AASRA N Ewsle Tter AASRA Newsletter A LETTER FROM MARY ANN
Transcription
AASRA N Ewsle Tter AASRA Newsletter A LETTER FROM MARY ANN
AASRA Newsletter rehabilitation programs at Thunderbird and Health Southwest, I was recovering. A LETTER FROM MARY ANN rehabilitation at Thunderbird Then after aprograms few weeks, I left the and Health Southwest, I was hospital to stay with my son Greg in recovering. I continued my rehab at AASRA • 201 E. WASHINGTON, SUITE 1795 • PHOENIX, AZ 85004Gilbert. • Then Tel: 602-262-5174 • www.aasra.org after a few weeks, I left the Health Southwest formy 3 days a week, hospital to stay with son Greg in 3 Return Service Requested P R SI R T S T D sessions per day. Last weekend Gilbert. I continued my rehabU.S. at POSTAGE began feel tiredfor and3 days dizzy,a and Greg HealthtoSouthwest week, 3 PI A I D took me to Gilbert Diagnostic sessions perthe day. Last weekend PHOENIX, Hospital to AZ began to for feeltesting. tired andThey dizzy,sent andme Greg PERMIT #a 1662 Mercy Gilbert Hospital where I had took me to the Gilbert Diagnostic Pacemaker in, and nowsent I hope I’m MaryAnn Parkinson, Convention 2009 Hospital forput testing. They me to Mercy where I had a well on Gilbert my wayHospital to recovery DearMaryAnn Friends of AASRA: Pacemaker put in,you and all now I hope Parkinson, Convention 2009 I want to thank who put I’m me onprayers, my way who to recovery I want to up-date you on my health inwell your sent me the many Dear Friends AASRA: I want thank you whosupported put me at the end of problems. I hadof a stroke cards andtoflowers, andallwho youwith on my health in your who sent me the many June.I Iwant was to onup-date the phone me withprayers, your care and concern. I am at the end of problems. had she a stroke cards and flowers, andI who supported Virginia BrantI and recognized immensely grateful. will be staying June. I was the phone me with care andfor concern. something was on wrong whenwith I began with Gregyour in Gilbert a while.I am Greg Virginia Brant and she recognized immensely grateful. Icook, will be Top half will be for the AASRA Mailing Label slurring my speech. I told her I felt has turned into great sostaying if you Top half will be for the AASRA Mailing Labelsomething was wrong when I began with Greg in Gilbert for a while. Greg dizzy and she said she’d be right over. want to visit, you should come for slurring my speech. I told her I felt has turned into great cook, so if you Top half will be for the AASRA MailingShe Label came, and she called 911 for me lunch and try out his menus! Thanks, dizzy and she said she’d be right over. want to visit, you should come for so IShe hadcame, immediate care. again, for your wonderful support and and she called 911 for me lunch and try out his menus! Thanks, We Banner Thunderbird Iagain, look forward to seeing everyone this so went I had to immediate care. for your wonderful support and Hospital, which a new Stroke fall. We went to has Banner Thunderbird I look forward to seeing everyone this Alert Program, and lucky Sincerely, Hospital, which hasI was a new Stroke fall. enough have the and newI drug-tPA. MaryAnn Sincerely, Parkinson AlerttoProgram, was lucky Thisenough drug must be the given the (Letter received 8/30/09) to have newwithin drug-tPA. MaryAnn Parkinson firstThis three hours tobe block stroke drug must given within the (Letter received 8/30/09) first three hours to block stroke damage. SENIOR SLEUTHS damage. After several days, I was able to talk The AZSENIOR AttorneySLEUTHS General’s Office After you several days, I was able talk The AZ Attorney General’s Office 0\+DW·V again—as might imagine, for to me, is sponsoring Anti-Crime University again—as you might imagine, for me, is sponsoring Anti-Crime University not being able to talk was a huge half-day classes. For more 2II 7R <RX not being ablewith to talk was half-day classes. For more ranging frustration—but the finea huge information on the A LETTER FROM MARY ANN from identity theft to subjects elder abuse click rehabilitation programs at the Thunderbird frustration—but with fine information ontheft the subjects A LETTER FROM MARY ANN from identity to elder ranging abuse click rehabilitation programs at Thunderbird on the seniors tab at www.azag.gov, and Health Southwest, I was A LETTER FROM MARY ANN from identity theft to www.azag.gov, elder abuse click rehabilitation programs at Thunderbird on the seniors tab at and Health Southwest, I was e-mail [email protected] or call recovering. on the [email protected] seniors tab at www.azag.gov, and Health Southwest, I was or call e-mail recovering. 602.542.2124. Then after a few weeks, I left the e-mail [email protected] or call recovering. 