Shirlee Zerkel to Conni Ramser re: Board meeting scheduling

From Shirlee Zerkel, March 18, 2007
Subject: About the monthly meetings

Dear Ms. Ramser:

I am a retiree from Lima, OH who finds it impossible to attend meetings in Columbus two days in a row such as those held last week. Our pension amounts and health premium costs do not allow for a motel stay and meals out for two days.

We retirees are interested in the health care meeting, member benefits meeting and the public speaks portions. I really don't understand what the big 'puzzle' is. Those portions of the monthly meeting have been held on the same day for years before you became chair. Now the whole schedule is in a state of constant change.

In February, there was only one meeting day -- Friday. You then stated that you were trying to make things more efficient with only one day meetings. Friday is a very difficult day for older retirees and those from a distance to be able to get through the Friday rush hour traffic. We then emailed you about our concerns after the meeting. Now this month it was even worse: public speak on Thursday and meetings we are interested in on Friday.

What happened to your suggestion of one day monthly meetings? You have made it clear in your comments that you, as chair, are in charge of the meeting schedule. I, as a retiree ask you to please return something constant to the schedule. Either return to the old schedule if this is such a 'puzzle' for you, or have your Wednesday night meeting and the remainder of sessions that interest the retirees on Thursday.

Conni, you knew when you ran for this office that it demanded much time. How on earth do you figure that a Wednesday evening, all day Thursday and all day Friday monthly meeting, can be handled in one day! It possibly can if you rubber stamp everything the STRS staff want you to rubber stamp. But the board is there to look out for the interests of the members and sometimes that takes considerable time to figure out.

Please listen to your retired members, for one day you will be one us! Thank you for listening,

Shirlee Zerkel