Association of Retired School Employees Affiliated with AARP/NRTA

VOLUME 27 • NUMBER 3 Spring • 2018

Leadership Conference: May 2, 2018 The Leadership Conference, scheduled for May 2, 2018, will feature an NRTA representative, Mary Beth Dixon. Mary Beth will talk about membership using an AARP program From Your called Chocolate & Younger Members. Mary Beth creates NRTA sustainability by strengthening efforts on member engagement and volunteer development. Her expertise includes working with multicultural popula- tions, public education, group organizing, and health policy. President Before joining NRTA, she worked as an ASD for the New I want to thank Jersey State Office and held interim assignments supporting each of you who AARP’s ACA education campaign, the Enterprise Community travelled to Pilot, efforts in Manchester, New Hampshire and two of Los Charleston on Angeles H/L communities. Mary Beth was the recipient of January 30th for the 2012 Maureen McKoy Excellence in Service Award; she CORPE Legis- holds a BS in Dietetics and MSW in Social and Economic lative Day, and Development from Washington University. She is a Licensed thanks to each of Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). you who made Chocolate & Younger Members additional trips AARP recently utilized a design and innovation firm to to Charleston. I explore ways to create more inspiring member “experiences” applaud you for that appeal to those aged 50 to 64 – the same group many REAs each contact made are targeting for membership growth. Younger members seek a with our legisla- community and membership experience that provides for more tors. I appreciate conversation and participation than what organizations have immensely all of JO ANN HARMAN traditionally offered. “Please join us as we examine how to adapt the efforts made WVARSE President efforts to be more appealing to younger members. While you by many for the enjoy a chocolate tasting, we will explore why recruitment and legislative training, both the presenters and the attend- retention feel challenging. We will then explore how to design ees. Our bill, Senate Bill 413, which was sponsored more engaging experiences. We will review two models that by Senators Dave Sypolt and , was will show how to make every experience more engaging and introduced in the Senate and referred to the Energy, fun, resulting in more members who join and stay with your Industry, and Mining Committee and then to the chapter, local unit or organization!” Finance Committee. Although we were not success- Registration forms will be posted on the Web in early April. Mary Beth Dixon ful in the passage of the bill, we definitely centered attention on our proposed sources for funding PEIA. Our Legislative Goals were: • That WVARSE will promote legislation to con- Membership Chair reflects on 2018 Legislative Session tinue and maintain the quality of PEIA coverage, By John Riddle tive session, as education representation in Charles- our legislators and also the without increases in co-pays or reduction in benefits. personnel “united” to cre- ton to ask questions about general public was sympa- • That WVARSE will promote legislation to As your Membership ate an atmosphere that re- much needed pay raises and thetic to their needs. I start establish ½ of 1 percent tax on Marcellus, Utica, Chair, I want to applaud the quired our state legislators underfunded, rising costs my article on this note, to See President, Page 2 recent events in Charleston and governor to hear their of PEIA.

during the 2018 Legisla- needs. All 55 counties had They got the attention of See Members, Page 3

and Binding and

Printing Morgantown Charleston, WV 25311 WV Charleston,

PAID 200 Elizabeth Street Elizabeth 200

U.S. POSTAGE U.S. WVARSE Newsletter WVARSE NONPROFIT ORG NONPROFIT Page 2 — Spring 2018