602.542.2124. Thentoafter few weeks, left the hospital stayawith my son IGreg in 602.542.2124. Then after a few weeks, I left the hospitalI to stay withmy myrehab son Greg in Gilbert. continued at hospital to stay with my son Greg in Gilbert. I continued rehab at 3 Health Southwest for 3my days a week, Gilbert. I continued my rehab at The AASRA Newsletter is published sessions per day. Last weekend I week, 3 Health Southwest for 3 days a Health Southwest for 3 days a week, 3 three times a year. Articlesiscan be sent The published began to feel tired and dizzy, and Greg sessions per day. Last weekend I TheAASRA AASRA Newsletter Newsletter is published sessions per day. Last weekend I to: three times a year. Articles can besent sent took me to the Gilbert Diagnostic began to feel tired andand dizzy, and three times a year. Articles can be began to feel tired dizzy, andGreg Greg AASRA to: Hospital for testing. They sent me to to: tooktook me me to the Gilbert Diagnostic to the Gilbert Diagnostic 201 E. Washington St. AASRA Mercy Gilbert Hospital where Isent had atoto AASRA Hospital for for testing. They sent meme Hospital testing. They Suite 1795 201 E. Washington St. 201 E. Washington St. Pacemaker put in, and now I hope I’m MaryAnn Parkinson, Convention 2009 Mercy Gilbert Hospital where I had Phoenix, AZ1795 85004 Mercy Gilbert Hospital where I hada a Suite 1795 well on my way to recovery www.aarp.org Pacemaker putput in, in, andand now I hope MaryAnn Parkinson, Convention 20092009 Pacemaker now I hopeI’m I’m MaryAnn Parkinson, Convention Phoenix, AZ 85004 85004 Phoenix, AZ Dear Friends of AASRA: I want you who put me well ontomy wayway to recovery well onthank my toallrecovery www.aarp.org www.aarp.org I want to up-date you on my health in your who sent theput many President – Dr. Mary Murphy Dear Friends of AASRA: Dear Friends of AASRA: Iprayers, want to thank you all who put me I want to thank you allme who me the end problems. I had stroke President Elect – Steve Poe cards and flowers, and who supported want toa up-date you on myofhealth I wantI to up-date you at on my health in your prayers, who sent me many President Dr. in your prayers, who sent me thethemany President –– Dr. Mary Murphy Murphy Executive Director Garry York June. I was on the phone with me with your care and concern. I am at the end of problems. I had a stroke President Elect ––Steve Steve Poe cards flowers, who supported problems. I had a stroke at the end of President Elect – Poe cards andand flowers, andand who supported Secretary – Pearl Nancarrow VirginiaJune. and she recognized immensely grateful. I will be stayingI am Executive Director –– Garry York the phone me with your care and concern. Executive Director Garry York June. I Brant was Ionwas theonphone with with me with your care and concern. I am Treasurer – Sue Secrest something was wrongand when began Secretary – Pearl Pearl Nancarrow with Greg in Gilbert for aIwhile. Greg Virginia sheI recognized Secretary – Nancarrow immensely grateful. will be staying Virginia Brant Brant and she recognized immensely grateful. I will be staying Membership Carol Morton Treasurer ––– Sue Sue Secrest Secrest slurringsomething my speech. her I feltI began has turned into great cook, soa ifwhile. you Greg wasI told wrong Treasurer Greg in Gilbert something was wrong whenwhen I began Newsletter Editor – Carol Morton withwith Greg in Gilbert forfor a while. Greg Membership – Carol dizzy and she said she’d be right over. want has to visit, you should come forif you slurring my speech. toldI her Membership – Carol Morton Morton turned into great cook, so www.aasra.org slurring my speech. I toldIher feltI felt has turned into great cook, so if you Newsletter Editor – Carol Morton She came, andand sheshe called 911 for lunchwant and try out his Newsletter Editor – Carol Morton dizzy said she’d beme right over. to visit, youmenus! should Thanks, come for dizzy and she said she’d be right over. www.aasra.org want to visit, you should come for so I hadShe immediate care. www.aasra.org again,lunch for your wonderful supportThanks, and came, and she called 911 for me and try out his menus! She and she called 911 for me lunchforward and try outseeing his menus! Thanks, We came, went Thunderbird so I to hadBanner immediate care. I look everyone this and again, for to your wonderful support so I had We immediate care. again, for your wonderful support and Hospital, which has new Stroke went to aBanner Thunderbird fall. I look forward to seeing everyone this KEEP THOSE PICTURES We went to Banner Thunderbird I look this Alert Program, and I was Hospital, which has alucky new Stroke Sincerely, fall.forward to seeing everyone AND ARTICLES FROM KEEPCOMING THOSE PICTURES Hospital, which a new fall. enough to have thehas new drug-tPA. Alert Program, and IStroke was lucky KEEPUNITS. THOSE PICTURES MaryAnn Parkinson YOUR LOCAL IT’S A Sincerely, AND ARTICLES COMING FROM Alert Program, and Ithe was lucky This drug mustto behave given within the AND ARTICLES COMING FROM enough new drug-tPA. GREAT WAY TO SHARE IDEAS! (Letter receivedMaryAnn 8/30/09)Sincerely, Parkinson YOUR LOCAL UNITS. IT’S A enough tohours have new drug-tPA. Parkinson Carol Morton, YOUR LOCAL IT’S A This drugtothe must be stroke given within the first three block GREAT [email protected] TOUNITS. SHARE IDEAS! (Letter MaryAnn received 8/30/09) This drug given withinstroke the GREAT WAY TO SHARE IDEAS! (Letter received 8/30/09) Carol Morton, [email protected] first must three be hours to block damage. SENIOR SLEUTHS Carol Morton, [email protected] first three hours to block damage. SENIOR SLEUTHS After several days, I wasstroke able