"A Very Successful November Luncheon!"

Thanks to Dottie Stevens for organizing another great Salvation Army Toy Drive, and sing-a-long led by Don Parks at the luncheon this month.  The Roast Turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing and gravy, weren't bad either.

L to R:  President, Tom Callahan; Major Julio Vasques, Salvation Army;
Program Chair, Dottie Stevens; and Ana Avila, Salvation Army. 

While we enjoyed sharing the toys with Major Julio Vasquez of the Salvation Army, and taking our first leap of the season into Christmas music as led by Don Parks, we also found interesting the report brought by Rick Nebeker, E8 representative to WSSRA. 

Rick shared the state association has been charging $5/member/month since 2003. The price of just about everything has escalated significantly over the past 11 years, including the operating expenses of the WSSRA. Additionally, the exploding costs of the state convention have led to the formation of the WSSRA Convention Costs Reduction Committee which has recommended not a reduction in the number of members attending, especially in light of the growing numbers of members statewide, but rather an additional dollar/member/month in dues fees which would flow directly to the local associations.

L to R:  Don Parks, Helen Bakshas, Barb Sowell

Some of the hundreds of toys shared with the Salvation Army. 

"Meet the Candidates"

Thanks to our crack legislative committee, Jim and A.J. Foster and Elaine Banks, the candidates were, if not fully prepared, well-behaved.  And for a room full of former teachers, that was a good thing. (I hate having to discipline candidates for public office, don't you? Sometimes their unruliness is quite distracting.)

Questions, prepared by the committee were asked of each candidate who in turn either answered the question, skirted the question, or gave a response that had little to do with the question.

Thanks again, to Jim, AJ, and Elaine for a well-attended event and one where all those in attendance were enabled to cast more intelligent votes.  

On a slightly different note:  Each year when we host the local candidates and their challengers for our "Meet the Candidates" luncheon,  I am reminded of this set of lyrics from Paul Simon's classic, "Mrs. Robinson."

Sitting on a sofa on a Sunday afternoon, 

Going to the candidates debate.

Laugh about it, shout about it,

When you've got to choose, 

Ev'ry way you look at it, you lose. 

Click the lyrics to hear the song. This stanza happens at 2 mins, 45 secs. 

"And We're Off"

Our August Picnic this year featured new officers, President Tom Callahan, and VP/Program Chair, Dottie Stevens; great picnic food (hamburger, baked beans, hot dogs, chips and a brownie); and Eric Van Winkle, who presented the newly opening Gesa Carousel of Dreams to the members.  

"BFSRA, local Benefit Fairs, and New Active Members"

This is the time of the school year when the local school districts run their Benefits Fairs for their employees.  At these fairs employees can learn about and sign up for such things as insurance, Costco plans, counselor services, dental plans, etc., etc., etc.  Our association is always there with pleasant smiles, lots of hand-outs and application forms.

Thanks to our fearless Membership Committee Chair, Don Parks, 36 new actives filled out applications and joined our association.  Way to go, Don.

I took short video of the Pasco School District Benefits Fair, and thought you might like to see what happens inside what appears to have bee-hive qualities. (Apologies for the quality of the video, I guess a smart iPhone can't do everything.)

"Update from the Convention - A Need for Concern"

From WSSRA's state convention in Vancouver, Walla Walla's Legislative Committee Chair, Jim Davison, sent this to Elaine.  It would behoove all members to read this and take action as they see fit.

"A Need for Concern"   

Several of us just returned from the Washington State School Retiree Association annual convention, this year held in Vancouver, Washington. *(Regarding legislative concerns), we heard that 45 other states are cutting pensions (Washington State’s systems have been fully funded for 3 years running) and most one-time dollar fixes have already been made which will make the 2015 legislative session extremely challenging (a likely shortfall of at least $2 billion).

Because of that shortfall it is expected that legislators are likely to seriously look at cutting/eliminating retirees’ health insurance benefit (subsidy) which has already been reduced from $183 to $150 per month. (ALL current retirees get this whether they realize it or not.) This would result in an immediate cash flow increase for the legislature, and reduction for retirees of $1,800 per year!

For those still actively employed the push will be to create a defined contribution retirement system, getting the State out of the business since each retiree would be responsible for their own investments. Though some individuals may be very capable, even the professionals—who do it for a fee—have generally not done as well as those in charge of the State investments. In addition, those employees in a defined contribution system would NOT be eligible to participate in the State-sponsored health insurance!

 A by-product of switching to a defined-contribution system would be no more money going into existing retirement systems from employees. Currently investment earnings on those plans are responsible for $.84 of every $1.00 paid. With no new funds coming into those plans investments earnings will continue to decline, increasing the amount which the State must provide. That would continue until members of existing plans must no longer be paid (die).

