Spring Luncheon
 Angelo Grande |
 Ed & Judy Fleming |
 Lucretia Ruppel & Anna May Hoffman |
 David Keefe |
|
 Manny Kuehnel, Mary Armbruster, Vivian Ellis |
Calendar August
September
October
November
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From the President
Sally Valenti
WERTA has had a busy and productive Spring. We have had an Executive Board meeting, a luncheon in Merrick, and organized our lobby teams to visit local politicians.
Our legislative teams, under the expert leadership of Kathy Grande, have been making calls and visits to local legislators on behalf of NYSRTA and we appreciate their efforts.
We are beginning to gear up for the 2011 convention. Long Island is a great place to live and work and we are going to bring that message the State Convention. Please join our retired educators to help in any way you can.
Thank you for the contributions to our Scholarship Fund in memory of our beloved members. If you would like to remember or honor another, send a donation for the WERTA Scholarship Fund to Candy Misner at 694 Seaman Ave., Baldwin, NY 11510.
Hope to see you all at the next luncheon!
State Legislation
Angelo Grande
It’s the LAW!
At long last, the Third Party Notification Bill is now New York State law. Chapter 49 of the Laws of 2010 requires third-party notification prior to termination of long-term care and health insurance for persons 65 and older. Congratulations NYSRTA and the other retiree groups who helped to make this success possible with their support: AARP, Alliance of Public Retiree Organizations, NYSUT, RPEA, and SAANYS.
Permanent Health Insurance Protection!
Our Association has been lobbying for this protection since 1994. Every year since 1994 we have received a one-year extension of the health insurance protection afforded by Chapter 729 of the Laws of 1994. Now our limited health insurance protection has been made permanent as a result of Governor Paterson signing bill # A40026 / S66026 into law on December 10, 2009 as Chapter 504. The Retirement Benefits for New Entrants “Tier V” Bill contained a provision that will make permanent the limited health insurance protection now afforded to retirees. What a great victory for all retired educators in New York State!
WERTA 2009-2010 Gift Membership for a Friend
print friend’s name:______ ______
your name:______ ______ ______
friend’s phone number:______ ______
friend’s e-mail address (important):______
friend’s address:______ ______
friend’s town, state, zip+4:______
friend’s date of birth (if known):______ ______
friend’s year retired (if known):______
friend’s school district(s):______ ______
is friend a current member of NYSRTA?______
Please send your $5 check for each brand-new member’s annual dues, payable to WERTA, to Mary Armbruster, 120 High St, Lindenhurst NY 11757-5023. A letter of welcome and a newsletter will be mailed to your friend after receipt of your application(s) and check(s).
Click here to download form.
Friendly Service
by Judith Fleming
During the year when members turned 80, 90 or 100 years and over, certificates of appreciation were sent by their Friendly Service chairperson. One thank you note read, “What a pleasant surprise to open the envelope and take out the ‘Certificate of Appreciation,” …I am honored and shall treasure it always.”
People feel good when they are remembered, but assistance is needed and appreciated to enable Friendly Service to be more responsive to members during both happy and difficult times. Please keep me (631-862-8052) or Marjorie Williams (516-483-2469) informed so appropriate cards can be sent.
Community Service
by Barbara Goss
The Community Service committee is interested in how WERTA members contribute to the greater community in which they live.
A career in education often spans three decades or more and requires dedication as teachers help young people learn and grow into responsible citizens. After retirement, it seems like a natural progression to continue caring and sharing and an outlet for that is involvement with volunteer work.
Volunteerism involves a wide range of interests and can include varied and fascinating work. In order to share some of your activities with our membership, I would like to hear from you. I am hoping to be able to include many of your names and how you are helping in your community in our next newsletter. I expect that it will be amazing to note all the different groups our members have assisted.
Please send a list of the groups you’re involved with and a brief description of your responsibilities to me at PO Box 1364, Jamesport 11947.
Stella Barbera
I made calls to remind people of the March Luncheon Meeting. The bonus was the kindness and friendliness with which my calls were received. Our members are truly caring and supportive of WERTA’s activities and efforts. I look forward to seeing you again at our June 16th Luncheon Meeting.
Classified
free to members when space allows
FOR RENT - Naples, FL - Member-owned, beautifully furnished 2nd floor end unit (elevator or stairs), 2 bedrooms (king/double/queen sofa bed), 2 baths, renovated, new appliances, spectacular golf/lake view, sorry-no pets. Clubhouse, pool, sauna, tennis, walk to shops. $2K Feb, $1800 Jan or Mar, $1600 Dec or April, $1400 Nov or May, $1200 Sept or Oct, $1000 June or July or Aug; 631-678-2458.
