Present: : Dennis Bertholf, Loretta Bertholf, Geneva Dugger, Pauline Kopecky, Zona Noyes, Glade Presnal, Betty Rutledge, Margaret Scott, JoAnn Seamans, Steve Tweedie, Russell Wright
President Russ Wright began the meeting at 1:30 p.m. Zona Noyes made a motion the agenda be approved; seconded and passed. JoAnn Seamans made a motion the minutes be approved after corrections; seconded and passed.
Treasurer Geneva Dugger presented the financial statement reporting a balance of $7,782.08. Dennis Bertholf made a motion the report be approved; seconded and passed. Russ made a motion that Lifetime Membership dues be placed in our Credit Union interest bearing money market, with separate accounting so those monies are not spent; seconded and motion passed.
Officer/Committee Reports:
a. Communications: JoAnn Seamans reported that she and Susan Bigheart are working on the brochure. JoAnn had visited with Esther Winterfeldt who suggested White Woods Retirement Center information be left in the brochure, but information be very generic.
b.President: Russ reported on the Faculty Council June meeting as per FC minutes. FC is getting ready for new year with new committee chairs and members announced. All Emeriti members suggested for FC committees were approved. Any Emeriti member wanting to serve on the RISE (student retention) committee, contact that committee. Russ mentioned the changes in who does research and forms that must be completed; these regulations are being reviewed and streamlined by Faculty Council.
c. President-Elect: Margaret Scott committee reports included: Legislation: Dennis Bertholf.
$20 million additional funding was appropriated for retirement purposes. OREA goal is to increased this to $60 million per year.
There is a 2-year cycle for introduction and passage of COLA and health insurance subsidy bills. The 2009 session was the first year of the 2-year cycle. The House & Senate committee chairs now need to be convinced to refer these bills to the legislative actuary. If bills are to be available next session for a possible 4% fair and equitable COLA, or an increase in state health insurance subsidy for retired educators, bills must be sent to the actuary for fiscal analysis and returned by the first of December.
We are encouraged to contact Sen. Bill Brown, chair of the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee, and Rep. Ken Miller, chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee to urge them to refer TRS COLA bills and health insurance premium subsidy bills to be actuary. SB 1016, to amend current pension statutes to begin an incremental increase in the annual assumed COLA rate for retired educators, was dead for this session, but is still alive for possible actions in 2010 session.
d. Membership: Zona Noyes reported that letters had been sent and she had heard from two: George (Woody) Headrick and Patricia Self, both became members. Tana Rutan and Sue Bonner will have brochures to include with retirement packets.
e. Vice President for Activities:Co-chair Loretta Bertholf reported that the Activities Committee meeting time will be the 4th Wednesday (the Wednesday preceding the Council meeting). Ideas for the August meeting include: 1) wind turbine; 2) Teresa Miller, Writing Out Loud on OETA; 3) Scott Jordan on climbing mountains; 4) OSU students who this summer are giving incoming freshmen tours.
The August meeting will have only half a room and so want to have program without AV.
Loretta reported for Jack Stout, travel coordinator, that thirty people toured the Holocaust Museum in Oklahoma City. Norman dinner theater trip was cancelled. On August 13, a trip is planned to Wichita to see Love, Sex and the IRS , cost $58. December 1st through 3rd a trip to Branson is planned, with 5 shows two of them Christmas shows. OLLI is planning a trip to the Tulsa Opera on November 7th.
f. Technology Interest Group: Glade Presnal reported increased interest in the Technology Interest Group and credits that to Blaine Mayfield, OSU Teaching and Learning Institite, serving as instructor. He asked President Wright to send a letter on Emeriti Council letterhead thanking Blaine for his leadership. The next meeting will be on September 1st.
g. OLLI: Margaret Scott reported Fall classes will be held October 6 through November 12. She stated that plans are for schedules to be out by mid-July. OSU President Burns Hargis is tentatively scheduled to be the kick-off speaker for Town Hall. She reported that Jack Stout is looking into a September trip to the National Weather Station in Norman, lunch, and then tour the Post Office training facilities.
h. White Woods: Esther Winterfelt said the White Woods Board will hold their annual meeting after July Monday night dinner.
The next Council meetings will be July 27th, August 31st and September 28th. Upcoming Emeriti Dinners will be held on August 3rd and September 8th (The SECOND Monday due to Labor Day).