to talk The AZ Attorney General’s Office A LETTER FROM MARY ANN All Arizona School Retirees Association affiliated with NRTA, a division of AARP AASRA Newsletter Masthead for AASRA Newsletter from identity theft to elder abuse click on the seniors tab at www.azag.gov, e-mail [email protected] or call from identity theft to elder abuse click 602.542.2124. on the seniors tab at www.azag.gov, e-mail [email protected] or call 602.542.2124. The AASRA Newsletter is published three times a year. Articles can be sent to: The AASRA Newsletter is published AASRA three times a year. Articles can be sent 201 E. Washington St. to: FallSuite 2009 1795 AASRAMARY’S MUSINGS Phoenix, AZ 85004 201 E. Washington St. www.aarp.org Suite 1795 All Arizona School Retirees Association affiliated with NRTA, a division of AARP Fall 2009 Phoenix, AZ 85004 President –www.aarp.org Dr. Mary Murphy President Elect – Steve Poe President – Dr. Mary Murphy Executive Director – Garry York President Elect – Steve Poe Secretary – Pearl Nancarrow Executive Director Garry York Treasurer – Sue –Secrest Secretary – Pearl– Nancarrow Membership Carol Morton Treasurer – Sue Secrest Newsletter Editor – Carol Morton Membership – Carol Morton www.aasra.org Newsletter Editor – Carol Morton www.aasra.org KEEP THOSE PICTURES AND ARTICLES COMING FROM KEEP THOSE PICTURES LOCAL UNITS.FROM IT’S A ANDYOUR ARTICLES COMING “Connect forIT’S Success” Together for GREAT WAY TO SHARE IDEAS! YOUR LOCAL UNITS. A CarolWAY Morton, [email protected] service and advocacy GREAT TO SHARE IDEAS! in challenging Carol Morton, [email protected] times! What a summer this has been!!! We have been saddened by MaryAnn Parkinson’s illness. Thrilled as two of our members won major State and National Awards. Legislatively, we have followed the drama of a continuing State Budget crisis, and more crises Nationally, with the Economy and Health Care Reform. Even more this year, Arizona’s retired educators need to be “connected”; together for friendship and mutual support, together serving our schools and communities in times of drastic cutbacks, together for Advocacy - a strong voice for retirees, senior issues and education. We need to reach-out and “connect” with other groups on common concerns. (Each year, we are so proud as Units report amazing Community service efforts!) At the State level, our priority is to increase our “connection” and service to members. District Vice-Presidents, Officers and Committee Chairs will gladly provide ideas, assistance or programs to your Unit. I look forward to visiting each Unit. (If you haven’t sent me a date already, I hope to hear from you.) Tell us how we can help you succeed! Adding to the Newsletter, we are exploring communication by e-mail, website, phone and/or phone conferencing. Getting information from & to State, Units and members effectively is the objective. Newsletter Chair, Carol Morton loves local news. Legislative Chair, Sigrid Whitman, welcomes Advocacy contacts. We’re making an AASRA calendar on-line. The plan is to feature local Unit as well as State information. Our Membership Team has been busy all summer. They can help you with materials and strategies to contact schools and potential new members. Please, each Unit should contact local schools this year, regarding their needs. State Budget cutbacks have been severe, with worse ahead. Being of assistance now, fulfills one of our Association’s major purposes. It can also, help reestablish relationships with schools and future retirees. Remember: Your AASRA Lois Snyder Fund is available with emergency grants for needy retired educators. In these difficult times, be on the lookout for crises: emergencies, medical bills, etc. (older members and those alone or in poor health need monitoring.) PLEASE help us put these funds to good use! Advocacy for our Retirement System and Health Plan continues as a MAJOR priority. ASRS Liaison, Janet Fee, and your Legislative Team continue to actively represent you at meetings and at the Legislature. They will continue to keep you informed through Newsletters and direct communications. Currently, enormous concern is focused on National Health Care Volume 48 No. 1 Volume 48 No. 1 Legislation. Our Legislative Team will continue to keep you updated, as accurately and quickly as possible, The Retirement System will be putting out the Fall Open Enrollment materials, soon. Also, Health Chair, Virginia Brant has available many excellent health related materials and program ideas. It looks like a BUSY year for AASRA. We hope we are addressing YOUR priorities. Best wishes for a great year. Stay “Connected”! Mary Murphy, AASRA State President Hi, My name is Lorene Shough, Chairman of The Lois Snyder Fund. It is used for educators in need of some extra assistance when times get rough. It is a one time only aid. Funds can be issued up to $500, and may be given at one time or in smaller amounts, not to exceed $500. We continue raising money to build up the fund, so more may be helped. Ask your local president, the AASRA president, AASRA treasurer, or me for an application, if you need to apply for help, or if you know someone in your unit that needs some monetary assistance. You can call me at: (520) 803-9423, or mail a request to: 4249 S. Sauk Ave, Sierra Vista, AZ 85650-9254. Be thinking of creative ways to continue raising money for the fund. Let’s put our successful fund raising ideas in the AASRA newsletter, so other units can try them. May you have a wonderful 2009 – 2010. 