Your Partner in Pension Protection

General Meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 2019

9:15 – 12:30 Casa Garden Meeting Center,

2700 Sutterville Rd, Sacramento

State Capital Division News Division Website http://div5.calrta.org

Area: https://area3.calrta.org State: https://calrta.org

Attend our meeting this month for an informational and entertaining presentation by Greg Alexander as he takes us from the beginnings of the B Street Theatre to the new Sofia. Since its inception in 1986, B Street Theatre has been recognized as one of California's top professional theatres. Greg is a member of the acting company as well as being the Director of Education for the B Street where he develops curriculum and oversees a team of teaching artists who administer programming for underserved youth in Title 1 Schools throughout the Sacramento region. The B Street/Sofia is known for more than 300 contemporary plays as well as its acclaimed children's theatre tours. Join us to find out what other outreach and enrichment programs are sponsored by the theatre since moving to its new location. https://bstreettheatre.org/

Area III -- Sacramento -- Division 5 April 2019 Vol. 58 No. 5

What’s Inside? President’s Message 2 Legislative Report 2 Scholarship 3 California Rule Upheld 5 Treasurer’ Report 6 In Memoriam 6 Communications/Volunteer Hr. 6 Luncheon Reservation 7

Mission Statement CalRTA’s mission is to

mobilize retired teachers to advocate for an independent-financially secure, and fulfilling life, and to

provide all educators with the tools to achieve a secure retirement.

Celebrating Our Active Division 5 Members

June Holmes right, receives the Retied Teacher of the Year

Award from last year’s recipient, Diane Petersen

at January’s general meeting.

Chuck Denonn, Area 3 Director, back left, announced at the

January meeting that CalRTA is celebrating its 90th birthday. He

presented 90th birthday commemorative pins to Marcie

Launey, Barbara LaPlaca, president, and Paula Weiss, front.

President Barbara LaPlaca, center,

holds the Certificate of Recognition presented by

Chuch Denonn for volunteer hours

given by Division 5 members.

Greg Alexander “Acts Out” About

The B Street/Sophia

Happy

90th

Birthday

CalRTA

Welcome to Spring . Spring ultimately inspires “ New Growth “. We will continue our focus on Membership which is a major priority in our division. Encouraging members to become more involved is also ongoing. Afford yourself the opportunity of “Shadowing” a Board Member to see if you might like to serve in a position on the board in the future. All are

welcome! PLEASE GET INVOLVED For 90 years the members of CalRTA have spoken out to protect the pensions of California’s retired educators and to assure that every student in California receives a quality public education. CalRTA Division 5 serves the needs of retired educators living in the communities of Elk Grove, Franklin, Freeport, Galt, Herald, Hood, Isleton, and Walnut Grove as well as the downtown and southern areas of the city of Sacramento. California’s retired educators perform countless hours of volunteer community service. They volunteer in schools, help at community events, as well as at senior centers, and at church to name a few. Many provide unpaid care to elderly or dependent family members. In January, Cal RTA Division 5 was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by Chuck Dennon our Area III Director. We were recognized for providing 347,100 unpaid hours of Voluntary Community Service in 2018 at a value to the community of $10,239,450. We were honored to recognize our third and final CalRTA Grant Recipient for this school year. Virginia Bartz from Union House Elementary in the Elk Grove Unified School District. She joins our other two grant recipients from EGUSD Aimee Worth from Hermann Leimbach and Amy Winuk from Arthur Butler. Congratulations to all. We are looking forward to seeing all of you at our Meeting and Luncheon on April 16th at Casa Garden

Lots of things are going on with CalRTA, especially with efforts to repeal WEP/GPO. There are two new bills that address Social Security in the Ways and Means Committee. HR.141 contains language to repeal the WEP and GPO. HR. 860 does not, but it has some good things, like CPI-E, which helps seniors because it should increase the benefits. Our Advocate, David Walrath, and our Chair of GRC, Suzie Dixon, have been in DC visiting our representatives trying to improve and pass the bills. The problem is the cost of repeal is high. HR 860 addresses that. The cap on what can be taxed for social security has to be lifted, not just for passing repeal, but to help social security itself become more solvent. I read a lot and follow many websites that focus on both Medicare and Social Security. There are parties that refuse to accept lifting the cap. These groups include high income individuals and corporations. So, we have to fight in more than one direction. We have a very high rate of senior poverty, including retired teachers. I feel we can really help these, mostly widowed older women. Women as a group have taught for fewer years because of staying home to care for children and they are caregivers for their parents and spous-es. Women also live longer and may not have supplemental savings. Smaller pensions and GPO leave our dedicated teach-ers in unjust poverty. CalRTA is getting ready for Lobby Day in DC, April 9, 10. This year I am hoping to take CalRTA volunteer advocates to Congress members Dr. Bera's and Matsui's Sacramento's offices. I hope to get appointments sometime in the two weeks after the DC visits. Let me know if you'd like to go. I am glad the rainy season is ending. I am ready for longer days and the controversial daylight savings time.

Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKP4cfU28vM

Page 2

President’s Message by Barbara LaPlaca

Legislative Report

by Paula Weiss

CalRTA’S Advocacy Action Page

https://calrta.org/advocacy-action/

It’s now easier to keep up on legislation that affects YOU!

Pennie Taylor will continue as Interim Chair of Scholarsh p. Please send your scholarship donations to our treasurers, Clark and Sharon Swanson. Pennie will continue, as we all will, in the memory of Orene Dunzweiler.

Scholarship News Pennie Taylor, Interim Chair

Donation amount________________ In memory/honor of_________________________ Your name__________________________________ Make your check out to either the CalRTA Division 5 and mail to: Clark/Sharon Swanson (Directory has address/phone)

Family member to be notified of your donation

_______________________________________

Page 3

Follow us on FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/groups/598864570126984/?ref=br_tf

Members Enjoying Our January Luncheon and Speaker, Stan Forbes

Newsletter by Email, in Color

Please send your request to receive your newsletter by

email only to Newsletter: Shari Beck

Website: Gary Beck

January raffle gifts which support our

Scholarships funds.

Page 4

Member Records : by June Holmes

General Meeting Minutes January 15, 2019

Meeting called to order by President Barbara LaPlaca at 9:35 a.m. A moment of silence was held in honor of Orene Dunzweiler. Minutes of November 20, 2018 approved. Guest: C. Denonn, Area 3 Director, announced CalRTA is celebrating a 90th. He presented 90th birthday commemorative pins to B. LaPlaca, M. Launey and P. Weiss. A Certificate of Recogni-tion was presented to Division 5 for volunteer time given by its members. Vice President Sheryl Talley welcomed guests/new member, Margo Patrick. A table was set up with a lending library. An interest survey was circulated asking for suggestions of activities. President Barbara LaPlaca announced March meeting will be Health Symposium. Memorial for Orene Dunzweiler on Saturday at 10 a.m. Communication Co-chair Toni Dodson announced Health Symposium will have a speaker from American Bone Health on Fall Prevention. A drawing held for submitted volunteer hours. Winners C. Swanson, N. Kohout, L. Bastron, T. Dodson. Communications Co-chair Rhonda Svobodny encouraged all to submit volunteer hours. Book drive, very successful. Newsletter/Website editor: Shari Beck asking members to write down favorite book read recently. Printed in next newsletter. Government Relations Chair Paula Weiss New legislation HR 141 has been introduced to repeal WEP/GPO. All encouraged to write legislators. Sign up with CalRTA for legislative alerts. Governor Newsom included supplemental pay to STRS in state budget to help unfunded liability. Nomination and Election chair Priscilla Edwards reported the Delegate Assembly will be held in Los Angles, May 15 -17. Candidates are: C. Calpo, G. Beck, S. Beck, S. Talley, M. LauneyC. Pagnucci was nominated as final delegate. All elected.

By Marcie Launey

Scholarship/Resource Chair Pennie Taylor She sends con-dolences Dunzweiler family and flowers sent from Division 5. Diane Peterson, 2017 Retired Teacher of the Year, presented the 2018 Retired Teacher of the Year award to June Holmes, Financial Secretary. Vice President Cheryl Sewell introduced the speaker, Stan Forbes, owner of Avid Reader Book Store and a member of the state Redistricting Commission. Social Chair Christi Calpo said Junior League Play ushers organized by Fairy Tale Town. Drawing winners: Lunch: J. Robinson; Scholarship Raffle: B. LaPlaca, M. Launey, J. Vollimer, C. Sewell, D. Eid, G. Beck, T. Davis, B. Larson, J. Holmes, C. Frank. Meeting was adjourned at 11:28 a.m. Respectfully Submitted: Marcie Launey, Co-Secretary

Mary H. Adams

Joan P.Barbaria Sacramento, CA 95816

Artha L. Carey Rocklin, CA 95765

Jennifer C. Dillon Sacramento, CA 95825

Martha Lou Hawkins Sacramento, CA 95831

Elizabeth J. Jett Sacramento, CA 95821

Jean Jones Sacramento, CA 95825

Gail La Fortune Blue Lake, CA 95525

Margot Patrick

Joan D. Polster Johnstown, PA 15905

Helen Plumb Sacramento, CA 95820

Sara Riola Elk Grove, CA 95758

Linda Amber Tuttle

Bryon A. Drew Elk Grove, CA 95624

Joan C. Lewis Sacramento,CA 95825

Richard Rose Plymouth, CA 95669

Changes for Members

State Teachers’ Retirement System P.O. Box 15275-C

Sacramento, CA 95851 916-414-1099

State CalRTA Office 1750 Howe Avenue

Ste. 630 Sacramento, CA 95825

916-923-2200

Join CalRTA Video on Facebook! Watch and share this YouTube video with

potential members. Help us disseminate the importance of joining the Association.

