Our November featured speaker was Margaret Coker, Editor-in-Chief of The Current, a non-profit news organization that provides original, in-depth watchdog journalism affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia. She shared information about their research to report news that is transparent and unbiased.
October 2023 Minutes
Chatham Retired Educators Association
Minutes, October 9, 2023
Call to Order & Welcome: President C. Howard called the meeting to order and welcomed us. She explained that we had to change venues due to insufficient numbers for Carey Hilliard’s and a conflict at the Elk’s Lodge.
Adoption of Agenda: The appropriate motions were made and the agenda was adopted.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mrs. Howard led “The Pledge of Allegiance”.
Inspiration & Invocation: Mrs. R. Jackson led the invocation and inspiration.
Presentation & Approval of Minutes: Ms. Moyer presented the September 11, 2023, Minutes. The appropriate motions were made and the September Minutes were accepted as written.
Presentation & Adoption of Budget: Mrs. Ellis presented the proposed 2023-2024 budget with the changes discussed at the last meeting. The appropriate motions were made and the proposed budget was adopted with the necessary changes. Mrs. Ellis then gave the September Financial Report. The bank, checkbook, and ledger all balanced at $6984.74. The report was filed for audit.
October Birthday Celebration: Mrs. Copeland recognized those with October birthdays, and the members sang Stevie Wonder’s rendition of “Happy Birthday”.
President’s Report (Emailed): Mrs. Howard prepared for, held, and attended meetings, including one with the new Superintendent of SCCPSS; sent information to members; recruited new members and updated the membership roster; finalized the meeting place for the Retired Educators’ Day service; sent letters of invitation to newly retired educators whose emails were provided; and sent pictures of items for the silent auction to the committee chair.
Area Director: Dr. Cooper thanked us for all we did last year and our attendance at the convention. The 2024 convention will be in Athens, GA. The Area Meeting had good attendance. Dr. Cooper explained GREA President Boland’s charity choice, Totes for Tots. CREA’s contribution is $525. This is Dr. Cooper’s last year as Area Director.
Program: President Elect Simmons introduced our speaker, Debra Simmons, Director of Neighborhood Improvement Association. Ms. Simmons discussed NIA’s main programs: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, first time homebuyers’ classes, housing counseling, and affordable housing developer. She spoke at length about VITA and how scammers use fake charities to defraud us.
Agenda/Report Changes: President Howard announced that committee chairs must send a report to be on the agenda. If you have nothing to add to the report, you do not come to the podium. If you have a change, let us know, and you will have 1 ½ minutes to announce the change.
Membership, Local: Mrs. A. Smith is sending cards and making calls. Please continue to recruit.
Membership, State: Mrs. Dottie Platts reported 15 new GREA members. Please continue to recruit because we need 52 new GREA members.
Necrology: Mr. Howard read the names of retired educators who passed while the members observed a moment of silence. He discussed how the Necrology Committee shows respect to retired educators, district staff, and their families.
Newsletter & Public Relations: Dr. B. Roberts reported she mailed and emailed the September CREA newsletters to members; updated the CREA Facebook page; requested GA Retired Educators’ Day Proclamations from various local governments; is making a schedule for the President and President Elect to receive the proclamations; submitted CREA newsletter to GREA Facebook page; and submitted an article to the Savannah Tribune. Every local government has agreed to provide a proclamation for Georgia Retired Educators’ Day.
In Touch: Please let Dr. Best know of any members who are ill, recuperating, or hospitalized. Call 912-596-6602 or email [email protected]
Scholarship: Mrs. Singleton reported that scholarships will be awarded at the November 13 meeting. We are asking members for a $20 donation. Thank you to those who have donated so far, and special thanks to the members who donated $50. A big thank you to Virginia Edwards Maynor for donating $100! We need $700 more. Students’ applications are due November 1.
Spotlight Ads: Dr. West explained the goal of the ads and the form we submit. She has a button for those who participated last year.
Volunteer & Community Services: Mrs. D. Adams’ report stated that a group volunteer opportunity should be announced at the next meeting. Please keep up with the date, venue, and the number of hours you volunteered. If you have questions, contact Mrs. Adams at 912-663-2309.
Website: Dr. Baker’s report thanked Dr. Roberts for providing pictures for the site. The site now has the new Chatham REA logo, thanks to Barbara Nanney of Henry County. The October and November meetings are listed. There is a page tab for the September meeting. The September newsletter has been added, as well as pictures from the September meeting. The website is www.chathamreaonline.com
Special Recognition: Mrs. Howard recognized Mrs. McCullough for her many years of service.
Retired Educators Day: We will worship together on November 5, 2023, St. Paul CME at 8 A.M. The church is located at 1801 Barnard St. Wear your ribbons.
Reminders and Announcements: President Howard recognized first time attendees. * Text Mrs. Howard if you are attending a proclamation presentation. * Vote November 7. * The next meeting will be in the banquet room at Carey Hilliard’s on Waters Ave. We will check with GREA about insurance so we can go to the Elks Lodge. * We are still collecting school supplies, pop tabs, and Christmas items. * Several members shared their good news. * If you didn’t get a chance to bring your favorite dessert recipe, please send it to Mrs. Howard. There are three desserts for you to have after the meeting.
