MAY 2016 VOLUME XLII NUMBER 4

Your Partner in Pension Protection

REPORT CARD Pomona Valley Division 13 div13.calrta.org

calrta.org area8.calrta.org

Core Purpose: To enhance and protect the benefits of retired educators.

Azusa-Bonita-Charter Oak-Claremont-Covina-Glendora-Hacienda/La Puente-Pomona-Walnut-West Covina

Next CalRTA Meeting

Date: Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Program: Birthday Party

Time: 11:15 a.m. for lunch

Place: Hillcrest Meeting House

CalRTA’s Goal: To be the dominant, authoritative voice for all retired educators.President: Carole Lyles

(909) 985-4235 or clylescpnp@yahoo.com

PROGRAMby Susan Hamilton and Donna Wanless

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIVISION 13

It’s our 75th Birthday Party! The first meeting ofPomona Valley Division 13, CalRTA, was July 10, 1941.Come celebrate the advocacy, achievements, contri-butions, and friendships of the members of Division 13since then.

We are excited to present vocalist Kate Lee Shore whowill treat us to a musical review of the decades with popularsongs and fun narrative highlights. Kate has graduatedfrom Citrus College with an emphasis in musical theaterand spent 3 years touring with the Citrus Singers. She hasperformed many times at the Candlelight Pavilion dinnertheater in shows such as Cinderella and The Sound ofMusic. Kate will "rock around the clock" from whereDivision 13 started to where we are now.

Kathy Concidine displaysher Historian’s scrap-book, creatively and art-fully assembled. Kathyarranges text, photos,and newspaper articlesusing a designer’s eye.The results make delight-ful reading detailing theactivities of CalRTAPomona Valley Div 13.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Well, we have come to the end ofanother school year, and I want to thankeach of you for your efforts on behalf ofCalRTA Division 13. We have a verydedicated band of board members whovolunteer countless hours of their time:

Susan Hamilton and Donna Wanless do great interestingprograms; Donna has functioned as Recording Secretaryas we continue searching for someone to permanently fillthat position; Sandy Moore and Adele Prince andcommittee members Carol West and Kathy Hankinsstrive to gain new members with events such as therecent Innovation Grant Reception, “Life After SchoolBells”; our Corresponding Secretary, Rita Snow handlescommunications, especially with families of deceasedmembers; our money man, Ted McNevin keeps ourfinances in order; Larry Woodruff insures that we maketimely informative contacts with our legislators; DorothyFountain provides our umbrella table with an endlesssource of valued resources and practical tips; SharonGoodrich keeps us informed with regard to personalhealth tips, Dena Anderson-Peoples and RobbieCendejas insure that communications from the stateorganization are provided to YOU, our members; KathyConcidine, who is both our Historian and chair of ourGrant Committee, distributes the many grants with thehelp of her committee members. Scholarships arehandled through our Foundation made up of Tom Gerfen,Robbie Cendejas, Lee Marcacci, Rita Snow and PatLunde. We now have the expertise of Peter Davis toenhance our web site. This newsletter comes to youcourtesy of the efforts of Pat Nixon and her great editing.Paula Dacker provides the fun table decorations and theluncheon menus. Please take the opportunity to thankeach of them.

Seven members of our board will go to SacramentoMay 20 -22 to speak on your behalf and to become betterinformed on ongoing issues of importance to thisorganization.

... continued on Page 2

CalRTA Division 13 Executive Board 2015-17

PresidentCarole Lyles (909) 985-4235clylescpnp@yahoo.com

1 Vice-President (Program)st

Susan HamiltonDonna Wanless

2 Vice-President (Membership)nd

Sandy MooreAdele Prince

Recording Secretary (vacant)

Corresponding SecretaryRita Snow

TreasurerTed McNevin

Goverment RelationsLarry Woodruff

ResourcesDorothy Fountain

Health IssuesSharon Goodrich

CommunicationsDena Anderson-Peoples

HospitalityPaula Dacker

PublicityRobbie Cendejas

Historian/Teacher GrantsKathy Concidine

Newsletter EditorPat Nixon

Webmaster (vacant)

Scholarship CommitteeRobbie Cendejas - PresidentTom Gerfen - Treasurer

President’s Message continued...

