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MCRT2 - Tidings
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume 23 Number 3 Madison County Retired Teachers #2
February, 2014 Illinois Retired Teachers Association Unit 74 Area 6 Region 15
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Message From
The President
Dear MCRT2 Members,
This is my first message to
you as your new MCRT2
president. I will need to
draw on the knowledge of
many of you who now have
or previously have had
positions of leadership in this organization. I do believe
in the need for our organization. (1) We need to have a
group where we can share our experiences and the
passion that we had for many years in nurturing boys and
girls. (2) We must have an organization that advocates for
our interests as retired educators.
We are supplying the first need by having outstanding
meetings where we can fellowship together and be
challenged and entertained. What a joy it is at each
meeting to again see those teachers with which we have
worked in previous years as well as to become
acquainted with those that we never had the opportunity
to get to know. Our program committee works very hard
to bring us outstanding meetings.
The last few months have shown us that more than ever
we need to be working to protect our rights as retired
educators. We have seen an excellent teacher retirement
system eroded by so called pension reform. We have all
noted that this is not true reform, but just a way to allow
the state of Illinois to renege on previously agreed upon
obligations. We know if these commitments had been
kept, our pension system would be in great shape and
earning excellent returns from investments.
I challenge each member during this new year to commit
themselves to do whatever it takes to force the state do
what was promised. Many of us did not receive much
remuneration in our early days of teaching, but we
always looked forward to the promise that we would
have our needs met in our retirement years. Let us work
together to see that our state government lives up to its
obligations.
I look forward to serving you during the next two years.
I covet your support and encouragement as we work
together to improve our lot as retired teachers.
Charles Finley, President
-------------------------------------------------
Our Next Meeting
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Place: St. Pauls U.M. C.
Rosewood Heights
Program: Dr.Hazel Loucks, retired educator
and former Deputy Governor of Education
for the State of Illinois.
Registration: 10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.
Meeting: 11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. 12:30 a.m.
Cost: $14.00
Please call or e-mail reservations by
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Call or e-mail Joyce at 259-8774
joycetappy@sbcglobal.net
OR
Call Charlotte Heeren at 377-8931

Minutes of the Last Meeting
MCRTA2 met at N. O. Nelson Complex in
Edwardsville, IL on December 3, 2013.
Approximately 57 members and guests attended
the meeting. President Ann Jacox called the
meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. The Pledge of
Allegiance was given. The minutes of the
October 8, 2013 were approved as printed in the
TIDINGS with the following correction: Walther
to Walter. Treasurer Joyce Tappy gave the
treasurer!s report. It will be led for audit.
The following are the committee reports:
Budget/Finance: Dale Dickerson--no report
Communications: Charlotte Heeren/Joyce
Tappy--no report
Foundation/Information: Linda Brazier talked
about the rally at Representative Kay!s
Headquarters demonstrating against the pension
bill. Mr. Kay was not present. There are 14 IRTA
members receiving nancial assistance. The
IRTA Foundation is helping some members
whose homes were destroyed by the recent
tornadoes in several counties.
If you know any member that needs nancial
assistance, there were forms available. The
scholarships for this year have been granted and
delivered. The IRTA Is urging members to send
money to the Defense Fund.
Membership: Mary May reported that since she
sent out emails, postcards and letters to members
to remind them to pay their dues, members have
been paying their dues. She has been able to
place on the name stickers on the Tidings
whether the member has paid his or her dues for
the year.
Legislature/Health: Lori Uhe reported that
December 13, 2013 is the deadline for signing up
for the insurance plan for members who are on
Medicare Plans A & B. Madison County have two
choices: United Healthcare PPO or Coventry
Advantage HMO. It is advisable to send the letter
back as certied mailed.
If any member had questions, they were to call
Lori Uhe at 618-656-1752.
Tidings: Vickie Klopmeier--no report
Program/Meetings: Donnie Calvin/Jodi
Henderson: Jodi Henderson reported on the
March 11, 2014 meeting will be held at St. Paul!s
United Methodist Church in Rosewood Heights,
East Alton, IL. The church ladies will be
furnishing the buffet. The program will be
presented by Dr. Hazel Loucks, retired educator
and former Deputy Governor of Education for the
State of Illinois.
Retirement Education/Activities: Walter
Ahlemeyer--no report
-Activities/Member Benets: Lucille Stevenson--
no report Linda Brazier wants members to look at
the benets they can receive by looking on the
IRTAonline.org website.
New Business:
Lori Uhe installed the following ofcers for the
year 2014-2015:
President Charles Finley
Vice President Mary May
Secretary Joan L. Gusewelle
Treasurer Joyce Tappy
Past President Ann Jacox.
Charles Finley led the invocation. A delicious
buffet was enjoyed by all present.
The program of Christmas music and music of the
past was given by Mike Farmer.
The 50/50 drawing was won by Virginia Croxford.
The free meal for March was won by Nancy
Goodson.
The next board meeting will be held on February
11, 2014 at Eden U.C.C. in Edwardsville, IL at
9:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Joan L. Gusewelle
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Treasurers Report
Checking Balance $3,873.00
Money Market Savings $2,492.13
Joyce Tappy
_______________________________
Information Sources
IL Teacher Ret. System 1-800-877-7896
IRTA 1-800-728-4782
State and Local Info. Lori 1-618-656-1752
________________________________________________________
Nemoiials weie given to the IRTA Founuation in
honoi of "#$ "&''#( anu )&$$&* +,-.'*
_______________________________________________________
/#0-' 1$&2 3*45*,67&8 +#,4
9:;< /#0-' 1$&2 =-4* > 3?:;@ ABC
Last Name ________________________________ Fiist Name ______________________________ Niuule ___________
Auuiess___________________________________ City ___________________________ State ________ Zip____________
Phone __(_________)________________________ Retiiement Yeai ___________ Bate Paiu _______________________
Email _____________________________________ School Bistiict Retiieu Fiom ________________________________
IRTA STATE B0ES
! BEB0CT ! ANN0AL ! ANN0AL ASS0C.
! S YEARS ! LIFE ! ASS0C. LIFE
0NIT B0ES
! ANN0AL $1u.uu
! LIFE $1Su.uu
NENBERSBIP
Local Bues aie $1uyeai
State Bues aie $4uu foi life
0R $4uyi. oi $Suyi. ueuuct
($2.Su a month ueuuct)
0R $17S foi S yeais
Foi infoimation,
call Naiy at 6S6-86SS
Bues aie now payable by check
Nail to:
}oyce Tappy
1uS East Aiiwoou
East Alton IL 62u24

