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Winter 2015

MREA Volunteers of the Year Montana Retired Educators selected two recipients for the 2015 Volunteer of the Year award. Receiving this year’s award were Marilyn Hamer of North Central Montana unit and Francis Schisler of the Southwest Montana unit. Awards were presented to them by MREA President Dr. Doris Balko at AARP’s annual awards ceremony at the Montana Club in Helena on September 29. Marilyn Hamer became a member of MREA upon her retirement and imme-diately became involved in her unit as Vice President in charge of programs. In 2013 she was elected secretary of the state MREA Board where she currently serves. In her local unit she volunteers time with the Zion School and Heritage Days. Her volunteering does not stop with MREA as she is active in many other organizations and causes. Among them are AARP as Community Liaison, Shred and Feed worker, Capital City Task Force member, and Executive Council member. Marilyn has been active in Delta Kappa Gamma, MEA/MFT Retired where she is currently the Secretary/Treasurer and Democratic Central Committee. She also volunteers in her church and the com-munity of Black Eagle. Francis Schisler retired from teaching after many years in the rural schools in southwest Montana. She stays actively involved with the rural schools as an organizer and judge of the rural schools science fair, judge for the rural schools track meet and substitute teacher. Fran has been active in

Legislative Report NRTA sponsored an Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. All Legislative Chairs and Executive Directors were invited. Karen and I attended. The Conference was great with several excellent speak-ers. There was also time to network with representatives from other states. We received training on effective advo-cacy. We took the opportunity to Join Sen. Tester, Sen. Daines, and Rep. Zinke at the weekly Montana Breakfast. It gave us _______________________________ Continued on page 3

President Balko presents awards to Marilyn Hamer and Francis Schisler.

4-H as a leader for 25 years and a 4-H judge many years. She has been a Girl Scout leader and is also active in her church. She has been a member of Alpha Delta Kappa where she has held several local and state offices. At the 2013 MREA convention Francis was elected as Vice Presi-dent of the MREA Executive Board and re-elected to that position in 2015. She recently did a marvelous job as co-chair of the 2015 MREA state convention held at Fairmont Hot Springs. We congratulate these outstanding women for their out-standing work for others as they give of their time and talents.

an opportunity to speak briefly with each of them. During that afternoon we met with Representatives for Sen. Tester and Sen. Daines. Our purpose was to discuss the RAISE legislation, a bi-partisan bill, and ask them to become a co-sponsor for the bill. We also talked to them to vote to close the loophole on financial advice. We believe all financial advisers should provide the most suit-able advice for seniors to invest in their retirement savings

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MONTANA RETIRED

EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT: Doris Balko406.251.2135dbalko@montana.com

VICE-PRESIDENT: Frances Schisler406.683.4329franschisler1@hotmail.com

SECRETARY: Marilyn Hamer 406.452.2399marilynhamer@gmail.com

TREASURER: Tom Altmaier406.442.7567taltmaier@aol.com

PAST PRESIDENT: Bea McCarthy406.563.2909mccarthybea5@bresnan.net WITH OUR YOUTH Doris Balko406.251.2135dbalko@montana.com

LEGISLATIVE Charlene Suckow406.452.0536cagasuckow@gmail.com

MREA WEBSITE:www.mrea.info

DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES:Linda Garberg (Dist. 1)406.251.2651lgarberg@msn.com

Lorri Keith (Dist. 2)406.454.3753llkeith@bresnan.net

Pat Searle (Dist. 3)406.782.7798judyk@edtech-fcu.com

Patsy Olmstead (Dist. 4)406.388.6427polmstead@bresnan.net

Joyce English (Dist. 5)406.364.2349joyceenglish@yahoo.com

President’s MessageGreetings to all, Wow! What a beautiful fall we are hav-ing. It is as bright with colors as I have seen in a long time. If you missed the convention, you missed a great time. We had so many interesting events and fun times together. I am happy to report that we have two new members on the board. They are Patsy Olmstead from Big Sky, the District 4 representative and Linda Garberg from Western the District 1 repre-sentative. We welcome these new members and know they will add many new ideas to a great functioning board. We now have a full board and we are looking forward to this

