Welcome Back!

Welcome back to BFSRA's 2016-2017 year!!  Celebrating the opening of this new year today we began as we always do, with an indoor picnic (you just can't predict the weather) with music and socializing as we met up with friends from previous years, and a few new ones. The music was provided by, "Vickie and the Boys," who played some of older western standards; while the menu included pulled pork or hot dog or mixed salad with a brownie.

We heard from Jan Fraley regarding the SHAKE Program; Denny Brown, who is looking for mentors to work with young teachers (for a nice stipend); and from Todd Kenning with the MORE Project.

A great time was had by all.

"A Celebration of Life"

Outgoing vice-president/program chair, Helen Bakshas, put together a very moving "Celebration of Life" at the May Luncheon designed to remember, and celebrate, the lives of those members who we lost this year:   

Ardra E. Barbee, Louise O. Black, Glendine W. Boston, George A. Clark, Arthur B. Finke, Walter W. Grisham, Jill A. Hilmer, Darlene La Borde, Inez Miller, Helen K. Nash, Clyde L. Painter, Laurel R. Piippo, Alice Shaw, Ralhp P/ Stredwick, Ariden M. Vie, and Nellie A. Whetsler.

All will be sorely missed and long remembered by not only loved ones, family, and colleagues, but also the many students they taught and served throughout all those years. 

The program included a Prelude by LaVonne Johnson; "Borning Cry" sung by Helen Bakshas; "His Eye is on the Sparrow" sung by Vickie Bowles; "On Eagle's Wings" sung by Lindy Anderson; "When Peasce Like a River," sung by LaVonne Johnson, and "Amazing Grace" sung by all with accompaniment on the trumpet by Vickie Bowles. 

Names were read and member placed roses in a single vase. 

A touching celebration; thank you, Helen. 

Installation of Officers for 2016 - 2017

Meet your new officers for the upcoming year, and installing officer, WSSRA President, Bill Bergsma.  

If you see some familiar faces, you shouldn't be surprised. Lew and Marlys have held their offices for many years and continue to carry out their responsibilities in high fashion. Helen and Dottie have simply traded places, Dottie was president for 2015-2016, Helen was Vice-President/Program Chair.  We doubt this has happened very many times in the history of BFSRA, but we have no reservations about the year they are already putting together for 2016 - 2017. 

They are, L to R:  Lew Eming, Secretary; Marlys Mayer, Treasurer; Bill Bergsma, Helen Bakshas, President; and Dottie Stevens, Vice-President/Program Chair.

WSSRA President, Bill Bergsma, Visits BFSRA

Washington State School Retirees Association president, Bill Bergsma, visited BFSRA today.

He gave us an update on his experiences in that role; even commenting that BFSRA was, "the largest luncheon I have attended this year."

Bill also shared how rewarding it has been this past year working with the our new Executive Director, Michael Boring (who visited last month).

President Bergsma also installed our new officers for the 2016 - 2017 year.

Thank  you, President Bergsma. We  enjoyed having you with us today.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Curtis Horne

Dr. Curtis Horne and wife, Carolyn.

We were honored hear from Dr. Curtis Horne at the April luncheon. We heard him speak at the state convention in Wenatchee last summer and invited him to join us this month.

Dr. Horne graduated from lake Stevens High School.  He went on to earn a BA degree from Western Washington College of Education, an MA degree from Central Washington University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Idaho.

He taught elementary grades in Skagit County and in the secondary school in Pacific County. He has served vice principal and has held several central office positions including superintendent of schools; he served as a member of the board of directors and state president of the Washington Association of School Administrators. He lives in Port Angeles with his wife Carolyn.

Dr. Horne shared with us a briefing of some research he conducted into the life of organizations: how they start, how they grow, and how they end. The important factor in any organization, he said, was how that organization meets the needs of its constituents.  As long as their demands are being met the organization will grow and prosper, if not, they will experience decline. Examples he gave were some of the fraternal organizations that are no longer the driving forces they once were; specifically, the Masons, the Elks, Moose and others; many churches are experiencing the same decline.

Dr. Horne applied those concepts to WSSRA. What are the demands of the members? They are twofold: 1) We want our pensions protected, and 2) We enjoy the opportunity for social interactions.

