1  

Masthead for AASRA Newsletter Fall 2013 Volume 52 No. 1

VATH’S VIEWS

President Mary Anne Vath What other profession encourages people to start over each autumn with a new beginning like being a teacher or other school employee? No matter what positions we held in public schools, we all have made a difference in countless children’s lives. I am thankful I was able to teach when we taught human beings to think of the world and universe, the magic and wonder of it all, not just pouring information into the children’s minds so they can score on achievement tests, like computer discs. I used to tell my students it was “fake learning” when we prepped for testing, as they often came up with “better” answers than the test provided. I have always been thankful my grandmother and my third grade teacher inspired me to achieve my impossible dream, to become a third-grade teacher, after helping my husband complete college and having two children in school. We were the first people in our families to get our degrees. On the first day of school each year, after thirty years as a teacher and nine years of being retired, I revisit in my mind my favorite teachers who touched my life and am grateful I was able to pass on that love of learning to others, to allow them to dream their dreams. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as your AASRA President this year. I have served under outstanding AASRA Presidents and feel humble to follow in their footsteps. The main goal for my presidency is to make All Arizona School Retirees Association THE main retirement group for public school educators, to make it more visible, to promote membership, and expand the opportunities of fellowship, pension protection, healthcare knowledge, and to continue to monitor legislative issues affecting public school retirees and senior citizens. Having served on

AASRA’s State Board of Directors and the Legislative Team for the last nine years, and serving on Membership Committee for the past two years, I feel I have a solid foundation for the presidency and understand the challenges we face. AASRA is very fortunate to have Duane Nelson serving as its President-elect, to be my right hand. With almost forty years as an elementary school teacher, Duane has been an outstanding leader in various organizations as well as in his school and district in Kingman. He is well respected in his community, doing countless hours of volunteer service, quietly and unassuming. He continues to inspire and encourage teachers and other school employees, as well as serving in, expanding, and strengthening AASRA’s Kingman Unit. He has served as a member of AASRA’s Membership Committee and as a member of AASRA’s State Board for three years as District 5 Vice-President. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Arizona Wildlife Federation. We hope to be able to visit as many local AASRA units that we can together, as a team. Please invite us to attend your unit meetings to exchange information about state and local events in AASRA. Your state board members are a group of high caliber workers who try in every way to serve you best and keep you informed. I am always astounded by the amount of volunteer hours recorded each year by all of us. We have not given up caring for our communities and are a valuable resource to each community and town. May this be an outstanding year for all of us as we spread the GOOD NEWS we have in AASRA and make life a joy as we carry on serving others. May we continue to be “beacons of light” to our communities. LOOKING AHEAD…. CONVENTION 2014

June 3-4 Embassy Suites North

2577 W. Greenway Road Phoenix, AZ 85023

2  

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Dear Members of the All Arizona School Retirees Scholarship Committee, I am extremely grateful to be awarded the All Arizona School Retirees Scholarship. Thank you very much for the support in furthering my education. I’m from Tucson, Arizona and it has always been one of my dreams to attend the University of Arizona. I began my college education at Pima Community College, and then

transferred, to the U of A, to work towards my Bachelors Degree. I’m majoring in Elementary Education. I chose to attend the University of Arizona because it’s the school of my hometown. I have grown up watching U of A sports, and listening to my father cheer for their victory. This year as a Wildcat, I plan to continue to be involved in a campus club called Cru. The mission of Cru is to “follow Jesus, love people, and seek the good of the U of A”. I also plan to try to continue to volunteer my time as much as I can. Last year, I was involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation mentoring a little girl name Sierra. I also went with a team from my church to built houses for the less fortunate in Mexico. This summer, I’m volunteering as a camp counselor at the Muscular Dystrophy summer camp. I’m also going with a team from Cru to India for six weeks to work with the Mother Teresa Foundation. I really enjoy giving my time to help others. As a college student, I don’t have much money to give, but I do have some time to give. Receiving this scholarship has been tremendously helpful for me because this year I did not receive enough financial aid grants to cover my tuition, leaving me to have to take loans. Initially, I hoped to finish college debt free; although that is not possible this scholarship has helped me get closer to that goal. Once I have graduated, I plan to begin teaching in the public school district. Also, I hope to one day continue my education and receive my Masters Degree. I cannot express gratitude enough for your kindness in helping me get one step closer to fulfilling my dreams.

