Luncheon meeting minutes for Wednesday, May 10, 2023
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 11:42 AM. Susan Harris, Phil Butto, Debra Mettee, Martha Lopez Sally Winsen, Barbara Ade and Deb Liptak(Development Directory for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County were seated at the head table.
Susan Harris began by leading members in the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of God Bless America. Georgia Barkett presented the invocation (Beatitude for Mothers) and said grace. The meeting was then suspended for lunch.
The meeting resumed at 12:15 with Vice-President Phil Butto introducing our speaker, Deb Liptak. Deb is the Development Director for the Mahoning County Public Library system. She discussed the recent 27 million dollar renovations to the main library and highlighted the many opportunities patrons have, everything from book borrowing to digital archiving and 3-D printing. Deb also accepted a $50 donation from the MRTA John M Knapick Memorial Fund in recognition of deceased MRTA members from this past year.
During the business meeting, President Harris introduced Sally Winsen. Sally talked about the Knapick Fund and stated that 2022-2023 deceased MRTA members will be honored on the Electronic Crawl at the library's main branch. Each deceased member will be individually recognized. Sally also reminded members that the books purchased through Knapick Memorial funds are also housed at the main library and are available for borrowing. Martha Lopez, IN Remembrance chairman was then introduced. While Sally lighted a candle, Martha recited the names of MRTA members who have died this past year. Martha recited the poem, When I Must LeaveYou. Then the school bell was rung in honor of lost members.
June Logan, ORTA Northeast Regional Director then addressed the group concerning the recent STRS Board. The reform candidate Pat Davidson was elected to the STRS Board. Prior to election results being announced, Governor DeWine dismissed Wade Steen from the STRS Board for lack of attendance at all board meetings. MRTA has decided to wait and see what transpires regarding this dismissal. Mr. Steen has not resigned, and is fighting to retain his seat until his tern has been served(September 2024).
Laura Sullivan asked that members save plastic bags and bring them to the September meeting. The Canfield Lions Club will collect the bags. The bags will be recycled into park benches and picnic tables.
At the end of the meeting, Peggy Bennett was called on to pass out carnations to members who were 80 years old or older. 18 carnations and MRTA best wished were extended to those meeting this guideline.
$233 was collected in the 50/50 raffle. Peggy Bennett won $116 in the drawing.
Susan Grove won the free lunch for the June 2023 meeting, and ten others won door prizes.
The Community Service Collection was donated to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. $271.93 was collected.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:28 PM.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Ade, Recording Secretary The John M. Knapick Memorial for Deceased Mahoning Retired Teachers Honorees 2022-2023.: James Antell, Josephine Baker, Joan Bolkovac, Joseph DeVincent, Robalee Dinopoulos, Jean Evans, Dr. High Earnhardt, Karen Hanousek, Dennis Henneman, Anne Mavar, Lawrence McKenna, Mary Moody, Peter Pirone Sr., Donna Popney, James Ramsey, Sr., Connie Robinson, John Santillo, Betty Lou Serich, Donald Smaltz, Mabel "Gay" Smith, Phyllis Thornhill, Dr. Gloria Tribble, Georgia Turco, Bonnie Weaver, Richard Williams, 25 members.
Luncheon Meeting Minutes, Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Drake's Landing
President Susan Harris called the meeting to order at 11:44AM. Susan Harris, Debra Mettee, Brian Nord (YSU Foundation Senior Development Director) and Barbaa Ade were seated at the head table.
Susan Harris began the meeting by leading members in the Pledge of Allegiance, singing of God Bles America and providing he invocation and grace. The meeting was then suspended for lunch.
The meeting resumed at 12;22 PM with President Harris introducing our speaker, Brian Nord. Brian is Senior Development Director for the Youngstown State University Foundation. Brian first defined the YSU Foundation as the philanthropic arm of Youngstown State University. The Foundation's mission statement says, . . . "it is an independent, autonomous, private, non-profit corporation that pursues, manages and distributes resources to support scholarships and student initiatives, as well as the growth and development of Youngstown State University." (Folder, YSU Foundation 12.15_7.5_CP) We learned the history of the YSU Foundation and how MRTA'S scholarship fund works through the Foundation. Sonia Tsvetkoff also talked about the criteria for the MRTA Scholarship.
During the business meeting, President Harris expressed a need for volunteers to sit on the Nominations committee. Interested members were asked to contact her. She also asked for someone to come forward and assist Maggie Skripac in reservations/hospitality.
Susan also reported that the next MRTA meeting would be September 13, 2023 where newly retired teachers will be introduced. Members were asked to bring plastic bags and bottle caps the September meeting. These materials will be collected by the Lions Club, recycled, and made into picnic tables and benches.
In other business, $200.00 was collected for the 50/50 raffle. Jane Hallow won $100.00 in the drawing. $234.00 was collected in the Community Service drive for the ACLD school. Bob Thomas won the free lunch for the September meeting, and 10 others won door prizes.
Without further business being presented, the meeting adjourned at 1:15PM with 60 members in attendance.