This is information to think about and digest. Another email will be coming shortly with suggestions of what to say when you have a chance to meet with legislators or candidates.

"Suggestions for How You Can Help" 

As mentioned previously, members of WSSRA have two main concerns in the 2015 legislative session. For retirees it is the $150 benefit (subsidy) which each gets to help defray the cost of health insurance. For those still actively employed or who will be hired in the future it is the likely push for creation of a defined-contribution retirement system.

When retirees meet a legislator or candidate introduce yourself while making eye contact. Below are suggestions picked up at the WSSRA convention to use after introducing yourself:
     a) I am a retired school (state your position—aid, teacher, nurse, cook, secretary, principal, etc.)
     b) I started (teaching, working in schools) in 19__. I chose that career because I believe that our future is in our children. Though the pay was never as much as private enterprise I was assured that in retirement I would be treated fairly.

     c) I want you to know how important it is to me that you help me by funding and managing the retirement I was assured of when first starting work in a school district.
     d) The way food and utility costs are rising due to inflation, I’m concerned whether my state pension (tell them what it is if you feel comfortable doing so) will continue to be adequate. (The reason for telling them the amount of your pension is to let them know we are NOT rich and NOT receiving the huge amounts which make the news.)
     e) I want to give you my support but need to know you will support me.

Keep in mind these are only suggestions and may be modified or eliminated. The main thing is they need to know who you are and your story. If you are satisfied with your choice of candidate volunteer to help by:

    a) Putting a yard sign in your yard.

    b) Or in your friends/neighbor’s yards.
    c) Offer to help by introducing candidate to your neighbors (doorbelling or block party, distributing pamphlets).
    d) Make a small contribution (a check for a few dollars but definitely less than $20).

The more of us that legislators/candidates know the more they will think of us when issues comes up which affect us—and they will think of you when contacted during the legislative session concerning legislation important to you."

Jim Davison, Legislative Committee

WWCSRA

*(small edit by Jim Bumgarner)

"Installation of Officers: 2014 - 2015"

Past president of BFSRA and past State president, Marion Hughes, installed the following officers for the 2014 - 2015 year. They are, from left to right:  President, Tom Callahan; Marion Hughes; VP and Program Chair, Dottie Stevens; Treasurer, Marlys Mayer; and Secretary, Lew Edming. We not only wish them well in their new terms but offer any assistance they may need in order to more effectively fulfill their terms as they advance the missions of both WSSRA and our own local association, BFSRA.

"Final Message from President Jim Bumgarner"

Jim taking potshots at pigeons from aboard the USS Yorktown.

And so we end another year here at BFSRA, and what a great year it has been!  We have welcomed many new members, awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships and teacher grants,  delivered nine monthly newsletters, four of which are snail mailed, to over 600 people, provided hundreds of Toys for Tots during the holiday season, and hosted a very successful Pre-Retirement Workshop to over 100 people. 

Outstanding programs from Terry Simmelink entertaining us in August; to the Candidate's Debate; Saundra Hill, Supt. PSD; the Toy Drive; Lisa Toomey and the Hanford Reach Project; Callaway Gardens and Alzheimers;  and WSU Tri-Cities, presented by Chancellor H. Keith Moo-Young, kept us entertained, interested and informed.

We continue to try to cut a few expenses by decreasing snail-mailed newsletters and increasing email deliveries (snail-mail deliveries cost just over $1200/year for four issues).  We want to significantly increase the number of teachers applying for our grants, and we have some good ideas about how to go about doing so. And we have newly elected leaders chomping at the bit to get next year put together before August arrives.

We are in good hands with Tom Callahan, Dottie Stevens, Marlys Mayer and Lew Edming at the helm for the upcoming year. 

Thank YOU for two great years as your President, and here's hoping you have a great summer!  

Jim Bumgarner, Outgoing President 

May 19, 2014: Memorial Service

Thanks to President-elect, Tom Callahan, and Leona Hassing for the Memorial Services they presented at our last luncheon of the year.  Announcements were distributed to members and as Tom called out names, Leona placed a red rose into a vase for each named called.



 

"Scholarship Winners: 2013"

As we like to say  here at BFSRA,  we like to "grow our own," and in so doing, our scholarship winners were proudly awarded their scholarships at the April luncheon this past Monday.

They are, from left to right: 

Neydeen Martinez is a Pasco High Running Start student who plans to transfer to Eastern Washington University to pursue an elementary education major and Spanish minor. She received a $1,000 BFSRA scholarship.

Madeline Serrano, a Pasco High senior, is planning to teach kindergarten after attending Eastern Washington University as an early childhood major. She received a $1,000 BFSRA scholarship and also a Washington State School Retirees Association Foundation $1,500 scholarship.

