Region 20 President Dr. Amy Jo Baker spoke to the Bandera County Retired Teachers Association at their monthly meeting on Feb. 21.
Joining Dr. Baker, Commander of American Legion Post 157 Susan Junker also spoke to the group. The meeting was held in Medina at the Rodney Camp Pavilion of the Medina Community Library.
Dr. Baker addressed the group for her last time as outgoing Region 20 President. She recapped the success of the statewide organization’s efforts to pass a cost-of-living adjustment.
She emphasized that what the chapters do at a local level was crucial to the success of the statewide organization.
She encouraged the club to contact at-large members of the organization. “There is strength in numbers,” Baker remarked.
She stated that there are 476,000 TRS retirees in the state of Texas and that the power of those numbers could make a huge difference in the benefits that retired teachers receive in the future.
Communication was also a big theme in Baker’s farewell address to the club.
While she acknowledged that the Bandera chapter had great avenues of communication, she targeted that area as a way to “take care of our members’ health and safety.”
To finish her address, Baker praised the organization for their extensive community service by providing volunteers, collecting books for the Book Project, collecting food for the hungry, and for providing scholarships to high school seniors going into teaching.
American Legion Post 157 Commander Susan Junker then took the floor to give an overview of the Legion and its mission.
She referenced the Legions four pillars mission for their community. These areas are Veterans Affairs and Benefits, National Security, Children and Youth, and Americanism.
Junker praised Bandera County for instituting a full-time employee to oversee veterans’ benefits and affairs. She described the job of the Veterans’ Services officer as akin to a resource officer who makes sure that the 3,000+ veterans who reside in Bandera County get the assistance and services that they earned as part of America’s military.
She praised current Veteran Services Officer Mike Lauricella as a superior contact for the veterans of Bandera County.
Lauricella has office hours from Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Supporting the American military’s war on terrorism is another pillar of the Legion. Junker explained why that pillar was important and gave examples of how the Legion participated in that area.
By far, Post 157’s biggest initiative is in the pillar of Children and Youth. Junker was justifiably proud to list all the activities that the Legion participated in to support the community’s children and youth.
She listed just a few of the activities like Boys and Girls State, the Naval ROTC unit at Bandera High School, the Wreaths Across America program by the Medina High School FCCLA, and the scholarships given by the Legion.
Junker was also proud of the Legion’s ongoing sponsorship of the local Boy Scout troop.
Regular reports were given by the Association’s officers. Secretary Sarah Baxter noted that the minutes from the January meeting had been submitted electronically and were approved by acclamation. She also noted that there was no correspondence.
Treasurer Sharon Anderwald presented the financial reports which were approved. Anderwald mentioned that long-time member Melanie Thigpen had moved to Arkansas. Membership in the BCRTA will continue to be in the mid 90’s even with Thigpen’s exit.
Legislative Chair Denise Van Dyke gave a report on the primary election.
She brought samples of literature provided by partisan organizations like the League of Women Voters. She encouraged members to study the issues and see which candidates supported retiree and teacher issues. She exhorted the membership to vote early.
Past President Connie Young spoke about her attendance at a campaign event for Republican Hatch Smith, a candidate for Andrew Murr’s position.
First Vice President Linda Hunter reviewed the compiled volunteer hours for the BCRTA which were slated to be submitted to the state organization by the end of February.
The total volunteer hours for 2023 submitted by BCRTA members was 9745 hours. She thanked the membership for their contributions to the community.
Health and Safety Chair Doris Doebbler gave a presentation on “Ten Tips for Healthy Habits.”
Second Vice President Deeanne Mazurek reminded the group about the bake sale on March 13 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Dough Joe on Main Street. The proceeds from the bake sale will allow the organization to offer a second scholarship to senior students who would be majoring in education.
Treasurer Sharon Anderwald reminded the group that the 2024-2025 Membership Drive would be beginning in March.
She reiterated that the membership year runs from March through the end of February. Members can start paying their dues for the upcoming year at the March meeting. A reminder letter will be sent to every member.
President Lynn Oliver recounted her experiences at the President’s Planning Meeting on Feb. 7 in Floresville.
She also reminded members that everyone was welcome at the District 20 Spring Leadership Conference in Floresville on June 5.
The next meeting of the Bandera County Retired Teachers’ Association will be on March 20 at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Post 157 in Bandera.
