1

Summer 2015

2015 Convention at Fairmont Hot Springs This year’s convention will be held at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort between Butte and Anaconda just off of Interstate 90. It has a marked exit off the interstate. This is a first time for MREA meeting outside of a major city. A block of rooms has been re-served for MREA. They will be held until August 24 so reserve them early. Each registered guest will receive a pool pass at check-in time. The pool pass allows for 24-hour access to pass holders. There are two Olympic-sized swimming pools, one indoor and one outdoor. Also avail-able are two hot soaking pools, one indoor and one outdoor. The large pools average around 92 degrees while the hot soaking pools are around 102 degrees. They also have an 18-hole golf course, Frisbee golf, croquet and several other activities. Whisper-ing Willows Spa is located on the property and offers mas-sages along with hair and nail treatments. Fairmont has a café and a dining room with poolside views for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lounge will have live entertainment during the evenings of the convention. The Southwestern Montana unit and the Butte/Silver Bow unit have worked together to put together what will be a great convention. There will be time for a business meet-

ing, learning, sharing and having fun. Best of all it is such a great time to talk with other members from across the state and share successes and stories. You will always find someone one who knows someone that you know. It seems that those of us in Montana have lots of connections. Fairmont’s location between Anaconda and Butte pro-vides the opportunity to visit historic sites, visit museums or take a scenic drive. This is an opportunity that you will not want to miss. It will be a great time.

Guaranteed Annual Benefit In 2013 the Montana Legislature reduced the GABA, for active members and current retirees, from a flat rate of 1.5% to a minimum of 0.5% depending on the funded status of the system. The lawsuit filed on October 11, 2013, Byrne vs. State of Montana is pending in the First Judicial District Court before Judge Mike Menahan. On March 5, 2014 the

_______________________________ Continued on page 3

Fairmont Hot Springs

GABA bill signing 1999

2

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:Joan Tomich (Dist. 1)406.240.2042joantomich@hotmail.com

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

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

DISTRICT 4 –vacant

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

President’s Message Greetings to all, Wow!! What a great day to sit down to write this letter to you. The sun is shining and there is a nice breeze outside. Almost too nice to be inside. We had a good Board meeting on May 11. We completed some unfinished business and then went on to work on the convention. This is going to be a super convention at Fairmont Hot Springs on Sept. 20-22. Fran Schisler from Dillon and Pat Searle from Butte and their units have been working on this for some time now. They really are a lot of fun to work with. I know one thing for

sure and that is that there is no grass that grows under their feet. What hard working people. They have the enthusiasm and their retired units are each working hard to make this a wonderful convention. It will be great! They got some excellent prices for the rooms. It is $139 for a room with double beds. You can have as many as four people in a room if you want. That makes the price $34.75 per night. Now if we want two people in a room that makes the price $69.50. That is very reasonable for all the activities that are available for our use without extra cost. One important fact to remember!!!! We all need to make our reservation before noon on August 24 because Fairmont will release the reserved rooms after that date. They have a large demand for rooms at that time and need to let them go. There will be some excellent speakers with much information that is pertinent to all of us. There is much to learn and these people have the answers to our questions. We also are fortunate to have Mr. Val Prophet a well known pottery maker that will demon-strate his art and then auction off his pottery to us. That will be neat to bid on something we watched him make. I will guarantee that everyone will have a wonderful time and will go home with great ideas and something special from the convention, This the co-chairmen and their units have promised. Enjoy the summer and we look forward to seeing you at the con-vention in Fairmont. It will be outstanding!! Best Regards,

Dr. Doris Balko Montana State President

3

Membership ContestsMREA held two membership contests last year. The first one was awarded to the unit who had the largest number of new members between March 2014 and March 2015. That award went to Western Montana Unit in Missoula with a total of 15 new members for the year.

The second contest was to go to the unit with the larg-est percentage of new members within that period of time. That award also went to Western Montana with a percentage of increase of 23.81%. However at their last board meeting as the board looked at the numbers they saw that Bear Paw Unit in Havre had a percent-age of increase of 23.08%, less that a one percent difference. It was decided to also give Bear Paw an award.

There has been a new contest added for the next year. This contest will to be to renew members who have not belonged for at least 3 years. Some of you reading this article can help your unit win some scholarship funds by renewing your membership now.

It’s Not Too Late to Make Summer Vacation Happen!

Travel SafeWhether you’re relaxing at home, or jet setting around the world, Medical Air

Services Association (MASA) coverage can give you peace of mind. MASA provides

bene�ts like ground and air ambulance transportation, vehicle return, and companion/

child transportation.

Travel LightYour wallet should be the last thing weighing you down. You can use AMBA TravelPerx to get 10% o� when you book, as well as deeply discounted deals on hotel, �ights, and travel packages.

Travel SmartGet deals every step of the way. Save 15-25% on major car rentals and hotels, and much more, when you visit www.myAMBAbene�ts.info/mrea

Visit www.myAMBAbene�ts.info/mreaor call 1-800-258-7041 to learn more aboutyour travel bene�ts.