WSSRA works diligently to protect not only our (retired members) pensions, but also those retirees of the future, the actives. He strongly advocated that each of us know our 3 legislators (we each have 3). They are "regular folks" like the rest of us, so shake hands with them at the fairs, at the town-hall meetings, and invite them to the luncheons (we do, and they are already scheduled for next fall to join us). Ask them if they believe the legislature should keep its promises, let them know your concern is that in regards to the TRS1 and PERS1, they have not. Stay in contact with them.

We know from personal interviews with them, they prefer emails. Many have told us they come right into their cell phones, and that the input they receive from their constituents is vital to their work.

Social Interaction:  Interesting Dr. Horne brought that up, there has been some discussion amongst a few of the board members about BFSRA organizing a few social activites outside the usual monthly luncheon fare. Anyone interested in a wine tour?

Thanks to Dr. Horne for sharing his insights and wisdom.

 

Scholarship Winners Announced at April Luncheon:

At our April luncheon were introduced to our Scholarship winners from both our region, E-8 (Benton/Franklin, Walla Walla, Asotin/Dayton), and our own BFSRA winners who are students in the School of Education at WSU-TriCities.

First, the Scholarship Winners:

This year, for the first time, BFSRA is awarding its 3 scholarships to students enrolled in the School of Education at WSU:TriCities. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000 and we proud to announce the winners from L to R: Kylee Chiesa, will graduate in 2017 with a degree in Special Education, she is a graduate of Southridge High School; David Isley, will also graduate in 2017 and will work in the primary grades, he graduated from Chiawana High School;  and David Ryther, who will graduate this year and plans to tech middle school math, he graduated from Kennewick High School.  

Congratulations to each!!!

L to R: Kylee Chiesa, David Isley, David Ryther.

We are also proud to announce all three winners from WSSRA-Region 8 (Benton/Franklin, Walla Walla, and Asotin/Dayton) are from our TriCity area. They are, from left to right: Madalyn Jacobs (Connell High School), Kaitlin Rosenthal (Richland High School), and Trevor Roberts, (Kamaikin High School).

Madalyn and Kaitlin, recipients of the Robert J. Handy Scholarship will receive $900/year for up to 4 years. Trevor receives the WSSSRA-Foundation Scholarhsip, a one-time grant of $1,500.  

Congratulations to each!!! 

L to R: Madalyn Jacobs, Kaitlin Rosenthal, and Trevor Roberts. 

Dr. Michael Boring, WSSRA Executive Director, Visits BFSRA

L to R:  President, Dottie Stevens; WSSRA Executive Director, Dr. Mike Boring;
Sharon Boring; Vice President/Program Chair, Helen Bakshas 

Vice-President/Program Chair, Helen Bakshas, introduced Dr. Michael Boring, Executive Director, WSSRA, and his wife Sharon, at the luncheon today. Dr. Boring and his wife grew up small town Lewis County; he from Rochester, she from Little Rock, Wa. They met in high school and have been married 54 years this coming June. They have three sons; one is the principal at Corvallis High School in Oregon.

Dr. Boring reported the legislators successfully protected our benefits this session; however the COLA lost to Plan I retirees a few years ago is still to be approved for reinstatement. The upswing in that regard, he said, was that the members have done a good job of keeping this issue before lawmakers, and there is a growing number of them who understand and support our plight in this regard. He also said that WSSRA does a good job of keeping relations with the legislators positive, which fosters good working relationships: he said it doesn't work as well with other groups. Good for us!

There will 150 seats up for re-election next November. We must remain vigilant to find and support those who give good cause to our issues. There will likely be the need to re-tread as we re-train new members, as he said there well could be a "less friendly" reception by the legislature once all the new lawmakers are in place.

WSSRA now entertains just over 18,000 members (25% of which are actives), from a potential of 50,000 retirees. Those numbers lend clout in Olympia. He would like to see us grow to 20,000 in the next few years. "The larger we grow, the more successful we will accomplishing our goals." Amen.

Dr. Boring also noted that our (WSSRA's) emphasis on scholarships, active members, and teacher grants put us ahead of the rest of the country, as an association. He talked about how important it is for us to lend support to students pursuing education as a career, and to continue to provide teacher grants which gets us into the schools and in front of today's school employees. We couldn't agree more.

