1. Healthcare

Fresno County Division 10
Newsletter
Your partner in pension protection
Vol.MMXVI No. 93
CalRTA, the dominant, authoritative voice for all retired educators.
President’s This & That
“Happy New Year 2015”
Happy New Year folks and my wishes for a healthy, happy and
fun 2015!
Division Ten got off to a very good start when our state
membership fund application was accepted. We were awarded
“in the amount of $400.00 to send mailings and follow up
contacts to their unpaid cash members.” High five to Donna
Garcia and Carol East. According to the CalRTA Connection,
January 2015 we were 1 of 8 divisions awarded in December
2014. Carol just received new tri-folds for the new dues and
others publications that can be used to assist in the promotion
of membership in CalRTA.
I will send a letter, as per state request, to Governor Brown, on
our behalf, for following his promise to CalSTRS to set aside
monies to reduce our unfunded retirement liability in the new
state budget. Additionally, in a mid-December news release,
CALSTRS indicated that the President signed into law the final
$15 million payment from the sale of the Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve. There are a lot more details, but let’s stop with
this quote: “Proceeds support older retirees’ pension purchasing power.” Over the years, CALSTRS has received $315 million in compensation for our interest in the Elk Hills Reserve. All
this is great news for members. Not so good is the indication
that Mr. Chuck Reed’s just getting started on pension reform!
He is looking to float $25 million to present his message to the
public. I remind you to read or re-read page 6 in the latest
CONTACT. No matter the logic or positive information about
the value to California of STRS and PERS, folks just have to
take away from public employees. Oh, did you see recently
that the latest percentage earned by PERS retirement
investments was 18%+ on their billions? I bet STRS did just as
well.
Folks, I am still looking for a new Division Board Treasurer.
Mike Farley is not quitting us, he is cutting back. He has made
this job much more professional and many ways easier.
Additionally, I would like someone to relieve me of the
Communication Chair and the Resource person. Step up, I am
also currently serving you as Chair of 3 of our 4 boards. I don’t
mind this, I enjoy it, but what about not wearing out other
leaders and me with too many jobs. (continued)
Wednesday, Feb.11 11:00 am
Feb. 2015
Boy does time move fast! Have to get used to using
2015. Our program at Christmas time was super great.
Sandra Bright, the chorus director, always finds
wonderful music for the chorus to sing. I’m just a little
biased, but the comments about our program were
great. Since I sing in this group I loved the “bell” music!
In February we will be enthralled by the Buchanan High
School Chorus. They always bring a treat with their
music and the variety of their program. (Remember
their rendition of Old MacDonald’s Farm?) So this time
should be special too. See you at the February meeting!
Donna Garcia, Vice President
Calendar February, 2015
Thursdays
Feb. 3
Feb. 11
Feb. 17
Feb. 25
Chorus rehearsal
Division Board Meeting
Library Social
Blood Pressure Checks
Division Business Mtg.
Buchanan Choir
Lunch
Ed Center Board Mtg
Field Trip—Planetarium
9:30 am
9:00 am
9:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
9:00 am
12:30 pm
We had a great game day and luncheon! Game players filled
four tables and members and guests (guests are always
welcome) filled 7 tables at lunch. I am very proud of the folks
that made it happen. Thanks to those with compliments to the
BQ person. The beef and chicken passed and Sandy’s (my
wife) potato salad was very, very good. Sorry many of you
missed the party.
Richard Harris, President
February Menu
25 Year Membership
Please make checks payable to Lourdes Burge -$12
Garden Salad
Southern Fried Chicken
Macaroni & Cheese
Green Beans
Dinner Rolls
Cupcakes
Phone reservations appreciated
by 5 p.m. Sunday before the meeting to:
Jan Peterson
227-6575
Welcome New Members!
Susan Bluestone
Leanne Hubbell
Linda Rollin
Benefits—FURA
Fresno Unified Retirees Association (FURA) offers
vision insurance coverage through VSP (Vision Service Plan). The monthly premium is automatically
deducted from the CalSTRS or CalPERS retirement
warrant. For more information concerning the VSP
plan, go to FURA-FUSD.org or call (559) 298-4606.
Memorial Gifts , Jan. 2015
Al Rose
Mary Lou Stewart
Tiata Scambray
Barbara Mendes
Joyce Vance
William D. Hedman
Treasurer’s Report— Jan. 1
Savings
$
868.21
Checking
$ 9,377.23
Total
$10,245.44
Contact Mike Farley for full financial report at
[email protected]
Many have asked about the process determining
who is eligible for the 25 year membership honor.
First, our membership co-chair, Donna Garcia,
sends for the yearly list of new 25 year members.
CalRTA’s records show when the member actually
joined, not when the person retired from service.
This is an important distinction.
After the list is printed, letters of congratulations
and an invitation go out to all these members,
along with a form requesting a short autobiography
to be used in our November celebration. Those
who return those forms will be honored with
certificates, whether they attend the November
meeting or not. Due to mailing costs, only those
who actually attend receive the special medallions
of honor. If they attend, they also receive a free
lunch at the November meeting, paid for by the
Division.
If you are not sure when you joined, call CalRTA,
(800) 869-2782 or (916) 441-1323.
