Minutes of the October 15, 2009 CORE Meeting

Note: As relayed by Dave Parshall, the distribution of these minutes were delayed due to computer problems with an email client server.

Minutes of the October 15, 2009 CORE Meeting

The Oct. 15^th Concerned Ohio Retired Educators (CORE) meeting was opened in the Sublett Room in the STRS Building by President Dave Parshall at 12:15. Dave’s first order of business was to convey Dennis Leone’s thanks for the gift of a check, as well as the cards from CORE membership. Dave then turned the meeting over to Kathie Bracy so that she could give those in attendance an update on John Lazares’ health.

After surgeries and hospital stays, according to Kathie, John is currently back home recuperating, but definitely improving. Both Dave and Kathie thought that he’d appreciate cards. (His address will be put on Kathie’s blog.)

CORE minutes – done last month by Jill Fetters – were moved to be approved by Mary Ellen Angeletti; Nancy Boomhower seconded the motion. The group of 18 members in attendance voted approval.

Due to the absence of Herman Fisher, our treasurer, there was no treasurer’s report this month.

Much discussion ensued about retirees’ ability to refute the anti-retired teacher, misinformation about benefits, which is occurring in the non-teaching sector. In fact, Nancy Boomhower stated that most people don’t even realize teachers do not pay into Social Security.

The group agreed that the best starting point was a committee (still without a formal name) whose job it would be to put important points into written form for CORE members to have and use. Any member who does have some ideas or comments should send the information (or questions) to Dave Parshall (advisor of the committee) or committee members Jill Fetters, Kathie Bracy, George Justice, Carole DePaola, Marie Fetters, or Mary Ellen Angeletti. (Lou D’Orio will also be helping with this group.)

People continued the discussion about pensions by noting that it’d be helpful if all five Ohio pension systems were “on the same page.” It was suggested that when CORE is completed with its committee work, and has the points written out, we should share them with the other pension groups.

President Dave broke from the pension dialogue in order to welcome “new faces” to our CORE meeting. Rose Phillips had come with Liz Ebbing and Tom Price accompanied George Justice.

After those brief introductions, Dave reminded the group – especially those not at the STRS Board meeting – to call and order CDs of the meeting. (Sandy Adams has taken Joyce Baldwin’s place as the contact person for this.)

Dave redirected those in attendance to think about educating legislators via e-mail, snail mail or face to face. George Doyle indicated that we all should also be working with and talking to younger teachers – especially those who were our former students – so that we could bring them up to date on the situation.

President Parshall closed the meeting by reiterating that we need more active members, workers. Meeting was adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie M. Fetters

CORE Secretary