Bay Area Retired School Personnel

Volume 21Issue 2 October 2012

Presidents Message.
Officers
President Sandy DeWaele
josandew@charter.net

October is always an important BARSP meeting. With all the changes that have occurred with our insurance make sure you make your reservation for Monday, October 8, 2012 to hear Bronko Bojicic, Manager of Accounts for MPSERS, explain Current Insurance Benefits. Need new President Elect : Im sorry to say that I received a resignation letter from our President Elect, Michael Andress. This means we are immediately in need of a President Elect. Please consider volunteering to our nomination chairperson, Bill Jones or myself. Both of us can help you with clarification of the President Elects duties. This would give the President Elect an opportunity to gain experience before becoming President. It has been an honor to serve BARSP as President these past two years and I will happily complete my term for this year, but I am stepping down after that. BARSP will need a President and President Elect for the 2013-2015 term. Please search your heart to volunteer for one of these positions to keep our organization strong. Vote on the Protect our Jobs Constitutional Amendment: I want to thank all of you who signed the "Protect Our Jobs" Amendment Petition. This amendment will be on the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot. The "Protect Our Jobs" amendment seeks to eliminate the assault on collective bargaining rights in Lansing by amending the Michigan Constitution to include language that will enshrine the basic right of collective bargaining to every Michigan worker. This will give every worker the opportunity to have a voice in their employment relationship. Now it is important that you vote on November 6. Community Service: We will be collecting used magazines for the Helen Nickless Volunteer Clinic and the hospitals in October. Please remove or blacken out mailing labels. I have labels to be affixed to the magazines that read: Donated by Bay Area Retired School Personnel- BARSP. I want to thank Lois Gottleber, Ann Waterman and Joan Vanover for volunteering to apply the labels and deliver the magazines. I was very pleased with the response received for volunteers to help with this years Community Service Projects. It is important for BARSP to make our name and purpose known. The community needs to be aware that BARSP is not only a group that protects retired school personnels pensions and benefits but also cares about them. Smith Fund: The Smith Fund was established to provide financial assistance of up to $500 for MARSP members who, through no fault of their own, have a need. Suggestions of needs for which Smith funds may be applied: medical emergency needs, prescriptions payment, long-term care needs, transplants, major medical supplement, costs of transportation services, paying taxes, dental costs, mortgage payments, house repairs, costs to attend MARSP meetings (transportation, meal), utility bills, clothing costs. If you have one of these needs or any others contact me and BARSP will apply for the Smith Fund. The Smith Fund is there to be used. Dont hesitate to apply.

1st Vice President Michael Andress 2nd Vice President Betty Defrain Janet Brandt Secretary Joyce Sigelko Treasurer Phil Bosco Past President Dr. Mary Boettger

BARSP
Luncheon Meetings

DoubleTree Hotel
One Wenona Park Bay City, Michigan October 8, 2012 November 12, 2012 March 11, 2013 April 8, 2013 May 13, 2013

Sandy

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Insurance Information from MARSP

Medicare has contracted with Social Service Coordinators and will call certain members to offer assistance in the following areas: Medicare benefits, medications, emergency energy help, transportation, nutrition etc., at no cost . It is entirely up to the member if they wish to participate. Some members have already been contacted and others may receive calls during the coming year. The RXrelief Pharmacy Discount Card can not be used in conjunction with your prescription care. Ask your pharmacist which will save you more, your insurance coverage or the relief card. With many drugs no longer covered by the prescription plan the RXrelief card may be cheaper. You may also use the RXrelief card for over the counter medications. October Membership News
Thanks to everyone who paid dues before May this year. It makes the membership job much easier. Our total membership is 552, which is great! Keep up the fantastic work of recruiting! The BARSP Directory is complete, thanks to Sandy and Phil Paulus, and will be distributed at the beginning of the October meeting (not after the meeting). All directories that are not picked up will be mailed in late October. If you are unable to come to the October meeting you can have a friend get your directory for you. If you find an error in the directory, please call or email Phil Paulus @ 989 8922933 ppaulus@chartermi.net Also contact Phil if you would like to receive the newsletter via email. If you will be away this winter please let me know via email, phone call, or snail mail. I will need your winter address as well as your departure date and return date. JANUARY is the best time to recruit new members so they get the most for their money (18 months). Fall recruits are confused when they have to pay dues again in the spring so encourage your retired friends and family to join in JANUARY!
Cindy Bosco 989 892.9923 p-c-bosco@sbcglobal.net