Silent Auction Committee: Dr. Grant explained how the silent auction works. She is getting bidding sheets. It ends in December.
Door Prizes: Door prizes were awarded.
Closing Prayer: Mrs. R. Jackson said the closing prayer.
Adjournment: Mrs. Howard adjourned the meeting.
Attendance: 45
Respectfully Submitted,
Gail Moyer, Secretary
[email protected]
Minutes, October 9, 2023
Call to Order & Welcome: President C. Howard called the meeting to order and welcomed us. She explained that we had to change venues due to insufficient numbers for Carey Hilliard’s and a conflict at the Elk’s Lodge.
Adoption of Agenda: The appropriate motions were made and the agenda was adopted.
Pledge of Allegiance: Mrs. Howard led “The Pledge of Allegiance”.
Inspiration & Invocation: Mrs. R. Jackson led the invocation and inspiration.
Presentation & Approval of Minutes: Ms. Moyer presented the September 11, 2023, Minutes. The appropriate motions were made and the September Minutes were accepted as written.
Presentation & Adoption of Budget: Mrs. Ellis presented the proposed 2023-2024 budget with the changes discussed at the last meeting. The appropriate motions were made and the proposed budget was adopted with the necessary changes. Mrs. Ellis then gave the September Financial Report. The bank, checkbook, and ledger all balanced at $6984.74. The report was filed for audit.
October Birthday Celebration: Mrs. Copeland recognized those with October birthdays, and the members sang Stevie Wonder’s rendition of “Happy Birthday”.
President’s Report (Emailed): Mrs. Howard prepared for, held, and attended meetings, including one with the new Superintendent of SCCPSS; sent information to members; recruited new members and updated the membership roster; finalized the meeting place for the Retired Educators’ Day service; sent letters of invitation to newly retired educators whose emails were provided; and sent pictures of items for the silent auction to the committee chair.
Area Director: Dr. Cooper thanked us for all we did last year and our attendance at the convention. The 2024 convention will be in Athens, GA. The Area Meeting had good attendance. Dr. Cooper explained GREA President Boland’s charity choice, Totes for Tots. CREA’s contribution is $525. This is Dr. Cooper’s last year as Area Director.
Program: President Elect Simmons introduced our speaker, Debra Simmons, Director of Neighborhood Improvement Association. Ms. Simmons discussed NIA’s main programs: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, first time homebuyers’ classes, housing counseling, and affordable housing developer. She spoke at length about VITA and how scammers use fake charities to defraud us.
Agenda/Report Changes: President Howard announced that committee chairs must send a report to be on the agenda. If you have nothing to add to the report, you do not come to the podium. If you have a change, let us know, and you will have 1 ½ minutes to announce the change.
Membership, Local: Mrs. A. Smith is sending cards and making calls. Please continue to recruit.
Membership, State: Mrs. Dottie Platts reported 15 new GREA members. Please continue to recruit because we need 52 new GREA members.
Necrology: Mr. Howard read the names of retired educators who passed while the members observed a moment of silence. He discussed how the Necrology Committee shows respect to retired educators, district staff, and their families.
Newsletter & Public Relations: Dr. B. Roberts reported she mailed and emailed the September CREA newsletters to members; updated the CREA Facebook page; requested GA Retired Educators’ Day Proclamations from various local governments; is making a schedule for the President and President Elect to receive the proclamations; submitted CREA newsletter to GREA Facebook page; and submitted an article to the Savannah Tribune. Every local government has agreed to provide a proclamation for Georgia Retired Educators’ Day.
In Touch: Please let Dr. Best know of any members who are ill, recuperating, or hospitalized. Call 912-596-6602 or email [email protected]
Scholarship: Mrs. Singleton reported that scholarships will be awarded at the November 13 meeting. We are asking members for a $20 donation. Thank you to those who have donated so far, and special thanks to the members who donated $50. A big thank you to Virginia Edwards Maynor for donating $100! We need $700 more. Students’ applications are due November 1.
Spotlight Ads: Dr. West explained the goal of the ads and the form we submit. She has a button for those who participated last year.
Volunteer & Community Services: Mrs. D. Adams’ report stated that a group volunteer opportunity should be announced at the next meeting. Please keep up with the date, venue, and the number of hours you volunteered. If you have questions, contact Mrs. Adams at 912-663-2309.
Website: Dr. Baker’s report thanked Dr. Roberts for providing pictures for the site. The site now has the new Chatham REA logo, thanks to Barbara Nanney of Henry County. The October and November meetings are listed. There is a page tab for the September meeting. The September newsletter has been added, as well as pictures from the September meeting. The website is www.chathamreaonline.com
Special Recognition: Mrs. Howard recognized Mrs. McCullough for her many years of service.
Retired Educators Day: We will worship together on November 5, 2023, St. Paul CME at 8 A.M. The church is located at 1801 Barnard St. Wear your ribbons.