Kind regards, Nicole Handford

NORTHERN ARIZONA SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

To whom it may concern, Thank you so much for the scholarship that you have bestowed upon me. Because of the All Arizona School Retirees Association Scholarship, I will be able to continue pursuing my

Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Special Education at

the College of Education at Northern Arizona University. Words cannot express my gratefulness for this blessing. I know that you had many qualified applicants, and that choosing the recipients was a difficult task. Prior to entering the NAU College of Education, I was selected to be in the PRIME (Preparing Rural Inclusive Multicultural Educators) program. PRIME is a federally funded grant in the Yuma area to meet the shortage of special educators. It has been an experience that has changed my life. In PRIME, we have done many interesting and stimulating projects, including two trips to the CEC (Council for Exceptional Children), where we presented teacher-made materials, created teacher-made literacy centers, as well as creating IEP’s, FBA’s, and BSP’s. My goals after completing my undergraduate career at NAU are to get into the education field immediately, either in the area of special education or general education. I plan to teach at the elementary level. I feel that elementary school teachers have a unique opportunity to shape the futures of our young children. Yet, I realize the heavy burden of responsibility entering the field of education entails. It is not a responsibility I will take lightly. I can’t say enough how much I am honored by the scholarship that has been presented to me. I intend to make the most of the opportunity that your esteemed organization has awarded me. I understand that there will be expectations of excelling in my field during the student teaching experience, as well as when I set out on my own as a novice teacher. I know it is an honor to represent the NAU College of Education, as well as my kind donors. I will endeavor to prove myself to be a worthy recipient of this scholarship, both in the present, and future.

Sincerely, Jay Sheridan Jr.

Nicole Hanford

Jay Sheridan

3  

A Tribute to Someone Special in My Life

I would like to  

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

Dear All Arizona School Retirees Association, My name is Brittney Oden and I am entering my senior year residency at Arizona State University in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College iTeachAZ program majoring in special education and will also be dual certified in elementary

education. I live in Mesa with my husband and six year old son, Kyle. I have always loved school and have always valued my education. I have been attending college for 16 years and this will be my first bachelor’s degree. I was taught that life comes first; you get a job, make a living and then fit school in when you can. There were five of us kids growing up and the money never went far enough. I was homeschooled after seventh grade and became a full-time nanny to help with the family bills. I have always worked sometimes two and three jobs. I knew school was important and the way to a better life but, through life’s trials, was never able to go more than part time. I have three associate degrees, all with honors, but never seemed to be able to make that leap to start my path towards a bachelor’s degree. Before my second son’s birthday he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent 13 months of chemo. The tumor is stable but it is still there and in the process, took his vision in his right eye. After we went through chemo with my son, I realized that life was too short to just have a “job” and I wanted to teach my son that no matter what your dreams are they are worth chasing and accomplishing. Through the support of my husband, I quit my job, took a giant leap of faith and enrolled at the local community college for one year of classes. I have also maintained a 4.0 grade point average while at ASU. I recently passed the special education exam for Arizona state certification and continue to study for the additional exams. I also attend as many conferences and workshops as I can in efforts to be even more prepared once I start teaching and to continue learning. I am realizing my dream for me and a better life for my family. I finally feel that my dreams are taking flight and it is exhilarating. I cannot wait to start teaching and help my students start chasing their dreams as well.

Sincerely, Brittney B. Oden

_______ Honor or _____Memorialize Name ___________________________ Person being honored or memorialized Occasion ________________________ Anniversary, In memory of, Birthday, etc. Please acknowledge my Gift to: Name ___________________________ Address _________________________ E-mail___________________________ Gift Amount ______________________

Given by ________________________ Person or organization making the gift Address _________________________ E-mail ___________________________ Phone __________________________

Make checks payable to: AASRA Scholarship Foundation 16165 N 83rd Avenue Suite 201

Peoria, AZ 85382 602-262-5174

Date_____________________________

Brittney Oden

4  

Lois Postel

 

AASRA SCHOLARSHIP

FOUNDATION SAYS THANK YOU!

The Foundation Board wants to thank AnnJi Craig-Wooten and Debbie Duncan for all their work on the scholarship raffle at the recent state convention. Since it is our main fundraiser activity, we appreciate all the support we received from those that donated such wonderful raffle items. Big thanks to all the ticket buyers that helped us raise over $1,400. We want to thank Carol Morton for all her work on the fall newsletter that feature our scholarship winners.

