Welcome to the Mahoning County Retired Teachers Association (MRTA), an affiliate of the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association
We have updated and revised MRTA's Standing Rules and By-Laws. At the Board of Directors meeting on August 10, 2023 the Board approved the revisions to the Standing Rules and the By-Laws. Click here to read the new Standing Rules. Those attending the September 13th luncheon voted to approve the revisions to the By-Laws. Click Here to read the new By-Laws.
Questions? Please contact Debbie Haverstock (Chairman of the Revision Committee) at 330-518-1394.
Luncheon meetings take place the 2nd Wednesday of March, May, June, September, November, and December.
They take place at: Drake's Landing 2177 W. Western Reserve Rd. Canfield, OH 44406 Doors open at 11:00AM with lunch being served at 11:45AM.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Program: The Austintown Fitch Concert Choir Community Service: Dorothy Day House of Hospitality Menu: Parmesan cod with basil cream, pasta, roasted redskin potatoes, green bean almandine, cheesecake or grilled chicken salad Click here for the reservation form.
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Program: 2023-24 deceased MRTA members will be honored. Community Service: Sojourner House Menu: stuffed chicken with pretzel stuffing, pasta, au gratin potatoes, broccoli with garlic butter, strawberry dessert or grilled chicken salad
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Program: Dr. George Beelen will talk about his new book, Genius Knows No Boundaries. Community Service: Special Olympics of Ohio Menu: short ribs with root veggies, pasta, mashed potatoes, honey glazed carrots, chocolate mousse or grilled chicken salad
All money from Community Service Collections stays in Mahoning County.
COMMUNITY SERVICE - Kim Pontuti Twice a year, MRTA surveys luncheon members to see how many community service hours they've put in for the year. In 2023, January through June, members posted 3,6a86 hours. July=December, members posted 6,131 hours for a total of 9,817 community service hours! Way to go!
MRTA SCHOLARSHIP MRTA is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a junior or senior enfrolled full time in the teacher education cerification program at Youngstown State University. Applications are available at the YSU foundation Office or online.
Contact Information for State Office Holders
Representative Michelle Lepore-Hagan (58th District) - 77 South High St., 10th Floor Columbus, OH 3215 (614)466-9435 www.ohiohouse.gov/michele-lepore-hagan
Representative Al Cutrona (59th District) - 77 South High St., 11th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614)-466-6107 www.ohiohouse.gov/don-manning
Senator Michael Rulli (33rd District) - Ground Floor Senate Building, Columbus, OH 3215 9614)-466-8285 www.ohiosenate.gov/senators/rulli
legislative News - June Logan Keep up to date on what's happening at STRS. Go to Ohio Retirement for teachers webpage ORTA.org. Go to MEMBER BENEFITS... click on MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS Scroll down to NEWSLETtER ARCHIVES and go to 2023-DECEMBER-click on that. From there you can read Dean Dennis's president's message and then what Dr. Rayfield has to say concerning STRS and Ohio's teachers. In other happenings: There is a proposal to increase school employer contributions from 14% to 18% Employer contributions have not been raised since 1994. (Other states that are non-Social Security for teachers are leading us by roughly 8%). Currently, teachers contribute more toward their pensions than their employers! HB 78 would allow a retired teacher who is rehired to run for a retired STRS board seat.
ORTA has initiated but not yet introduced in the legislature personal income tax exemption in the state of Ohio.
Wade Steen's court of appeals case is still "on hold" waiting for the court to make a judgement to reinstate Steen to the STRS Board. It has been more than nine months since Wade Steen has been locked out of STRS Board meetings. It is waiting on the Tenth District Courat of Appeals Magistrate Thomas Scholl to make a decision. Then it goes to a three-judge panel that will hopefully reinstate Steen to the Board. The court administrator believes that the Magistrate will hear the case in March.
Please support the ORTA pension Defense Fund by donating during the MRTA March meeting. This money will not only assist Wade Steen in his legal battle, but will be used for legal and professional assistance in fighting for Ohio's teachers.
There will be an Active teacher opening for STRS Board in April. ORTA and the Ohio Federation of Teachers has endorsed candidte Michell Flanigan from the Brunswick City Schools for the seat. She is pro-reform and has an extensive background in school finance. Retired teachers willnotbe voting in this election. Retirees are urged to tell their active teacher friends about Michell Flannigan, and urge them to support her with their votes in April.
Looking for something purposeful to do?AmeriCorps Seniors needs your experience today! RSVP(Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) offers you many ways to serve. There are volunteer opportunities in food pantry support, mentoring, companionship, transportation services, etc. Or I can be your "matchmaker" and get to know you so I can find the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!! Contact: Diana Palardy AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Office 201 Wick Avenue; Youngstown, Ohio 44503 Phone: 330-480-0352 x 1 dpalardy@fcsserves.org Website: https://rsvp.fcsserves.org Facebook: RSVP of Mahoning & Trumbull Counties