I would also like to thank Virgina Stark for her beautiful piano playingwhich sets the mood for our gatherings and the Hillcrest staff for theircourteous, friendly service, and support at each of our meetings.

These thanks would be meaningless without our thanks to you ourmembers. YOU support Division 13 with your faithful attendance, yourgreat volunteering, your support of scholarships, your support offundraisers at Citrus College and Collette Travels. We, you and I, mustnot rest on our laurels. Invite a friend or colleague to join us. Ourmembership is declining. Yearly we lose more members than we gain.If we are to continue as a powerful voice for all retired teachers, we mustadd new voices. Our task is too important; don’t allow it to fade away.

You Can Log On, Member or Notby Pete Davis, Webmaster

Check out our site often by typing div13.calrta.org on your address bar at the top of your screen and presto, youwill be there to enjoy.

We will be updating the site with more information for you often. See this Newsletter even before it is mailed andsee it in color. You can also see new pictures and state level items frequently. You can also view many updates thatwill interest you. I suggest you check in every 2 weeks or so.

If you have something you want posted, please send it to President Carole Lyles (clylescpnp@yahoo.com) inWord format or pictures in .JPG format for her approval. She will pass it along to me for posting.

We also have links to the main websites for CalRTA, STRS, AARP, and NRTA.There is more now and even more to come.

75 YEARS — LET’S LOOK BACK AND REMEMBER!by Carole Lyles

A group of 14 retired teachers from Pomona met April 2, 1941and perceived the need to formally organize as part of CRTA. Theycommunicated with Miss Laura E. Settle to obtain a copy of theexisting by-laws and moved to have their group establish affiliationin July of 1941. By 1942 Covina, Glendora, Claremont and La Verneteachers had joined their group. In 1946 Ontario and Chino were in-vited to become members. In 1958 they added Glendora, LaPuente, San Dimas, and Upland with a total membership of 253.

Even back then meetings were held quarterly in March, June,September, and December. Some of the early members werehonored with schools named after them: Eva Edwards in Covinaand J. Marian Roynon in La Verne. Lucy Green and BarbaraGreenwood were recognized for their outstanding contributions toeducation. These are just a few of the names contained in thehistory of this Division.

Pomona Valley was the thirteenth group to join CRTA thus ourdesignation as Division 13. In 1975, Baldy View split from Division13 and became Division 61. Teachers from Upland, Chino, andOntario went with Baldy View. There are currently 86 Divisions inCalRTA with a membership of 43,294. Division 13 has 752members.

Seventy-five years is by every standard a momentous occasion.Please find the time to come and join us at the Division 13 Junemeeting to both honor those who had the foresight to start thisDivision and those who have the energy, imagination, and desire tocontinue this important and necessary work.

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“Life After School Bells” Membership Receptionby Adele Prince

On Saturday, February 27, 2016, Division 13 hosteda reception at Hillcrest in La Verne for potential newmembers to inform them of CalRTA benefits and to allowthem to meet some CalRTA members. Angelique Hill, ourExecutive Director, flew in from Sacramento at no cost tous and provided the attendees with CalRTA organiza-tional information. Robbie Cendejas, Publicity Chair forDivision 13 and Communication Chairman for Area VIII,addressed legislative concerns and previous legislativeadvocacy information. Details about CalRTA providersand benefits were provided by Carole Lyles, President ofDivision 13. Each non-member received a folder withofficial CalRTA literature and a CalRTA membershipbrochure form.