1 AASRA AASRANewsletter Newsletter AASRA AASRANewsletter Newsletter 2009 SCHLORSHIPS AWARDED 2009 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS University of Arizona Northern Arizona University Maria Haag is a senior in college who yearns to be a special education teacher. She loves children, especially those with special needs, and knowing that one day she will guide their learning process helps her get through an intense school schedule. She is the oldest of eleven children some biological, as well as some adopted and others that are foster children with emotional/ behavioral problems. These siblings have given her an interest in working with special needs students. She will have her Bachelor’s Degree in May and have a teaching certificate, having completed her student teaching, and is in a non-certificated program working toward a Master’s degree. Arizona State University (No photo) Lindsey McClintock is a senior Early Childhood Education major planning to receive her degree and begin teaching in the fall of 2010. She plans to stay in Arizona and teach preschool or Kindergarten. She received the ASU Medallion Scholarship as a freshman. A scholarship she continues to maintain and credits the programs associated with the scholarship for her success. It has allowed her to meet many people, participate in fulfilling community service projects and have great educational experiences. 2 Michaela Izzo is a senior whose goal is to become a first grade teacher. She hopes to inspire children to learn as much as they can and strive to do the best they can in school. She takes part in many extracurricular activities that range from playing club soccer to rebuilding homes in Louisiana with United Way. Michaela is involved in three different clubs; The Student Alumni Association where she is a student advocate, The Student Union Advisory Council where she is a student advocate, and The United Way Students in action club where she has been the Event Director but is now secretary. She was one of the five original founders of the club United Way Students in Action that tries to bring a sense of helping their community and fighting for diverse student organizations. Michaela is a member of the University of Arizona’s Women’s Club Soccer team, and participated in the national championship game where they finished second place in the nation this past season. AASRA SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION The AASRA Scholarship Foundation awarded one $1,500 scholarship to a student at each of the three state universities for the 20092010 school year. The scholarship at Arizona State University was awarded in memory of Dr. Lorenzo Lisonbee. We are grateful to his family and friends for contributing more than enough to fund the scholarship in his memory. The state of the economy is affecting the Scholarship Foundation much like it is other charitable organizations. Donations are down and our savings accounts are receiving pathetic interest rates. The goal is to fund the three scholarships from donations given during the current year and to hopefully have a little left over to add to savings. The long-range goal would be to fund the scholarships from interest alone, but until that is a reality, your donations are crucial! Bill Sullivan, Scholarship Foundation, Chair SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING The generosity of the convention attendees added $704 to the AASRA Scholarship Foundation funds. Last year $768 was raised at the convention. Local units and individuals donated Thirty-eight (38) varied items. Such as: pictures, dishes, heaters, afghans, Diamondback tickets, etc. Three of the higher value items were pulled and auctioned by Steve Poe at the banquet. The gigantic basket of Arizona goodies landed in the hands of Larry Morton. The Pena print went to Bruce Boss, Mary Murphy's grandson. Nancy Frank nabbed the Christo’s Restorante gift certificate. 30+ convention attendees won the other 35 raffle items. The Foundation Board thanks everyone for the donations. The Foundation has forms available for donations and others to honor or memorialize an individual or group. They are two new brochures that can be used to let others know about the Foundation and to make a donation. You can call 602-262-5174 to request the forms or brochures or just ask your president to request some for your unit. AnnJi Craig-Wooten, Scholarship Foundation MATSON ASSURES RETIREES OF FUND'S SOUNDNESS ASRS benefit recipients may rest assured that their benefits now and in the future are safe, but that any permanent benefit increases may be some time off, according to ASRS Director Paul Matson, who addressed the state AASRA convention in its closing session June 3. Matson addressed three main issues during his remarks: whether current assets are sufficient to meet needs, the implications of the "funded