Kaitlynn Kleinbach of Connell High School is planning to attend Whitworth University as an early elementary education major. She received a $900 Robert J. Handy Scholarship, sponsored by PEMCO, that is renewable for four years, for a total of $3,600.

Courtney Lybbert of Southridge High plans to major in elementary education and minor in child development. Her goal is teaching grades K-4. She received a $1,000 scholarship.

Unable to the luncheon was, Gianna Nino-Tapio, a senior at Southridge High School, who is considering enrollment at Oregon State University with a dual major in education and health. She received a $1,000 scholarship.

A large dose of gratitude goes to Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs, Shirley Frare and Alice Allison, for their dedication and hard work that went into this year's selections; and to Don Parks for stepping in to make the presentations at the luncheon due to Shirley and Alice both not being able to attend.  All went very well.

"Retirement Workshop: A Big Success"

Jan Fraley delivering her "Retirement - What do I do First?" presentation.

One hundred and two school employees contemplating retirement, from the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas attended BFSRA's Retirement Workshop, Thursday evening, April 17th, in the Pasco School District administrative office.  The workshop was a resounding success.    

Thank you to all of the following for their help, assistance, guidance and expertise: 

The Presenters:  
"What do I do Now?" - Jan Fraley;  PEBB Health Insurance - Larry Cade; VEBA - Kristin Faris and Jessica Haguewood; Social Security and Retirement Tips - Matthew Riesenweber and Matt Wise from Waddell & Reed; WSSRA - Rick Nebeker; BFSRA - Don Parks; AMBA - Rohn Rutledge; DRS Plans I & II - Bob Fox; and Plan III - Mark Miller. 

Pasco School District #1: 

Saundra Hill, Superintendent; John Morgan, Assistant Superintendent; Randy Nunamaker, Director Support Services; and Rosalie.

Kathy Goodwin, Walla Walla and Regional (E8) Retirement Planning Committee

Supertintendent Secretaries - 7 Regional School Districts: 

Connie Smith - Kahlotus; Jean Martin - Pasco;  Linda Tucker - Kennewick; Nancy Mayer - Richland, Peggy D - Patterson; Rawline Mann - North Franklin; Shelly Knight - Kiona/Benton

Benton/Franklin School Employees Association: 

Elaine Banks, Chair Retirement Planning Committee; Don Parks, Chair Membership Committee; Helen Bruggeman, Refreshments

Helpers and Volunteers from BFSRA:

Marlys Mayer, Jan Nilsson, Leona Hassing, Helen Bakshas, Tom Callahan, Lew Edming, Alice Allison,Sharon Weens.

March Program: "Dr. H. Keith Moo-Young, Chancellor WSU Tri-Cities"

Our speaker at the March luncheon was Dr. H. Keith Moo-Young, Chancellor WSU Tri-Cities.  Dr. Moo-Young joined Washington State University Tri-Cities on June 1, 2013.

A licensed Professional Engineer, Dr. Moo-Yong served as Dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at California State University, Los Angeles, prior to coming to the Tri-Cities.  He earned his Ph.D. and an MS in Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an Executive Master's in Technology Management from the University of Pennsylvania, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Morgan State University.

Dr. Moo-Young spoke of the history of WSU Tri-Cities - surprising most in the room when he told how it started in the 1960's, long before the governor of Washington signed a law in 1989 forming 5 branch canvases: 2 for the University of Washington and 3 for Washington State University. 

He shared his thoughts and plans for creating an educational environment that will help ensure the USA be a strong competitor in the global landscape. With "China producing one-million engineers annually, India producing 700,000 engineers annually and the USA producing only 70,000," he said, "we are no longer globally competitive."  In face of these statistics, Dr. Moo-Young remains positive.  "This creates an opportunity for us," he said.  "With 5,000 scientist and engineers adjacent to WSU Tri-Cities we can achieve at much higher rates than most other places."

"With little to no recruiting, we have students from 28 of the 38 Washington counties, 12 states outside Washington state, and 10 countries."  He said WSU TC has access to two-million dollars earmarked for tuition scholarships.  "We can provide tuition scholarships that will decrease the cost of attending here to less than the in-state tuition California charges its own students."

Student housing will improve as well as the opportunity for students to be involved in athletics.  "This is not an intramural program we are building but a Club-Sports program, one where anyone can play and compete with other such programs throughout the Northwest.  Athletic involvement creates ownership and feelings of belonging in students and that encourages higher graduation rates."

It is indeed encouraging to hear such focused and aggressive leadership coming out of our own higher ed community. 

Thanks to Tom Callahan for another outstanding program for our members this month.