Welcome Aboard !
Karen Boetefuer Nancy Harrow Sandra Hines Penny Martin

October Prepays
Leeds Bird Margaret Bird Dr. Mary Boettger Cindy Bosco Phil Bosco Deb Bula Grace Chevalier Betty Clifford T. Betty DeFrain Sandra DeWaele Mary Ida Doan Sally Finzel Marty Gilkey Dick Goik Marilyn Goik Franklin Grant Judy Groom Rosanne Heme Joan Hildinger Ron Hildinger Diana Jacobs Girard Jacobs Bill Jones Marion Jones Nancy Kasperski Jerrolynn Katzinger Billie Kussro Edwina Lanczak Marilyn Lapham, Carl Learman Inez Luce Clarence Miller Lois Miller Mildred Nuffer Avis Peppel Sue Post Mary Kay Prudden Rika Schoenfeld Joyce Sigelko Barb SkowronskiJoAnn Vanover

Ballot Proposals
Last Friday Michigans Board of Canvassers finalized the approval and numbering for the proposals and the specifics are available on the Michigan Secretary of State website. The six proposals are as follows: Proposal 1: A referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011 The Emergency Manager Law. Proposal 2: A proposal to amend the State Constitution regarding collective bargaining. Proposal 3: A proposal to amend the State Constitution to establish a standard for renewable energy. Proposal 4: A proposal to amend the State Constitution to establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council and provide collective bargaining for in-home care workers. Proposal 5: A proposal to amend the State Constitution to limit the enactment of new taxes by state government. Proposal 6: A proposal to amend the State Constitution regarding construction of international bridges and tunnels. Be as knowledgeable about these proposals as possible. We need to educate ourselves before Nov. 6 so that when we vote we will have all the information we need to make good voting decisions. tctimes.com September 12, 2012

Thanks! Carl Learman Greeters

October 2012 Kathy Brenner, Deborah Bula, Patricia Wilson November 2012 Gloria Bublitz, Marty Gilkey, Florine Schutkowski March 2013 Deborah Bula, Eileen Partlo, Lavona Styn April 2013 Marion and William Jones Brenda Kehrier, Mary Moskal May 2013 Ellen Czerwinski, Dorothy Massoll, Lavona Styn

Rika Schoenfeld,Editor usrika@sbcglobal.net

In Memoriam
Theodore Morris July 785 yrs. Loretta Matuszewski July 1792 yrs,

Thanks ! JoAnn Vanover

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BARSP Meeting Reservation Form Monday October 8, 2012 11:00 a.m. $9.50 per person Name (s)_____________________________________________________________________________________ No. Attending________________ Amount Enclosed __________________________(please do not staple) Current Insurance Benefits Branko Bojicic
Manager of Accounts for MPSERS
Make check payable to BARSP and mail by October 1. Carl Learman 6353 Lawndale Road Saginaw, MI 48604-9457 989-793-8089