Garry York, Foundation Chair

AASRA SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE SELECTS THREE RECEPIENTS

How are university students selected for AASRA scholarships? The process of selection is as follows: The three universities are notified of the available scholarship funds. Then the scholarship coordinators at each of the universities select three candidates who are requested to complete a scholarship application. The scholarship coordinator sends them on to the AASRA Scholarship Executive Director, Garry York. He, in turn, sends out the applications to each member on the AASRA Scholarship committee. Each application is reviewed and ranked according to commitment to education, need and ability to communicate. The results are sent back to Mr. York for tabulation. He ranks them in order including an alternate from each university in the event a student is unable or chooses not to return to school in the fall. Each university is notified of the results and they in turn contact the students. Each student accepts or declines the scholarship. Upon acceptance, each candidate fills out a bio and is asked to submit a picture for AASRA publicity purposes. A special thank you to each of the Scholarship committee members for assisting with the selection process. It is a pleasure to award each candidate $2,500. Congratulations to ASU: Brittney Oden; NAU: Jay Sheridan Jr. and U of A, Nicole Handorf.

Alice Reule, Executive Secretary AASRA Scholarship Committee

The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.

EVSRA SCHOLARSHIP RAFFLE WINNERS

Two very surprised winners, Lois Postel and Beverley Snidecor, show off their beautiful lap quilt and knitted afghan each won in EVSRA’s Scholarship Fund Raffle! Two lucky EVSRA members who were glad they helped support the annual Scholarship fundraiser.

AASRA MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Bonnie Ford rounded up the troops to attend some of the beginning of the year district meetings for all school employees at Baltz, Creighton, Fowler, Littleton, Murphy, and Washington School Districts in late July and August. Each school district had a winner. And, as they registered for the gift card, AASRA members

were able to share information about AASRA as well as give one lucky district employee a Target gift card worth $25. Your Units may also be a winner by contacting Bonnie Ford for a membership committee presentation at one of

your meetings and you too may be a winner! Carol Morton, Membership Committee Co-chair

Murphy School District Superintendent, Lenora Jenkins,

draws a “gift card winner’s

name”!

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITING INCENTIVE Members who recruit a new member will have their name submitted for a drawing to be held at next year’s convention! More than one recruit, more chances to win! The more you recruit, the more chances you have to win a gift card. A drawing will be held for both Recruiter and Recruit!  

Beverley Snidecor

 

5  

AASRA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2013-2014

By Sigrid Whitman The AASRA State Board, at their recent meeting, approved the following legislative priorities. The Legislative Team is made up of the following members: Sigrid Whitman, Chair, Virginia Brant, Joe Carter, Jan Lindsey, and Don Ritchie, members. 1. Protect our Defined Benefit pensions and to do anything we can to help strengthen them. 2. Work for anti-voucher legislation in education; more funding for education; recognition by the Legislature of professional standards for public education; issues that will improve the integrity of public education. 3. Work against any TABOR-like issues that might come up again in the Legislature (TABOR stands for Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights). Several legislators have promoted similar legislation under different names but so far, this has failed. 4. Work against any legislation that promotes excessive interest rates, especially payday loans and title loans. 5. Promote restoration and budget increases for human services (such as care giving funds, funds for children and families). The Legislative Team will share AASRA priorities with state legislators by contacting and meeting with as many as possible before the next January Legislative Session begins.

ASRS NEWS By Janet Fee

ASRS Fund Grew 13.1 Percent The Arizona State Retirement System posted a rate-of-return for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013 of 13.1 percent (net of fees; 13.8 percent before fees) on a total fund of more than $31.1 billion. Health Insurance Information concerning the 2014 enrollment forms for the health insurance will be out in October. The health insurance premiums for retirees on Medicare will remain the same. Those retirees who are not eligible for Medicare will have an increase. ASRS is in the final year of the contract with United Health Care. Early next year they will be requesting proposals from insurance companies for the next five years beginning in 2015.

Please check with the ASRS website for more information. www.azasrs.gov

Dear Members, It’s time to start paying your 2014 AASRA dues. They are due and payable now. Please submit $30 to your unit

treasurer or send your check to the AASRA state office at 16165 North 83rd Ave., Suite 201, Peoria, AZ 85382-5816. Another solution for paying your dues – go ADD. That is how the majority of our members are doing it. You just sign up and forget it. Application forms are available online on our website (www.aasra.org). Print one off or pick one up from your unit treasurer. Fill it out, sign it, and send it to the address listed above. $2.50 will be automatically deducted from your ASRS pension check each month. In this way, you will never again forget to “re-member”. Try it – you’ll like it! In addition to always being up-to-date with your dues, it also saves our association money. We do not have to send out dues reminders to ADD members because their dues are always paid. This, in turn, helps to keep our dues very affordable. Please help us out and take care of this obligation before December 31, 2013.

