holiday party monday, december 7, 2015dec 12, 2015 · merced theatre – deadline: january 8, 2016...

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Your Partner in Pension Protection

Merced/Mariposa Area 6 Division 34 December 2015 & January 2016

HOLIDAY PARTY

Monday, December 7, 2015 Bella Luna/ DeAngelo’s at Noon

Members $25.00 Non-Members $35.00

Limited to 60 Seats Make Reservation Early!

Deadline: November 30th

Published in the interest of retired Merced & Mariposa County educators and the educational community CalRTA—Division 34-Area 6.

Online:div34.calrta.org. Webpage: http://div34.calrta.org/ Facebook: Calrta Div34 Newsletter Editor: Sharon Spinardi

Music of John Denver “Take Me Home” @ Merced Theatre &

Dinner at Bella Luna Sunday, April 3, 2016 LIMIT 30 SEATS

3:00 PM & Dinner to Follow at Bella Luna

Member $50.00 Non-Member $60.00

Reservation Deadline and NO Refunds after January 8, 2016

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY! LIMITED SEATING!

Make Checks out to: M/M CalRTA (Your check reserves your seat!)

Send to: Lee Ann Applegate, Address in hard copy, Merced, CA 95340, 209-617-1677

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Your Partner in Pension Protection Merced/Mariposa Area 6 Division 34 Newsletter December 2015 & January 2016

President’s Message Dear Members,

We started off this year with two very successful bus trips. First was a day trip to Yosemite National Park where a good

time was had by all, including a delicious lunch at the Ahwahnee Hotel. That trip was followed by a trip to Stoneridge Mall in

Pleasanton, where one could shop until they dropped all day long. These trips are always a popular benefit for being a member

of CalRTA. If you haven’t taken advantage of one of these excursions, you are really missing out.

Our next event is our much anticipated Holiday Party on December 7 at Bella Luna. Space is limited to 60 people, so if

you want to attend, I suggest you get your reservation into Lee Ann as quickly as possible. Your check of $25.00 holds your seat.

The deadline is November 30, no exceptions. Thanks to Lee Ann Applegate and her committee for their hard work planning

these events.

I was privilege to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 17 to receive recognition for our many hours

of volunteer work on behalf of the community. This was in conjunction with Retired Teachers Week. Many thanks to Karen Ar-

nold for collecting those hours. In 2014 we reported 108,471 hours. Congratulations and thanks to our many community volun-

teers.

Saturday morning Story Time has been reinstated at the Merced County Library. Shirley Vaughn-Hulbert has done a

magnificent job of organizing volunteers to read to the youngsters at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. She is still looking for additional

volunteers, so if you are interested, please contact her.

As the holiday season approaches, Sharon and I would like to wish you and your family all the best. May your time with

family and friends be joyous. Hope to see you at the Holiday Lunch or next year at one of our events.

Sincerely, Rich Gipson, President

Pictured are: Marilyn Silva, Shirley Vaughn -Hulbert, Rich Gipson, Karen Arnold and Supervisor Hub Walsh

Board of Supervisors Honors CalRTA Volunteer Efforts On November 17, the Merced County Board of Supervisors recognized the volunteer efforts of CalRTA members in

honor of Retired Teachers Week. President Rich Gibson, along with several representatives of the Merced/Mariposa Division, accepted the certificate on behalf of the 438 members who have spent countless hours volunteering in the community. In 2014, our division reported 108, 471 hours, and we are well on our way to exceeding that total for 2015. These hours are not strictly for education—Anything for which you are not paid can be counted. If you volunteer for child or elderly care, if you participate on committees in the community or at church…it all counts! Your hours are confidential—we only report a total for the division. Because protecting our pensions is critical, these reported hours emphasize the value of retired teachers to the community. So if you haven’t done so yet, please report your volunteer hours to Karen Arnold at [email protected] or 209 384-3651.

mailto:[email protected]

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Ellen Maxwell & Ruth WAX DURING SATURDAY MORNING FAMILY STORYTIME

SATURDAY MORNING FAMILY STORYTIME AT THE LIBRARY

We are scheduled to begin our Family Storytime at the Merced County Library on Novem-

ber 14th at 10:30am. THANKS to the eight teachers who have volunteered for this program.

We did enjoy workshops on October 23 and 30th, provided by Ericka Chilcoat, Children's Librari-

an. However, we do NEED more help! The goal is to have twenty participants!

