Retired teachers reconvene after nearly a year apart

The Bandera County Chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (BCRTA) met in person for the first time in nearly a year at the Bandera American Legion Hall Post 157.

President Connie Young welcomed the members back and began the meeting by announcing the specifics of the TRTA Region 20 Fall Conference to be held in Boerne. The fee for registration and lunch is $20 and due is before the event on October 28.

Young also encouraged the members to partici pate in the fall fundraiser in support of the district scholarship fund. Each year, the Bandera County Chapter provides a $1000 scholarship to a county senior to be presented at the Senior Scholarship Night in May. The BCRTA is selling fresh baked pizza kits and homemade cookie kits. Final date for sales is October 1 (10 am - 12 pm) at the American Legion Hall. Young reminded members who would like new BCRTA shirts that they are available in a golf shirt style or in Tee shirt style.

The group was apprised of legislative changes from the summer session. While no benefits were reduced, a few have been added. Young encouraged members to contact their benefits planner to find out more information. A 13th check has been approved by the legislature and will likely be sent in January after the Teacher Retirement System can calculate taxes on that money for each retiree.

The group was encouraged to log monthly community service hours. Volunteer hours can be counted from the time a retiree leaves their house to when they return.

Several members suggested participation in the monthly county food pantry or becoming a Meals on Wheels driver for Silver Sage.

Volunteer hours for the year will be reported in February for the previous year. Another opportunity mentioned was participating in the tutoring programs created to help students recover academically from the Covid school closure last year.

The Book Project was also discussed. Books will be collected this year to be delivered during the first week of December. The focus for the project this year is on Pre-K, Kinder and First Grade students at Medina, Alkek and Hill Country Elementaries.

The association’s newsletter is slated to be sent to members later in the month. New retiree and member Camille Iness was introduced to the group. The group enjoyed a getto-know-you activity before a lunch of pizza, salad and home baked goodies was served.

The Bandera County Retired Teachers Association is open to retirees who are participants in the Teacher Retirement System as active members or any person who is interested in education and desires to promote the objectives of the TRTA.

The next meeting will be on October 20th at the American Legion Post 157 in Bandera beginning at 10 a.m.. The speaker will be Richard Herbst, TRTA District 20 Legislative Chair.