The Santa Rosa County Retired Educators met September 8. Newly elected President Carolyn McLaughlin, called the meeting to order and welcomed both members and guests. She introduced the new officers for the new year, Vice President, JoAnn Timlin; Secretary, Marilyn James; and Treasurer & Membership Chair, Barbara James. She emphasized the importance of increasing membership in order to protect our interests in Tallahassee. The Florida Retirement System is one of the best in the nation, and there are those who would love to get their hands on it and even take away the annual COLA and health insurance subsidy. A large membership prevents this from happening. Members were encouraged to each bring in at least one new member. The theme is "Each One Reach One." Each year new retirees are invited to the September meeting as honorees at a reception held for them. Those who attended and were honored this year were Glenn Rutland, Marilyn Koch, Pam Elkins, Neala Wilkins, Pam Sulcer, and Kathy Crane. Those who did not attend and those who have retired in the past but have never joined are invited to come to the October meeting and join with us. SRCREA will be hosting the District I FREA Conference on October 6, 2014, at Milton First Baptist Church in the Bamberg Chapel. Melanie Waite, new district director, requested that who could do should attend. Registration cost is $15.00 which includes a catered lunch by Doris Heart and Soul. Come fellowship with and see what others throughout the district are doing. The next meeting will be October 9 on the campus of Locklin Technical Center. The program will be given by Barbara Bowes of Pioneer Federal will be the speaker. She will present information concerning cuts and changes in Medicare.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa County Retired Educators announce new officers