MAHONING RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Board Meeting Wednesday, October 9, 2024 Boardman Library
Present: Susan Harris, Barbara Ade, Debra Mettee, Kim Pontuti, Peggy Bennett, June Logan, Darlene Corfman, Irene Scullen.
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 10:35 AM.
Barbara Ade read the minutes from the August 8, 2024 board meeting. The minutes were accepted as read.
The treasurer's report was accepted and will be filed for audit.
Old Business: The slate of officers for the 2025-26 biennium was presented. Susan Harris, president; Phil Butto, 1st vice-president; Diana Vrable 2nd vice-president; Barbara Ade, secretary; and Debra Mettee, treasurer. The board approved the slate. Officers will be voted on at the November general meeting. Installation will take place at the December meeting..
New Business: A question was raised as to whether multiple meeting reservations should be taken at the same time. Following discussion, the issue was tabled and will be revisited at the January board meting.
Darlene Corfman volunteered o bake cookies to be distributed at the December meeting, 2 per attendee.
Debra Mettee presented the annual list of members It was noted that some members on this list have not paid dues for some time. Barbara Ade made a motion that yearly members be eliminate from the roll if they have not paid dues prior to 2023. Irene Scullen seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Committee Reports: Membership: No report given. Program: No report given. Community Service: No report given. Legislative: June Loan provided an STRS update. Three board members (two contributing and one retired) will be up for election in April 2025. Petitions to run for election can be found online and must be submitted before the end of February 2025. It is rumored that Rudy Fichtenbaum will run again for another term. In other STRS news, former STRS Executive Director Bill Neville was relieved from duty and paid a $1.65 million dollar severance. Acting Executive Director, Lynn Hoover, is retiring on December 1, 2024; ; and Chief Investment Officer, Matt Worley will resign on March 1, 2025. replacements have not been announced. Hospitality: Irene is settling in to the new position. She hasn't had any problems. In Memoriam/Remembrance; Sally Winsen reported that the crawl located in the Mahoning County Public Library's main lobby is up to date. It lists deceased MRTA members from the current calendar year. Parliamentarian: No report given. Public Relations: Darlene Corfman will begin sending MRTA notices to The Review, as well as other print outlets. Newsletter: No report given. Nominations: No report given Scholarship: Discussion was tabled until the January 2025 meeting regarding getting applicants for the MRTA scholarship. Website: No repot given.
The next MRTA board meeting will be January 9, 2025.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12 PM.
Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Ade, Secretary
MAHONING RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Board Meeting Thursday, January 9, 2025 Boardman Library
Present: Susan Harris, Phil Butto, Barbara Ade, Debra Mettee, Kim Pontuti, June Logan, Peggy Bennett, Darlene Corfman, Martha Lopez, Irene Scullen, Sonia Tsvetkoff
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 10:37AM. She passed out board contact information and updated meeting dates and times.
Barbara Ade read the minutes from the October 9, 2024 baord meeting. The minutes were accepted as read.
Debra Mettee presented the treasurer's report. Expenditures and income from the November and December meetings were presented. In addition, she also submitted a review of 2024. Following discussion, the treasurer's report was accepted and will be filed for audit.
Old Business: No old business was discussed.
New Business: Meeting menus were set for the 2025 MRTA meetings. Drake's Landing has raised its price to $19.00 per lunch this year. Martha Lopez moved that we begin charging members $18.00 per lunch to offset some of the additional cost. Sonia Tsvetkoff seconded the motion. The motion passed. We will continue to use the money collected from the 50/50 raffles to help make up the difference.
The Board decided to allow members who wish to pay for more than one meal at a time to do so.
President Harris will contact Trumbull County RTA to find out about their teacher grant program. She will bring the information to the April board meeting.
