RC 12 Executive Board Meeting 2023 January 12 ZOOM Meeting Present: Stacey Caruso-Sharpe, Kathlene Lyman, Cathy Picciocca, Jeanne Williams Bennett, Sheryl Baker-Delano, Maggie Bouck, Margaret Dafeldecker, Bev Alves, Dolores Talmadge, Carolyn Darkangelo, Phyllis VanSteenburgh, Vicky McGowanHoran (invited Krista Hawk for a brief attendance) Excused:Theresa Kovian Stacey called the meeting to order at 9:30. President’s Report - Stacey Caruso-Sharpe Stacey suggested continuing to pay attention to what is going on in our legislature. There seem to be continual threats being made to Medicare and Social Security. As retired individuals, we earned these benefits. Congressmen are having great difficulty communicating, ethics are not addressed, and currently, top secret folders are being found at Biden’s residences. Stacey continues to be a member of the NYSUT Retiree Advisory Committee where new terms will begin following the Representative Assembly. If anyone is interested in becoming a representative, contact Juliet Benaquisto. Anyone interested in being on the Committee of 100 is asked to reach out to Stacey. Vice President Report - Kathlene Lyman The discussion of updating the database continues. Unfortunately, much of the retirement information on the NYSUT website has not been updated. Secretary Report - Cathy Picciocca Cathy reported that the minutes were sent out to everyone, and all of the corrections have been made. Kathlene made a motion to approve the November Executive Board minutes, and Jeanne seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the motion was approved. Cathy will send the minutes to be placed on the website. Treasurer’s Report -Dolores Talmadge Due to health issues, the audit has not been completed. It was brought to our attention that CD rates are currently rising, and Dolores will look into the possibility of transferring funds to a CD with higher percentage rates, after information is presented to the board for approval via email. September 19, 2022 - January 11, 2023 Balances reported: Business Checking #12 $ 314.82 Business Money Market #22 $5,767.92 Social Checking #13 2,304.13 Social Money Market #3 6,892.09 Savings #1 177.92 Total Balance $60,186.88 Second Vice President’s Report - Bev Alves In Bev’s legislative report, she shared the need for health care for all. NYSUT Retiree Services Consultant Report- Sheryl Baker Delano Sheryl continues to work on a firm membership list of retired teachers for RC 12. She is getting lists of names of individuals from inservice groups who plan to retire this year. She is checking with each Retiree Council to cross reference each name. Educating the inservice officers is important. She has discussed this with Michael Rowan and is bringing a flier to the President’s Council. The idea of Union for Life means planning everyone’s journey throughout life. She’s trying to build relationships with presidents, providing pins and certificates, and sending text messages to upcoming retirees prior to retirement. Once again, Sheryl is looking for an updated list of local chapters. Unfortunately, Swinka Richards does not have an updated list available. There is a necessity for NYSUT to update its lists and new retirees chapters to be acknowledged. Maggie shared the efforts she made with NYSUT for the formation of the Cherry Valley Springfield Chapter and the lack of documentation from NYSUT. Sheryl will continue efforts to support Union for Life. RC 12 May 11 Conference will be held in Glenville at the Terrace at the Water’s Edge. There’s a buffet available with 12 entrees and 12 sides for $28. Continental Breakfast is available for $5. The establishment would be available from 8:30 until 2:30. Projectors and screens are available. Kathlene made a motion to host the May 11 Conference utilizing the above information. The motion was seconded by Dolores, and the motion passed. Sheryl will confirm approval with NYSUT. All information will be provided to Caroline for the website and Outlook by February 15 and April 15. Elections Director positions will be voted on at the May meeting. Jeanne will work with Phyllis to prepare for the election. The ballot list will be random. A meeting will be held on ZOOM to determine the random list for the ballot. Outlook and Web site - Caroline http://rc12.ny.aft.org/ Entries for the next newsletter need to be sent to Caroline by February 15. It will contain a notice of May elections, and pictures from latest trips would be helpful. SOCIAL COMMITTEE - Kathlene The March 29 trip to NYC in March to see A Beautiful Noise is filled. The bus will cost between $55-$58. Thirty five individuals have signed up to go on the trip to the Ark Encounter & Creation Museum in Cincinnati (October 2-7). Twenty travelers have signed up for Rambling the Rails of New Hampshire (June 5-9) . More information can be found on RC 12 Website at http://rc12.ny.aft.org/ Kathlene will be looking for a play to attend in July. Funny Girl may be a possibility STATEWIDE - Kathlene Kathlene attends the Saratoga StateWide. They are looking for leaders for the Capital District StateWide branch. The second round of training for the legislative action team is being held on Thursdays. If anyone is a member of StateWide and receives a ballot to vote for officers, remember Mary Pitchard is one of our own members. NYSARA Reminder to sign up for Monday Alerts at New York State Alliance of Retired Americans at http://www.newyorkstateara.org March General Membership Meeting - March 14, 2023 - Kathlene This meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown. Kathlene shared entries for a sit down hot lunch choices. The entrees will be haddock, chicken Franchese, and vegitarian. Coffee will be provided during the meeting in the morning. Vicky volunteered to help with lunch choices. The 50/50 raffle will be donated to the Florida Relief Fund. Stacey will attempt to get a speaker from the NYSUT Implicit Bias Training team. Pre-retirement meeting Sheryl volunteered to help plan a pre retirement ZOOM meeting. Suggested speakers were ED 12 Director Juliet Benaquisto, David Keefe from the Retirement System, Steve Kramer from NYSUT, an introduction to RC 12, and possibly someone from the Office of the Aging. She suggested it be an hour and one half long. She might do a powerpoint presentation. Once again, she will attempt to coordinate information from the Regional Office computer. She will set it up with the secretary of NYSUT to accommodate a larger number of attendees via ZOOM. It was also discussed to push the April Outlook cut off time to the end of March due to spring break and the RA in order to provide all of the information to RC 12 members. The meeting ended around noon. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Picciocca RC 12 Secretary