http://tinyurl.com/y8fhs79n

Page 5

California Supreme Court Pension Decision

"California Rule" Upheld

Without Modification

On March 4th the California Supreme Court issued their opinion in the pension-related case CAL FIRE LOCAL 2881 et al. v. CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM. The main issue was "air time" and the ability of employees to purchase additional time that would enhance retirement benefits. The 2012 Public Employees' Pension Reform Act rescinded that benefit. The Court ruled that "air time" was not a vested right and could be taken away. More importantly, the Court left in tact the California Rule without modification thus protecting our vested retirement benefits. CalRTA thanks the Court for reaffirming the California Rule, which protects our vested benefits. Retired educators, and other public servants, depend upon our hard-earned retirement benefits.

What is the California Rule? The idea behind the California Rule is simple: workers enter a contract with their employer on the day they begin work and the pension benefits they are offered as part of that contract cannot be diminished, unless replaced with similar benefits. To cut or reduce pension benefits without an equivalent benefit to offset the cut would be a violation of the employment contract. Califor-nia courts have continued to uphold the precedent of the California Rule in multiple cases over the past six decades.

What Book Have You Read Lately? Here are some titles.

At the January meeting members listed books they have read. Check out the titles. More to come.

Origins Dan Brown

The Book of Joy Tenzin Gyatso

What Alice Forgot Luane Moriarty

Hillbilly Elegy J. D. Vance

The Dalai Lama’s Cat David Michie

Gone Girl Gillian Flynn

Sharp Objects Gillian Flynn

Girl on a Train Dennis Drew + 4 more

You Can’t Spell America

Without Me Alec Baldwin

Where We Go From Here Bernie Sanders

Educated Tara Westover

Listen to CalRTA Legislative Advocate

David Walrath explain the California Supreme Court’s decision on public benefit

changes. He also gives a preview of the next similar case going to the California Supreme Court.

https://www.youtube.com/watch? reload=9&v=7qO-at1KTuI

David Explains

Book Club, Etc Contact Phyllis Beyrer for

information check Directory

There will be a drawing for the members who submitted their

volunteer hours for the time period November 1, 2018 through

February 28, 2019. Gift cards to Barnes and Noble will

be given to the winners of the drawing.

Please submit your hours to be eligible.

Page 6

Communication Report

Rhonda Svobodny & Toni Dodson

CalRTA Division 5 Financial Statement February 28, 2019 Treasurers: Clark & Sharon Swanson ______________________________________________________________________ BUDGET Budget Amount Amount to Date Total Income: $23,554.10 $14,771.42 Total Expense: $23,554.10 $7,625.65 Total Cash Available: $70,778.51 (savings + checking) _________________________________________________________________________ LUNCHEON SCHOLARSHIPS Income: $3,693.00 Los Rios: $184,716.77 (12/31/17) Expense:$4,526.68 CSUS: $71,074.78 (9/30/18) _________________________________________________________________________

Treasurers’ Report: by Clark & Sharon Swanson

In Memoriam

Orene Dunzweiler

Sheila K. Epler

Virginia Grabbe

Nancy Leafe

Joan Lewis

Virginia P. Putnam

George A. Radovich

Volunteer Opportunity

If you are interested in volunteering with adults learning English, this may be of interest to you. Charles A. Jones Career and

Education Center is looking for volunteers to help ESL (English as a Second Language) students with their English and Math. This is an adult school in the Sacramento City Unified School District, located at 5451 Lemon Hill Avenue, 95824. The Volunteer Packet is available at https://www.scusd.edu/sites/main/files/file-attachments/volunterpacket_final_2.5.18.pdf and/or contact Shawna 916-643-7400 The process: 1. Complete Registration form and have signed by administrator at school, Charles A. Jones. 2. Take this completed form to Cerna Center with copy of recent TB test indicating negative results. 3. Have your fingerprints done at Cerna Center, unless on file. Results will take about 3 weeks. You will need to do this each year. This process is good for any school in the district with the administrator’s signature. It will be too late for this year, but you could start the process in August and be ready for the next school year.

APPLICATION FORM — DIVISION 5

Dues Deduction ($4.50/month from your STRS warrant) ❑

I Authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) to de-duct my CalRTA monthly dues. Should the amount of dues be adjusted as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTA business office in writing to the contra-ry. To terminate dues deductions, I agree to make my request in writing to the CalRTA office.

