Education hot topic for the March meeting of the Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association

Education was the program topic of the March 18 meeting of the Faulkner County Retired Teachers Association, which was held at the First Baptist Church on Robinson Avenue in Conway.

Members and guests were greeted by Historian Charlotte Bell who sat at a table decorated in an Easter theme with Easter bunnies and eggs.

President Na

ncy Mitchell welcomed the membership and asked Sara Andrews, FCRTA member, to introduce the special program featuring Judy Rogers, elementary music specialist at Jim Stone Elementary School, and the school's choir, the S-Tones and Stone Men.

Rogers directed the choir students in a variety of upbeat vocal tunes including, "This Little Light of Mine," "Hallelujah, Get on Board," "There's a Song in Me," "The Spirit of America," "Music Rocks," "From the Inside Out," and "An Upstanding Citizen." Members of the choir were Shea Ashby, Matt Boley, Amy Bourgoin, Angel Francis, Jakob Henry, Alden Hensley, Makayla King, Brynn Lea, Karis Martin, Landry May, Grace Moore, Marcy Nelson, Alex Rieth, Emily Simpson and Breylin Smith.

The students are members of the school's 73 member fourth-grade choir who auditioned to be part of this special musical group.

Ms. Rogers completed her undergraduate degree at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. She completed work on her graduate degree at the University of North Texas in Denton, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of Central Arkansas. She has been actively engaged in the field of education for 32 years. During her career, she has taught at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, the Pulaski County Special School District, in San Antonio and Garland, Texas, and has been at Jim Stone Elementary, Conway since 1993. She spent 13 years as a secondary choral director and 19 years as an elementary music specialist. She has recently been inducted into the Arkansas Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.

After the program, the March association meeting was called to order with President Nancy Mitchell presiding over the meeting. Paulette Herring and the Communication Committee were shown appreciation for contacting and reminding members of the March meeting. Secretary Julia Fraser read the minutes of the February meeting. The minutes were approved as read.

President-elect Carl Barger thanked and recognized the March Host/Hostess Committee chaired by Janet and Arvil Burks for providing the refreshments and decorations. Other committee members were Faye Hanson, Ann Broach, Edna Rives, Faye Hunnicutt, George and Betty Doty, Russell and Mary Langston, and Wanda Eason.

First vice president Sharon Rapp, chair of the program committee, made an announcement about the April 15 program entitled, "Leisure and hobbies: Bow making," which will be presented by Darrell Hutchins a retired professor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Attendance Chair Elizabeth Rose Black reported there were 44 members present at the meeting. Community Service Chair, Jean Bell, announced that twenty members had turned in their community volunteer hours for a total of 628. Those turning in the most hours were Nancy Mitchell, Carroll Williams, Sandra Bradberry and Arvil Burks.

Carl Barger, Chair of the Legislative Committee, shared a letter from the State of Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Employee Benefits Division Executive Director, Sharon Dickerson Martindale, which he had received in response to an inquiry concerning vision and dental benefits that have recently been cut. He also provided the membership with a chart detailing the difference in the cost of insurance for retired and active Arkansas school employees and Arkansas state employees. Sen. Gilbert Baker, FCRTA member, was called upon to speak from a legislator's perspective to shed more light about why there is such a discrepancy between the benefits for the two groups. According to a recent newsletter from the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association office, the legislative goals will be improved health care and equitable state contributions for insurance with those of other state employees. Membership growth in the local units is seen as vital in order to have any real voice in state government.

In old business, Julia Fraser gave a report on the status of the FCRTA participation in the Faulkner County Literacy Council's Corporate Spelling Bee.

The membership was made aware that more volunteers were needed to help sort books by gender for the Bookcase for Every Child Project which is scheduled to take place on Thursday March 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Faulkner County Library. Interested members were asked to contact Nancy Mitchell after the meeting. Members who have volunteered to help in this endeavor are Frances Springstead, Jackie Mahan, Patricia Thessing, Sue White, and Nancy Mitchell.

In new business, Budget Committee Chair Nancy Mitchell acting on behalf of the other committee members recommended an increase in membership dues from $5 to $10 for the 2008-09 year. After a discussion from the floor, the increase in dues was unanimously passed. Other committee members are Helen Atkinson, Audie Lynch, and Sandra Bradberry. With the increase in revenue, member Darrell Kilman made a motion to increase the scholarship fund for 2008-09 to $500. After discussing how this would affect the new budget, the measure was unanimously agreed upon. The membership was advised that Treasurer Sandra Bradberry would begin taking membership dues for next year at the April meeting.

Members were informed of the death of one of its members, Elvia Lipsmeyer.

Lipsmeyer taught for 33 years at East End Elementary School in Bigelow. The preschool/kindergarten annex building at East End was dedicated and named in her honor in 2005. A memorial has been sent in her memory to the office of the Arkansas Retired Teacher Association.

Officers for 2007-08 and new officers who will be elected for the 2008-09 were encouraged to attend the Area IV Spring Conference which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 13, at the Adult Leisure Center at 6401 West 12th Street in Little Rock.

The April Host/Hostess Committee was announced with Joy and Jerry Wilson as Co-Chairs. Other members include Connie Westbrook, Susan Sandridge, James and Ramona Griffin, Sarah Guinn, Sarah Andrews, Francis Springstead, and Bronnie Rose. A short committee planning meeting was called following the association's general business meeting.

Association members were asked to sign up on the Host/Hostess Committee roster which was passed around for the 2008-09 year. They were also asked to consider other committee preferences for the upcoming year.

An announcement was made for volunteers for the Conway Symphony Designer House. Workers were needed to staff the tours for Friday, March 21. Interested members were asked to speak with Nancy Mitchell following the meeting.

FCRTA member Carroll Williams, who is serving as president of Conway AARP Chapter 796, made an announcement about a "Candidate Forum of Contested Races for State and County Offices" which will take place on April 21, at the Conway Senior Center at 1620 North Donaghey. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. and the Candidate Forum will begin at 12:30 p.m. Those interested in having lunch should RSVP Carroll Williams at 548-6222. A minimum donation of $2 is expected to cover the expense of the lunch.

The meeting was adjourned, and a time of fellowship followed. Easter Bunnies, baskets, egg wreaths, and fresh cut flowers were used to decorate the refreshment tables.