DE, =*( DFG&0*,6
}oyce Tappy, Tieasuiei
}oan uusewelle, Secietaiy
Naiy Nay, vice Piesiuent
Chailes Finley, Piesiuent
We are all familiar with the "turmoil and tricks" that
the Illinois State Congress and Governor Quinn
have visited on the Illinois retired teacher pension
program this year. Our guest speaker for the
March meeting of MCRTA is Dr. Hazel Loucks, the
former Deputy Governor of Education for 4 years
under former Governor George Ryan. Hazel
worked with some of the same legislators that are
presently in office and is aware of the politics that
go on between the various factions in the Illinois
State Legislature. She will share some of her
experiences in working as Illinois' top education
person and help us understand even more the
issues we face in trying to protect our retirement.
Hazel is one of us, having worked as a counselor
and administrator in Madison and St. Clair
counties. She has also taught at SIUC and
McKendree University, offering courses in
administration to educators wanting to earn a
Masters and / or Doctorate degree. Hazel has
worked for the NEA and continues to do so
several times a year. Jodi
*************************************
The TRS has created a calculator on its
website that is to help Tier I members
estimate their cost-of-living adjustment
after the new pension law takes effect on
June 1, 2014. The following is the link to
the calculator: http//trs.illinois.gov/
members/COLA/COLACalculator.aspx
-Linda
***********************************
Mike Farmer delivered a
wonderful program of Christmas
music and music of the past.
Pictured below is Mike
serenading member Marie
Schreiber.
00R NEXT NEETINu
H&0I&* J'#84*&*,
K@LM =N O2-2* :2N PQM
RS(-,S6.&''*T 9/ K@L@Q
3-S&6#$ ?#E$2U :*2&,*S ;*-07*,6 A@
DFG&0*,6
Piesiuent Chailes Finley
vice Piesiuent Naiy Nay
Secietaiy }oan L. uusewelle
Tieasuiei }oyce Tappy
Past Piesiuent Ann Jacox
?#44&22** ?7-&,6
Buuget Finance Bale Bickeison
Communications Chailotte Beeien
IRTA Founuation Info. Seivices
Nembei Benefits Reg. 1S Linua Biaziei
Bealth Ins. Legislative Loii 0he
Nembeiship Naiy Nay
Tiuings vickie Klopmeiei
Piogiams & Neetings Bonnie Calvin
}oui Benueison
Retiiement Euuc.Activities Waltei Ahlemeyei
Lucille Stevenson
Bonnie Calvin
3?:;@ ?-'*$S-,
Febiuaiy 11 Ex. Bu. Ntg. 9:Su a.m.
Euen 0.C.C., Euwaiusville

Naich 11 NCRT2 Ntg. 11 a.m.
St. Paul's 0.N.C., East Alton
$14.uu
Nay 1S Ex. Bu. Ntg. 9:Su a.m.
Euen 0.C.C., Euwaiusville.
}une S NCRT2 Ntg. 11 a.m.
N.0. Nelson, Euwaiusville
IRTA Piesiuent Bob Pinkeiton
$16.uu
Please note that this meeting is the fiist Tuesuay of
the month insteau of the seconu.