Executive Director’s Column From the Executive Director Legislature is over and dents were successful in proud of the West Virginia session. SB 513, if passed, ing the conference. NRTA for the first time since the staging a work stoppage teachers, service personnel, would have established a representative Mary Beth 1980’s, the state budget was until they were successful superintendents, and school funding source for retired Dixon will be discussing passed during the regular in getting a 5% pay raise board members for stepping public employees. It was membership using a pro- session. The budget did not and the establishment of out and standing strong for designed to collect .5% gram called “Chocolate & take money out of the Rainy a PEIA Task Force by the wage increases that public severance tax on deep sand Younger Members”. We Day Fund, and it appropri- Governor with a promise employees deserve. gases. This seemed to be the must continue to increase ates $29 million to the Public of “fixing” PEIA funding. Due to a law passed last subject of other interested our membership. It is the re- Employees Insurance Agen- Many retirees recall the year that re-defined PEIA parties and may be a part sponsibility of each member cy Stability Fund. It also strike of 1990 which lasted Board members, I termi- of the solution to PEIA to do his/her best to enroll includes a 5 percent raise fewer days than the work nated my role as a lobbyist. funding. No severance tax new members and retain for teachers, school service stoppage of 2018. There This was the first legislative was acted upon. John’s hard old members. Your sharing personnel, State Police, and were thousands of school session in 15 years that I did work and time is very much email addresses with us William G. ‘Bill’ Milam state employees. School employees (Professional not lobby. I prepared the appreciated. would be most helpful. We Executive Director personnel, with the support and service) in attendance bill which became SB 513 I encourage all Presi- prefer that you share your of their county superinten- daily at the capitol. All 55 and gave it to John Taylor, dents and Regional Chairs address with your unit and counties were involved, Region II Director. John did to attend the Annual Leader- they will, in turn, share it and their superintendents an admirable job of secur- ship Conference May 2, 2018. with me. That way all con- Executive Board were very supportive of ing sponsors and getting the As last year, the Leadership cerned will have access. their cause. Retirees will bill introduced. The bill was Conference will be one day. Many of my email addresses President Jo Ann Harman not benefit from the raises introduced January 29, 2018 Please see the schedule are not valid. If you have (304) 749-7322 [email protected] awarded to public employ- assigned to the Senate com- of events in another area changed your email address, President-elect Mary Ann Ferris ees, but whatever results mittee, Energy, Industry and of the newsletter. There please send me an email at (304) 592-2061 [email protected] from the task force will Mining, where it sat without will be a $15.00 registra- [email protected] so Secretary Norma Taylor benefit retirees. We are action the remainder of the tion fee per person attend- that I can update my files. (304) 842-4213 [email protected] Treasurer Judy Staubly (304) 269-5494 [email protected] President Immediate Past President Danny Gray From Page 1 (304) 645-2529 [email protected] and other lower sand gases duction! The lyrics are the Misérables continues with The PEIA Task Force Executive Director William G. Milam together with ½ of 1 percent most stirring messages that “Do you hear the people formed by the Governor (304) 610-0192 [email protected] severance tax on any future I have ever heard. These sing ….. It is a music of the plans to have meetings and Parliamentarian Danny Gray cracker plants as a fund- are the words which have people who are climbing to hearings which will be open (304) 645-2529 [email protected] ing source for state public resonated constantly in my the light ….There is a flame for public attendance. I Scholarship Sharon Vance employees’ retiree benefits. mind as we have struggled that never ends.“ Finally, contacted the Governor’s (304) 456-4907 [email protected] My teaching career was to voice our issues and we hear, “Will you join in office and requested that our Historian Mary Pat Glover accentuated with field trips concerns. our crusade? Who will be association be represented (304) 273-2804 [email protected] which were closely associ- Early in the show we strong and stand with me? on the task force. I was Membership Clerk Rita Hammond ated with curriculum. Each hear, “There was a time …..Is there a world you encouraged, but we were (304) 623-0929 [email protected] year we read classics and when men were kind, when long to see? Do you hear not included. We must be Newsletter Editor Darlene Milam travelled to Washington their voices were soft, and the people sing? Say, do you present and heard at these (304) 610-2935 [email protected] DC for performances such their words inviting…… hear the distant drums? It events. We must wear red Region I Charmel Radcliff as Phantom of the Opera, When hope was high and is the future that they bring and speak! Les Misérables (304) 684-2133 [email protected] Cats, and Les Misérables. life worth living…..But when tomorrow comes!” makes references to red: Region II John Taylor We studied the classics in there are dreams that can- We must ask every retired “Red – the blood of angry (304) 265-5514 [email protected] class and were prepared to not be and there are storms school employee, “Who will men!” and “Red – a world Region III Carol Williams see the magnificent produc- we cannot weather.” We be strong and stand with about to dawn!” The freeze (304) 927-2910 [email protected] tions at Kennedy Theatre or cannot lose hope. We must me?” We must contact all on PEIA is temporary. We Region IV Rick White National Theatre. My favor- persist in making our issues retired public retirees and must emphasize that retir- (304) 675-3875 [email protected] ite was Les Misérables. My heard! As we observed the offer associate membership ees have had no raises for Region V Steve Bailey English students (honor and work stoppage organized by to them for mutual benefits: a long time, even though (304) 887-3723 [email protected] gifted), read an excerpt of public school employees, it they would have a voice, costs for insurance have Region VI Patty Adkins the classic in English; my was obvious that they were and our efforts would be increased considerably. upper level French students uniting with other public enhanced by their input. Our anger and anxiety must (304) 257-4446 [email protected] read an excerpt in French. employees. We must do the Ask them, “Will you join inspire us to work and hope Community Service Liz Bradford This work is 900+ pages, so same. Our Bill 413 stated in our crusade?” Remind for a world about to dawn. (304) 269-4568 [email protected] an excerpt was appropriate. that we were including all all of them that, “It is the I encourage as many mem- I&P Service Irvin Scarberry The highlight of the unit was pubic retirees in the ben- future that they bring when bers, who can, attend these (304) 733-6982 [email protected] the magnificent stage pro- efits which we sought. Les tomorrow comes!” meetings. Legislative Bill Hammond (304) 623-0929 [email protected] Membership John A Riddle (304) 372-3896 [email protected] LOOKING FOR OFFICERS IMPORTANT REMINDER! AARP-REA Liaison Mary Gill The Nominating Committee will be developing a Send your list of officers and Leadership (304) 522-8540 [email protected] slate for election of President Elect, Secretary and Conference reservation form to Bill Milam. AARP-WV President Rich Stonestreet Directors for Regions II, IV, & VI. If you are Go to wvarse.org and click on “about”. (304) 421-2148 [email protected] interested or know someone who might be On the “drop down” select (1) Unit Officers and AMBA Insurance Rick Billeaud interested, please contact Darlene Milam (2) 2017 Leadership Conference. (800) 258-7041 Ext 186 [email protected] [email protected]. Complete the forms and click Submit. Spring 2018 ­ ­—­ Page 3