Bette Samuelson, 25 Year Celebration Chair
Activities—Game Day
The activities day on Jan. 14, was great fun. Attendance
was up in spite of the foggy morning. Everyone who
participated in games and stayed for lunch thought it was
a great opportunity to socialize and get to know each
other better.
On Wednesday, Feb. 25, we have planned a “field trip” to
the Downing Planetarium on the CSUF campus. Our
show is 12:30-1:30. Cost depends on how many of our
people attend. The rate is $150 so it would be divided
equally between us. Hopefully at least 20 people would
make it $7.50 each. Let’s try for 30 so the cost would be
$5. Parking is by permit at $3 for the day. Since we are
only there about an hour, it would be best to use the
metered parking on Maple off Barstow instead.
CARPOOL if you can.
REMINDER: Those who have reservations for the
Southern Charm trip April 26-May 2 can expect a final
billing from Collette which needs to be paid by Feb. 25,
2015. We’re getting excited!
In Memoriam
Reynold Barsoom
Raymond Finnigan
John Madden
Helen a. Phillips
Joyce Vance
“He that teaches us anything which we knew not
before is undoubtedly to be reverenced as a master.”
Samuel Johnson
Century Club, January, 2015
Mary Egoian
William Hedman
Kathryn McNamara
Barbara Mendes
Alice Stewart
Century Club 2014
The 2014 Century Club members total 24 and have
donated $2,600 to the Ed Center. Money that is
contributed as a donation or memorial count toward the total. It can be one check or several small
ones. Records are kept for each retiree. Robert
Clark Sr. first joined in 1991, followed by Marie
Prinz, and Anna & Dorman Turnipseed in 2000.
Barbara M. Stein, CFO, Ed Center
Legislation
On January 9, 2015, Governor Brown released his
proposed 2015-16 State Budget Plan. Included in the
proposal is $1.6 billion in State General Fund money for
the California State Teachers’ Retirement System
(CalSTRS). This represents the full state contribution to
both the Teachers’ Retirement Fund and the
Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account.
Please thank the Governor for his support of education
and retired teachers. Be sure to identify yourself as a
CalRTA member when you thank the Governor.
There will be letter writing materials at the February
meeting. Come write a thank you to the Governor.
You may contact Governor Jerry Brown by mail at:
Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-2841, Fax: (916) 558-3160
Jan Drenth, Legislative Chair
Library Social
Refreshments will be served at 9:00 am on
Wednesday, February 11, in the Library.
Sandra Bright will entertain us on the piano. Mary Egoian
and Loretta Deel will serve refreshments. Thank you in
advance for your attendance and to those who willingly
help with our social hour.
Stella Helghatian, Chair
Cheer & Courtesy
Please let me know about any members who
are in need of a card of cheer or remembrance.
Bette Samuelson, Chair 439-9751
Volunteers
If you haven't turned in the volunteer hours you
completed in 2014, NOW is the time. Let’s hit our goal of
20% of the membership reporting volunteer hours. I need
to hear from YOU! Remember to add prep time and
travel time as well.
Nancy Weiser, Chair
3025 E Northdale
Fresno, CA 93726
222-4106 or (new email: [email protected])
Lobby Day
The schedule is out for members to go to Washington
D.C for Lobby Day, April 15, 2015. For most of us this is
not something we can do. However, we can go to the
local offices to “lobby” and drop off petitions dealing with
Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension
Offset. I have a sample petition and signatures are due
to be mailed by March 1st or delivered personally April
15th to Washington or local offices. Perhaps this does not
affect your retirement or transfer of assets to a spouse,
but it can be a big loss for many of us. It also can keep
good people out of a second career. I am sure Jan
Drenth will have more later on our efforts. In California,
we have Senate Joint Resolution 1, as amended, Beall.
Social security: retirement benefits: public employees,
December 1, 2014 already introduced and to be sent to
President Obama by the Secretary of our California
Senate.
Richard Harris, President
Kudos!
Kudos and special thanks to Richard and Sandy
Harris for the fabulous fundraising feed at January’s
Activity Day. Ditto to Gladys and Jacqueline for fun
and games, too. Next outing is February 25!
California Retired Teachers Association, Division 10
3930 E Saginaw Way Fresno, CA 93726
229-6351
Websites: crtafresno.com, calrta.org, calstrs.com
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #585
Fresno, CA
Address Service Requested
N. Cedar
Retired
Teachers
Building
N. Ninth
N. Millbrook
Centennial
School
E. Saginaw
E. Dakota
Join us Feb. 11
for insights, info,
and interesting
people!
Give to a Friend: Join CalRTA—Fresno Division 10
Dues Deduction :
$4.50 per month (deducted from STRS warrant.)
I authorize the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) to deduct my CalRTA dues. Should the amount of dues be
adjusted, as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the
CalRTA business office in writing to the contrary. To terminate dues deduction, I agree to make my request in writing to
the CalRTA office. (New members are eligible for a free luncheon voucher at a monthly CalRTA meeting if you sign up
for dues deduction.)
Yearly Membership:
$ 54 per year
Life Membership:
$900 one time (please enclose check)
(please enclose check)
Social Security #: (for dues deduction only)
Email:
Name:
Retired from:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone:
Signature:
Mail to CalRTA Membership * 3930 E Saginaw Way * Fresno, CA 93726 * 229-6351