Sue Secrest, State Treasurer

Lois  Snyder  Fund By Lorene Shough

It is the beginning of a new year, and I am proud to announce that all currently active units DID donate to the Lois Snyder Fund during the 2012-2013 year. Please continue to be creative with your fund raising so that, once again, we

will have 100% participation like we had last year. Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. As you know, this is truly a wonderful cause. Please spread the word about the Lois Snyder Fund. Without you educating your local members about the availability of the fund, we cannot assist your members if/when they need a little help. We want to be there for them. Forms are available at the state office, from any Unit President, from the State President, Mary Anne Vath, (member of the committee), and from the other Lois Snyder committee members are currently, State Treasurer, Sue Secrest and Lois Snyder Chairperson, Lorene Shough. Please help AASRA in assisting those in need.

6  !

   

HEALTH NEWS FALL 2013 By Virginia Brant Health & Wellbeing Chair

Welcome back. Now that it is fall we need to set time aside to clean out our medicine cabinets. Replace all medications that are a year old or older that were not used. Check the medication expiration date. Remember to mix them with coffee grounds or grease or both and dispose of them. DO NOT FLUSH DOWN THE TOLIET! Health care Law: The following information is to assist you to learn more about the new Health Care Law and where you can go for information. As of October 1st persons who are not of Medicare age will able to sign up for Market Place for insurance. If you are on Medicare you will not have to do anything. Be sure you do not drop your Medicare coverage. Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15- December 7th)), 2013 will also stay the same. For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE. If you wish to speak with a counselor in Arizona who can help you get the answers you need through the State Health Insurance Counseling Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit the Arizona SHIP https://www.azdes.gov/daas/ship/ or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for the number of SHIP in your State. You may be able to get Medicaid, which would help with some of your Medical costs. Contact AHCCCS at 1-800-654-8713, for more information. For further information in understanding the health care law go to AARP’s Health Law Facts, available at www.HealthLawFacts.org[http://www.LawFacts.org]

AASRA COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

School funding is a continual challenge throughout Arizona. To assist in this endeavor, put your tax dollars to work, where you want them, by making a tax credit contribution to your school and even to a specific

program or activity at the school. Go to: www.azdor.gov/TaxCredit/SchoolTaxCreditsforIndividuals for complete information as to the amount and procedures. It is important that this tax credit be submitted in the tax year that it will be filed and acknowledged by the school before December 31st of that year. Don’t keep this a secret; tell others so they may also help the schools and educational programs in your community.

Roger G. Tabar, Chairperson, Community Participation

New Member Benefits website provides easy access to information! Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA) is endorsed by AASRA to provide supplemental “Member-Only” benefits to AASRA members. These benefits have been heavily negotiated on behalf of retirees and are of the highest quality and value for you. AASRA endorses the following benefits: • Long Term Care / Home Health Care Insurance; • Long Term Care Annuity • First Diagnosis Cancer Insurance; • Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans • Final Expense Whole Life Policy; • Tax-Deferred Annuity • Medical Air Services Association (MASA) • Discounts available for: • American Hearing Benefits (AHB); • Government Employee Travel Opportunities

(GETO) • LaQuinta Inn & Suites Discount; • Hertz, Avis, & Budget Car Rental Discounts • AMBA TravelPERX; • Identity Theft Protection • Dell Computer Discount; • Apple Electronic Products Discount • 1-800-Flowers Discount; • CU Wireless; Wirefly; and • Presto Printing Mailbox AMBA has designed a new website exclusively for AASRA members and provides easy access to information about the benefits. Please visit www.myambabenefits.info/aasra to find out more! Please contact AMBA Regional Director of Association Relations, Susan Lowry, at 1.800.2 58.7041 ext.110 for questions about the benefits or to schedule a speaker for your unit meetings.

The AASRA Newsletter is published three times a year.

Articles can be sent to: AASRA

16165 N. 83rd Avenue, Suite 201 Peoria, AZ 85382-5816

or cam642@aol.com

President – Mary Anne Vath

President Elect – Duane Nelson Co-Executive Directors – Janet Fee & Garry York

Secretary – Pearl Nancarrow Treasurer – Sue Secrest

Newsletter Editor – Carol Morton www.aasra.org

 

7  

Check out Pima County Unit’s web page! What a great way to serve your membership!