CABELL COUNTY DATES TO REMEMBER

The board will be represented at the regional meetings as follows: Regions I, II, III, IV, V and VI – WVARSE Executive Director Bill Milam. Regions III and IV – WVARSE President Jo Ann Harman. Regions V and VI – WVARSE President-Elect Mary Ann Ferris.

April 1 County Officer lists due to WVARSE Regional Directors & Executive Director April 25 Deadline for List of members attending Leadership Conference due to Executive Director May 2 Leadership Training Conference, Flatwoods (registration begins at 9:30 A.M. and program begins at 10:00 A.M.) May 10 Deadline for sending Volunteer Hours to Unit Chairs May 15 Membership determination for Annual Council delegates May 25 Deadline for sending Volunteer Hours to Regional Chairs June 1 Deadline for sending Volunteer Hours to State Chair June 1 Deadline for sending list of deceased to Regional I & P Chairs

REGIONAL MEETINGS

Region I — Tuesday, June 12, 2018 St. Johns Catholic Church 622 Main Street Benwood, WV 26031 304-232-6455 Registration: 9:00-9:30 After the meeting, anyone interested may take a tour of the famous WV Penitentiary at Moundsville for a discounted fee of $7.00. Built in 1866, this is considered one of the most haunted prisons in the . Please call Charmel Radcliff, 304- 684-2133 if you are interested in taking this tour.

Barbara Bias, CCARSE Vice President; Mary Beth Region II — June 13, 2018 First United Methodist Church, Clarksburg, WV 9:00 AM. Svingos, Instructional Guide Explorer Academy; Nancy Hanger, CCARSE Community Service Chair; Irvin Region III — June 6, 2018 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Fairplain – Meet in cafeteria Scarberry, CCARSE President beginning at 8:30am-2:00pm.

Region IV — June 5 1st Church of God/ 2401 Jefferson Ave. Pt Pleasant registration beginning at School Employees 9:30 AM. Call to order at 10:00

Region V — June 7 Mining Academy, Beckley. Registration will begin at 10:00 A light breakfast Continue To Help and lunch will be served while there. The program will contain info about the association, legislature, insurance, benefits and fraud. You must have a picture ID to get into the mine academy now even if Students Even not the driver. After Retirement Region VI — June 11 at the Foreman Community Center located in Lahmansville, WV. We will begin at 9:30 with registration followed by the meeting at 10:00. Our meal will be catered by Puttin’ The Cabell County Association of Retired School Employees (CCARSE) initiated a project several years On The Ritz and we are thrilled to have Denis Chapman for our entertainment. ago to provide new clothing for elementary school’s “clothes pantries.” The organization, made up of retired teachers, administrators, secretaries, bus driver, July 1 Delegate letters mailed to County Presidents cooks and custodians, contacts participating elementary July 15 Deadline for Summer Newsletter schools and ask for lists of needed clothing. CCARSE then buys requested new clothing with money donated July 15 Honor Points Checklist due to Executive Director by members. “We may not be in the schools every day July 15 Annual Council Delegates list due to Membership Clerk as we were, but we still know the tremendous need of August 21 Deadline for sending list of members attending Annual Council some of our students,” said Irvin Scarberry, CCARSE’s to Executive Director president. The organization has provided help to five August 21 Deadline for sending Banquet count to Executive Director Cabell County Elementary Schools, according to Nancy August 29 & 30 Annual Council, Flatwoods (registration begins at 10:00 A.M.) Hander, CCARSE Community Service Chair. September 24 -28 WVARSE week