IN OTHER NEWS: 

Marlys Mayer and Jim Bumgarner, Award Nominees

Marlys Mayer - McNaughton Outreach Award Nominee 

Due to her participation "beyond the programs of WSSRA in her community, developing a better life for community members, and improving the image of retired school employees in this community," Marlys has been nominated for the prestigious, state-level, award. In addition to her commitment as our Treasurer for the last 14 years, she is devoted to volunteering at Kadlec Hospital for 15 years and more than 5.000 hours. She orients and trains over 100 high school students who volunteer more than 11,000 hours at the hospital; and this is just one example of her fine community service in the Tri-Cities.

Jim Bumgarner - Hoban Meritorious Award Nominee

Jim has "performed beyond the norm to accomplish his assigned duty within the association." He served twice as President of Unit 29 and has committed to being our regional E-8 District Rep next year.  He also chairs the very successful Pre-Retirement Seminar where over the past three years, over 300 future retirees have attended.  Jim is tech savvy; he is the guy running the "blogspot" and the Facebook group page for BFSRA. Jim is very artistic. He drew and donated the new header for our newsletter.

Rohn Rutledge - AMBA Representative was with us today. Rohn shared the benefits of membership in AMBA, and - made sure we know he is not a salesman, but rather someone who makes sure we have good information upon which to base some important decisions affecting our retirement status.

Don Parks - Membership Chair, reported we have 745 members. I think Don has personally signed up over half of them. Nice work, Don. Click here to send Don an email. 

Alice Allison - Scholarship Chair, reported that WSU has chosen our Scholarship winners and they will be announced at the next luncheon. You might remember the Executive Board has decided to award scholarships to local college students already enrolled in schools of education. In that pursuit, the colleges choose the recipients for us. Whew!

See you next month.

Boys & Girls Clubs of B/F Counties: Music & Arts Center

Josh Peterson, Director, of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties, presented members with an outstanding program today regarding this even more outstanding facility and place for kids to grow and learn.

With 100 currently enrolled members, about 70 attend the program on a daily basis. The club is open from 3:30pm to 6:30pm, Mondays through Fridays; with a Summer Camp available as well.

To achieve their mission of empowering all young people, especially those who need the club most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens: Students are encouraged to stay in school and on track to graduate; they are taught to eat healthy and to stay active through fun activities; and they are active in many community volunteer activities and many become leaders in their school and/or social circles.

Students are offered over 25 programs in music, art, dance and technology that are not included in the public school offerings. Fees do apply, but no one has been turned away due to a lack of ability to pay.

Watch the kids in action in this very professionally produced video done at the downtown Kennewick club: Click Here.

Tri-City School Superintendents Discuss the Levy

L to R: Rick Schulte, Richland School Superintendent; Michelle Whitney,
Pasco School Superintendent: Dave Bond, Kennewick School Superintendent. 

BFSRA was honored at the January luncheon to host the three superintendents from the Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick School Districts.  They were there to discuss the February 9th levy elections coming up in each district.

Each had ten minutes or so for presentation and each laid out their particular situations very clearly. The basics are: Bonds are for buildings, levies are for learning; the state isn't meeting it's obligation to fund it's "paramount duty" and even if they did, as Rick Schulte said, "we would want more than what is needed for the basics."

Levies primarily fund student learning and staffing; instructional support and technology; athletics and activies; operations and maintenance. Levy requests for this election are, in each district, Replacement Levies meaning the funding they seek will not increase taxes, but merely continue the same amounts presently being utilized for operations:  Kennewick property owners would continue to pay at $3.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value per year; Pasco would continue at $4.50; and Richland at $3.28.

Thank you, Superintendents, for your expertise, knowledge, and dedication to all our kids.

Please Vote!!  

November Luncheon: Salavation Army Toy Drive and Holiday Music

Each year BFSRA conducts an unwrapped-toy drive for the Salvation Army Toy Drive.  Ana Avila, Social Services Director, for the local Salvation Army was in attendance to receive this substantial collection brought by members to today's luncheon. Ms Avila reported along with our help the SA was able to deliver over 3,000 toys to needy children last year.

Be Proud BFSRA



Music was provided by Steve Haberman on the keyboard and singing, Mary Lou Gnoza. Steve and Mary Lou are well-known entertainers here in the Tri-Cities, and they were, at one time, if not more than once, regulars on a jazz-talk radio program.