status", and the guarantee that retirees will continue to get their checks all the time and on time. Matson answered the first and third issues with a resounding "Yes," and elaborated on the status of the fund. The depressed investment market will make it necessary to raise the contribution rates of current employees still paying into the system by about 3% over the next decade. This increase will be phased in over the next several years, beginning with a .5% increase July 1, 2010 for a few years, then another .4% increase, .3%, and .2% in following years. Matson pointed out that permanent benefit increases (PBIs) have always come from excess earnings, never from current contributions, and since the past several years have not seen excess earnings, any PBI's will be some time off. Regarding health care, he praised the continued relationship with PacifiCare, United Health Systems, saying they presented the best overall package of all bidders. Premiums will go up 8.5%, but Matson said that no other plans were available that would not have resulted in raise of premiums. Jim Grosbach, District 3-A Vice President STATE OFFICERS Incoming State Officers, Pearl Nancarrow, Sec., Sue Secrest, Treas., Steve Poe, Pres. Elect and Dr. Mary Murphy, President 2009 CONVENTION NEWS FROM YOU ! Jana Boomersbach, a well known Arizona author, journalist and speaker presented a review of her latest book, “Bones in the Desert”. This is the true story of the murder of Loretta Bowersock, Loretta and her daughter, Terri, successfully operated “Design and Consign” stores in the Valley. After what appeared to be a memorable Alaskan cruise in November of 2004, Loretta disappeared shortly before Christmas. For 13 months, Terri, relatives, friends, police, and many psychics searched for Loretta. It wasn’t until Mary Ann Morgan’s keen psychic insights led to Loretta’s body in a shallow grave on acreage in a remote desert area surrounded with an abandoned blue motel, blue car, and a blue merry-go-round. Loretta’s home and diary revealed many signs of abuse, cheating, stealing, and forgery, all of which led to the arrest of Taw Banderly. He was Loretta’s live in boyfriend for 18 years. After her mother’s tragic death, Terri founded “Doves” Shelter for abused women. Often women believe that a bad man is better than no man. “Bones in the Desert” is an intriguing story filled with tragic love, buried secrets, and a living nightmare. Jana Boomersbach’s compelling narration held the attention of the Convention audience. Terry Goddard with Out-going President, MaryAnn Parkinson 2009 CONVENTION MEMORIAL DISPLAY We are sending a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who helped with or took part in the June 2009 Memorial Service at the State Convention. Without your help in getting information about our members who have passed away, we would not have a meaningful and memorable service. We continue to depend on every member to send obituary information and the name of the State Unit where the deceased was a member. We would also like the name and address of a family survivor so that we could express our condolences to the family in a timely manner. Thank you for your continued support. Donna Jankovsky and JoanCollinsworth, Your Spiritual Leaders TERRY GODDARD’S GOAL IS TO PROTECT US! Attorney General Terry Goddard, Key Note Speaker at the convention, humorously shared his time with us. Ever bright and helpful, he discussed the proposed Arizona Budget and the details of one of his major goals, the protection of seniors. The tentative Arizona budget for 2010 includes zero cuts for the legislature or for the governor, yet teachers will make $10,000 less and have 10+ more students. The Attorney General’s budget will suffer the greatest cuts of all. He offered tips for seniors regarding various types of fraud. His website, www.azag.gov includes detailed helpful information. For example Arizona has no requirement for charities to register or be regulated. However, he does not recommend decreasing charitable activity, just to be informed. He is a fine example of one who has dedicated much hard work and extra time to the well being of the citizens of Arizona. We thank you, Terry. You care! Janet Herbert & Mary Strebe, Westside 7 AASRA AASRANewsletter Newsletter EXCELLENCE AWARD NRTA With Our Youth! AASRA AASRANewsletter Newsletter AASRA NATIONAL & STATE HONOREES ANDRUS AWARD FOR COMMMUNITY SERVICE Nancy Frank a member of AASRA’s Westside Unit, was one of only three nationwide award winners given in the Individual Category as part of the 2009 NRTA With Our Youth! Awards. Nancy was nominated for her commitment to service and community through intergenerational volunteer work. Upon retiring after 35 years of teaching Nancy Frank began volunteering with OASIS, a national education and service organization. For the past 19 years Frank has tutored 1-3 students in reading weekly as part of an OASIS program that engages older adults in intergenerational activities. After logging in at least three to four hours per week for 19 years, that means she has donated over 3,000 volunteer hours directly working with students. She also has taken on a major role in recruiting and training new volunteers for this program as well as writing a monthly newsletter for tutors. PRESIDENTIAL AWARD WINNERS Carol Morton, Newsletter Editor and Sue Secrest, Treasurer sharing a moment after receiving the President’s Award from Out-going President, MaryAnn Parkinson. 