new year with new ideas and enthusiasm. Some more good news. Montana has surpassed all volunteer hours and set a new record for the state. This year we have donated $915,936.67 which is super. This is a combination of every unit in the state reporting their time and using the NRTA dol-lar amount for each hour reported. Way to go. We can all be proud of being a retired teacher that is full of responsibilities to our communities and youth. Remember to keep track of every hour you donate to your community or youth and have them ready to send in to me at the end of next year. We have more good news. We have a National Winner for the WITH OUR YOUTH award this year. Thanks goes to the Southwester unit, Dillon, for an excellent job. They began not knowing anything about this national competition or how to enter it. This is a group that would not give up. They worked many long hours on the rules, their book and reports. When the competition was judged and finished they received word from NRTA that they had won the national award. What an accomplishment! Congratulations to all of you in the Southwester unit. You deserve the national honor and we are all so proud of you. Have a wonderful fall and enjoy each day to the fullest. As the saying goes “We are retired…not expired!!!” Dr. Doris Balko

MREA strengthens retirement by advocating for pensions, providing benefits

and creating connections.

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Continued from page 1 ______________________________

rather than satisfactory advice which may allow financial institutions to charge greater fees. This would be a positive change in the ERISA rules. Needless to say, there is a lot of push back from banks and other financial advisers and even Montana’s Chamber of Commerce. Unfortunately seniors may lose up to 25% of their savings if they are unaware of what fees they are paying. After being a part of the conference, I feel invigorated and believe that even Retired Teachers in Montana can make a difference if they advocate for good legislation and oppose detrimental legislation.

Charlene SuckowMREA Legislative Chair

It seems like about every two years that things really get busy for two to three months. This was one of those years. I would like to share some of that with you. In August I attended the ASRTE (Association of School Retired Teacher Executives) in Savannah, Georgia where it was very warm and humid. Executive Directors from 40 states gathered to share challenges and successes. We had presentations on Telling the Story, Email Marketing, Leader-ship Development, Generational Marketing and engaging younger members.

September 9 through the 19 I traveled with our MREA travelers to the Tuscany area of Italy. We had a marvelous time and got to know some new retired educators. There are plans to travel again this coming year. Be watching for the announcement of where we will travel and consider joining us. I got back just in time to attend the state convention at Fairmont. Then off to Washington DC to the NRTA Advoca-cy conference with Legislative Chair Charlene Suckow (see her report). Early in November President Doris and I will be attending the AMBA Roundup in Austin, Texas. All of this has convinced me even more that we all need to tell the story of our great organization that supports retired school personnel and provides benefits to help them in retire-ment. Do you know a retiree that doesn’t belong? Ask them to join and share in the all the great fun and benefits.

Executive Director’s Report

Looking for news...I was recently appointed as the MREA State His-torian. I am looking for information, news articles, pictures or anything that could be put into the state historian book that would tell our story. Please send the information to Judie Stewart 254 Farview Drive Kalispell, MT 59901

Thank you for your time and effort.

MREA members enjoying their trip to the Tuscany region of Italy.

Legislative Chair Charlene Suckow and Executive Karen Richard-son at NRTA Advovacy Conference with NRTA Director Dara Dann.

Join MREA’s PEANUT BUTTER CLUB

MREA’s President Doris Balko continues to emphasize the Peanut Butter Club. This will be the fifth year of this great program to donate peanut butter to local food banks across Montana. To join bring a jar of peanut butter to every Retired Educators’ meeting. State

Board members must bring one to every board meeting or be fined $5.

MREA members continue to make a difference in lives of children.

We’re on the Web!www.mrea.info

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NEWS FROM MREA UNITS

Big Sky Montana

The Big Sky Unit of the Montana Retired Educators’ Association is proud of member JoAnne Troxel whose book of original poetry, Mean Dog Blues, has been published and is currently available at the Country Bookshelf in Bozeman. JoAnne, a retired Bozeman High School English teacher, will be reading from Mean Dog Blues on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 7:00 P.M. at the Country Bookshelf. Summer offered an opportunity to have two BSREA functions that were well attended by the members. On June 17th, a Coffee and Tea Time social hour was held in Livingston at the MT Cup. Members from Gallatin valley, Livingston, and Big Timber attended and shared stories. Sally Sullivan organized the activity. On July 20th, BSREA and AARP joined together to host their annual picnic in Optimists Park. The Mohr Trio a group of college-age fiddlers entertained. Rita Fish was the BSREA chairperson for the event. Membership dues were collected at the picnic.

dents visited places in Mexico mentioned in the chil-dren’s books they studied, or the places where authors resided while writing the books. Students also shared their experiences and study topics during the classroom time which preceded the trip to Mexico. The students’ enthusiasm, their objects, pictures, and stories capti-vated the audience.