you carried your message are presently over 33,000 employees are facing ris- active participation. tential membership. Contact Members back to your local WVARSE retired potential members, ing costs of living with NO WVARSE is the “voice” colleagues that are not mem- From Page 1 membership. yet we are less than 7500 pension increases. Social of retired school personnel. bers or who have stopped only bring attention to what Now, let us talk about in membership. We are the Security only gives small Our organization is the only attending. I remind you that “united numbers” in an WVARSE membership largest single group of state increases which are usually one which represents ALL our website (www.wvarse. organization or group can and what it can bring to retirees! I can only imag- needed to meet raised costs. retired school employees. org) has valuable informa- do! I also want to recognize our members. I would like ine what would happen if At the federal level, there are We also have associate tion on goals, membership, the fact that many retired to say our membership is our potential membership rumors of attacks on our So- membership which permits contacts, etc.. educators and service per- growing, that is not the case; decided to come to the leg- cial Security and Medicare spouse or others to join and NOW is the time to sonnel attended these ses- in fact, we are only staying islature. Your voice, joining benefits. An organization is participate with us. Contact become a member of sions at the Legislature. about even each year as ours, is needed now more only as strong as its mem- your county president to WVARSE and have your Thank you and I hope that we look at growth. There than ever. Retired school bership numbers and their review your county’s po- voice heard in Charleston. Page 4 — Spring 2018 ­

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES

11th Delegate District 24th Delegate District 35th Delegate District Election Day (R) MARTIN “RICK” ATKINSON Ill (R) AARON STONE (R) BILL JOHNSON – May 8, 2018 (D) JAMES ALAN PICKENS (R) ALLEN LARDIERI (R) CHARLOTTE R. LANE (R) JORDAN BRIDGES (R) EDWARD R. BURGESS 12th Delegate District (D) GEORGE HOWES (R) ERIC NELSON Primary election day is May 8, 2018. (R) (D) HARRY FREEMAN (R) Provided in this article are the certified (D) MISSY MORRIS (D) (D) ANDREW D. BYRD candidates for all 117 legislative (D) SUSAN SHELTON PERRY (D) JR. positions to be filled in the November 13th Delegate District (D) TIM TOMBUN (D) JAMES P. ROBINETTE election. Each of you should look at the (R) JOSHUA KURT (D) RENATE PORE voting records of the incumbents and HIGGINBOTHAM 25th Delegate District what each of the other candidates stand (R) (R) 36th Delegate District for before making your decisions in the (D) SCOTT BREWER (D) ANDY VANCE (R) BRAD WHITE primary election. As we proceed into the (R) CHRIS PRITT November General election, use this 14th Delegate District 26th Delegate District (R) ETHAN MORRIS information in choosing Legislators who (R) JIM BUTLER (R) DAVID COX (R) MATTHEW JARRETT will be supportive of school personnel (D) BRIANNE SOLOMON (D) (D) AMANDA ESTEP-BURTON and funding