FOR RENT - Orlando, FL Home - Furnished, 4 bedrooms (king, queen, double w. bunk, twins, sofa bed), 3 full baths, laundry room, private screened pool, Disney-16, Seaworld-17, Universal-22; $700 week, $2000 month, opt. winter pool heat $75 wk; call 631-661-6797.
FOR RENT - Key Largo Condo - Gulf view; 2 bedrooms, 1+1/2 baths, study with DSL, tennis, heated pool. Feb or March: $3200/mo; Jan, Feb, Mar: $900/wk; Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug: $850/wk; Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec: $750/wk; holiday weeks extra - includes FL tax, cleaning & boat slip; call 516-628-2905.
WERTA BOARD
President............. Sally Valenti
516-665-8036............. alicia62479@yahoo.com
Vice President............. Evelyn Paola
516-221-0654............. tba
Secretary............. JoAnne Powell
631-678-2458............. YoJo1@aol.com
Treasurer............. Candy Misner
516-223-2606............. candymisner@yahoo.com
Awards............. OPEN
Budget & Finance............. Dick Blowers
631-584-4367............. tba
By-Laws & Resolutions............. Helen Brion
631-226-4159............. hbrion@optonline.net
Community Service............. Barbara Goss
631-722-4087............. tba
Friendly Service............. Judith Fleming
631-862-8052............. judy0517@aol.com
631-842-3401............. Marjorie Williams
Health Advocacy............. Mildred Ackerly
516-352-5001............. milclegg@aol.com
Historian............. Manfred Kuehnel
631-957-0674............. MWKuehnel60@optonline.net
LegislationFed............. Ida Davis
516-483-3581............. tba
LegislationState............. Ang & Kathy Grande
516-676-7436............. aigrande@yahoo.com
Membership............. Mary Armbruster
631-957-4366............. marylarmbruster@aol.com
Co-Chair............. Lois Thornberg
631-583-5277............. loistberg@usa.net
561-845-9819............. 631-457-0469
Nominations............. Mary Callan
516-437-0048 ............. mcxteach@aol.com
co-chair Liz Middleton............. 516-333-9617
Public Relations............. Stella Barbera
631-957-8568............. stellbarb@aol.com
WERTA NEWS............. JoAnne Powell
631-678-2458............. YoJo1@aol.com
www.LI-zone.org............. JoAnne Powell
631-678-2458............. YoJo1@aol.com
WERTA Constitution
by Helen Brion
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of this unit shall be the West End Retired Teachers’ Association.
ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES The objectives of this Association shall be to promote the economic, social and professional status of retired teachers, to cooperate with the Long Island Zone of the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP Section l. Membership in this Association shall be open to all retired educators.
Section 2. Membership categories are: Annual, Honorary, and Spouse.
Section 3. Members of this Association shall fulfill the requirements for membership in the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association.
Section 4. Members attaining the age of 85 shall be considered honorary members and will be held in good standing, but will not be required to pay dues.
ARTICLE IV - STRUCTURE AND ORGAConstitutionNIZATION The West End Retired Teachers’ Association of the Long Island Zone is a division of the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association.
ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section l. The elected officers of the Association shall be as follows: a. President b. Vice President c. Secretary d. Treasurer
Section 2. The President shall:
a. Preside at all meetings of the Association and of the Executive Committee;
b. Appoint Chairmen of all committees with the approval of the Executive Committee;
c. Appoint a Parliamentarian and Historian;
d. Call such meetings of the Executive Committee and of the general membership as the business of the Association may require;
e. Be an ex-officio members of each committee except Nominating Committee;
f. Appoint delegates to the Annual State Meeting in accordance with procedures set by the Executive Committee;
g. Serve as liaison between the unit and the Zone.
Section 3. The Vice President shall:
a. Perform all duties of the President in his/her absence;
b. Be Chairman of the Program Committee.
Section 4. The Secretary shall:
a. Record the proceeding of the Association and the Executive Committee;
b. Work closely with the President, sending out notices of meetings and other communications as necessary;
c. Be responsible for the records of this Association.
ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & MEETINGS
Section l. The Executive Committee shall:
a. Consist of the immediate Past President, the elected officers, chairpersons of standing committees, and others designated by the Executive Committee;
b. Meet prior to each general membership meeting;
c. Appoint delegates and alternates to state meetings and conventions;
d. Fill vacancies in any office for the unexpired term, or by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee;
e. Establish policies and conduct the business of the organization;
f. Make rules and regulations to govern the administration of the Association within the framework of the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association;
g. Establish special committees and set up guidelines for all committees;
h. Designate money for specific purposes as deemed necessary.