The Big Sky Unit is fulfilling its objectives to serve youth and the greater community as well as promote activities to enhance the teaching profession.

North Central Montana Speakers at the September meeting were Patty Myers, Kerry Callahan, and Maureen Wicks. They had recently returned from a trip to Cuba which was sponsored by the University of Montana. The purpose of the trip was educational/humanitarian since tourist travel was still restricted from the US when the trip was planned. They were able to visit schools and other areas that most tourists could not see. Jenna Hunt, planning to become a kindergarten teacher received the $750 scholarship presented by the retired teachers group. The North Central unit collects school supplies during the September and December meetings. These sup-plies will be distributed to elementary, middle and high schools in January. For the Heritage Festival, retired teachers were hosts at the 100 year old Zion one-room school located at the fairgrounds. Several school groups toured the school and were amazed at what school was like 100 years ago. Delegates to the very well planned 2015 convention were Jean Muir, Judy Kinonen and Judy Spilde. Also attending from North Central were Marilyn Hamer, sec-retary; Charlene Suckow, legislative representative; and Lorri Keith, district 2 representative.

From September 2014 through June 2015, members have donated 198 jars of Peanut Butter and 309 chil-dren’s books to the Food Bank, and have given 615 Community Volunteer Hours. A memorial has been given to the Belgrade Community Library in memory of Clarice Walters, a long-time member who recently passed away. A new mystery by Keith McCafferty is now in the collection at the Belgrade library. A memorial in memory of Gail Hendricks was given to the Bozeman Public Library. Membership directories for 2015-16 were passed out at the meeting. Thanks go to Heather Geiger, publisher, and to Elly Schwarzkopf, Lloyd-Ann McMahan and Sally Sullivan. The first fall BSREA meeting was held on September 18th, with MSU students of Dr. Joyce Herbeck present-ing a program about children’s literature of Mexico. Stu-

BSREA member JoAnne Troxel reads her original poetry

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Southeastern Montana

Renee Peterson, President, and Delores Cameron, Secretary, attended the MREA Convention at Fairmont Hot Springs. It was informative with a variety of topics and activities covered. We received some useful proj-ect suggestions from other Units in Montana. We are pleased to have met the new Southeast District Rep-resentative, Patsy Olmstead from the Big Sky Unit. We look forward to her visit this year. Thanks for the great hospitality shown to us at the Convention. We held our first of seven meetings in September. At each meeting our program committee has planned an informative presentation on different topics. We look forward to a successful year and have already gained two new retirees

Southwest Montana

The Southwest Montana Retired Educators gath-ered at the Beaverhead County Museum gazebo for a luncheon and meeting on July 29, 2015. A lovely lunch was served with sloppy Joe sandwiches, chips and drinks provided by the board and other goodies by the members. Our newly-elected president Jim Keef led the meeting. Fran Schisler was chosen as our group’s Volunteer of the Year. The state convention at Fairmont Hot Springs was reviewed for the members. Teresa Murdoch of the Alder School, Alder, Montana was chosen as our nominee for the Clarice and Don Walters basket funds. Dorie Balko and her husband Norman came over to our meeting, and she shared about the Montana Retired Educators. We really appreciated her driving over to be with us

Western Montana

Western Montana Retired Educators has a frequent visitor and member, Dave Severson who is an MEA Representative. He keeps us abreast pf what is hap-pening in the state. Our group took a bus load of mem-bers to the state capitol for Retired Educator Day on March 12. Gwen Thibodeau has collected 35 biogra-phies from our members to be assembled in to a book.Officers elected for the 2015-16 year are: President Carmelita Bullock, Co-vice presidents Jan Van Fossen and Bonnie Goettlich, Co- Secretaries Carol Halldorson and George Sherry, Treasurer Jacki Schonbachler. The Board of Directors: Hosts - Gwen Thibodeau and Nancy McCormick, Calling – Nancy McCormick, Historian – Joan Tomich, Finance – Tricia Waylett, Health Insur-ance – Dr. Doris Balko, Inspiration – Johanna Bulman,

Legislative – Doris Balko, Membership – Linda Garberg and Lois Harris, Program – Jan Van Fossen, Publicity – Anna Marie Clouse, Scholarship – Charlotte Whitehead and Betty Christian, Decoratins – Bonnie Goettlich, Youth and Community – Marcia Thompson, Janet Flan-ders and Lois Harris.