Between presentations, we enjoyed an excellentbuffet luncheon. After the presentations, the attendeesshowed high interest with their questions for Angeliqueand Robbie. To date, we have acquired three newmembers as a result of our reception which was wellreceived by all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TREASURER’S REPORTby Ted McNevin

Balance 1/1/2016 $6,034.37

Receipts:Dues: 1,112.16Luncheon: 0.00Miscellaneous: 904.70

2,016.86Total Available: 8,051.23Disbursements: 3,062.27

Balance 3/31/2016 (Q3) $4,988.96

Scholarship Foundation Report

Income for Scholarships as of May 2016Cat in the Hat $1597.10Division 13 Member Memorial 850.00Donations 135.00Collette Commission 1350.63Citrus events 65.50Total $3998.23

Last year we gave out $6000 in Scholarships. $4000to Cal Poly,$1000 to Citrus and $1000 to Mt Sac.

DID YOU KNOW…..?

g California Teacher Tenure was upheld by a CAAppellate Court recently. The challenge had comefrom a group called Students Matter funded by bigmoney from groups such as Bloomberg and Walmart.This group insisted that the tenure law deprivedminority and poor students of the constitutionallyguaranteed right to a quality education becauseassigned teachers were often those of “poor quality.”The court indicated the claim was unproved sinceadministrators make teacher assignments. Watch foran appeal.

g The US Supreme Court tied (4 to 4) on the Fredricksvs CTA Case. The split authorizes CA unions tocontinue to require that teachers, municipal em-ployees, college instructors and transit workers pay a“fair share fee” to help cover the costs of collectivebargaining. (This applies to those who pay lessbecause they object to belonging to a union.) Thiscase will most likely be appealed.

g More than 130 CalRTA members traveled toSacramento on March 15 to walk the halls of theCapitol and meet with legislators. Division 13’s LarryWoodruff is working to arrange meetings with our locallegislators at their offices. Stay tuned for a follow up.

g Please bring a friend to a luncheon or encourage afriend or colleague to join CalRTA, Division 13. WENEED MORE MEMBERS!

g By the time, you receive this newsletter, a numberof your CalRTA Division 13 members will be attendingthe annual Delegate Assembly/Annual Convention inSacramento. Thank this group of hardworkingvolunteers for giving up their time to be YOURadvocate May 20-22.

g CalRTA won the right to proceed with the CalPERSLTC lawsuit on the long term health insurance issue asa class action suit. Kudos to Judge Jane Johnson forruling in our favor. This means individual suits are notneeded.

g WARNING: Evidently some members have receivedrenewal notices from magazines that are not authentic.The scam targets those who already subscribe or havesubscribed in the past and asks for renewal payment.However, the notice is not authorized by the magazine.Call the magazine before sending any money to learnif the address on the envelope is theirs.

g Don’t forget to reserve your place for the Juneluncheon by filling out the back page. Please note thatthe name and address you will respond to haschanged for this issue only.

g We are updating our directory. If you have an emailaddress, we would like to include it in the directory.Please send it to:

clylescpnp@yahoo.com

The Planning Committee minus Sandy

Angelique Hill, Danielle Roberts(LES winner), Carole Lyles

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CALIFORNIA RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION Pomona Valley - Division 13 Proposed Budget July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017