At this time we are working in pairs to get "our feet wet" -- However, this may change in

the future, depending on need. REMEMBER, this is a new program, and often takes time to blos-

som. We are tentatively scheduled up until December 19th. Therefore, we would appreciate get-

ting more help beginning in January 2016. Please feel free to observe our current volunteers

during the next few Saturdays at 10:30am. Of course, there will be no story time on November

28th, December 26th and January 2,2016. Please call or email Shirley if you can help or just

need more information. email: [email protected] phone: H-722-4782 cell: 628-8646...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS...Shirley Vaughn-Hulbert


Insurance Reminder

Open enrollment to sign up for or make changes to your insurance coverage closes December 7th. For information call HICAP, Health Insurance Counsel-ing and Advocacy Program, at the Merced County Area Agency on Aging, 385-7550.

Mercy Hospital Volunteers Needed

The Mercy Hospital Volunteer organization is seeking new members. Volunteers work

a minimum of 4 hours a week assisting the the hospital staff in various capacities. No specific

skills are required. If you are a compassionate person and have questions about this very worth-

while organization, please contact Janice Wilkerson, volunteer advisor at 564-5007 or Dan

Baladad, Orientation Chairperson at 201-4220. You may also pick up an application at the main

hospital lobby desk.

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Yosemite Valley

Ahwahnee

Lunch

S.H.A.R.E. Program Scholarships and Teacher Grants

SaveMart Shoppers Remember to use your card!

Keep swiping those cards!! If you have a card please

use it. If you would like to help by getting a card to

use give me, Carol Luhring, a call at 383-4260 or e-mail

[email protected] and I will send you a card. You can get them for friends and

family. The major portion of the S.H.A.R.E. money used to fund our teacher grant pro-

gram came from our SaveMart S.H.A.R.E. funds. Thank you. Using your card really makes

a difference. You may also use the card if you make purchases at the pharmacy.


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Upcoming Events

2015-16

Don’t Miss Out on Any CalRTA Events!

In addition to our newsletter, we have multiples resources to keep our members informed. First and foremost is email. If important information

needs to be shared on short notice, emails are an effective form of communication. Unfortunately, many people have yet to give us their email

address. We pledge to not abuse your trust and will not “spam” you with obtrusive emails. Please send your email address to

[email protected]. Put email in the subject line.

In addition to emails, we also have a web site and a new Facebook page for you to access and check for any current information. Our

Facebook page can be accessed by typing in the search box, Calrta Div34. Our web page address is http://div34.calrta.org/

Please check out these resources and take advantage of these new forms of communication.

DECEMBER

7th Holiday Party Luncheon – Bella Luna- Noon – Deadline: November 30th

JANUARY 2015

11th Board Meeting – CTA Office – 10 AM (Any member is welcome to attend.)

FEBRUARY

1st Board Meeting – CTA Office – 10 AM (Any member is welcome to attend.)

22nd Game Day – Senior Center 10 AM – 1 PM

MARCH


17th “Heart for Art” – Multi Cultural Arts Center- Deadline: March 10th

APRIL

3rd “Take Me Home” John Denver Music, Bella Luna Dinner

– 3 PM- Merced Theatre – Deadline: January 8, 2016


MAY

2nd Board Meeting –CTA Office – 10 AM (Any member is welcome to attend.)



http://div34.calrta.org/

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MEMORIAL

Wilma Arnold

New Members

Martha Goodwin

Address in hard copy

Merced, CA 95340-0761

(209)205-0152

[email protected]

Ronald Basmajian


Merced, CA 95340-1719

(209)722-7960

Dorothy F. Pate


Dos Palos, CA 93620-8358

(209)392-0068

Jane Guerra


Merced, CA 95348

(209)723-0384

[email protected]

Corrections or Changes

Christine Cook

[email protected]

Nancy Seifert

[email protected]

Wayne Wallace

[email protected]

Sydna Wallace

[email protected]

“HEART FOR ART" - PLANNING AHEAD!!! St.Patrick's Day, THURSDAY, March 17,2015 - 10:30 am.to be held at the Multi-Cultural Arts Center, downtown, Merced. Our presenters this year

will be SUE THOMPSON and ETHEL NELSON. Sue will share "Collage Techniques" for the amateur artist requiring little drawing ability, or the use of paint brushes. Ethel will share her love

and expertise in Water Color painting, together with her works of art. These artists will be a great team!! Also, we will enjoy a box lunch from Jantz Bakery this year. This pro-gram is open

to friends in the community. The cost is $20.00. Please make your check out to M/M CalRTA and mail to LeeAnn Applegate, Address in hard copy Merced, CA 95340.

Deadline is March 10th. Thanks, Shirley Vaughn-Hulbert






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Membership

GOAL: Promote Long Term Membership

Membership Incentives

New Members: If a new member chooses to

sign up for dues deduction they will be reim-

bursed for their first year dues of $54.00 for

this year only.