Section 2. Meetings of this Association should be held the months of November, March and June.
ARTICLE VII – FINANCE
Section l. Annual unit dues of all members shall be determined annually by the Executive Committee. All members are encouraged to become members of the LIZRTA/NYSTRA in order to qualify as delegates to the NYSRTA Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES & THEIR DUTIES
Section l. Standing committees: a. Awards b. By-Laws c. Community Service d. Finance and Budget e. Friendly Service f. Health Advocacy g. Historian h. Legislation - Federal i. Legislation - State j. Membership k. Newsletter l. Nominations m. Program n. Public Relations o. Resolutions p. Website
Section 2. Duties:
a. The Awards Committee shall select the person to be nominated for the NYSRTA Certificate of Recognition and the person(s) to receive the Long Island Zone Service Award.
b. The By-Laws Committee shall keep these documents up to date by any necessary revision(s); have them approved by the Executive Committee and presented for adoption at a regular meeting of the membership.
c. The Community Service Committee shall encourage members to work or volunteer for community programs, especially those relating to school, education, children and the elderly to give more visibility to the membership.
d. The Finance & Budget Committee shall:
1. Recommend to the Executive Committee investments of Association funds, recommend changes and variations in budget items during the fiscal year;
2. Prepare a budget showing receipts and expenditures for the ensuing year to be presented at the Annual Meeting;
3. Review auditor’s reports and coordinate and supervise finance operations of the Association.
e. The Friendly Service Committee shall promote the well-being of the Association and of its members.
f. The Health Advocacy Committee shall provide members of the Association with information and assistance so that they may make informed choices on healthcare.
g. The Historian shall collect and file all data and records that pertain to the establishment, growth and development of the Association.
h. The Federal Legislation Committee shall work with other state and national organizations to promote federal legislation for the benefit of active and retired teachers.
i. The State Legislation Committee shall work to further state legislation for the benefit of active and retired teachers.
j. The Membership Committee shall promote membership in the Association; the chair of the committee shall accept and post all dues, then forward the checks to the treasurer with the list of paid members;
k. The Newsletter Committee shall collate news and photographs from the unit and other sources; create a layout, and deliver the file to the printer/mailing service;
l. The Nominating Committee shall submit names of candidates for Association offices at the March meeting; election to take place at the June meeting; installation at the November meeting. In addition, the unit chairperson should assist in recruiting candidates for zone and state positions.
m. The Program Committee shall assist the Vice President in planning programs for the organization;
n. The Public Relations Committee shall promote good understanding with active teachers, retired teachers, and the general public;
o. The Resolutions Committee shall propose and present resolutions to the Zone to forward to the State Resolutions Committee and the House of Delegates;
p. The Website Committee shall collate news and photographs from the unit and other sources; create the layout, and e-mail the file to the zone website manager.
ARTICLE IX – ELECTIONS
Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall announce the slate of candidates to be sent out to all members before the Annual Meeting;
Section 2. Nominations for offices may be made from the floor;
Section 3. The Officers of the Association shall be elected in odd-numbered years by a majority vote of the members voting;
Section 4. All elected officers of the organization shall hold office for a term of two years. The President, Vice President, and Secretary may succeed themselves for one term only. The term of office shall begin November l and end October 3l of the expiring year but continue until a successor shall be elected to each office. No term limits shall apply to the treasurer.
ARTICLE X - FISCAL YEAR
Section l. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from July l to June 30 of the following year.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
Section 1. A proposed amendment to these by-laws may be initiated: a. by the Executive Committee; b. by petition signed by at least ten members, paid up and in good standing in the Association, presented to the Executive Committee;
Section 2. The by-laws in force may be amended by the following procedures:
a. A proposed amendment shall be presented to the Executive Committee at a regularly convened meeting for their consideration;
b. The amendment proposal shall be sent to all members prior to the annual meeting when a vote shall be taken;
c. Adoption of the amendment shall require an affirmative vote of a least two thirds of the members present.
ARTICLE XII - RULES OF ORDER
Section l. The most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authority on all questions of procedure.
The West End Retired Teachers’ Constitution and By-Laws was to be adopted at the Nov. 2008 luncheon meeting of the three former areas of North Nassau, South Nassau, and Western Suffolk Retired Teachers. If you have any questions, please attend West End luncheons. See information about the next luncheon elsewhere on this page of the website.