Other – Please enclose your check for $54.00 a year payable to CalRTA. ❑

Name __________________________________Date of Birth ___/___/____

Retired from ________________________________district

Address ___________________________________City ________Zip___

Social Security # (for dues deduct only)________________________

Email _____________________________________________________

Phone (___)_______________

Signature ______________________________________ Date _________

Mail to June Holmes, (See Directory for address/phone number)

We DO NOT share your information

with other organizations.

BEGIN/SWITCH MEMBERSHIP TO DUES DEDUCT.

RECEIVE ONE YEAR REBATE OF $54.00

LUNCHEON RESERVATION FORM Reservation for Tuesday April 16, 2019 Casa Garden Restaurant

Return by Thursday, April 12, 2019 Menu choices: Main menu Alternate

Name(s) ______________________ Guest_________________ Vegetarian

Number ___at $20/$17each. Amount enclosed: $_________Your Telephone ____________

Make checks payable to: CalRTA Division 5..

Send your check to: Christi Calpo (See Directory for address and phone number)

LUNCHEON MENU

Main Entrée: Lemon Pesto Salmon Alternative: Chicken Waldorf

Both menus include rolls and butter, choice of tea, milk, or coffee Dessert: Strawberry Margarita Torte

Reminder

Members

who

retired

before

2000

pay $17.

Page 7

Remember Members

If you bring a friend and they join CalRTA, we will give you

a FREE lunch at the Casa good at our next meeting.

Membership: Sheryl Talley

Diane Elizabeth Eid

Sacramento, CA 95826

Jean Swain Horton Sacramento, CA 95816

Susan R. McEntee

Sacramento, CA 95822

Hal Stemmier Sacramento CA 95822

REMEMBER

Each member of Division 5 needs to

recruit new members! Everyone is on the

membership committee.

New Members

CALIFORNIA RETIRED TEACHERS ASSN. STATE CAPITAL DIVISION 5 7573 SOUTH PARKWAY SACRAMENTO, CA 95823-3438

Return Service Requested

Members Enjoying our January Luncheon

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Budget Budget Income

Category INCOME Amount To Date Los Rios

101 Regular Dues (1119 @ $18.30) 20,477.70 14,006.28 $184,716.77

102 Life Dues (8 members @ $18.30) 146.40 146.40 12/31/2017

103 Interest -Checking 5.00 2.54

104 Interest Savings (Life + Supershare) 125.00 216.20 CSUS

105 Directory Advertising-SFCU 150.00 200.00 $71,074.78

106 Directory Advertising-CA Casualty 150.00 200.00 9/30/2018

107 Misc. Income/transfer from Supershare 2,500.00

TOTALS 23,554.10 14,771.42 TOTAL CASH AVAILABLE:

SFCU savings: $62,472.85

Budget Amt. Spent Balance SFCU checking: $8,305.66

EXPENSES Amount To Date To Date total: $70,778.51

201 President 75.00 75.00

202 Directory/Insert Stipend 250.00 250.00 -

203 Financial Sec. Expenses 100.00 100.00 SFCU CSUS TOTO RAFFLE

204 Secretary 25.00 25.00 DOJ REG #RF0012841

205 Treasurer 100.00 120.00 (20.00) 2/28/19 $1082.00

206 Audit/Budget & Finance 60.00 43.46 16.54

207 Membership/Grants 4,000.00 2,211.32 1,788.68

208 Legislation 4,000.00 4,000.00

209 Programs 500.00 100.00 400.00

210 Social 150.00 147.17 2.83

211 Resource Services 50.00 16.22 33.78

212 Historian 25.00 25.00

213 Newsletter (setup & printing) 2,500.00 1,258.71 1,241.29

214 Postal Mailing* 1,250.00 750.00 500.00 *Postal Mailing (PI 1515)

215 Communication/Publicity 350.00 171.56 178.44 2017/18 reserve 548.66

216 State Convention (6 delegates) 5,200.00 5,200.00 2018/19 deposits 750.00

217 Scholarship Committee 150.00 150.00 TOTAL #######

218 Nominations & Elections 20.00 20.00

219 By-Laws & Standing Rules 10.00 10.00 Expenses:

220 Directory (setup & printing) 1,500.00 409.44 1,090.56 Newsletter 407.69

221 Legal & Professional Service/D&O Ins. 1,100.00 990.56 109.44

222 Taxes & Licenses 30.00 30.00 - TOTAL 407.69

223 SCTA/EGEA Day of the Teacher 500.00 500.00

224 Contingency Fund 709.10 293.53 415.57

TOTALS 22,654.10 6,791.97 15,862.13 BALANCE (2/28/2019) 890.97

301 Luncheon Income ($20 full/$17 reduced) 3,693.00

302 Luncheon Expense 4,526.68

Luncheon Deficit 900.00 833.68 66.32

TOTALS 23,554.10 7,625.65 15,928.45

CalRTA Division 5 Budget 2018-2019 Treasurers: Clark and Sharon Swanson February 29,2019