News
MARYLAND RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION Affiliated with NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community
Volume XXXIV, No. 2
December 2014
AARP Maryland honors
MRSPA’s Ridgeway, Tucker
At its Andrus Awards Luncheon on September 16,
AARP Maryland honored former MRSPA President Chuck
Ridgeway for his advocacy on behalf of AARP.
The rewards luncheon was held on the Spirit of Baltimore ship in the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
Awards were presented in several categories including
AARP Advocacy, which was presented to Ridgeway, who
is currently serving as MRSPA/AARP Maryland Liaison.
Receiving the MRSPA Award at the ceremony was E.
Stuart Tucker, MRSPA Immediate Past President. Current
MRSPA President Max E. Muller presented the award to
Tucker.
NRTA publishes in the KNOW
NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community, publishes an enewsletter titled “NRTA in the KNOW.” There is a wealth
of information, ranging from information about AARP, i.e.,
AARP Welcomes Jenkins as CEO, to announcing winners
of the 2014 NRTA “With Our Youth!” Awards. Resources
in the e-newsletter include innovative programs shared by
state REAs.
AARP Maryland President Clarence “Tiger” Davis, left,
presents Chuck Ridgeway, center, with its Advocacy Award.
Hank Greenberg, AARP Maryland State Director, is on the
right.
NRTA in the KNOW is available on the MRSPA
website: www.mrspa.org.
Save the Date!
May 12, 2015
Annual Business Meeting
Please join us to celebrate MRSPA’s
70th Anniversary (1945 -2015)
“The Best is Yet to Come”
Turf Valley Resort and Spa
Ellicott City, Maryland
Max Muller, MRSPA President (center left), presents E.
Stuart Tucker, MRSPA Immediate Past President, (center
right) with the MRSPA Award, while AARP Maryland
President Clarence “Tiger” Davis (left) and Hank
Greenberg, AARP Maryland State Director (right), offer
congratulations.
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
MRSPA: STRIVING TO BE
EXTRAORDINARY
The holiday season will soon be here. It’s a time
for families to spend time together and to take a
little break from their normally hectic schedules.
May your holidays be wonderful, whether busy
and fast paced, or quiet and relaxing.
It won’t be long before the newly-elected
Governor and the General Assembly begin the
budget process. MRSPA’s legislative committee will certainly be diligent
in monitoring all potential legislation that might impact retirees. Of special
importance will be the proposed funding of the Maryland State Retirement
and Pension System. Those members who have provided MRSPA with
their email address will receive legislative alerts regarding important
matters that should be brought to your attention so you can take appropriate action. The easiest way to reach your delegates and senator is to use
the MRSPA website which allows you to send a prepared response to your
representatives. If you want to modify the prepared response you can do
that or you can delete that response and type in your own. If we do not
have your email address, please call the state office at 410-551-1517 or
email your name and email address to [email protected]. Also, indicate
that you wish to receive email alerts.
Three Leadership Workshops were held this fall with representation
from local associations. Wonderful suggestions for attracting and getting
new members involved were shared. So too were a myriad of community
service projects. So don’t be surprised if you see some new and different
approaches regarding how we attract and involve newly retired educators,
as local associations try out some new ideas.
MRSPA will be celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year at the Annual
Business Meeting, which will be held on May 12 at Turf Valley in Howard
MRSPA News
is published five times each year by the
MARYLAND RETIRED SCHOOL
PERSONNEL ASSOCIATION.
Editor
Bonnie L. Troxell
Executive Director
Judith Zahren
Officers
President . . . . . . . . . . .Max E. Muller
Immediate Past President
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E. Stuart Tucker
Vice President . . . . .Nancy L. Gordon
Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carla Duls
Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . .Frances Miller
MRSPA Business Office
8379 Piney Orchard Parkway
Suite A
Odenton, MD 21113-1508
Phone: 410-551-1517
Toll Free: 877-625-6782
Fax: 410-551-0874
Website: www.mrspa.org
Email: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/mrspa1945
County. You won’t want to miss the fun. Put
the date on your calendars now.