Budget AccountsAdopted

2015-2016Proposed2016-2017

Administration $279.90 $500.00

Insurance Indemnification $225.50 $500.00

Communications $50.00 $50.00

Conferences/Workshops $2500.00 $2500.00

Directories $0.00 $300.00

Grants $3000.00 $4000.00

Hospitality $150.00 $150.00

Health Committee $25.00 $25.00

Scholarships (Donations) $1500.00 $800.00

Scholarships (Collette) $0.00 $1000.00

Legislation $900.00 $200.00

Membership $500.00 $500.00

Programs $1400.00 $1300.00

Report Card-Publishing $3300.00 $3300.00

Report Card-Mailing $900.00 $900.00

Resources $50.00 $50.00

Reserves $0.00 $590.00

Day of the Teacher $1200.00 $1200.00

TOTAL BUDGETED $17622.27 $17865.00

PROJECTED INCOME 2016-2017Dues (750 Members @ $18.30 each) $13725.00

LESS 47 Life Members 860.00 $12865.90

Rebate for Travel Program 2000.00ADD June 30, 2016 Ending Balance 3000.00

TOTAL ESTIMATED AVAILABLE FUNDS $17865.00

ITALY THE COLLETTE WAYby Carole Lyles

Our trip to Italy began with a ride to the Los AngelesInternational airport by limo. The driver was prompt,friendly, and efficient. Each individual leg of our Collettetravel was marked by well handled flights and hotelreservations that were of first rate quality. We were metin Rome by a tour manager, a talented, well spoken, andthoroughly professional leader in every sense of the word.She made each stop an experience to be remembered.She introduced us to aspects of the history and culture ofeach city: Rome, Assisi, Siena, Florence, Venice andMilan; provided talented and entertaining guides; moldedour tour group into a close knit friendly group who werequickly transformed from strangers to friends. Wereceived expedited entrance to crowded venues, wereadvised where to shop for the best values, and felt safeand secure throughout the trip. Collette proved to be anoutstanding choice. Milt and I give them our highestrecommendations.

Besides having a fantastic trip we earned money forour Grants and Scholarships. This year the total com-mission from Collette was $2701.25 which meant theScholarship and the Grant funds each received $1350.62.This funding source is wonderful for us. The trips for2016-17 are Spain and South Dakota in October 2016and Ireland and South Eastern USA in April 2017. Theinformation about the spring trips will come to you duringthe summer; however, if you want information now, youcan contact me by phone or email. If you wish to travel toanother location or at a different time, CalRTA Div 13 canstill receive a commission if you use our group numberwhen you book. Consider traveling with Collette andsupport our Grant and Scholarship programs. Researchat www.gocollette.com and contact me if you find a tripthat meets your needs and desires.

CalRTA Div 13 partners with Collette Travel to co-sponsor local and International travel opportunities.Collette Travel mailing

The happy Lyles in Venice

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DAY OF THE TEACHERS: A SUCCESSby Margie Henderson

CalRTA, Division 13 scored another win with its $50 enticement to recognize educators on the Day of the Teacher.The Division asked the superintendents from the ten school districts we represent to email a notice to their teachersannouncing their eligibility to participate in a drawing for $50 if they would simply complete an application. Five districtsparticipated and CalRTA received 252 entries. Pomona responded with the greatest enthusiasm with 102 entries andscored nine winners.

Glendora had 47 entries and four teachers’ names were drawn. Covina Valley had 43 entries, with 4 selected; WalnutValley had 34 entries with 4 winners; and Claremont had 26 entries with three teachers being selected.

The winners will each receive a check for $50 in the mail; the remaining participants will receive letters thanking themfor taking part in the drawing.

A big thank you to my committee for their hard work, especially Kathy Concidine for sending out all thecorrespondence.

Check out the winners and their Districts below:

Claremont SchoolAna Espinosa Claremont H.S.Brenda Hamlett ChaparralNicole McCabe El Roble

Covina ValleyBeth Kerns Northview H.S.Lisa Harding Cypress Elem.Angie Lin RowlandKathy Norton-Bonthoux Manzanita

GlendoraFaith Grant SutherlandJennie Choe GoddardAndrea Ramirez SandburgCathy Lindahl Cullen

PomonaAnn Marie Gariador Garey HighCarolyn Evans Child Dev. EHSBrenda Boeglin-Quintana Philadelphia Elem.Erika Duran Lopez Elem.Jennie Olson VejarClaudia Barrientos Madison Elem.Michelle Gonzales Lexington K-8Janice Raby-Neely HarrisonBelinda White Washington Elem.

Walnut ValleyLisa Esse Maple HillVictoria Silcock Suzanne MiddleMarla Rickard Suzanne MiddleDaniel Gordon Diamond Bar H.S.