Cash members agreeing to renew by enrol-

ling in payroll deduction will be reimbursed

for this year’s dues of $54.00 for this year only.

LET US KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE CONTACT

CHANGES!

When you move or change your address or

telephone number, please let us know any

changes. The post office will only forward first

class mail so your newsletters and directories are

returned to the membership chairman. It is very

difficult to find out where to send them plus there

is postage due on everything that cannot be

delivered. E-mail us at [email protected] or write

CalRTA Div. 34, 371 Tammy Dr., Atwater, CA

95301 so you do not miss your CalRTA mail.

Dues deduction is the most convenient

way to be a member of CalRTA. Each

month, $4.50 is automatically deducted

from your pension check and you do not

have to remember to pay a $54 bill each

year. This saves you postage and you hardly

notice the deduction from your check.

Signing up is easy. Just fill out the

membership form on the back of the

newsletter. Include your social security

number and signature and send it to

CalRTA Div. 34, 371 Tammy Dr. Atwater,

CA 95301 or you can mail it directly to the

Cal RTA office in Sacramento: Johanna

Hobbs, membership, 800 Howe St.,

Ste.370, Sacramento, CA 95825.

DUES DEDUCTION

If you are aware of any of our members who are ill or deceased

please let Evelyn Williams know so we can send them a card

NON-RESPONSIBILITY DECLARATION

All tours and other activities arranged for California Retired Teachers Association, its divisions and committees are for the convenience

and pleasure of the members and their guests who desire to participate. However, California Retired Teachers Association and its divisions

do not assume any responsibility for the well-being or safety of the participants or passengers or their property in any matters pertaining

to said tours and other activities. Members and their guests participate at their own risk and should not expect to hold California Retired

Teachers Association or any of its divisions responsible in any way. Furthermore, neither the California Retired Teachers Association nor its

divisions assume any responsibility for deviations between actual travel arrangements, accommodations provided and those advertised.



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SURVIVOR’S CHECKLIST

How do you report a death to CalSTRS? CalSTRS should be notified as soon as possible of the death of a member, retiree, beneficiary, or payee receiv-ing CalSTRS benefits. Call CalSTRS at (916) 229-3870 or (800) 228-5453, or write CalSTRS at PO Box 15275-C, Sacramento, CA 95851

CalSTRS will need the following information: The deceased person’s name and social security number. The date of death. The individual’s status – retired, beneficiary, etc. The name, address and telephone number of contact person. A certified death certificate (photocopies are not accepted). Any CalSTRS check issued to the person after date of death. A lump sum death benefit may be available to the beneficiary. This is not automatic. The beneficiary

must apply for it and it is subject to taxes. Suggested actions for the survivor: IMMEDIATELY 1. Notify relatives, friends and membership groups.2. Send an obituary to local newspapers.3. Determine the type of funeral service preferred by the deceased and make arrangements.4. Investigate whether there is burial insurance or a prepaid burial policy.5. Procure at least ten (10) certified copies of the death certificate for appropriate distribution.6. Inventory safe deposit boxes and personal papers for the deceased.7. Call or write CalSTRS to report the death and stop further check payments (see item above).8. Stop any other income check payments such as Social Security or Veterans’ Administration.WITHIN 30 DAYS 1. Change joint tenancy accounts to your name.2. Locate documents such as wills, trusts, and letters of instruction, insurance policies, durable power of at-torney and deeds to real estate. 3. Notify the deceased’s state’s inheritance tax office to obtain a release to receive company and insurancebenefits. 4. File claims with insurance companies, IRA’s tax sheltered annuities, investment companies, etc.5. Notify trustees, custodians, and beneficiaries, if needed. Check professional organizations to which the de-ceased belonged for possible benefits. 6. Select a tax advisor and an attorney to review the decedent’s will. Discuss with them the possible taxes re-quired by the state and the IRS. WITHIN 60 DAYS 1. Inventory personal effects of the deceased, and arrange for disbursement to family, friends or charities.Hold an estate sale or auction, if necessary. 2. Transfer title on jointly held automobiles, credit cards, etc.3. Change name on utility listings, telephone directory, etc.WITHIN SIX MONTHS 1. Monitor the executor and probate process. If you are the trustee on a trust, make and use an inventorychecklist. 2. Examine your personal finances, budget, savings, credit, investments, and all insurance policies. Select afinancial advisor to help you, if needed.

3. Update your will and living trust.

SAVE THIS PAGE WITH OTHER IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS.