Bene�ts made available through:

plaintiff and the State filed motions for summary judgment. If all the issues raised in the case are resolved by the court through the summary judgment, no trial will be necessary. A judgment is expected soon. If the case is not resolved it will proceed to trial. AARP Foundation Litigation lawyer Jay Sushelski served as co-counsel on the case providing his expertise from many years of working on similar pension cases around the country. AARP Montana staff worked with Mr. Sush-elski to coordinate the effort. AARP Foundation Litigation works on about 70 cases a year selecting cases from around the country which will shape future court rulings, busi-ness practices or government actions that will substantially impact people age 50 and over. MREA was very instrumental in helping to pass the GABA bill in the 1999 legislature. Many members worked hard to have this implemented. The picture shows mem-bers of MREA and others gathered to watch Governor Marc Racicot sign the bill into law.

Continued from page 1 ______________________________

Please notify us of physical or email address change.

4

NEWS FROM MREA UNITS

Big Sky Montana Each time the Big Sky Unit of the Montana Retired Ed-ucators’ Association meets in Bozeman, an exciting and educational program precedes the business meeting. In April the group learned about assessment in Bozeman Public Schools as presented by Deputy Superintendent of Schools Marilyn King and Curriculum Director Robin Miller. The May program was presented by BSREA member Robert Leo who gave the members his personal insight into World War II. Robert, a retired MSU electrical engi-neering professor, built his first radio at the age of twelve after seeing an illustration in Radio Craft magazine. In 1937 he received his ham radio license and for seventy-eight years has been an active ham radio operator. At twenty, Robert joined the U.S. Navy and learned the 46 Japanese code symbols. Using his knowledge of radio and the Japanese symbols, he served in the Navy until 1945 when he entered Cal Tech to earn a degree in electrical engineering. Accompanying Robert to the meeting was his wife Cobi who had been a member of the Dutch underground in Holland during World War II delivering medicine and messages by bicycle.At the meeting Steffani Linn, one of our 2015 MSU scholarship winners, was introduced by Rita Fish. Lay-cee Morgan, the second scholarship recipient for 2015, was recognized in April. Dr. Lynda Ransdel, the Dean of the College of Health Education and Human Develop-ment at Montana State University , addressed BSREA members. Several MSU department heads and advisors of education-related student groups talked about their organizations. The Community Service Award for the Big Sky Re-tired Educators Unit was presented to the unit’s trea-surer, Elly Schwarzkopf. Elly, described as a shy person who speaks quietly, accomplishes much, and has a

We’re on the Web!www.mrea.info

heart of gold, is a retired art teacher and librarian who continues to be an active volunteer in Bozeman. The organization was touched by member, and retired Bozeman High School English teacher, JoAnne Troxel, who read several of her poignant poems about former colleagues and students. A book of JoAnne’s poetry will be published in two months. In addition to Robert Leo telling his story, member Mary Ellen Fitzgerald, a retired middle school educator and the retired County Superintendent of Schools for Galla-tin County, was presented with a copy of an article about her life which appeared in a Bozeman Daily Chronicle insert. Collecting members’ stories is a Montana Retired Educators Association point of emphasis, chosen by MREA president, Dorie Balko. Through April 2015, Big sky Unit members have donated: 183 jars of Peanut Butter and 280 children’s books to the Food Bank; 1,215 hours for With Our Youth; and 1,414 Community Volunteer Hours. The Big Sky Unit is fulfilling its objectives to serve youth and the greater community, as well as promoting activities to enhance the teaching profession.

Northeast Montana The Northeast Montana Retired Educators met on May 11, 2015. A contribution was given to the Chil-dren’s Museum following visiting the Museum in Glas-gow. The next meeting will be at the Cottonwood in September.

BSREA member JoAnne Troxel reads her original poetry

BSREA Community Service Award presented to Elly Scharzkopf by Lloyd-Ann McMahon and Rita Fish

BSREA member, Mary Ellen Fitsgerald rec-ognized by president Patsy Olmstead for her story in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle

5

Southeastern Montana MREA President Doris Balko and Executive Director Karen Richardson were guests at the June meeting of the Southeast MREA in Miles City. A wonderful potluck lunch was held at the Range Riders Museum. The group was entertained with great barbershop music. An installation of new officers was held and thanks given to those who have served in the last year. Officers in-stalled were co-presidents Renee Peterson and Renee Strand, Secretary Delores Cameron and Treasurer Sue Stanton. Committees were formed to plan the pro-grams for the coming year.