for PEIA. Incumbents are Bold. (D) JENNIFER VANOVER (D) ANDREW ROBINSON 15th Delegate District (D) CLINT CASTO (R) BRYAN HASTINGS 27th Delegate District (D) JAMES ELAM House of Delegates (R) GEOFF FOSTER (R) (D) JAMES S. PETERS 1st Delegate District (D) CASEY WADE HORTON (R) JOE C. ELLINGTON, JR. (D) LARRY l . ROWE (R) MARK ZATEZALO (R) JOHN H. SHOTT (R) PAT MCGEEHAN 16th Delegate District (R) MIKE SWATTS 37th Delegate District (D) DIANA MAGNONE (R) ANDREW DORNBOS (R) ZANE LAWHORN (R) RICHARD l . PATRICK (D) (R) CHRIS BURGER (D) CAROL B. BAILEY (D) (R) (D) LACY WATSON 2nd Delegate District (R) JARRED CANNON (D) PHOEBE JEFFRIES MEADOWS 38th Delegate District (R) GRACE DAVIS (R) JOHN F. MANDT JR (R) CINDY FARLEY (D) PHILLIP W DISERIO (R) STEVEN J. DAVIS 28th Delegate District (R) DIANNA GRAVES (R) VERA MILLER (R) JEFFREY PACK (D) TOM TULL 3rd Delegate District (D) DAKOTA NELSON (R) RON CANTLEY II (R) DALTON HAAS (D) DAVID FATTALEH (R) ROY G COOPER 39th Delegate District (R) ERIKKA STORCH (D) MATT SPURLOCK (D) ANDREW EVANS (R) SHARON LEWIS MALCOLM (R) LARRY TIGHE (D) (D) SANDY SHAW (D) ALEX URBAN (D) (D) DAVID ‘WOODY” HOLMES 17th Delegate District 29th Delegate District 4th Delegate District (R) JOYCE W. HOLLAND (R) BRANDON STEELE 40th Delegate District (R) CHARLIE REYNOLDS (R) MATIHEW ROHRBACH (R) ZACHARY MEAOOR (R) DEAN JEFFRIES (D) (D) (D) RICKY MOVE (R) KENNETH E. TAWNEY (D) (D) CHRISTOPHER HUGHART (R) RONALD CLINTON SHAMBLIN (D) JEANETTE M. ROWSEY 30th Delegate District (D) MELISSA RIGGS HUFFMAN 5th Delegate District (D) MICK BATES (R) PHILLIP WILEY 18th Delegate District 41st Delegate District (D) DAVE PETHTEL (R) 31st Delegate District (R) (D) JERRY A TIGHE (R) CHANDA ADKINS (D) DUANE BRAGG 6th Delegate District (D) KAREN NANCE (R) CHRISTOPHER WAYNE TONEY (D) MONICA ADDINGTON (R) ALEX KING (D) PAUL DAVID ROSS (D) RICHARD “RICK” SNUFFER II (D) NELSON E. TINNEL (R) DAVID L. KELLY (D) PAUL O’DELL, JR (D) T. CHRIS COMBS 19th Delegate District 32nd Delegate District (R) MARK ROSS (R) AUSTIN HAYNES 42nd Delegate District 7th Delegate District (D) KEN HICKS (R) (R) ANDREW P. UTTERBACK (R) JASON S. HARSHBARGER (D) ROBERT THOMPSON (R) TOM FAST (R) DENNY R. CANTERBURY (D) LISSA LUCAS (D) LUKE LIVELY (R) STEVE MALCOMB 20th Delegate District (D) (R) TYLER JAMES HYLTON 8th Delegate District (D) BARRY MARCUM (D) MELVIN “MEL” KESSLER (D) CINDY LAVENDER-BOWE (R) BILL ANDERSON (D) NATHAN BROWN (D) SEUNA VICKERS (D) ISAIAH T. STANLEY (D) DAVID BLAND (D) JEFF CAMPBELL 21st Delegate District 33rd Delegate District (D) ROGER VANNOY 9th Delegate District (R) (R) (R) RAY HOLLEN (D) PHYLL.IS RIFFE WHITE (D) DAVID A WALKER 43rd Delegate District (D) JIM MARION (R) MIKE HOUSE 22nd Delegate District 34th Delegate District (R) WILLIAM “TY’” NESTOR 1Oth Delegate District (R) JOSEPH “JOE” JEFFRIES (R) LOGAN M. THOMPSON (D) BILL HARTMAN (R) FRANK DEEM (R) (D) (D) CODY H. THOMPSON (R) JIM ERLANDSON (D) BILL BRYANT (D) PHIL ISNER (R) JOHN R KELLY (D) GARY MCCALLISTER (R) MATTHEW DODRILL (R) 23rd Delegate District (D) ANDY DANIEL (R) LAWRENCE “LARRY” LYON JR. (D) HARRY DEITZLER (D) RODNEY A MILLER (D) J. MORGAN LEACH Spring 2018 ­ ­—­ Page 5