Reminders and Announcements: President Howard recognized first time attendees. * Text Mrs. Howard if you are attending a proclamation presentation. * Vote November 7. * The next meeting will be in the banquet room at Carey Hilliard’s on Waters Ave. We will check with GREA about insurance so we can go to the Elks Lodge. * We are still collecting school supplies, pop tabs, and Christmas items. * Several members shared their good news. * If you didn’t get a chance to bring your favorite dessert recipe, please send it to Mrs. Howard. There are three desserts for you to have after the meeting.
Silent Auction Committee: Dr. Grant explained how the silent auction works. She is getting bidding sheets. It ends in December.
Door Prizes: Door prizes were awarded.
Closing Prayer: Mrs. R. Jackson said the closing prayer.
Adjournment: Mrs. Howard adjourned the meeting.
Attendance: 45
Respectfully Submitted,
Gail Moyer, Secretary
[email protected]
From The President’s Desk- Carrie R. Howard
Greetings,
As November comes to a close, we look back on our accomplishments for the month. We have been the recipient of nine proclamations for Georgia Retired Educators Day on Sunday, November 5, 2023. We visited the Tom Austin House and the Women’s Abuse Shelters to solicit their Christmas Wish list for their residents. We provided comfort to members who have had to deal with the homegoing of family members. We sent our Georgia State President Joe Boland requested donations for Totes to Tots and awarded a scholarship to a Georgia Southern scholar at the Armstrong campus. occur during the year, but through it all, the Lord has allowed us to continue to meet with our fellow members. Thank you to Mrs. Shank and her committee for completing the Past president's acknowledgment and Dr. Wilson for the information on a proposed trip to the Georgia Retired Educators Museum in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Now, entering the Christmas season, we pay homage to our Lord and Savior, who has allowed us to "come this faith by faith." We look forward to decorating the Christmas Tree at the Tom Austin house and providing for the nine residents there. The fifty-plus members at the Abused Woman Shelter are also awaiting our Christmas donations, which we will collect during our December meeting.
The meeting in December will be at the West Board Street YMCA, 1110 May Street, where we will hold our Holiday Social event. As decided during the November meeting, those who participate in the Christmas Secret Santa event are asked to bring a gender-neutral gift valued at $20- $25 dollars to the meeting. We also anticipate a performance by one of the local schools. A silent auction will also occur during the meeting, as well as a short presentation by a guest speaker. With that in mind, we ask that all Chairs prepare their written report and submit it to our CREA email, [email protected], no later than December 6, 2024.
If you were not present at the November meeting and would like to travel with us to Flowery Branch, Georgia, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Wilson or me so we may add you to the list. The trip will occur in January. Again, we remind all members to invite, invite, and invite any retiree to our December meeting. We are determined to meet the membership goals set by GREA. We are also collecting our flip tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, which we will present to them in April.
Continue to keep “the reason for the season in mind,” and we look forward to seeing you in December.
Happy Holidays!
Carrie R. Howard, President
Greetings,
As November comes to a close, we look back on our accomplishments for the month. We have been the recipient of nine proclamations for Georgia Retired Educators Day on Sunday, November 5, 2023. We visited the Tom Austin House and the Women’s Abuse Shelters to solicit their Christmas Wish list for their residents. We provided comfort to members who have had to deal with the homegoing of family members. We sent our Georgia State President Joe Boland requested donations for Totes to Tots and awarded a scholarship to a Georgia Southern scholar at the Armstrong campus. occur during the year, but through it all, the Lord has allowed us to continue to meet with our fellow members. Thank you to Mrs. Shank and her committee for completing the Past president's acknowledgment and Dr. Wilson for the information on a proposed trip to the Georgia Retired Educators Museum in Flowery Branch, Georgia.
Now, entering the Christmas season, we pay homage to our Lord and Savior, who has allowed us to "come this faith by faith." We look forward to decorating the Christmas Tree at the Tom Austin house and providing for the nine residents there. The fifty-plus members at the Abused Woman Shelter are also awaiting our Christmas donations, which we will collect during our December meeting.
The meeting in December will be at the West Board Street YMCA, 1110 May Street, where we will hold our Holiday Social event. As decided during the November meeting, those who participate in the Christmas Secret Santa event are asked to bring a gender-neutral gift valued at $20- $25 dollars to the meeting. We also anticipate a performance by one of the local schools. A silent auction will also occur during the meeting, as well as a short presentation by a guest speaker. With that in mind, we ask that all Chairs prepare their written report and submit it to our CREA email, [email protected], no later than December 6, 2024.
If you were not present at the November meeting and would like to travel with us to Flowery Branch, Georgia, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Wilson or me so we may add you to the list. The trip will occur in January. Again, we remind all members to invite, invite, and invite any retiree to our December meeting. We are determined to meet the membership goals set by GREA. We are also collecting our flip tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, which we will present to them in April.
Continue to keep “the reason for the season in mind,” and we look forward to seeing you in December.
Happy Holidays!
Carrie R. Howard, President