Grundy County Retired Teachers Association
Regular Meeting
Whistle Stop Cafe
May 4, 2023
Following breakfast and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Connie Zomboracz, the meeting was called to order at 10:00 am. 43 members and 1 guest attended the meeting.
Attendees ate an ample breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast, biscuits and gravy, juice, and coffee. The service was excellent!
In the absence of Carol Anderson, Connie Zomboracz conducted the meeting.
Our guest speaker was Dorothy Walten from AMBA. She gave a very informative talk on the benefits of AMBA membership.
Treasurer’s Report: Bob Carlson reported that people who paid during the shutdown will be credited their dues for this year. Some are paid up for several years. Bob will give a list of those paid up to Barbara Ewalt. The balance in our account was $4837.83 after the November meeting. Two bills were paid: $403 for the meeting meal and $14.03 as a reimbursement. Two deposits were made totaling $610 leaving the current balance of $5030.80.
Membership Report: Debbie Provence reported that she contacted 15 new retirees by email, encouraging them to join both the State and local RTAs. She included benefits and the importance of joining along with the online link to join. She will no longer be able to serve as the Membership chair, but has offered to sit down with the new membership chair to answer questions and transfer materials. Thankfully, Connie Zomboracz stepped up and agreed to do this job along with her work as Foundation Chair. Thank you so much Connie!!!
Yearbook changes: Betty Stone (new email) [email protected]
Donna Engel (new member) [email protected]
Foundation Report: Connie Zomboracz reported that the deadline for grant applications is June 1, 2023. She encouraged us to reach out to teachers we know and remind them to apply. The total amount of funding from IRTA will be $42,000 which is an increase from last year. $4000 will be allocated for each area.
The winner of a $2000 scholarship in Area #1 is Hanna Brinker of lena IL. Hanna is an incoming Junior at the University of Wisconsin air Oshkosh majoring in Elementary Education.
Financial Assistance - Currently 10 retirees are receiving financial assistance. Applications are available on the IRTA website.
Donation and Memorial forms are also available on the IRTA website.
Celebration of our Profession raffle winners - Ron Marketti and Laura Holman
As always, Donna provided cute teacher cartoons for each table!
Reservations: Barbara Ewald asked if you are not getting calls, please contact her and she will get you set up with a caller.
Community Service: Marcia Wolter said we are all too busy to try to count community hours. She is encouraging everyone to volunteer as much as possible…..we are greatly needed by organizations who can not function with out volunteers. Not sure how we ever had time to work!
Information services: Marcia Wolter reiterated the need to update your email if you are not hearing from GCRTA. People who do not have email need to buddy up with someone who does so they can get the meeting notices. Peg Ebert volunteered to work on our website problem. We can not get into the old website and that is the one that keeps coming up on searches for Grundy County Retired Teachers.
There was no Old business.
New Business: Carol Anderson is no longer able to continue as the GCRTA President. We will miss her leadership and thank her for all of her work. A call was put out for a new President, and Vice President. Donna Engel was nominated from the floor by a motion from Bob Carlson and a second from Judy Craig. The vote was favorable. Carolyn Kinsella was nominated to be Vice-President by a motion from Judy Craig and a second from Laura Holman. The vote was favorable. Donna and Carolyn will be installed at the next meeting. Thank you ladies for stepping up to keep this organization going!
Donna Henningsen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Joy Hartshorn. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15.
Our next meeting will be held on Sept.7, 2023. Please let Barbara Ewalt know if you will only be attending the meeting.
Respectfully submitted by,
Marcia Wolter, Secretary
Regular Meeting
Whistle Stop Cafe
May 4, 2023
Following breakfast and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Connie Zomboracz, the meeting was called to order at 10:00 am. 43 members and 1 guest attended the meeting.
Attendees ate an ample breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast, biscuits and gravy, juice, and coffee. The service was excellent!
In the absence of Carol Anderson, Connie Zomboracz conducted the meeting.
Our guest speaker was Dorothy Walten from AMBA. She gave a very informative talk on the benefits of AMBA membership.
Treasurer’s Report: Bob Carlson reported that people who paid during the shutdown will be credited their dues for this year. Some are paid up for several years. Bob will give a list of those paid up to Barbara Ewalt. The balance in our account was $4837.83 after the November meeting. Two bills were paid: $403 for the meeting meal and $14.03 as a reimbursement. Two deposits were made totaling $610 leaving the current balance of $5030.80.
Membership Report: Debbie Provence reported that she contacted 15 new retirees by email, encouraging them to join both the State and local RTAs. She included benefits and the importance of joining along with the online link to join. She will no longer be able to serve as the Membership chair, but has offered to sit down with the new membership chair to answer questions and transfer materials. Thankfully, Connie Zomboracz stepped up and agreed to do this job along with her work as Foundation Chair. Thank you so much Connie!!!
Yearbook changes: Betty Stone (new email) [email protected]
Donna Engel (new member) [email protected]
Foundation Report: Connie Zomboracz reported that the deadline for grant applications is June 1, 2023. She encouraged us to reach out to teachers we know and remind them to apply. The total amount of funding from IRTA will be $42,000 which is an increase from last year. $4000 will be allocated for each area.
The winner of a $2000 scholarship in Area #1 is Hanna Brinker of lena IL. Hanna is an incoming Junior at the University of Wisconsin air Oshkosh majoring in Elementary Education.
Financial Assistance - Currently 10 retirees are receiving financial assistance. Applications are available on the IRTA website.
Donation and Memorial forms are also available on the IRTA website.
Celebration of our Profession raffle winners - Ron Marketti and Laura Holman
As always, Donna provided cute teacher cartoons for each table!
Reservations: Barbara Ewald asked if you are not getting calls, please contact her and she will get you set up with a caller.
Community Service: Marcia Wolter said we are all too busy to try to count community hours. She is encouraging everyone to volunteer as much as possible…..we are greatly needed by organizations who can not function with out volunteers. Not sure how we ever had time to work!
Information services: Marcia Wolter reiterated the need to update your email if you are not hearing from GCRTA. People who do not have email need to buddy up with someone who does so they can get the meeting notices. Peg Ebert volunteered to work on our website problem. We can not get into the old website and that is the one that keeps coming up on searches for Grundy County Retired Teachers.
There was no Old business.
New Business: Carol Anderson is no longer able to continue as the GCRTA President. We will miss her leadership and thank her for all of her work. A call was put out for a new President, and Vice President. Donna Engel was nominated from the floor by a motion from Bob Carlson and a second from Judy Craig. The vote was favorable. Carolyn Kinsella was nominated to be Vice-President by a motion from Judy Craig and a second from Laura Holman. The vote was favorable. Donna and Carolyn will be installed at the next meeting. Thank you ladies for stepping up to keep this organization going!
Donna Henningsen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Joy Hartshorn. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:15.
Our next meeting will be held on Sept.7, 2023. Please let Barbara Ewalt know if you will only be attending the meeting.
Respectfully submitted by,
Marcia Wolter, Secretary