Committee Reports: Membership: No report given. Program: Phil has contacted Austintown and Struthers choir directors about performing at the March and May meetings. He is waiting to hear back. Updated information will be in the spring newsletter. Community Service: Kim's community service choices for the year include: March-Soles of Love (Socks and Shoes); May-Diva's Donation; June- Replay for Kids (toys and games for children); September-YWCA Young Women with Bright Futures; November- Canfield Veteran's Auxiliary; December-Salvation Army. Kim also reported that there were 3,965 member community service hours logged, July through December. Parliamentarian: No report given. Legislative: June Logan provided an STRS update. She stated that Rudy Fichtenbaum has been endorsed by ORTA for the STRS board (retired) seat. Chad Smith and Michael Harkness have been endorsed to fill the two active teacher positions on the board. We also discussed the recently passed Social Security Fairness Act that eliminated the Windfall provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) enabling retired teachers to collect Social Security benefits they've earned. We talked about getting someone from Social Security to address our group Hospitality: Irene requested a note be placed in the newsletter asking that payments for upcoming meetings be submitted by the due date, and to phone by the deadline if the check will be late. In Memoriam/Remembrance: Martha reported the following members who are deceased; Chester Feret, Elba Navarro, Michael Butch Sr., Mary Sandy, Mary Burkey, and Amelia Amy Sposato. A get well card was sent to Elba Navarro, and a 90th birthday card was mailed to Mary Lou Musitano. During the May meeting deceased members from 2024-25 will be recognized. Members will also be recognized in the May meeting for their longevity. Public Relations: Darlene Corfman will begin sending MRTA notices to The Review. She requested pictures. She will also begin submitting information about our meetings to ORTA. Darlene said she would talk to Debbie Haverstock about digitizing MRTA scrapbooks. Newsletter: Barbara Ade requested information for the newsletter be submitted by the middle of January. She also said she would shop for a new printer as newsletter costs have skyrocketed. Nominations: No report given. Scholarship: Sonia reported no applicants for the scholarship. Website: No report given.
The next MRTA board meeting will be April 10, 2025 at the Boardman Library.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12PM
Respectifully Submitted, Barbara Ade, Secretary
Mahoning Retired Teachers Association Board Meeting Thursday, January 9, 2025 Boardman Library
Present: Susan Harris, Phil Butto, Barbara Ade, Deba Mettee, Kim Pontuti, June Logan, Peggy Bennett, Darlene Corfman, Martha Lopez, Irene Scullen, Sonia Tsvetkoff
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 10:37 AM. She passed out board contact information and updated meeting dates and times.
Barbara Ade read the minutes from the October 9, 2024 board meeting. The minutes were accepted as read.
Debra Mettee presented the treasurer's report. Expenditures and income from the November and December meetings were presented. In addition, she also submitted a review of 2024. Following discussion, the treasurer's report was accepted and will be filed for audit.
Old Business: No old business was discussed.
New Business: Meeting menus were set for the 2025 MRTA meetings. Drake's Landing has raised its price to $19.00 per lunch this year. Martha Lopez moved that we begin charging members $18.00 perlunch to offset some of the additional cost. Sonia Tsvetkoff seconded the motion. The motion passed. We will continue to use the money collected from the 50/50 raffles to help make up the difference.
The board decided to allow members who wish to pay for more than one meal at a time to do so.
President Harris will contact Trumbull County RTA to find out about their teacher grant program. She will bring the information to the April board meeting.
Committee Reports: Membership: No report given. Program: Phil has contacted Austintown and Struthers choir directors about performing at the March and May meetings. He is waiting to hear back. Updated information will be in the spring newsletter. Community Service: Kim's community service choices for the year include: March-Soles of Love(Socks and shoes); May-Diva's Donation; June-Replay for Kids(toys and games for children); September-YWCA Young Women with Bright Futures, November-Canfield Veteran's Auxiliary; December-Salvation Army. Kim also reported that there were 3,965 member community service hours logged, July through December 2024. Parliamentarian: No report given. Legislative: June Logan provided an STRS update. She stated that Rudy Fichtenbaum has been endorsed by ORTA for the STRS board (retired) seat. Chad Smith and Michael Harkness have been endorsed to fill the two active teacher positions on the board. We also discussed the recent passed Social Security Fairness Act that eliminated the Windfall provision(WEP) and the Government Pension Offset(GPO) enabling retired teaches to collect Social Security benefits they've earned. We talked about getting someone from Social Security to address our group. Hospitality: Irene requested a note be placed in the newsletter asking that payments for upcoming meetings be submitted by the due date, and to phone by the deadline if the check will be late. In Memoriam/Remembrance: Martha reported the following members who are deceased: Chester Feret, Elba Navarro, Michael Butch Sr. Mary Sandy, Mary Burkey and Amelia Amy Sposato. A Get Well ard was sent to Elba Navarro, and a 90th birthday card was mailed to Mary Lou Musitano. During the May meeting deceased members from 2024-2025 will be recognized. Members will also be recognized at the May meeting for their longevity. Public Relations: Darlene Corfman will begin sending MRTA notices to The Review. She requested pictures. She will also begin submitting information about our meetings to ORTA. Darlene said she would talk to Debbie Haverstock about digitizing MRTA scrapbooks.. Newsletter: Barbara Ade requested information for the newsletter be submitted by the middle of January. She also said she would shop for a new printer as newsletter costs have skyrocketed. Nominations: No report given. Scholarship: Sonia reported no applicants for the scholarship. Website: No report given. The next MRTA board meeting will be April 10, 2025 at the Boardman Library.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Ade, Secretary.