Don’t forget to support our Scholarship
Fund. Raffle tickets are on sale now. Top prize
is $300 cash. Tickets are available from local
association presidents and MRSPA Board of
Directors members.
Bestwishes for a healthy, happy New Year.
Max E. Muller, President
VISION STATEMENT
The Maryland Retired School Personnel Association inspires the dedication, commitment, skills and abilities of its
members in service to fellow retirees and the entire community in an ever-changing world.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Maryland Retired School Personnel Association is a nonprofit organization comprised of retired school system
personnel. It serves as an advocate for, and provides expanding services to members, empowering them to enrich the
quality of their lives. The organization is dedicated to excellence in education and life-long learning. It promotes
community service by its members through a myriad of volunteer activities.
Page 2
www.mrspa.org
MRSPA News
Happy 70th Birthday, MRSPA!
In each newsletter, we’ll provide some fun
facts about the association as well as a glimpse
of events during those same time frames:
May 1945 — The Retired Teachers of the
State of Maryland is formed by a group of 23
retired teachers to discuss and address the financial concerns of school retirees. Miss Mary
Ellen Logan, a retired elementary school principal from Baltimore County, is the first
president.
October 1945 — The treasurer reported a
balance of $48.00. Dues were set at $1 per
member with 50 cents for the state, 25 cents
for the region and 25 cents for the county. In
the early years, legislative advocacy to
improve retiree pensions was the top priority.
1945 —Retirees receiving less than $50/month received a 20 per cent increase and
those receiving up to $100 month received a
10 per cent increase. During that same time
period, the average income was $2,390 per
year; and a new car cost $1,025. Average rent
was $60 per month, and Harvard University
tuition was $420 per year! Ball point pens,
“Tupperware” and frozen orange juice hit the
market.
1952 —The General Assembly approved a
bill to provide an annual retirement of $1,250
for retirees with 25 or more years of service.
1953 —Dues were increased to $2. Of this
amount, $1.50 was given to the state and 50
cents went to the county. Polio vaccine was
invented by Jonas Salk. “The Diary of Anne
Frank” was published. The “Today” show
debuted on NBC, hosted by Dave Garroway;
and Kentucky Fried Chicken opened its first
franchise restaurant. The first “Don’t Walk”
sign was installed in New York City; and the
first Holiday Inn was opened in Tennessee.
Fall 1956 —The Association had grown to
600 members and continued to grow! Watch as
the Association grows and the world changes.
Celebrate the changes at MRSPA as we celebrate our 70th year!!
Nancy L Gordon
MRSPA Vice President
December 2014
AARP Maryland honors MRSPA’s
E. Stuart Tucker and Chuck Ridgeway
On September 16, at the Annual Andrus Award Luncheon,
Immediate Past President E. Stuart Tucker and MRSPA-AARP
Maryland Liaison Chuck Ridgeway were recognized and each
received an award for their outstanding contributions to Marylanders
over 50 years old.
E. Stuart Tucker
President Max E. Muller presented the MRSPA Award to Stu for
his many years of service to Baltimore County Retired School
Personnel Association as well as the Maryland Retired School
Personnel Association.
Stu served as a Director for the Baltimore County Retired School
Personnel Association. He also served twice as their president for a
total of four years, in addition to chairing the nomination committee.
Prior to becoming MRSPA’s President-Elect, President, and
Immediate Past President, he served as MRSPA’s Parliamentarian.
He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Maryland
Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and is the coordinator of their annual
Induction Ceremony and Luncheon.
Stu also volunteers at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church after
having served on their Boy Scout Troop Committee for years.
Chuck Ridgeway
AARP Maryland State Director Hank Greenberg presented the
Advocate Award to Chuck Ridgeway.
Chuck has served on the AARP Maryland Executive Council for
the past year, serving as a liaison between MRSPA and AARP
Maryland.
Hank shared that Chuck’s high degree of commitment and energy
make him a wonderful spokesman for AARP. It was noted that
Chuck is always willing to go anywhere, do anything, and speak with
anyone about the wonderful work that AARP does on behalf of 50plus Marylanders.