 

PIMA COUNTY SCHOOL RETIREES Pima County has a wonderful year ahead of us. We have programs that would be worth driving from the far corners of the state to hear. If you want to know what they are, go to

www.pcsra.com. Although the entire web site is not remodeled, all programs, locations and reservation information are current. For our first meeting of the year we had visits from Mary Anne Vath and Duane Nelson. Our members love getting to know people from our state organization. Entertainment was by the Arizona Banjo Blasters! (Three of them are 90+!) SO MUCH FUN! Two of our members even got so carried away by the music that toe-tapping wasn't enough. They got up and danced to the greater enjoyment of everyone. It's gonna be a GREAT year!

Terry Bagwell, Membership Chair

HUACHUCA AREA SCHOOL RETIREES ASSOCIATION

Members of HASRA (Huachuca Area School Retirees Association) and their guests met for their annual picnic in August at

Veteran's Memorial Park in Sierra Vista. From the guests attending this event, the unit signed up two new members. Pictured L to R - 1st row: Mila West, Eileen Sywassink, Dinah McCreery, Dee Walz, Joye Redding 2nd row - Evelyn Harris, Leslie Clark, Joy Mims, Mary Jane George, Aileen Perrill, Jim Perrill 3rd row - Ron McCreery, Jean Perry, Gary Redding, Dave Perry 4th row - Al Walz, Don Sywassink, Mary Tipton, Roger Tabar. Not pictured - Renae Humburg

Priscilla Tabar, Photographer

EAST VALLEY UNIT

Helpful volunteers carry the donations provided by East Valley members into the Justa Center, a day resource center for those veterans over the age of 55 who have nowhere to live. EVSRA members collected bags, cut plarn for crocheted sleeping mats, as well as, gathered personal care items and water to help the members through the hot summer. These Justa Center clients were so grateful and eagerly went out in the heat to help unload the donations and thanked us over and over for them.

Carol Morton, EVSRA

FACEBOOK USERS, PLEASE NOTE! Check out the AASRA Facebook page to find the latest meeting notices for the AASRA unit in your area. Just type in “All Arizona School Retirees’ Association” at the top of the Facebook page you open where it says Search for people, places and things. The page is updated regularly with new information. You can add comments or ask questions, too!

AASRA POLO SHIRTS AND PINS A good way to share “the word” about AASRA would be to wear a polo shirt and/or pin! Polo Shirts are $10 each

sizes: Small, Medium, and Large: $12 each for Extra Large, 1XL, 2XL, and 3XL. Pins are $2.00 each. Send requests to AASRA Office: Att: Mary Rogers

8  

Top portion is for newsletter mailing address (16165 N. 83rd Avenue, Suite 201, Peoria, AZ 85382-5816)  

“Memories Are Made of This” – the theme of our 2013 Convention was just that. It allowed us all to walk down memory lane – recalling the ‘40’s, ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s and enjoy the great music of those decades.      Our table decorations also reflected the past – with candy of the ‘50’s to coke bottles, to old-fashioned desks

made by Mary Boykin. Everyone got “into the Mood” with poodle skirts and outfits reminiscent of the past. All of this

couldn’t have happened without the hard work of the Convention Committee: Mary Boykin, Joan Collinsworth, Debbie Duncan, Janet Fee, Jan Lindsey, Dorothy Lisonbee, Sandra Marshall, Dr. Mary Murphy, Connie Myren, MaryAnn Parkinson, Steve Poe, Sue Secrest, Mary Strebe, Mary Anne Vath, and Garry York. A thank you also goes to AnnJi Craig-Wooten and Bonnie Ford for handling the raffle, and the many people who arrived early to help us set up the room and decorate.

Convention Co-Chairs, Virginia Brant and Sigrid Whitman

AASRA leaders in “Bobby Socks”, in-coming

President, Mary Anne Vath, and our “Hippie”,

out-going President, Steve Poe

 

Mary Anne Vath and Steve Poe in their usual leadership roles. Be sure to check the AASRA

website http://www.aasra.org for more photos of our twirling dancers, poodle skirts, collections through the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and more! Look for the link: CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS. There were many photos to be shared but so little space, I hope you enjoy the photos selected. Carol Morton, AASRA Newsletter, Editor