Click the pic for a "You Tube" featuring Steve and Mary Lou,  along with the near 100 members who turned out today for the luncheon.

A Tribute to our Armed Services with Ginger Emerson, Gold Star Mother

Thank you, to Helen Bakshas, Vice-President/Program Chair, for one of the most moving programs we have experienced in years: "A Tribute to our Armed Services with Ginger Emerson, Gold Star Mother."

The program began with a presentation of the colors and a fine rendition of the National Anthem by Helen Bakshas and Vicki Bowles.

Flags for each of the military services were presented with the hymns associated with each: Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard and the recently added Merchant Marines. The POW/Mia flag was presented later in the program.

The highlight was the presentation by Ginger Emerson *, Gold Star Mother, from Grandview, WA. She told us about the service banners which were introduced in 1917 by a father who had two sons involved in World War I. The banners placed a blue star in the a field of white surrounded by a red boundary and were hung in windows of families whose sons were involved in the conflict. Later, the Gold Star was added inside the frame of the blue star to honor those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

This Gold Star banner hangs in Ginger's son, Matthew's, bedroom window.


Mrs. Emerson explained that when she was a girl, her mother, a member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Prosser, would take Ginger and her siblings downtown each year to sell poppies and hand out brochures during Prosser's annual Veteran's Day Parade. It wasn't until her son enlisted in the Army that some of the nuances of her mother's actions and intentions became clear.

Ginger presented an interesting oral history of the military from it's early stages as a series of state militias in the New England colonies. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress, acting in response to the growing conflict between the state militias and the British army, created our first Army, and commissioned General George Washington as Commander-in-Chief,

And, as we all know, the War of Independence led to our freedom from Britain, and the writing of our Constitution.


Conscription (the draft), the National Cemeteries, Taps, the introduction of airplanes during WWI, the red poppies, the Civil War, WWII, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the most recent conflict in Iraq were topics weaved into her presentation.

Most of us cannot imagine the pain, the grief, and suffering of losing a child at any time, during war or peacetime. It was indeed a bittersweet few moments with Ginger this morning as she shared the loss of her son, Matthew.

Matthew Emerson, 20,  was killed in Mosul, Iraq, on Sepember 18, 2007.  We found this as the last few lines in his obituary,  "Rest in peace, our beloved Matthew. You fought our good fight, and we are all the better for it.  You have left a hole in our hearts, which will be healed when we see you again one day."

Thank you, Ginger, for a moving presentation and for allowing us to join you in a moving tribute to your son, Matthew.

Ginger Emerson speaking with BFSRA members following the luncheon. 

L to R:  Helen Bakshas, Ginger Emerson, Dottie Stevens

* Side note: Ginger was a student at Prosser High School when Don Parks, Tom Callahan, and Jim Bumgarner taught there.  We are all proud to know that this once very positive and smart young lady has become such an elegant, and gracious, mother and wife.

Retirement Seminar: October 15th

Jan Fraley, delivering her presentation on "Retirement - What Should I do First?" at Pasco High School, Oct. 15th

Pasco High School hosted BFSRA's "3rd Annual Retirement Seminar" October 15th in the second floor library.  Approximately 100 attendees were provided valuable information needed for successful retirement planning and retirement. 

Thank you's to: 

Alejandro Vergara, Assistant Principal, Pasco High School 

Presenters: Jan Fraley, Larry Cade, Kristin Faris, Matthew Reisenwebber, Rick Nebeker, Don Parks, Rohn Rutledge, and Rachel Schneider. 

Planners: Elaine Banks, Don Parks, Dottie Stevens, and Jim Bumgarner, Committee Chair.    

Legislative Luncheon: Oct 8th

L to R:  AJ Foster, Rep. Joe Schmick, Joy Ledgerwood, Rep. Larry Haler, Rep. Brad Klippert, Aide Megan Allen

Sen Sharon Brown, Sen Mark Schoesler, Reps Larry Haler, Brad Klippert, Joe Schmick, Legislative Aides Jan Swenson, Megan Allen and Skyler Rude met with Elaine Banks, Jim and AJ Foster, Jim Bumgarner, Dottie Stevens and Joy Legerwood over brunch on Oco 8th at Cousins in Pasco.