Chuck has been featured on AARP Maryland’s website. He has
served MRSPA as their President-Elect, President, and Past President. He currently serves on the MRSPA Scholarship Committee.
Hank commented that honoring Chuck creates an example for the
rest of us to follow.His great character and selflessness serve as an
inspiration and motivation to others.
Congratulations to Stu and Chuck!
Max Muller
MRSPA President
www.mrspa.org
Page 3
Numbers do make a difference
A fellow retiree recently said to me that she was of the
opinion that spending $45 to become a member of both her
local and our state associations. was of little, if any, benefit
to her because she would only be a number. Her membership, she felt, just added one more number to the total
membership.
Wow! Did her comment turn on a light in my head! It
brought recall of a meeting I attended with a committee of
elected officials. The discussion in that meeting was
focused on health benefits.
Well into our conversation, one of the elected representatives asked with emphasis how many members did we
represent? Clearly he was asking how many votes were
represented by our association.
So his question provided one answer to my fellow
retiree who felt her membership would only be a number.
Ah, yes, it’s a number, but what a number it is. It says
size means strength. This number means fellowship. This
number means protection of your pension. This number
means your financial future.
Together we are a team which gives us the ability to
ensure our monthly income, medical benefits, and to be a
part of an association that is the only organization exclusively representing all retired Maryland public school
employees.
MRSPA has a voting representative serving on the
Maryland Retirement and Pension System Board of
Trustees. Further, MRSPA has a registered lobbyist
speaking to our needs and concerns in the Maryland
legislature.
Being members of MRSPA, we are able to receive
discounts on computer purchases and numerous other items
through a discount buying plan called Abenity. Financial
planning and long-term care insurance are two other benefits in a lengthy list open to us.
As a member, each of us is urged to spread the word to
non-members so that they will join in having fun and
fellowship and in protecting and reaping the benefits of
membership.
Togetherness brings strength in numbers, resulting in
positive benefits.
Tom Hickman,
MRSPA Membership Committee Chair
Page 4
Check MRSPA website
for member benefits
Many member benefits are available on the MRSPA
website: www.mrspa.org. All you need is your membership number to enter the “Members Only” section to
find the following:
Computer discounts, dental insurance, discounted
cell phone plans, final expense life policy, free car
buying service, financial planning, hearing instrument
plan, identity theft protection, legal service plan, long
term care insurance, Medical Air Services Association,
Presto Printing Mailbox, SECU Credit Union, travel and
car rental discounts, vision plan, and web-based
discount program (Abenity).
Dr. Carol Dahlberg
Member Benefits Chair
Ad hoc Committee plans
Resource Manual for locals
An ad hoc committee has been charged with compiling a resource manual for locals with a first draft targeted for March 2015. The role of the committee is to
gather and collate information, best practices and suggestions for this resource manual which, when completed,
will be given to each local.
The format will be a three-ring binder which will be
updated regularly. It will also be published on the
MRSPA website. At the three leadership workshops this
fall, participants shared strategies and activities of their
locals regarding membership (recruiting, retaining, and
regaining members), community service, fundraising,
programs, speakers, and scholarships. Further information
will be gathered from other resources as well. Please send
any suggestions for the resource manual to the MRSPA
Office.
Dr. Carol Dahlberg
MRSPA Resource Manual Committee Chair
Go to MRSPA.org
on your smart phone
Add a QR Code Reader to your
smart phone, and then scan this
QR code. Readers are available
from the Play Store on your phone.
www.mrspa.org
MRSPA News
Partners in Care Maryland
empowers older adults
Partners in Care Maryland (PIC) is a community
nonprofit helping older adults remain independent in their
own homes and engaged in the community.
Partners in Care is currently in Anne Arundel, Calvert,
Frederick, Talbot and Caroline counties.
MRSPA members may become involved with PIC as a
volunteer, supporter, or member.
According to the Partners in Care newsletter, “All work
together as part of the framework which strengthens the
structure of our community. As we pass through each
other’s lives we connect with each other, and we form
bonds and relationships which enrich our lives.” Check out
their website: www.partnersincare.org.