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

44th Delegate District 54th Delegate District 2nd Senatorial District (R) CALEB HANNA (R) JASON I. BOWEN (R) CHARLES CLEMENTS Wednesday May 2, 2018 (R) ELIJAH KARNES (R) JOHN PAUL HOTT II (D) CARLA J. JONES (D) DENNY LONGWELL “TO SERVE AND NOT TO BE SERVED” (D) DANAL LYNCH (R) KEITH L. FUNKHOUSER 9:30 am Registration ($15 per person) (D) DON E. MCCOURT Region III — Carol Williams, Director (M) BARBARA DANIELS 55th Delegate District 3rd Senatorial District (R) 10:00 am First General Session (R) JON HOF (D) JIM LEACH Conference Rooms D&E 45th Delegate District (D) (D) SIMON HARGUS For the comfort of members who have difficulty (R) CARL “ROBBIE” MARTIN hearing or seeing, please take a seat in front of room (R) ROBERT (BOB) KINCAID 56th Delegate District 4th Senatorial District PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES (D) MATTHEW KERNER (R) CHARLES VON HAGEL (R) ERICJ. TARR * Presiding — JoAnn Harman, President (R) GARY G. HOWELL (R) MARK DRENNAN * Devotions and Flag Salute — Julia Ann Pauley, 46th Delegate District (R) LUKE MCKENZIE (D) BRIAN PRIM Mercer County (R) PATRICK S MARTIN (D) TIMOTHY RYAN * Introductions and Program Overview — JoAnn (D) ROBERT L. “BOB” STULTZ (D) WILL SKEHAN 5th Senatorial District Harman (5) (R) LARRY BROOKE LUNSFORD * Humana/PEIA — Scott Rogers 47th Delegate District 57th Delegate District (D) * AMBA — Rick Billeaud (R) CHRIS PHILLIPS (R) * Speaker — Mary Beth Dixon 6th Senatorial District NRTA, “Chocolate & Younger Members” (R) DEREK H. HART (R) MARK R. MAYNARD (R) LONNIE L. MOORE SR . . 58th Delegate District 10:45 am BREAK (R) WESLEY BLANKENSHIP 11:00 am Speaker — Mary Beth Dixon Continue (D) CLAYTON D. MOORE (R) DARYL E. COWLES (D) CHARLES E. SAMMONS (D) ED LARRY (D) BIBI HAHN 12:00 Noon Luncheon & Social Time Provided by WVARSE. Conference Room A (D) ROBERT”BOB”JOHNSON 7th Senatorial District 59th Delegate District (R) GARY L JOHNGRASS 1:00 pm- 2:00pm 48th Delegate District (R) LARRY D. KUMP (R) JASON STEPHENS President’s Training Session Conference Room D (R) (R) TALLY RANELS REED (D) Committee Training Sessions (R) (D) JOHN ISNER * Community Services, Chair Liz Bradford — Room (R) DEBRA S. SHRIEVES 8th Senatorial District (R) ED GAUNCH Beckley (R) TERRY WAXMAN 60th Delegate District * Informative & Protective Services, Chair Irvin (D) DEREK MCINTYRE (R) LARRY W FAIRCLOTH SR. (D) MARK HUNT (D) Scarberry — Room Braxton (D) RICHARD J. IAQUINTA (R) S. MARSHALL WILSON * Legislative, Chair Bill Hammond — Room (D) ROBERT “ROB” GARCIA 9th Senatorial District Lewisburg (D) 61st Delegate District (R) LYNNE CARDEN ARVON * Membership, Chair John Riddle — Room Wheeling (R) ANTHONY J VITALE (R) ROLLAN A. ROBERTS 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 49th Delegate District (D) JASON BARRETI (D) JOHN QUESENBERRY Regional caucuses (R) (D) STEVE DAVIS * Region I Charmel Radcliff, Director — Room (D) GEORGE ALLEN ABEL 62nd Delegate District (D) WAYNE WILLIAMS Beckley (R) KEVIN R. BOLEN (D) WILLIAM R. “BILL” WOOTON * Region II John Taylor, Director — Room D 50th Delegate District (R) TOM BIBBY * Region III Carol Williams, Director — Room (R) GUY WARD (D) CYNTHIA TOODL.E 10th Senatorial District Lewisburg (R) PHIL MALLOW (R) DAN HILL * Region IV Rick White, Director — Room Wheeling (D) GEORGE “FRANK” JARMAN 63rd Delegate District (R) GEORGE BOOGIE AMBLER * Region V Steve Bailey, Director — Room (D) STEPHEN BALDWIN (D) JACK L. OLIVER (R) DAVY JONES Bridgeport (D) JOHN “MIKE” CRIADO (R) JOHN HARDY * Region VI Patty Adkins, Director — Room Braxton 11th Senatorial District 3:00 Reports (D LINDA LONGSTRETH (R) PAM BRUSH (R) BILL HAMILTON (Brief synopsis of the important information shared. (D) MICHAEL ANGELUCCI (R) SAMSON WRIGHT (R) ROBERT LEE KARNES (D) (D) SAM BROWN (D) LAURA M. FINCH No more than 2 to 3 minutes) (D) MARGARET KERR BECKWITH 3:30 Adjournment 51st Delegate District 64th Delegate District (R) CINDY FRICH (R) ERIC LEE HOUSEHOLDER 12th Senatorial District (R) DEBBIE WARNER (R) WENDY J.G. BIRD (R) WAYMOND CORK II (R) JOE STATLER (D) Thanks to AMBA rep (R) ROGER SHUTTLESWORTH 65th Delegate District Rick Billeaud membership (D) BARBARA EVANS (R) 13th Senatorial District FLEISCHAUER (D) SAMMI BROWN (R) MIKE OLIVERIO has increased by 20 the (D) (D) CORY B. KENNEDY first three months of 2018. (D) DANIELLE WALKER 66th Delegate District 14th Senatorial District (D) EVAN HANSEN (R) (R) DAVE SYPOLT (D) JOHN WILLIAMS (R) REESE CLABAUGH (D) STEPHANIE ZUCKER (D) RODNEY A. PYLES (D) DAVID M. DINGES Effective July 1, 2018, state 15th Senatorial District annual dues will increase to $15. 52nd Delegate District 67th Delegate District (R) CHARLES S TRUMP IV (R) JUSTIN HOUGH (R) DAN SWISHER (R) (R) 16th Senatorial District (D) JOHN DOYLE (R) MICHAEL CRAIG FOLK Newsletter Editor: 53rd Delegate District (D) Darlene Milam (R) CALEB B. STUTLER State Senator (R) D.R. “BUCK” JENNINGS 17th Senatorial District [email protected] 1st Senatorial District (R) (D) CORY CHASE (R) RYAN FERNS (D) JUSTIN “DICK” SAUSBURY (D) WILLIAM IHLENFELD (D) MARY ANN ROEBUCK CLAYTOR (D) TERRELL ELLIS Newsletter deadline: July 15, 2018 Page 6 — Spring 2018 ­

