October 2011
FREA Leadership Training
MCREA officers and some members as well attended the FREA Leadership Training Conference on September 13th. Fay Murphy, our District VII Director and member of MCREA, put together an informative session, titled "Re-energizing: What Now?" which highlighted the "traveling team" of state FREA officers.
Tom Tryon, Opinion Editor, Herald Tribune Media Group, spoke about what he termed "an assault" on public education which he termed a "core value" of our state and our nation. He said that reformers of education are never satisfied, so they keep raising the bar on the FCAT while at the same time reducing the funds to support education. Although they say they are interested in more control by local government, they add more control of the schools in Tallahassee. They add more emphasis to private and charter schools with the ultimate goal to do away with public schools entirely.
He urged us to stand up for public education by letting our elected official know that we do not support them in dismantling our school systems.
The 2011-12 Legislative Priorities of the Florida Retired Educators Association are the following:
1. Maintain the Florida Retirement System Health Insurance Subsidy Trust Fund and work to acquire additional increments to maintain parity with the increasing cost of health insurance.
2. Oppose changing the annual Cost of Living Adjustment from 3 percent to a percentage based on the Consumer Price Index.
3. Monitor the Florida Retirement system Trust Fund to include, but not be limited to:
a. attempts to divert FRS funds from the purpose prescribed by the Florida Constitution and Statutes,
b. management of the FRS Trust Fund for the security and profitability of its investments
4. Work to ensure that new hires have the opportunity to choose between a defined benefit and a defined contribution retirement plan.
5. Support legislative efforts to ensure that discrimination is not a factor in treatment and services for retirees.
6. Support all efforts to make affordable, quality health care, and the ability to plan for long term financial security available for all Americans.
7. Support legislative and other activities designed to provide adequate and equitable funding for all students in the Florida public schools.
FELT (Filling Empty Little Tummies
We have begun collecting children's books to add to the backpacks of food which Jane Evers and her helpers are sending home each Friday with some of the many homeless children in the county. The food is meant to help them get through the weekend when the cupboards may be bare. The books were originally going to go home only on the day before Christmas vacation and at the end of the year. However, thanks to the donations of many books from Julia Fortgen and others, Jane says she may be able to send a book home with each child more often than that. When I brought the plan to the members at our last meeting, Elaine Brown immediately wrote a check to help buy food. If some of you are interested in helping in that manner, the address to send your checks is FELT INC. of MANATEE, Community Bank, 7202 Manatee Ave. West, Bradenton, FL 34209.
Jane said they distributed the first backpacks last Friday to Palmetto, Oneco, Rowlett, and Rogers Gardens Elementary Schools. She plans to add more schools as the year progresses. And as more children arrive with their parents to pick crops, the numbers at each school will increase.
Donations of food for the backpacks are also much needed and appreciated. You can bring them to our meetings and I will collect them and get them to Jane. I have been picking up an item or two when I go to the grocery store and adding them to a bag. It is easy to do and I don't miss the few dollars a week that can make such a difference. Jane sent me a list.
oatmeal and cereal packs
pasta/mac cups
fruit cups, pudding cups
raisins
beans and franks (small cans only. These are little kids who will tip over.)
peanut butter cups
fruit bars/granola
tuna/spam packs
ramen noodles
peanuts, almonds, etc.
hot chocolate
powdered milk, small cans of milk
snack crackers
small cans of veggies
no glass or tab tops
We still will be collecting your books too. New ones are great as are gently used ones.
Our October meeting is on Wednesday this month, Oct. 19, at 11:30, at Renaissance on 9th. I hope you are all planning to be there. Halloween is the theme, of course, which gives you a chance to break out those tee shirts and costumes that you used to wear for the kids. Sandra Stephenson is planning some Halloween entertainment for us. She asks that everyone bring 20 dimes to play with.
Deborah Thomas, our president, had a knee replacement on Monday this week. She will not be with us this month. I know you join me in wishing her well. She did ask that I inform you about an upcoming event on Nov. 14. An Agricultural Farm Tour is planned which will begin at the Palmetto Fairgrounds at 8:00 a.m. and conclude back there at 3;15 p.m. If the first two buses fill up, there will be another an hour later. Tickets are $40 per person and include lunch. You can get more information or make a reservation, call 722-4524. For more details, their website is http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu
Did you actually read all this? Good for you.
See you soon,
Ellen
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