DoubleTree Hotel

BARSP MinutesSeptember 10, 2012 Meeting was called to order by President Sandra DeWaele. A short reflection on 9/11 was followed by the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of America the Beautiful and Happy Birthday to those with September birthdays. Memorials: We remember our colleagues with prayers and thoughts of their selfless giving to education and their community. Deceased members remembered: Theodore Morris and Loretta Matuszewski. Membership is at 552 with 4 new members: Karen Boetefuer, Nancy Harrow, Sandra Hines and Penny Martin. Dee Bishop, president of the Humane Society of Bay County presented the program All Fur the Love of Animals .The Humane Society is always looking for volunteers who would walk dogs and play with the cats at the shelter. Betty DeFrain presented Ms. Bishop with a certificate of appreciation. Secretarys Report: Motion to accept the minutes of the May, 2012 meeting was made by Bill Jones and seconded by Grace Chevalier. Motion carried. Treasurers Report: Given by Income Expenses Joan Hildinger in Phil Boscos Checking Account absence. Motion to accept the Savings Account treasurers report as presented CD Acct. DC Life made by Nancy Kasperski and seconded by Clarence Miller Motion carried.
$ 300.00 $ 955.63 $5,582.89 $1,881.08 $7,432.32 $7,432.32

Legislation: President DeWaele read a letter on a report about SB 1040. Calling Committee: Marilyn Goik reported BARSP members will be receiving calls every so often reminding them that a meeting is coming up and reminding them to attend. Directory: The Directory for 2012-2013 may be picked up after this meeting. Presidents Report: Sandra DeWaele thanked all who signed the Protect Our Jobs petition.The amendment will be on the November 6th ballot. Sandy read a letter of resignation from president elect, Michael Andress. BARSP is now looking for candidates for president elect. For one of BARSP community service projects, we will be collecting used magazines for the Helen Nickless Volunteer Clinic and the hospitals at the October meeting. Please remove or blacken your mailing labels before bringing them to the meeting. Edna Wittbrodt was recognized. She will be 96 years old on September 13. Old Business: None New Business: Next meeting is Monday, October 8, 2012 at the Doubletree. Program will be Current Insurance Benefits presented by Branko Bojickc, Accounts Manager of MPSERS. This is a very important meeting, bring a friend and any questions you may have to this informational program. Motion to adjourn was made by Barb Skowronski, seconded by Nancy Kasperski . Motion carried. The October blessing will be given by Barb Skowronski. 50/50 winners: $ 42.50 - Dee Bishop; $14.25 Sparky, Anderson; $14.25 Charles Brunner. After the meeting, Charles Brunner addressed the group on legislative concerns. Submitted by: Joyce Sigelko, Secretary

Reservations: Carl Learman reported 82 reservations for todays meeting, 86 in attendance. Insurance Report: Dr. Mary Boettger warned about phone calls soliciting insurance and drug programs. She spoke of the confusion the Rx card from MARSP may cause. It may be used for some over the counter drugs and does not replace your regular insurance for prescription drugs. Nominations: Nominations for president elect will need to be made by March meeting. Bill Jones is in need of help on this committee. Please let Bill know if you can help him.

BAY AREA RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL 2245 Carroll Road Bay City, Michigan 48708

Presorted STANDARD U.S. Postage Paid Bay City, MI Permit No. 30

VOLUME 21ISSUE 2

October 2012

Meet Carl Learman.

My name is Carl Learman. Most of you know me from my distributing and collecting name tags at BARSP meetings. I also have much to do with taking reservations for those meetings.

I grew up on a farm in Huron County, third in a family of thirteen children. I attended Adams School for the first nine years of my education. I attended Our Lady of Lake Huron High School in Harbor Beach for four years and graduated from CMU with BS and MA degrees. My student teaching was done at Buena Vista High School in Saginaw and Harbor Beach Community Schools in Harbor Beach. After graduating from college, I taught at Ricker Junior High School for one year and then thirty years in the Bay City School District teaching secondary mathematics at Handy, Western and Central High Schools. I have four children, one of whom is deceased, and presently have six grandchildren. My wife and I have done a lot of traveling. We've been to all fifty states and about fifteen other countries. The grandchildren, logic problems, doing a reasonable amount of exercise, gardening, and upkeep of things around home take up some of my time when I'm not traveling. Besides BARSP, I also try to stay involved with church doings. Life tends to move fast for me.
Weird Facts: To make one kilo of honey, bees must collect from over 2 million individual flowers. Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult.

The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. In the Renaissance era, it was fashionable to shave them off. Google is actually the common name for a number with a million zeros. Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.