TAYLOR COUNTY

Members of Taylor County Association of Retired School Employees (TCARSE) traveled to Charleston for CORPE Rally Day to meet with legislators to encourage them to find support from gas severance taxes as a funding source for state public employees retiree benefits.

Names for picture TCARSE Charleston Trip 1-2018 Sypolt & Smith L-R John Names for picture TCARSE Charleston Legislature 2018 Summers L-R John Harrison, Mary Slaton, Carolyn Harrison, Mary Jane Hall, Senator Randy Smith, Harrison, Curtis Hilderbrandt, John Taylor, Taylor Delegate Amy Summers, Mary Senator Dave Sypolt, John Taylor, Curtis Hilderbrant Slaton, Mary Jane Hall, Carolyn Harrison

GRANT COUNTY MORGAN COUNTY

John Moyers Grant President , Jo Ann Harman WVARSE President and Kanette Petrey Attorney General Office On December 7, members of the Morgan County ARSE were invited to a delicious TEA prepared by the ProStart class at Berkeley Springs High School. Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, Amy Golden Grant County Litten led the students in this endeavor. Amy had been a student of the Morgan County School System. Many of the parents of the students in the class, MCARSE members knew from their days in their schools! seeks to keep Such FUN! members informed SUMMERS COUNTY Grant County Association of Retired School Employees held fall meetings organized to keep The Summers County As- members informed of pertinent information affecting sociation of Retired School them, including information on preventing identity Employees held their regular theft and protection from frauds. Mrs. Petrey gave meeting on Saturday, Decem- great tips on what to do if you are a victim and how ber 9, 2017 at the Hinton Senior to avoid becoming a victim. (The enclosed photo is Center. The meeting was well from this meeting.) attended and after concluding Before the December Christmas get-together, the business portion of the House of Delegate members Allen Evans and Bill meeting, an excellent Christ- Hamilton met with the group to answer questions mas musical program was pre- about upcoming legislative matters related to retirees. sented by the Bluestone Trio. At every meeting Jo Ann Harman, President of An outstanding covered dish WVARSE, Patty Adkins, Region VI Director and luncheon was enjoyed by all. David Adkins, legislative chair from Region VI and The mayor of Hinton pre- GCARSE keep members informed about what is sented the Summers County happening in Charleston and how members can help Association of Retired School L to R: Doris Yates, Treasurer; Douglas Wayne Harvey, President; Joe by contacting senators and Delegates. Employees a proclamation Blankenship, Mayor of Hinton; Vaden Tabor, Vice President and Margaret recognizing WVARSE Week. Nelson, unit member Spring 2018 ­—­ Page 7

~ In Memoriam ~ Membership Year BOONE LEWIS July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018 Robert “Bob” Peal — Life Richard Lee Bonnett CABELL John Howard Reeder Joan M. Fox MCDOWELL Ruth Hemp Charles Glass Ouida Pearson MORGAN Elizabeth Sharp Elmer E. Weber Ruth Thornton PLEASANTS GLENVILLE Dr. Harold Carl Neva Lynn Gainer Edwin A. Davis GRANT Leona Eddy Mary Catherine Barr Otis Leggett HAMPSHIRE Anna Mary Thacker Dorothy Hott PUTNAM HARRISON Charles Beckett Randy Cochran RALEIGH Michael Ann Gainer Lorena Farley – Life Carolyn Rutherford George Ruth Larew – Life Leonora Jean Maxwell Robert E Lilly – Life Gail Colleen Richards RANDOLPH Charlotte Loretta Rose Luther Cutright Shirley Zirkle Satterfield Jean Lawrence JACKSON Mary Margaret Morrison Connie Ann Hinkle -Life Bayard Swecker JEFFERSON SUMMERS Susan Heflebower James Thornton Huffman Lorna Frye - Life James Marion Richmond Emma S. Locke- Life TUCKER KANAWHA Helen Jean Newbrough Phyllis Joann Burgess – Life WIRT Patricia R. Melton – Life Francis “Sally” Compton