NEWS FROM MREA UNITS

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The biannual convention of the MREA was held at Fairmont Hot Springs, September 21 and 22. The Southwestern and the Butte/Silver Bow units hosted the convention. Hats off to Co-Chairs Francis Schisler and Pat Searle did a wonderful job of organizing the program and time. All forty members who attended had a great time. The meetings began with a welcome from MREA President Doris Balko and the invocation by Butte/Silver Bow President Linda Douglas. The biannual business meeting was called to order. Minutes of the last convention were read and approved, reports were given and accepted. Officers were reelected for the next two years. They are President Doris Balko of Mis-soula, Vice President Frances Schisler of Dillon, Secretary Marilyn Hamer of Great Falls and Treasurer Tom Altmaier of Helena. Elected by delegates from their district were District 1 Linda Garberg, District 2 Lorri Keith, District 3 Pat Searle, District 4 Patsy Olmstead and District 5 Joyce English. AMBA representative, Lisa Dattis, explained some of the many benefits available to them as members of MREA. She was available during the entire convention to answer questions

2015 Convention and help members access their benefits. NRTA representative Mary Beth Dixon helped us identify “Who We are and What We Do” as MREA units across the state. She followed through in the afternoon with ways to make our program stronger and interesting to all age groups. AARP State Direc-tor Tim Summers shared ways to outsmart scam artists. Attendees had fun too. Dillon potter Val Prophet demon-strated pottery making. He also auctioned off some previous-ly made pottery with all the proceeds going the MREA. Din-ner entertainment was the delightful Dillon Little Fiddlers. Lieutenant Governor Angela McLean’s words at lunch made all feel proud to be a part of educating our students across the state. The baskets donated by units and individuals were placed on a silent auction with the proceeds going to the Don and Clarice Walters Award fund to be given to a school that could use some extra funding. A memorial service was held to remember all of those members who have passed on in the previous two years

Fran Schisler and Otis Anderson accept the With Our Youth Award from president Balko.

AARP Montana State Director, Tim Summers, receives a handcrafted birdhouse after his fraud presentation

NRTA staffer Mary Beth Dixon helps MREA paint a quilt of what is being done statewide..JPG

AMBA represntative Lisa Dattis gives information of benefits available to MREA members.

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Associate MembershipMREA provides Associate Membership for those educators that are not yet retired. For $10 a year you can become

an Associate member and receive newsletters from MREA and benefits through AMBA. We encourage those nearing retirement to get involved early and help to protect their pension benefits with their voice and their vote.!

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Lt. Governor Angela McLean speaks to convention goers. Wonderful baskets provided funds for the Don and Clarice Walters School Award..JPG

Dillon potter Val Prophet shares his art with convention goers. The Dillon Little Fiddlers provided exceptional entertainment.

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MONTANA RETIRED EDUCATORS ASSOCIATIONPO BOX 53SOMERS, MT 59932

NON PROFITUS POSTAGE PAID

KALISPELL, MT 59901

PERMIT NO. 20

MONTANA RETIRED EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONComplete and mail this application along with a check payable to MREA.

Type of membership: New______ Renewal______

1.) Name: _______________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

2.) Address_______________________________________City, State, Zip ______________________________

3.) Phone:__________________Cell:___________________ E-Mail: ____________________________________

4.) Date of Birth:__________________Year of retirement ____________________________________________

State dues: $ 25.00 Local dues: $_________ (Please refer to the list of local dues below.)

Donation: $_________ Total dues: $_________ (Please make checks payable to MREA.)

• Anaconda $5• Bear Paw (Havre) $5• Big Sky (Bozeman) $5• Butte/Silver Bow $10• Lewis & Clark (Helena) $10• North Central Montana (Great Falls) $7

• Northeast Montana (Glasgow) $5• Northwest Montana (Kalispell) $5• Southeast Montana (Miles City) $7• Southwest Montana (Dillon) $5• Western Montana (Missoula) $10• Yellowstone Valley (Billings) $5

Mail to:Tom Altmaier, Treasurer1024 WauseshaHelena, MT 59601

MREA will send you a membership card by mail after we’ve received your application and check.Please visit our website at www.mrea.info

WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MREA!

Local Units & Dues

If the information on line 4; has previously been filed, please disregard