Senator Mark Schoesler and Jim Foster 

Elaine welcomed the Legislators and Aides and Jim Foster gave them an overview of our concerns/issues, including medical subsidy, COLAS, & Retirement programs.

Senator Sharon Brown and Dottie Stevens 

We thanked them for not cutting our Medical Subsidy again and asked that not be an issue next session.

It was also explained that we understand the financial dilemma they are in but ask that they not balance it on retiree backs.

We are on fixed incomes and conno tafford more cuts and in fact need a COLA.

L to R:  Aide Jen Swenson, Dottie Stevens (back of head),
Aide Skylar Rude, and Senator Sharon Brown

A number of conversations took place while people we eating. The Legislators wee very interested in concerns of active teacher in regard to class size, curriculum, the lack of subs, why more people are not going int teaching, etc. Several were taking copious notes as we tried to answer their questions.


Elaine Banks, Jim and AJ Foster

From: Dottie Stevens, President: 2015 - 2016.

President: Dottie Stevens 

Welcome to the 2015-16 year for the Benton Franklin School Retirees Association. I am looking forward to serving as your president with the assistance of an excellent board. Please welcome to our board Donna Brown, who will lead our Health and Protective Services and Ardith Eakin, who will lead our Greeters. 


Helen Bakshas and I met with Shirley Simmons of Country Gentleman where we have had three years of wonderful food and service. We have added some new menu items in keeping with our spring survey and hope you are delighted as we are with the additions. We will increase luncheon costs a dollar this year to $14.00. 

Luncheons will begin on August 24th at 11:30 am. We will enjoy our favorite “Indoor Picnic” with hamburgers, hotdogs, salads and brownies. 

Helen, a retired music educator and our President-Elect, will be filling our meetings with sweet melodies and musicians. Be prepared to enjoy yourself at every meeting during this 2015-2016 year. 

We will be recognizing our Unit 29 nominees for the Stan McNaughton Outreach Award – Marlys Mayer and the Patrick T. Hoban Meritorious Award – Jim Bumgarner. Don Parks will be recognized for bringing WSSRA recognition to us for high membership increases, and Hollis Morris will be recognized for 25 years of unit service for leading Health and Protective Services. 

Please assist us with our Service Goal by supporting SHAKE (Seniors Helping All Kids’ Education) at our August meeting. Our timely donations will help area youth off to a good school start (see SHAKE article this issue). 

We are also looking for interested members to assist with reorganizing our Teacher Grants Program. Contact me directly if you are interested. 

Thank you. 

"2015 Convention and Delegates"

L to R:  Jim Bumgarner, Elaine Banks, Dottie Stevens, Tom Callahan, Marlys Mayer,
Lew Edming, Jim and A.J. Foster, Hollis Morris.
Not Pictured:  Don Parks, Helen Bakshas

We had a grand time in Wenatchee at the state convention.  New state officers were elected, Rick Nebeker, our former E8 rep and Walla Walla all around good guy, was elected to President-Elect for the upcoming year, and he will serve as the state president in 2016-2017.

We said "goodbye" to our former executive director, Ed Gonion, and his wife, Diane.  They will be sorely missed as both provided such great leadership, grace and integrity to the office.  Ed's replacement will be Mike Boring, a long time and highly respected educator from Washington state.

Other "big news" is our dues have been raised by $2/month.  That state will recieve one dollar per month for each member and the local associations will receive one dollar per month per their local  members.  We have yet to decide how those funds will be best utilized.  The original impetus for the motion came out of the Committee to Investigate Convention Costs as a way for locals associations alleviate some of those expenses.  We may also be looking at increasing our scholarship and teacher grants accounts.

Lastly, our state PAC committee reported that due to our ability now to endorse candidates prior to elections, we have achieved a degree of "clout" heretofore unknown in Olympia. Count that as a definite possibility as to why both the House and Senate have approved keeping our $150/month Medicare subsidy in the proposed state budget lying on the governor's desk.  We'll know more later.

To that end, it is time to get those emails going out to your local legislators, thanking them for their support in this issue this time around, and making sure they know we are still keeping an eye on the process and will continue to encourage them to support all school retirees.  

More posts to follow......