Mahoning Retired Teachers Association Board Meeting Thursday, April 10, 2025 Boardman Library
Present: Susan Harris, Phil Butto, Diana Vabel, Barbara Ade, Kim Pontuti, June Logan, Irene Scullen, Sonia Tsvetkoff, Debbie Haverstock
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 10:13 AM.
Barbara Ade read the minutes from the January 9, 2025 board meeting.. The minutes were accepted as read.
There was no Treasurer's report.
Old Business: Phil discussed the programs for May and June, 2025. In May, the Struthers Concert Choir will entertain, and deceased 2024-25 members will be honored. Members who are 80 plus years old will also recognized.. The May Community Service collection will be for Diva's Donations. In June, Phil is trying to get someone from Social Security to come speak to our group. The Community Service collection will benefit Replay for Kids.
New Business: Programs were discussed for the second half of the year. Phil is planning to invite a gospel singing group to perform at our September meeting. He will also contact Vince Bevaqua from Family Tech Connect to see if he can speak in September or November. November's meeting will featue the Canfield Vetern's Auxiliary,and in December, the Boardman Jazz Band will play. ORTA Executive Director robin Rayfield will be contacted about attending a meeting in the fall.
Committee Reports: Membership: No report given. Program: Please see New Business. Community Service: Kim reported that the Soles of Love organizaation deeply appreciaated MRTA's Community Service Donation taken at the March meeting. Parliamentarian: No report given. Legislative: June reported that Rudy Fichtenbaum was the only qualified candidate running for the STRS Retired seat. As a result, there will be no ballot for the retired seat opening. Rudy's new term begins September 1, 2025 and will run until August 31, 2029. Active teacher endorsements for the STRS Board were given to Chad Smith and Michael Harkness. June encouraged MRTA members to urge active teachers to vote for the ORTA endorsed candidates. NE Ohio ORTA liaisons will be holding a conference on Monday, May 19, 2025 in Alliance. County RTA presidents and vice-presidents from the region are urged to attend. Dean Dennis, ORTA Executive Committee President; Aaron Wood, interim Director of STRS, and ORTA Executiive Director, Robin Rayfield will speak. There will also be a brief AMBA presentation during this meeting. The STRS Board is still working to find a new executive director. The search firm has received 47 candidate packets to date. Hospitality: Irene provided updated attendance at MRTA luncheons. She also requested an update on the website so that checks for luncheons be made payable to MRTA and not to her. Invite a friend and remind people that there is always a speaker, information about what is happening at MRTA and ORTA, entertainment, a good food, and fellowship. In Memoriam/Remembrance: Martha reported the following members who are deceased: Charles Whitmer, Elaine Raffety and Caroll MClain. All 2024-25 deceased MRTA members will be honored during the May luncheon. Members will also be recognized during this meeting for their longevity. Public Relations: No report given. Newsletter: Barbara Ade reported on the new print company who is producing the newsletter. The process has been streamlined and is cheaper than before. Nominations: No report given. Scholarship: Sonia reported no applicants for the scholarship. Website: Debbie asked the board to visit the website and check to make sure all information is accurate. Other: In other discussion, charter schools and Ohio school funding issues were discussed.
The next MRTA board meeting will be August 14, 2025 at the Boardman Library.
There being no further business, Irene Scullen moved the meeting be adjourned. Sonia Tsvetkoff seconded the motion, and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 AM.