PROTECT – DETECT – REPORT
THE SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL
It’s our Medicare. Every dollar lost to fraud, abuse,
and even just plain unintentional human error, is a
dollar stolen out of our pockets.
According to government sources, as much as 10
percent of health care expenditures are lost in this way.
MRSPA and Caroline County member Doris Mosley is
assisted with a ride by Scott Bowers. Scott drives members
to doctor offices and shops and stores. He connects with
and empowers PIC members to whom those small trips
mean the world.
Three Area Leadership
Workshops successful
We can’t ignore this. We have to fight it, and it’s
going to take all of us. Fortunately, there is a vehicle to
support us in this regard—The Senior Medicare Patrol.
Its mission is to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent,
detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse.
Since its founding in 1997, millions of dollars have
been recovered and thousands of criminals brought to
justice.
It’s easy to participate, you don’t have to join
anything, and it doesn’t take a lot of time. Go to SMP’s
website: www.smpresource.org. There you will find
information on how to protect yourself against fraud,
how to detect problems on your Medicare Summary
Notice and Explanation of Benefits, and how to report
any suspicions that you might have. Take time today to
start your examination of this excellent website.
John Sisson
Consumer Education Committee
December 2014
Bev Yurek, Area III South Director
(above left; Dr. Carol Dahlberg,
Resource Manual Committee
(center); Nancy Gordon, MRSPA Vice
President (right); and Tom Hickman,
Membership Chair, present ideas for
the Resource Manual at the three
area workshops held recently to
develop a Resource Manual for local
associations. Ideas were discussed on
how to gain and retain members and
on ways to offer community service.
www.mrspa.org
Page 5
Win $300 cash, crab feast, tablet, or themed gift basket
Support the MRSPA Scholarship Fundraiser by joining
us in selling and buying this year's raffle tickets. The drawing will be at the Annual Meeting on May 12, 2015, at Turf
Valley in Ellicott City.
You can have an impact on the lives of three individuals
striving to becomea certified Maryland Public School teacher.
Anytime is good time to donate
to MRSPA Scholarship Fund
MRSPA Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to noncertified employees in Maryland Public Schools who
wish to work toward their certification as a Maryland
teacher. We plan to give Scholarships of $2,000 each.
Consider a donation in honor of or in memory of, or
for a special occasion or for any reason to celebrate.
Contribution checks should be made payable to “The
Community Foundation of Frederick County” and mailed
to:
The Community Foundation of Frederick County
312 East Church Street
Frederick, Maryland. 21701
Joy Schwab
Scholarship Committee Chair
MRSPA will again award three $2,000 scholarships to
three different individuals, who are currently working in a
public school in Maryland and are working to earn their
certification as Maryland teachers.
Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.
Prizes include: Grand prize $300 cash, A Crab Feast
with a bushel of crabs, a tablet, as well as assorted themed
gift baskets.
For tickets, see your local association President or a
member of the MRSPA Scholarship committee or the
Board of Directors.
News from our scholarship winners
Patricia Smith and Christy Sterling have both written to
thank us for being awarded the $2,000 MRSPA
Scholarships.
Patricia shared that she will complete her undergraduate
work this spring and will immediately begin working on
her Masters of Art in Teaching.
Christy Sterling writes that the scholarship has lightened her financial burden which will allow her to focus on
learning. She hopes to one day be able to assist struggling
students to reach their goals in higher education, as we
have assisted her.
“Snowbirds” Change of Address
Name____________________________________Membership Number ______________
Local Association __________________________Effective Dates_____________________
Winter Address_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Summer Address ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Clip & Mail to:
Maryland Retired School Personnel Association
8379 Piney Orchard Parkway – Suite A, Odenton, MD 21113-1508
You may also email this information to: [email protected] with the subject line of
“Snowbird – Address Change."
Page 6
www.mrspa.org
MRSPA News
Frederick County member wins $50 In Membership Recruitment Drawing
Judy Brandenburg from Frederick County is the first winner of the $50 MRSPA Membership Recruitment drawing.
The MRSPA Membership Committee has a goal of 15,000 members by March 1, 2015.
