Newsletter #2



Harvest Time

Volume XXVI, Number 4 News of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Unit of the N.C. Retired School Personnel December 2010/January 2011

President’s Message

Your Executive Board decided that we would accept as a fund raiser project for our scholarship fund the selling of subscriptions to Our State magazine. In this newsletter you will find subscription forms that you can use to subscribe, sell, or give as a gift this wonderful magazine. Many of you know that it has great photos with well written articles about people and places in the Old North State. For every subscription that we sell Our State will contribute $5 to our scholarship fund. If you use a subscription form in the magazine please write the code CP626 on it so that we will get the donation. Our scholarship fund cannot be funded with dues money. So we have to use fund raisers and donations to have enough money to award the scholarships. We appreciate all the donations that we have received from many of you.

I urge you to read Bob Severs legislative report. I am very concerned about the future of our retirement system and the medical benefit that we have. There probably will be no COLA increase and I fully expect the legislature to pass on the increase cost of health care to the retirees, educators, and state employees. That means less money for us to use for other expenses. I fear that the people who will suffer the most in making up for a $3 to 4 billion deficit will be the retirees and the educators and state employees of NC. Will the corporations who have lobbied the legislature to create tax loopholes so that they pay little or no tax have to worry about having to pay some taxes? I doubt it. The only people who will have to pay an extra tax will be the educators, state employees and retirees who are now serving or have served the people of this state. The extra tax will come in the form of cut in benefits or salary, loss of job, increase in class size, loss of teacher assistants, etc. Please stay informed and communicate with your legislators that we must not go backwards in funding public education. They also need to keep the commitment the state has made with retirees by keeping the retirement fund actuarially sound and our medical benefit fully funded.

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ron McKinney, President

682-0390

WS/FCRSP CALENDAR 2010-11

Wednesday, January 12, 2011, 11:30 a.m.

Membership Meeting

Sundance Plaza Hotel

Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 10:00 a.m.

Executive Board

Ardmore Methodist Church

Tuesday, February 15, 2011, 10:00 a.m.

Newsletter Distribution

Ardmore Methodist Church

Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 11:30 a.m.

Membership Meeting

Sundance Plaza Hotel

Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 10:00 a.m.

Executive Board

Ardmore Methodist Church

Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 10:00 a.m.

Newsletter Distribution

Ardmore Methodist Church

Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 11:30 a.m.

Membership Banquet Meeting

Sundance Plaza Hotel

                                        

Volunteer Hours -- One Last Reminder

  The individual volunteer hours spent working in education and other areas (except those for which you were paid) will be due on January 12 at our luncheon meeting.  Please save some time during the holiday season to see that your hours are recorded and totaled.  If you would like, you may mail your sheet to me: Kathryn Mansfield, 5124 Rockmont Court, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.  Or remember to bring your sheet to me in January.  There will be a drawing for a $25.00 gift certificate from the Village Tavern among those returning their volunteer sheets by January 12. Thanks for the many hours that you spend volunteering and have a wonderful holiday season.

 

   Reba Smith asks that you save your 2010 Christmas cards for recycling in 2011.  Bring these to the January 12 luncheon meeting.

Kathryn Mansfield

 Public Relations and Community Participation

 

WINSTON-SALEM/FORSYTH COUNTY RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL

FINANCIAL REPORT

October 1, 2010 – November 30, 2010

Checkbook Balance 9/30/10 $ 6,281.24

Membership Dues (Cash-Pay) 528.00

Membership Dues (Payroll Deduction) 417.07

Membership Luncheon Meeting 1,008.00

Total $8,234.30

EXPENDITURES

Membership Luncheon Meeting $852.00

Service Charge 12.00

NEA-R/NCAE Dues Payments 288.00

NCRSP Dues Payments 165.00

DISTRICT #5 Dues Payments 21.00

Postage/Mailings 232.12

Supplies. 83.42

Donations 100.00

Total $1,753.54 -$1,753.54

Checking Account Balance – 11/30/10 $6,480.76

Scholarship Fund Balance 9/30/10 $2,686.31

Interest Earned .67

Donations 57.00

Scholarship Fund Balance 11/30/10 2,743.98

Scholarship Fund Balance 11/30/10 +$2,743.98

Total of All Funds through 11/30/10 $9,224.74

Gwendolyn D. (Gwen) Andrews

WS/FC RSP Treasurer

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

December 2010

The New Leadership

When the General Assembly convenes on January 26, 2011, it will bear little resemblance to the one that adjourned in August 2011. There has been a change in the political landscape in Raleigh, and it is pervasive. Indeed, it is virtually unprecedented. With the exception of the four years between 1995-99, when Republicans held the State House, Democrats have controlled the legislature since 1901. Before the election on November 2, Democrats held 68 of the 120 House seats and 30 of the 50 Senate seats. They now hold 52 of the House seats and 19 of the Senate seats, which translates to a loss of 16 seats in the House and 11 seats in the Senate. Republicans gained 15 seats in the House and 11 seats in the Senate, giving them a total of 67 House seats and 31 Senate seats. One House seat is held by an Independent.