6 Millicent Kasun, Arizona AARP Andrus Award Winner Millicent Kasun, a retired educator from Bisbee, Arizona, has been selected by AARP to receive the Arizona 2009 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service. The Andrus Award, the association’s most prestigious and visible award for community service, symbolizes the belief that individuals have the power and ability to make a difference in the lives of others. AARP Arizona selected Millie for the nearly 60 years of dedicated teaching and volunteer service she has given to her community. She retired in 1989 after teaching in Bisbee for 38 years. After retirement, she joined several community service organizations and assumed leadership roles in each. 2009 AASRA AWARDS Each year units nominate individuals for an award. This nomination is based on what the individual has done since joining AASRA either in community outreach or to further the advancement of AASRA. Don Ritchey and Katie Elgar are co-chairs of the Awards Committee but have an outside panel make the selections. MERITORIOUS AWARD The Meritorious award is given to an individual who promotes and strengthens the status and advancement of AASRA. Examples of activities of our meritorious award nominees are: volunteering to work within their unit, developing contribulopes, State Newsletters, grant writing, fund raising, read-a-thons, membership recruitment for unit, creating membership directories, and organizing the state office. The nominees were: Edris Godwin, Millicent Kasun and Carol Morton. Carol Morton, Newsletter editor and member of the East Valley Unit, was announced as the winner. OUTREACH AWARD Some examples of activities that our three Outreach nominees are involved in are: tutoring, volunteering in church and schools, presenting programs on identity theft, working with OASIS, collecting books for detention centers, teaching classes to juvenile detainees, wrapping books to raise funds for charity, starting a program for collecting underwear and socks for school nurses to distribute, working with Helping Hands, being a docent at Karchner Caverns, animal sanctuary programs and Junior Achievement programs. The nominees were: Peggy Carr, Debbie Duncan and Nancy Frank. OUTREACH AWARD WINNER LOIS SNYDER CHALLENGE At the June 2008 convention, all local units were once again given a challenge to raise money to build up the Lois Snyder fund for 2008-2009. The challenge was to see which local unit could raise the most money for the Lois Snyder Fund. The amount collected by each unit was divided by the unit’s total membership to determine the amount (per member) that each unit raised. The final tally for this year’s challenge was $2,176.80, a gain of more than $200 over what we collected last year. This year’s winner was Cochise with $6.25 per member donated. Way to go Cochise! Last year’s winner of the challenge was Tri-Point with $4.82 per member donated. We are proud of both years’ winners. Units donating to the 2008-2009 challenge were: Cochise, East Valley, Huachuca, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Pima County, Pinal County, Saguaro, San Pedro, Tri-Point, and Westside. Each unit should still have a personalized Lois Snyder Can, to use at their meetings through 2009-2010 and we look forward to next year’s winners. AASRA NEWS Below is a list of the AASRA units across the state and the number of hours spent in volunteer service in 2008 in our communities: AASRA Unit Hours Cochise (Bisbee)…….…...1,986 Copper Center (Globe)..…. 9,851 Pima County……….….…27,517 Phoenix/Scottsdale…….…..6,676 East Valley…………….…15,052 Pinal County………….……5,813 (Casa Grande) Graham/Greenlee……….….4,921 (Safford) Saguaro (Avondale)……….11,169 Huachuca (Sierra Vista)…...10,648 Tri-Point (Wickenburg)……11,272 Kachina (Sedona) 6,113 Westside (Phoenix)………...74,780 Lost Dutchman……………... 2,126 (Apache Junction) Mohave (Kingman)…………10,825 Total 198,749 Ann Stephens, Community Participation SPREADING THE WORD Lorene Shough, Lois Snyder Fund Chair VOLUNTEER HOURS Debbie Duncan, East Valley UNIT OF DISTINCTION AWARDS Out of the 25 Goals for Highest Distinction, the Unit Winners are as follows: Highest Distinction Westside - 25 goals East Valley - 24 goals Huachuca - 24 goals Distinction Pima - 21 goals Katie Elgar, Awards Chair For 2008, AASRA Members reported close to 200,000 hours of time to volunteer activity. Based on the current U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics hourly rate of $20.25, the 2008 total number for reported hours by the organization was worth over $4 million. AASRA members gave of their time to various community outreach programs at schools, food banks, churches and hospitals. AASRA members are also actively involved in community justice programs, or with serving in local Rotary, Lions and Elks Clubs and those in need.” Dr. Jeffrey J. Smith, Superintendent, Baltz Elementary School District, Garry