Southwest Montana Several Southwest Montana Retired Educators at-tended the Arbor Day Luncheon which was held at the Legacy Activities Hall on Friday, April 24th. A Burr Oak Tree was donated to the Legacy by the retired educa-tors group, and with the help of Ann Egan, it was given a home outside the Legacy Activities Center. In 2013, our unit submitted our first “Volunteer of the

Year” candidate for recognition as the State Volunteer of the Year. William (Bill) O’Connor received the spe-cial award that year. This past year our unit chose Jim and Patricia Anderson as our local “Volunteers of the Year”. They did not receive the state award but their names were submitted to the AARP National recogni-tion for their many years of community service and they received plaques and pins from AARP. Our local board also awarded a plaque to Bill O’Connor, and the Ander-sons for their years of service to our community. Retired Educators Day on March 12th was cel-ebrated with five members traveling to Helena. Retired educators staying in Dillon were invited to the Parkview Elementary for lunch by Superintendent Dr. Glen John-son. Members were asked to turn in their hours of volun-teering so they can be submitted to the state by May 1. Memberships are due and new members are en-

couraged to join our group. If you know someone who might be interested bring them to the picnic this sum-mer. The summer gathering will be at the old school next to the Depot. Details will be decided by the board at their next meeting. The MREA Convention was discussed. The Dil-lon Unit and the Butte Unit will be the co-hosts of the convention to be held at Fairmont hot Spring Septem-ber 20, 21, 22, 2015. Fran Schisler and Pat Searle are co-chairpersons for this event. All members are encouraged to attend for a couple of days of fun and recreation. Each unit is to provide a door prize and basket for the Don and Clarice Walters School Award fund. Our theme for our basket will be “Frontiers to the Future”. Election of officers was held. The only non-returning officer is Fran Schisler who did not want to remain as President. Jim Keef is the new President and will take office July 1. The officers are as follows: Jim Keef, President, Otis Anderson, Vice President, Ingrid (Joy) Kaushagen Secretary, Alan Zetler, Treasurer, Sharon Morehouse, Legislative Chairperson, and Linda Marsh, Communication Chairperson.

It was an enjoyable afternoon and thanks to all who came and all who brought food. Thanks to those who brought jars of peanut butter to be donated to the local food bank. Sixteen jars of peanut butter were donated.

Southwest members plant a tree

Southeast-Karen Richardson, Renee Peterson,Renee Strand, Doris Balko

Southwest president, Francis Schisler recognizes Volunteer of the Year award winners Jim and Patricia Anderson

6

!"#$%!&'()!*+,-.,/0+,!1.,/2/0-.!345.678.!

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

(AA2A*( ( ( ( ( ( K-9$/II/$8:-(:C(:CC8>"'9(( ( ( (( H:-?"-$8:-("-.9(

7

!"#$%&'()#(*+'(%"#,+-*"$*+'(%!"#$"%&"'()*(+()),()-*.(

/01'%23$(42$(!#'1356((

70%"(( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ((8019135(0::'"66(( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (;1$<(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((=1#(((((((((((((((((((((>?23"(( ( ( ( (@%019((( ( ( ( ( ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

A7BC(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((D@E@FGC@H((I@!(((((7J(((((((A7BC(>'"6(( ((((((K"516$'0$123('"L"1M":(&<(!"#$"%&"'(*,()-*.(((((((((((((((((((((((N).O--( ( (((((K"516$'0$123(0P$"'(!"#$"%&"'(*((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((NQ-O--( ( (((((723R(%"%&"'('"516$'0$123(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((NQ-O--( ( ( ((((((((((((((!./0123%-45647849%:;<%( S'"0TP06$(23(<2U'(2V3(( ( EU3L?"23(W(;?1LT"3(;9U&(!03:V1L?((((((((((((((((((((N*QO--( ( (((( ( D133"'(;?21L"H(C2#(!1'9213(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((N)XO.-( ( (( ( ( (((((;1$'U6(;?1LT"3( ( ( ( ((((N)YOZ.( ( ((*=4>0123%-45647849%::%( ( S'"0TP06$(SUPP"$( ( ( ( ( (((((N*.O.-( ( (((( ( ( ( ( ( ( %%%%%%*.61?<% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%@% % %%80T"(L?"LT6(#0<0&9"($2(!2U$?V"6$(8K@G(8019('"516$'0$123($2H( (G903(="$9"'(( ( ( ( >J(S2[(*--)(( ( ( ( D19923,(8C(.XZ).(( ( ( ( ( Y-\R\]QRYZ.*((G(&92LT(2P('22%6(16(&"135(?"9:(U3$19(*)H--(3223(GU5U6$()Y,()-*.O(

(/01'%23$(42$(!#'1356((((((((2'(L099(( ( *.--(/01'%23$(K20:( ((*R]--RQQ)RQ)Z)((((2'(( ( /01'%23$,(8C(.XZ**(((((((((((Y-\RZXZRQ)Y*( (G6T(P2'(K"$1'":(@:UL0$2'6('"6"'M":('22%6((^"(?2#"(<2U(V199(_213(U6(P2'(0(PU3(P"V(:0<6(13(0(M"'<(31L"('"62'$O(C?"'"(16(`EJC!(CJ(DJ(/JK(IJA(G7D(8@a(!"#$"%&"'()*(+))O(;2%"('"90[,(52(6V1%%135,(529P135,(5"$(0(%06605",("3_2<($?"(615?$6(03:(_213(U6(P2'(62%"(PU3(03:(L0%0'0:"'1"O((( % %%%%%%%

8

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