Perry County Retired Teachers Assoc. celebrating 40 years
The Perry County Retired Teachers' Association (PCRTA) celebrated the 40th anniversary of the organization on October 10 at the Grecian Steakhouse in Pinckneyville. President Pat Ferrari called this special meeting to order. There were 12 members present. Two guest speakers, Bill Funkhouser, Area 6 Representative for the Illinois Retired Teachers' Association, and Cynthia O'Neill, Trustee of the Teachers' Retirement System, provided those in attendance with some helpful information.
Following the guest presentations, President Pat Ferrari continued the meeting. Secretary Sandy Minton read the minutes from the July 11 meeting. The treasurer's report was given and approved.
In committee reports, President Ferrari reported there are currently 101 members in the association. Members can begin paying their dues for 2014. Dues are $10 for active membership or $5 for an associate membership. Payment can be sent to Pat Ferrari.
A donation was made to the Illinois Retired Teachers' Association Foundation in memory of member Minnie Davis, Pinckneyville, who passed away in September.
In new business, the election of officers was held. The officers who will begin their term on Jan. 1, 2014, are: Pat Ferrari, president; Shirley Bigham, vice president; Cindy Barge, secretary; and Terra Auvil, treasurer. A special thanks was given to Sarah Doerner for chairing the Nomination Committee.
Following the election of officers, retiring secretary Sandy Minton was presented a gift and card for her six years of service as secretary.
It was announced that Shirley Bigham and Cindy Barge would serve as delegates to the IRTA convention in Springfield on Oct. 21-22. Sarah Doerner, Region 16 Director, will also be attending the convention.
In other business, the group decided that the number of business meetings held per year would change from monthly to quarterly and the social meetings would be eliminated. Beginning in 2014, meetings will be held in February, May, July and October. Two meetings will be held in Du Quoin and two in Pinckneyville.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be a social on Nov. 14 at Larry's BBQ in Du Quoin at 11:00 a.m.
Sarah Doerner, who researched the history of the Perry County Teachers' Association, gave everyone in attendance the following handout.
When sisters Nettie and Rettie Campbell hosted a meeting in their home in October 1973, those in attendance, most likely, did not imagine that 40 years later retired educators from Perry County Illinois would celebrate the existence of the group in October 2013.
There were 39 members in 1973. Under Mr. Ernest Queen's leadership a quilt was assembled and quilted at the home of member Gertrude Smith. Raffle tickets were sold to raise $1,000. This amount was donated toward the construction of the new Illinois Retired Teachers' Association building in Springfield. A plaque, which gives credit to the Perry County Unit, hangs in a prominent place in the IRTA building. Ernie was always a strong advocate of the local and state units and in encouraging educators to join IRTA as the one Illinois group whose purpose is supporting retired teachers.
A few meetings per year for PCRTA in the early years, with mostly pot-luck lunches in schools and churches, grew to 12 monthly meetings a year with four business meetings and other social meetings held in various area restaurants and other selected locations. In July 1994, the unit voted to extend one year of free membership to new retirees who taught in Perry County. In September 1998, the unit produced the first copy of its quarterly newsletter, which has been produced continually since then. In 2011, the unit extended lifetime membership to those members who are 90 years or older. Currently, eight members are over 90.
Many members have contributed to the success of the unit during the 40 years of its existence. Over the years PCRTA members and officers have been active in contacting legislators and governors, rallying in Springfield for teacher related legislation, having noted area speakers, IRTA meetings and conferences themselves.
In addition, today, the unit provides important information on educators' retirement benefits, including health benefits, news on legislation from the state of importance to retired and active teachers and continues to provide fellow educator friends the chance to meet and socialize.
Former PCRTA Presidents were Clara Morrisey (1973-1977), Ida Chenowith (1978-1979), Cora Degenhardt (1980-1983), Hilda Stein (1984-1985), Ernest Queen (1986-1989), Wayne Giacomo (1990-1997), Rosa Lee Plunkett (1998-2001, 2006-2007) and Sarah Doerner (2002-2005, 2008-2011).
Current officers are: President Pat Ferrari, Vice-President Shirley Bigham, Secretary Sandy Minton and Treasurer Terra Auvil. Sarah Doerner is serving as IRTA Region 16 Director. Some of the PCRTA members are unable to attend meetings due to conflicts such as part-time work, volunteer activities, visits or caring for family, etc., but they continue to be involved with the unit through their membership and support.
Just as the spirit of those educators in 1973 prevails today, the spirit of current members will be there with future educators for PCRTA's 45th anniversary and beyond!