York & Carol Morton Around the valley and state the school year has begun for students and everyone involved in the education process. AASRA has been present at Back To School Benefit Fairs and Rallies in Fowler, Baltz, and Murphy Districts. Katie Elgar, Garry York, Sue Secrest, Carol Morton and Bonnie Ford represented us. It has been a great opportunity to make teachers, particularly those close to or already retired, aware of the benefits of membership in our organization. To create interest in our table, we decided to donate a $25 Wal-Mart gift card to be raffled off at the end of the day. The entry form provided us with the names of individuals and their projected retirement date. We can contact them as they near retirement. The gift card winners were: Fowler District Jill Borge and Murphy District’s winner was Azetta Harper"! Bonnie Ford, Membership Co-Chair Did You Know..? Your membership with AASRA gives you access to many valuable benefits! AASRA endorses the following member benefits: • Long Term Care / Home Health Care Insurance • First Diagnosis Cancer Insurance • Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans • Final Expense Whole Life Policy • Tax-Deferred Annuity • Medical Air Services Association (MASA) • Astrum Hearing Solutions • Government Employee Travel Opportunities (GETO) • Vacations-to-Go Cruises • LaQuinta Inn & Suites Discount • Hertz, Avis, & Budget Car Rental Discounts • AMBA TravelPERXIdentity • Theft Protection • Dell Computer Discount • Apple Electronic Products Discount • 1-800-Flowers Discount • Barnes & Noble Online Discount To learn more about any of the endorsed benefits, please call AMBA at 1.800.258.7041. You can also request a speaker for your local meetings by calling Jeanie Coffey, AMBA National Director of Association Relations, at 800.258.7041 ext. 2242. 3 AASRA AASRANewsletter Newsletter AASRA AASRANewsletter Newsletter IMPORTANT INFORMATION The Medicare Advantage HMO had ARIZONA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM ASRS Health Committee I served on the Health Committee to evaluate the four insurance companies proposals to provide retiree medical insurance for 2010. The Health Committee met seven times during the spring. At the Board meeting on May 16th, the Board of Trustees awarded the contract for the ASRS retiree medical benefits program to be effective January 1, 2010 to PacifCare, a United Healthcare Company. If you would like to view the benefits and rates for this, plan go the ASRS web site at http://www.azasrs.gov The open enrollment period will start in October. Before it begins you should get a packet with the information that you will need. The packet should be sent out during the next week or two. ASRS Funds During the last few months, ASRS funds have been increasing in value. They are not at their highs but there has been good progress. The Investment Committee of ASRS continues to monitor the funds. Beginning in January 2009, the Director and Chief Investment Officer monitor the funds to insure that there were sufficient liquidity investments to meet its cash flow requirements. This monitoring was preemptive in case the market continued to fall. ASRS Web site ASRS has developed a new website. It is http://www.azasrs.gov. It has a section at the top of the page for retirees. Please check it out. In addition, if you check under other links, you will find our AASRA website. Janet Fee, ASRS Liaison 4 Did you know it costs $400,000 a year for mailing the monthly advice of direct deposit? All you have to do is sign up on the ASRS website: human services (such as the care-giving funds, funds for children and families, and funds for grandparents bringing up grandchildren). • Working for anti-voucher legislation in education, and for more funding for education. LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT and print a copy each month or just check for changes! It would save a considerable amount paid out for mailing. LEGISLATIVE TEAM FOR 2009-2010 The Legislative Team for 2009-2010 includes: Sigrid Whitman, Chair; Virginia Brant, Don Ritchie and Mary Anne Vath. Janet Fee has acquired many duties, including being our liaison for the ASRS and helping Executive Director Garry York. East Valley President, Don Ritchie has taken her place on the Legislative team. Ritchie also serves on the AARP Advocacy Steering Committee and has lobbied for many years. AASRA LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR 2009-2010 • Visit with as many of the legislators as possible. • Maintain our reporting system with all units. For those that don't have legislative contacts, we will use the Presidents as our contacts. The Legislative Team will split up the units for regular reporting. • Work on any items that have to do with the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), such as: the PBI (nothing will be done about that this year, but we will be monitoring it); our health insurance; and the Return to Work issue. Also, anything else that we might do to help strengthen our Defined Benefit plan. Any TABOR-like issues that might come up again in the Legislature. • Working against budget cuts for Our Legislative Consultant is