We know that the most effective recruitment tool is for members to personally invite others to join. As an incentive for
signing up new members, MRSPA is sponsoring a $50 drawing for one member who recruits a new member in the
December, February, and April newsletters, as well as a final winner at the May 12 Annual Meeting . You do not
need to be present to win.
We are asking for your help in our recruitment efforts. A membership application is included below. Remember to add
“Recruited by and YOUR NAME” at the bottom of this membership application before sending to the MRSPA office.
MRSPA — Application for Membership
Please give this application to a friend who is not currently a member of the association.
Name: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Local Unit ________________________
Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Telephone ________________________
City: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State+tZip +4______________________
e-mail: _________________________Soc. Sec. #_________________________Birthdate: ______________
Please authorize dues deduction, or make check payable to: MRSPA. You may also pay online
with a credit card at www.mrspa.org
MRSPA Dues:
$35 + Local Dues: (see chart below) _______ = Total:
I would like to authorize dues deduction from the Maryland State Retirement and
Pension System (MSRA). I understand that my social security number is required for
this payment option. This authorization will remain in effect until cancelled by written
notice mailed to the Maryland Retired School Personnel Association (MRSPA).
Signature ________________________________SSN: _________________________Date _____________
LOCAL DUES CHART
$20
Allegany Co.
$15
Anne Arundel Co.,
Baltimore Co.,
.
Baltimore City, Kent Co.,
and Prince George’s Co.
$12
Talbot Co.
$8
Caroline Co. and
Washington Co.,
$7
Queen Anne’s Co.
$5
Dorchester Co.,
Somerset Co., and
Towson University
$10:
Calvert Co., Carroll Co., Cecil Co., Charles Co., Frederick Co., Garrett Co.,
Harford Co., Howard Co., Montgomery Co., Saint Mary’s Co., Wicomico Co., and Worcester Co.
December 2014
www.mrspa.org
Page 7
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
JOPPA, MD
PERMIT NO. 100
Maryland Retired School Personnel Association
8379 Piney Orchard Parkway, Suite A
Odenton, MD 21113-1508
MRSPA C A L E N DA R
December 3 .....................MRSPA Board of Directors
MRSPA Office, Odenton
December 24–January 4...........MRSPA Office Closed
January 7......................MRSPA Newsletter Deadline
January 14.......................Maryland 2015 Legislative
Session Begins
January 19..............Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday
MRSPA Office Closed
February 16 .....................................Presidents’ Day
MRSPA Office Closed
March 4 ..........................MRSPA Board of Directors
MRSPA Office, Odenton
Check MRSPA web site for committee meeting dates
at www.mrspa.org .
MRSPA 2015 TRIPS AT A GLANCE
Are you thinking, “What can I get my spouse for Christmas?”
Think how excited they would be to open up a present with tickets to Costa Rica or New Orleans. Who wouldn’t
enjoy floating on the canals on a beautiful Viking River Cruise visiting the tulips and windmills in the Netherlands?
Better yet, invite your friends to travel with you. If you haven’t traveled with MRSPA recently, look over the great trips
advertised below and on www.mrspa.org. You may print the color brochures from the website or contact our travel
partners directly for a color brochure and mention the MRSPA package pricing for the trip.
Fred Metzger, Travel Chair
TROPICAL COSTA RICA! JANUARY 15-23, 2015: ACCENT ON TRAVEL
Contact or call 410-296-8330
NEW ORLEANS TOUR MARCH 12–16, 2015: GLOBETROTTER TRAVEL
Contact or call (800) 322-7032, ext. 105
TULIPS & WINDMILLS RIVERBOAT CRUISE APRIL 13–18, 2015: ACCENT ON TRAVEL
Contact or call 410-296-8330
BEST OF SCANDINAVIA JULY 10–19, 2015: MAYFLOWER TOURS
Contact or call 443-904-4540 or call 810-797-5710
PACIFIC COAST JOURNEY AUGUST 10–18, 2015: MAYFLOWER TOURS
Contact or call 443-904-4540 or call 810-797-5710
NEW ENGLAND & CANADA CRUISE OCTOBER 1–9, 2015: GLOBETROTTER TRAVEL
Contact or call (800) 322-7032, ext. 105