ORDER ENROLLMENT FORMS AND RECORD CARDS TODAY Please order your enrollment membership forms or record cards for next year now. Use any forms you Effective July 1, 2018, state annual now have on hand. Take an inventory and request the dues will increase to $15. number for the 2018-2019 year by phoning Rita Ham- mond, Membership Clerk, at 304-623-0929 or email: [email protected]. To save postage these will If you are an active, annual state member, be distributed at the Leadership Conference on May you can convert to a state life membership for 2 at Flatwoods. The 2017- 2018 year is not over until only $90. Your membership must be received June 30, 2018. This means we have 3 months to try to by the WVARSE Membership Clerk by June 15. PLUS, your local unit will get a $5 rebate. increase our membership for this year. Please make every effort by calling individuals who have not joined to get them “on board.” Effective July 1, 2018, state Life membership — $100 ... Life members — Remember to annual dues will increase to $15. update your address and pay county membership dues

Contact us: 18 19 WVARSE, 15.00 200 Elizabeth St., Charleston, WV 25311 304- 610-0192 www. wvarse.org Scholarship Winners 2018

Courtney Samples Madison Cunningham Courtney Samples, a 2014 Winfield High School Graduate is completing her Madison Cunningham is completing her teaching degree in Elementary and teaching degree in Elementary Education at West Virginia State University. She Multi-Categorical Special Education. She is completing her degree at Glenville has always known she had an affinity for teaching – attracted to more than just State College and plans to return for a master’s degree in special education. the perks of the profession, she has learned the import of influencing lives and Madison has been inspired by two things in her journey to become a teacher; encouraging children to strive for their goals. her sister and her position as a tutor for the past six years. She originally believed Courtney’s family has experienced many financial setbacks, but she has remained she would move to Key West to become a radiologist, but her acceptance in high focused on her ultimate goal and learned many life lessons about the importance school as a tutor with Energy Express and her subsequent return engagements of establishing priorities and hard work which she hopes to share with her students. since that time. Once she determined she enjoyed teaching children, she settled In spite of her family’s financial hardships, Courtney has remained determined in special education, in deference to the struggles her own sister experienced as and positive, traits which have allowed her to achieve her finest accomplishment a result of her learning disabilities and developmental delays. to date, seven consecutive semesters on the Deans list with a 4.0 GPA. She is Madison, a graduate of Ritchie County HS ultimately wants to be a teacher in anxious to begin her student teaching having already forged connections with the rural Ritchie Co.- believing that teachers “can be one of the biggest role models 3rd graders from Point Harmony Elementary School. Already, she is looking to in a student’s life” and that her calling is to make a difference in the lives of her the future, preparing to return to school and completing a Master’s Degree. students while remaining close to home. Legislative Report By Bill Hamond at the Culture Center on Saturday, April 10. At that With input from John Taylor meeting, Ted Cheatham, Director of PEIA will make a presentation on PEIA. We spent at least 2 days each week at the legislature. The Task Force consists of three committees: 1. It was a very interesting, but tiring experience. Our Coverage and Plan Review which will study the current bill, SB 413 asking for a new tax on deep sand gas plan and possible cost savings; 2. Cost and Review was sponsored by Senators Dave Sypolt and Randy which will study PEIA costs and possible revenue Smith. It was introduced January 29, 2018, assigned sources; 3. Legislative and Public Outreach which to Energy, Industry and Mining committee, and sat will hold public meetings and inform the public. There there the whole session without being reviewed by will be at least four regional meetings. the committee. There were some suggested amend- We encourage members to attend these meetings ments to the bill, which may be considered when it is and deliver the same message – Retirees get no raises introduced next year. The PEIA Stability Task Force to fund increases in co-pays, deductions, out-of-pocket containing 29 members, appointed by the Governor expenses, or premiums. All of these have increased in Justice administration Chief of Staff Mike Hall and chaired by Mike Hall, the Governor’s Chief of recent years. Inflation has eaten away at pensions for leads the discussion during the first meeting of Staff, held their first meeting at the Governor’s office long time retirees. This indicates that costs to retirees the West Virginia Public Employees Insurance March 13. John Taylor, Bill, Rita and Chuck Ham- should not only be frozen, but rolled back. Agency stability task force. The 29-member group mond, along with AARP President Rich Stonestreet, The web site for the PEIA Task Force is: is charged with finding solutions to rising health represented WVARSE. The next meeting will be held peiataskforce.wv.gov premiums and lower benefits for state workers.