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Merced/Mariposa California Retired Teachers Association

November 2, 2015 Board Meeting Minutes

Call to Order: Rich called the meeting to order at 10:05. Board members Carol Luhring, Lee Ann Applegate, Marge Sadler,

Brenda Plagenza, Art Villaruz, Joanna Browning, Marilyn Silva, Karen Arnold, Patti Green, Evelyn Williams, Shirley Vaughn-Hulbert, and Toby Masterson were present. The board welcomed Jim Mahoney, Area VI co-director; Jim Sterling, state and area communications chairman; Russ and Charlotte Peck, co-membership chairs; and Cathy Wooley, web page designer.

Business Reports:

Minutes: Minutes of the October board meeting were accepted.

Treasurer’s Report: Carol Luhring reported $12,511.25 in checking and $1,077.72 in savings for a total of $13,588.97 that in-

cludes $1783.02 for teacher grants and $4,644.86 in scholarships.

Correspondence: Marilyn reported that she had received none. Carol said she had received and returned the form for the

Christmas tree exhibit in the Courthouse Museum.

Program: Lee Ann reported that the Yosemite trip was a success. She said she has received 26 reservations for the shopping trip to Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton on Nov. 6th and 30 reservations for the Christmas party on Dec. 7th. Members were reminded that the reservation deadline for the April 3rd event is Jan. 8th; 11 reservations have already been made. Shirley reported that she’s working on presenters for the March event and has arranged for box lunches from Jantz’s. Lee Ann said she’s willing to do the programs for one more year, and only one more year.

Newsletters: Articles to Sharon by 11/13 for the Dec./Jan. newsletter which will be mailed Nov. 20th.

Membership: Membership is currently 438, but Brenda has not received the latest report from Sacramento.

Volunteer Hours: Karen announced that she has 84,393 hours reported already this year and expects to surpass last year’s total. She will write up a publicity article and get it to Toby for submission to the area newspapers. The board approved $50 worth of gift cards for drawings at the Christmas party.

Commission on Aging: Joanna reminded members that the open-enrollment period for Medicare ends Dec. 7th. The Senior Cen-ter still has appointment openings for assistance and/or advice. She reported that residents may now dial 211 to learn of assis-tance resources that are available in the area.

Government Relations: Rich reported that the pension reform initiative is still in the works and encouraged members to contrib-ute to the PAC. No CalRTA dues are used for political issues.

Illnesses & Condolences: Evelyn sent a get-well card to Camille Williams and a condolence card to the family of Wilma Arnold.

Unfinished Business: Shirley reported that the first Story Time at the library will be Nov. 14th at 10:30. Eight volunteers have already been trained; training workshops will be held through Dec. 9th. Volunteers will work with a partner for the first few ses-sions for a “family time” audience.

The Board of Supervisors will recognize retired teachers’ volunteer hours at their Nov. 17th meeting (10:00). This past year’s hours are valued at $2 million.

Art has an appointment with Steve Gomes this coming week to discuss plans for a collaborative pre-retirement information workshop.

Area VI: Jim Mahoney and Jim Sterling expanded on Rich’s earlier statements about the pension initiative. They said the cur-

rent initiative will affect current and future retirees. It will “be a war” to fight the media ads that only report the pensions of the highest paid administrators, not the pension of classroom teachers.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00.

Respectfully submitted,

Marge Sadler, recording secretary

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California Retired Teachers Assn. Non-Profit Org.

Merced-Mariposa Division 34 U.S. Postage Paid

371 Tammy Dr. Permit No. 811

Atwater, CA 95301 Merced CA 95340

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

RECRUIT A MEMBER TODAY - APPLICATION TO JOIN CalRTA Dues Deduction is available for $4.50 per month, $54.00 a year, or a life membership of $900.00.

APPLICATION FORM: Dues Deduction_____ ($4.50 per month from your CalSTRS warrant.

I authorize the State Teachers Retirement system (STRS) to deduct my CalRTA dues. Should the amount of dues be adjusted as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue until I notify the CalRTA business office in writing to the contrary.

To terminate dues deduction I agree to make my request in writing to the CalRTA office.

OTHER OPTION: CASH $54.00 a year______ (Please enclose your check.)

MEMBERSHIP OPEN TO ALL SUPPORTERS OF EDUCATION, not just retired educators.

Social Security # (dues deduction only)

E-MAIL

Division #34 Telephone ( )

Name

Address City State Zip

DATE SIGNATURE

MAIL TO: CalRTA Div. 34, 371 Tammy Dr., Atwater, CA 95301, (209)357-2210

holiday party monday, december 7, 2015dec 12, 2015 · merced theatre – deadline: january 8, 2016...

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