit for hosting this fun get-together!  The 2016 meeting will be in Pike County, Missouri.