February: "Attendance Matters Update" and "Aging, Dementia, and Alzheimer's"

At today's luncheon two excellent presentations were offered:

Michelle Roth of "United Way", provided us an update on the "Attendance Matters" program which Dr. Bruce Hawkins, Superintendent of ESD #123, first presented to our members last September. Ms. Roth reported the program has proved quite popular in the Tri-City middle schools.

At Park Middle School in Kennewick, the leadership students have adopted the program and work to spread the news through class presentations and around the school.  PMS reported 200 perfect attenders through first semester this year.  Not one of those records will ever be surpassed.  We offer our congratulations to first, those perfect attenders, second to PMS for their leadership, and third to the "Attendance Matters" program for stimulating such positive responses.  Way to go!!

Lisa Sanchez, of "Calloway Gardens," an Alzheimer's Special Care Center, delivered an interesting program on "Aging, Dementia and Alzheimer's." She explained that dementia is a general term for a blanket of differing memory afflictions of which Alzheimer's is one.  It is also the most prevalent.

Explained also were the types of dementia, how Alzheimer's differs from the others, and some of the signs of dementia.  Interested members can find further information HERE.

Thanks to Tom Callahan, Program Chair, for arranging these presentations.
 

"Retirement Workshop Closed to Further RSVP's"

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to the Retirement Seminar to be hosted by the Benton/Franklin School Retirees Association on April 17th, we are CLOSING the opportunity for further rsvp's as of the posting of this message.

Thank you to everyone who helped get the word out initially.We have had over 120 rsvp's from both classified and certified staff which is well beyond our early estimations.

Elaine Banks, Chair Pre-Retirement Workshop Committee

Don Parks, member

Jim Bumgarner, member

January: The Hanford Reach Project

Lisa Toomey, Director of the Hanford Reach Project, provided members with an update of this historically troubled, controversial, and finally astonishing project.  Once the location of the facility was determined and approved, construction began almost immediately in the western end of the Columbia Park.  It will be ready for its public opening in July, this year.  The official title, "The Hanford Reach Interpretive Center." 

The Reach will offer programs for all ages in performing and visual arts, our natural history, historical features of the area, agricultural, and many others. The educational program will include programs for K-12 students revolving around the science, art, and physical activities.  Staff development and inservice programs for local teachers will be offered. 

Tours will be offered in the following areas:  photo safaris, Ice Age Floods, bird watching, B Reactor, wildflowers, orchards and vinyards, wineries and breweries, foods, a concert at Maryhill Museum, cooking and tasting tours, a Day on the Farm, an oil plant, various jet boat excursions, and Palouse Falls. 

Indeed, there will be something for everyone and something which will significantly enhance the quality of life in the TriCity area. 

November: Toy Drive and Musical Entertainment

In November we held our annual toy drive for the Salvation Army.  Anna Avila, Social Services Director for the Salvation Army, presented a brief history of the Salvatin Army and its program of providing help to 106 nations around the world. She also spoke about the Food Bank, clothing drive3s, and helping the homeless in the TriCities.  Anna graciously thanked the BFSRA members for their donations of toys and games to the Annual Salvation Army Toy Drive, and said, "many children will receive gifts for Christmas this year because of your efforts."  Thank you Anna.  We were honored to be a part of the program.

Following the Toy Drive, we were entertained by the Columbia Connection, A Quartet.  Member of the quartet were Lois Raymond, Jo Yetter, Tami Rawlins and Janet Christian.  Most of the music was focused on the Christmas season, but in their opening number they sang, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."  Here you see them wearing their lion manes.  

OCTOBER: Lunch with Saundra Hill, Supt of the Year, 2013.

Saundra Hill, Superintendent of
Pasco School District.

When Saundra Hill delivered her talk to the WSSRA State Convention in Pasco last June, we decided to invite her to share that talk with us at one of luncheons.  She was gracious enough to join us in October and we were thrilled to have her with us. After her talk, yours truly said to her, "If I were a young teacher looking for a job and knew what I now know about you and your district, I would be handing you an application, right now!"  
Saundra has been Pasco School District’s Superintendent since 2002, but her roots in this community reach back three decades. She came to Pasco in 1982 already a veteran teacher, having worked in Bickleton and PeEll prior to entering the Pasco School District as a Migrant Resource Teacher at Longfellow Elementary. Her career in the District continued on an upward trajectory. By 1986 Hill had been promoted to District Bilingual Program Administrator, by 1990 she had taken a cabinet position as Director of Staff Development and Evaluation, and in 1993 she took the helm as Director of Special Programs, overseeing such programs such as Title 1 Basic, Migrant, Bilingual Education, and Student Assessment and Evaluation, as well as supervising and developing programs to improve student achievement.  In 2013, she was named Superintendent of the Year in Washington State.

She is also "one of us," a member Benton/Franklin School Retirees Association.