VOLUNTEER HOURS REPORTED!by Dena Peoples

CONGRATULATIONS to the 65 members who sentin their volunteer hours. The hours you contributed toyour communities, churches, families and organizationsreached a grand total of 40,160. We have 751 activemembers and that averages to 50 hours per volunteer. Atthe current $11/hr. minimum wage that means $441,760was added to the economy of California because youvolunteered.

Without your help in child care, Meals on Wheels,Assistance League and other charitable causes the out-reach in our communities would not be possible. Thankyou to all who sent in your hours; your volunteering doesmake a difference.

If you did not send in your hours this year, please taketime in 2016-17 to jot down the time you spend driving afriend for groceries, ushering at church, collectingrecyclables, feeding the neighbor’s pets. Your acts ofkindness are important and they help us demonstrate toour legislators our contributions to the economy.

AWARD WINNERS

CalRTA Div 13 awards $6,000 in scholarships annuallyat our local universities: Citrus Community College, MtSan Antonio Community College, and Cal Poly Pomona.In the photo are five people related in some way oranother with Citrus. Ted was Middle School Principal ofthe Award recipient; Alicia received a CalRTA Div 13 $500for her studies in the Teacher Preparation Program; Lindais Interim Director of the Citrus Performing Arts Centerwith whom we partner in scholarship and teacher grantfundraising; Tom is Treasurer of Div 13 ScholarshipFoundation; Chris is President of the Citrus CollegeFoundation. This award ceremony was special becauseAlicia was moved to tears and these five outstandingindividuals are local leaders in excellence in education.

Ted McNevin, Alicia Landus, LindaGraves, Tom Gerfen, Chris Garcia

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All meetings this year will be at 11:15 for lunch at Hillcrest Retirement Community

RETIREMENT SECURITY IN LEGISLATIONby Larry Woodruff

The Division 13 Legislature Group will be contactingSenate Bob Huff (SD 29), Assembly Woman Ling LingChang (AD 55), Congressman Ed Royce (HD 39) andCongresswoman Grace Napolitano (HD 32).

We plan to address the following talking points:

People became educators to help California’s youth,not to get rich. They retire with a CalSTRS benefit basedon age, years of services and final compensation. Formost retired educators, that CalSTRS benefit is acornerstone of retirement security and being able toremain self-sufficient later in life. CalSTRS benefits werereduced even before the passage of the PublicEmployees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). The reductionended future earning of the longevity factors, transfers toDefined Benefit Supplemental account and 10 percent ofbenefit value as a lump sum distribution.

A CalSTRS pension does not include Social Security.In fact, educators who have paid into and earned SocialSecurity before joining CalSTRS face a reduction to theirSocial Security benefit and are at risk of losing both thespousal benefit and the death benefit earned by theirSocial Security-eligible spouse. These penalties are calledthe government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimina-tion Provision. CalSTRS does not have retiree healthcarebenefits. Fewer and fewer school employers provideretirees with district supported retiree health benefits.

If you are interesting in being part of the legislaturegroup from our division, please call me at (626) 201-5104or leave a message at my home (909) 593-0563.

Membership Update (Jan - Apr)by Sandy Moore & Adele Prince

New Members

Benjamin AguilarRonald De DoelderCarolyn FriedmanPamela HazenKay HeldSheila LyonsElyse MengleNancy Osoff-KoppVerna SmedesCarolyn Wilson

In MemoriamOur retirement community has lost theadvice and counsel of the followingmembers:

Ruth Acres Pomona DistrictCelia Beintema Covina DistrictOllie CampbellDavid Collins Charter Oak DistrictJune FrinkAaron Gerrish Los Angeles DistrictBlossom GurrRaymond MooreCarol Parker West Covina DistrictFrederick Petit

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CalRTA OFFICIAL NEW MEMBERSHIP ENROLLMENTPomona Valley Division 13