still John Moody, who will continue to send his weekly reports to the Legislative Team and keep us advised as things are breaking at the Legislature. Sigrid Whitman, Legislative Team Chair EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT Family health issues have limited my travel. I want to thank Janet Fee for becoming Assistant Executive Director. We have worked together and she is aware of the process for taking care of correspondence coming to the state office. She is a great person to work with and we seem to accomplish a lot in a short time. We are pleased that several new members have joined AASRA this summer. However, with those passing away and members turning 90 years old we still need new replacements to maintain our membership and grow. I want to thank Janet for representing us at the Executive Directors Conference in Chicago in August. It continues to be a great pleasure for me to work with so many wonderful friends and leaders around this state. I miss contact with all the national leaders that I have become friends with from other states. Please keep your Unit minutes and newsletters coming to the state office for the historian and State President Murphy to keep her abreast of happenings around the state. Garry York, AASRA Executive Director HOW CAN YOU TELL IF SOMEONE IS HAVING A STROKE? We have become aware of what a stroke can do. MaryAnn Parkinson had a stroke this summer that made several of us stand still and take a long look at how busy we are. I asked the hospital, Banner Thunderbird, if we could use their slogan: ACT F.A.S.T. Stroke is an emergency, every minute counts! (F) FACE: Facial droop, Uneven Smile (A) ARM: Arm numbness Arm Weakness (S) SPEECH: Slurred Speech, Difficulty Speaking or Understanding (T) TIME: Document Onset of Symptoms ACTION: Call 911 – DO NOT TRANSPORT YOURSELF – TIME IS A FACTOR ACT F.A.S.T. KNOW THE SIGNS OF A STROKE! High Blood Pressure; High Cholesterol; Heart Disease; Diabetes; Smoking: Heavy Alcohol Use; Obesity; Arterial Fibrillation (Irregular Heartbeat); and Family History of Strokes. ACTION CALL 911! Virginia Brant, Health & Wellness Did you know about the Merck Company's medication assistance program for those who do not have insurance or are in the donut hole on Medicare? Put this address on your favorites’ list just in case you or someone you know needs this help. Go to http://www.merck.com/ and click on the Patient Assistance Program. This is a global program not just for the U.S. HEALTH & SAFETY PROPERTY TAX SCAM Are you in the “Donut Hole Coverage Gap? In 2007, approximately 19 percent of Arizonans fell into the doughnut hole. When this happens, research shows many people skip or skimp on their medications, putting their health at risk. AARP has launched a new online tool that can help people protect themselves from this coverage gap called the AARP Doughnut Hole Calculator. This tool guides people through their prescription drug options to determine if, or when, they will fall into the doughnut hole. It allows people to view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, helps them look up lowercost drugs for their conditions, creates a Personal Medication Record and allows them to print out personalized letters to their doctors so that they can start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions. Check out the AARP Doughnut Hole Calculator available at www.aarp.org/doughnuthole to help you cut your drug costs and stay out of the coverage gap. TRUE OR FALSE? CELL PHONE ON FEDERAL DO NOT CALL LIST? You may have received this e-mail lately but it is not true! REMINDER.... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you may have started to receive sales calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS! It is important to call 888-382-1222 The National DO NOT CALL Number and have your phone numbers put on the list! It only takes a few a minute of your time and it blocks your number for five (5) years. ALERT! If you received or receive an official looking letter in the mail from the Property Tax Review Board in a BLUE & WHITE ENVELOPE, this is not real! CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE! DO NOT REMIT THE $189.00. WHAT THEY SAY THEY CAN DO, YOU CAN DO FOR FREE. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY: FORWARD THE LETTER TO THE ARIZONA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE. 1275 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007 602.542.5025 800.352.8431 Tucson 400 West Congress Tucson, AZ 85701-13675 520.628.6504 Fax 520.628.6530 ZABASEARCH In May of 2006 a new database was made available to the General Public that free of charge displays your personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, etc.) The database is found at www.zabasearch.com. Type your name and see if your Name and Information is in their database. If you want it removed, send them an e-mail to: [email protected] to request it be removed. After opting out by email, check back after a few days to make certain your information has been removed. (I’ve opted out of several databases and credit reports, but my information was there for anyone to steal!) Carol Morton, Newsletter Editor 5