Name _________________________________ Telephone ( ) ________________

Address _______________________________________________________________

City, State , and full Zip ___________________________________________________

E-mail Address ________________________________________

District Retired From ____________________________________

G Check here if spouse is also joining. Spouse’s name _ ______________________

JOIN NOW

Please check your selected payment method*:

G Dues Deduction Select One: G $4.50 monthly

G $9.00 monthly for self and spouse

DUES DEDUCTION:I authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to deduct my Associationdues. Should the amount of dues be adjusted, as approved by the CalRTA DelegateAssembly, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTABusiness Office in writing to the contrary. To terminate dues deductions, I agree to makemy request in writing to the CalRTA Business Office.

Social Security Number ___________________________ (Required for Dues Deduction)

Other Choices:

G Annual Dues - $54 (payable by check or money order made out to CalRTA)

Signature __________________________________________ Date _________________

After completing form, please mail to:

Sandy Moore1249 Vega CircleLa Verne CA 91750

(909) 596-0747

*We strongly recommend the dues deduction option. It is very secure and convenient.

º

LOGGING ON TO THE

CalRTA WEBSITE

Visit www.calrta.org

This takes you to the state associ-ation website. You will need to loginwith the code on the mailing label ofyour Contact magazine first andfollow that with your name in smallletters.

Login... just browse by clicking onthe area that interests you or just goto Division 13.

How CalSTRS RetirementBenefits Help CA

CalSTRS pensions pump billions into the state’s economy!They support private-sector jobs!They provide almost $6B in local and state tax revenue!Retirees spend their income—they’re a built-in stimulus planfor the state’s economy!

CalRTA MembershipRecruitment Campaign

Why Should I Join?

• Retirement Protection — CalRTAis the only statewide organizationworking to protect and enhance theretirement benefits of all CalSTRSretirees and only retirees.

• Community — CalRTA’s member-ship is made up of retired edu-cators, those fellow professionalswho understand your dedicationand share your commitment toeducating California’s youth.

Information on CalRTA members isconfidential and is not used for politicalor economic advantage. CalRTA doesNOT sell information lists. Membershipinformation is encrypted at the StateCalRTA Office and a bonded companyshreds information pages at the end ofeach month.

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NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PAID

SAN DIMAS CA PERMIT NO 149

California Retired Teachers Association Pomona Valley Division 13 1249 Vega Circle La Verne CA 91750

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

DIRECTIONS: HILLCREST MEETING HOUSE2705 Mountain View Dr, La Verne 91750

• If you enter La Verne on Arrow Hwy, turn north on Wheeler Ave, right onto Bonita Ave, then left on “A” St. At the endof the street is the back of the two-story Meeting House. Enter using side doors or front doors.

• If you enter La Verne on Foothill Blvd (Hwy 66), turn south on Wheeler, left on Bonita, left on “A” to parking lot.Meeting House is the two-story building at the end of the street.

• You can park in any lot/space surrounding the Meeting House except those painted green and designated forresidents.

• Parking is available in front of the clock tower and behind the Tower Building close to the entrance. Curb parking isavailable throughout the Hillcrest complex. Hillcrest is providing a shuttle to the front door. Look for shuttle stops.

Luncheon menu: TBAIf you have special dietary needs or questions, call Yvonne Belcher (909) 593-5316.

RESERVATIONS FOR LUNCHEON, 11:15 a.m., June 8, 2016 PRICE $19.00

Here is my check for $__________ for ________ reservations. Make checks payable to Pomona Valley Division CalRTAand mail to YVONNE BELCHER, 2620 MOUNTAIN VIEW DR, LA VERNE CA 91750. Hillcrest CalRTA members cancontact YVONNE BELCHER at Hillcrest for reservations.

Please mail checks so that they arrive by Friday, June 3rd. Phone (909) 593-5316 (only as last resort).

Name: ____________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________

Guests: ____________________________________________________________________________________

If this is the first time you have attended your CalRTA meeting, please check here. G