A lot has happened in the wake of the much heralded reconfiguration of the General Assembly. As the new regime takes charge, the Republican caucus has selected Senator Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) to be President Pro Tempore of the Senate and Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) as Speaker of the House. Additionally, they have picked Senator Harry Brown and Representative Paul Stam as majority leaders in their respective chambers. Representative Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth) was picked as House Speaker pro tem. The Democratic caucus is scheduled to meet on December 21 to pick its new leadership team. Senators Martin Nesbitt (D-Buncombe) and Linda Garrou (D-Forsyth) are seeking the Minority Leader’s post in the Senate, and Speaker Joe Hackney is seeking the post of House Minority Leader.

Challenges Facing New Legislative Leaders

There is no difference of opinion among legislative leaders about the first challenge facing the new leadership in the next session of the General Assembly. This challenge is how to balance the 2011-2013 biennial budget while facing a shortfall in the range of $3.5 to $4.1 billion for each year of the biennium. And the answer to this question has implications for another major challenge - maintaining the solvency and integrity of the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, which will require an increase in the State annual required contribution to TSERS.

Meeting of Retirement Systems’ Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of the Retirement Systems met on October 21 and heard reports from the State’s actuary on the performance of the pension systems in 2009, as well as the five-year experience study of the systems for the period January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2009. The five-year experience report reviews the current demographic assumptions used in making forecasts to determine if they are still valid. This report shows that the number of retirements has continued to grow, and the number of employees who opt to work beyond thirty years of service has increased in the three major retirement systems (Teachers & State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS), Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System, and the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System). Mortality rates showed very little change, but the growth in payrolls and compensation increases for several years have declined below the levels used for current assumptions. As a result of these findings, the actuary is proposing some changes in a number of assumptions.

Given the findings in the five-year experience study, it came as no surprise to learn that all major retirement systems will require additional contributions for 2011-2012 to keep the systems on tract. In TSERS, the contribution rate in for 2009 was 3.57%, up from 3.36%, and, with the receipt of federal Medicaid money in August 2010, the rate increased to 4.93%. But the change in assumptions had a lesser impact on TSERS than the other systems. For example, the original projections were based on assumptions showing that the State contribution rate should increase to 6.71% in 2010-2011 and to 7.96% in 2011-2012 to remain fully funded. However, using the new assumptions, the actuary has projected the contribution rate for 2011-2012 downward to 7.94%.

The Funding Ratio

North Carolina’s $65 billion state employees’ pension fund is among the most solvent in the nation, with a current funding ratio of 94.6%, down from 99.3% last year. This means that the pension fund has an unfunded liability of 5.4%, but it still has enough money to meet known current and future obligations. But the formula used to meet its obligations to retirees and current State employees contains certain assumptions. One is that legislators will keep making the Annual Required Contribution to the pension fund, and the other is that returns on investments from the pension fund will be better than 7.25 per cent. And there is one other assumption that we have heard little about. If medical costs continue to rise, policy makers may consider tapping the pension fund to pay medical costs for retirees. We hope that this will not happen, but all these pressures are likely to bring structural changes to the State’s Retirement in the near future.

Future of Retirement Study Commission

The Future of Retirement Study Commission issued a recent report outlining recommendations for changes to the NC Retirement Systems covering State and local government employees. The 13 member Commission, composed of government employees and retirees, human resource experts, and private sector leaders, met 10 times during the year to review all major aspects of benefit design, with a variety of goals that took into account the needs of public employees, as well as fiscal impacts. Following its deliberations, the Commission recommended the following changes:

• Choice between a defined benefit (DB) plan and defined contribution (DC) plan for all current and future employees.

• Automatic enrollment in a supplemental DC plan for future hires.

• A minimum unreduced retirement age of 55 for all future hires other than law enforcement officers.

In addition, the Commission also recommended a study of consolidation of the administration of 403(b) plans offered by local school systems and giving new flexibility to the Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System Board of Trustees to grant cost-of-living adjustments.

What’s Next For NCRSP?

This organization will keep intact and go forward with the legislative goals and priorities adopted for the 2010-2011 biennium. Along with other State organizations that represent both active and retired school personnel, we look forward to working with the new leadership in the General Assembly and keeping our members involved in the legislative process.

Bob Severs, Chair

NCRSP Legislative Committee

[pic]

Pen Pals enjoying lunch together

Pen Pals

I hope that everyone has gotten the chance to meet your Pen Pal and exchanged a few letters with him/her. I plan on going to school when the book order comes in and put each child's order in a gift bag. Hopefully they chose something good to read over the holidays.  The Speas teachers have given the date they would like for us to do a winter party with the students.  They said that January 20th would work well, because they will be testing up until then.  They will be out of school the next day.  They hope to have the new cafeteria ready by then so we can have it there.  I will give you more details closer to the date.  We will hope the weather cooperates with us.  Thanks for being a part of this program.

  Rita Taylor

Hospitality Report

Our next membership meeting will be on Wednesday, January 12, 2011, at Sundance Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 3050 University Pkwy., in Winston-Salem. It is across from the Joel Coliseum. Mark your calendar and plan to join us. Please mail your reservation form along with a check for $12.00 per person as soon as possible; (HOLIDAY SEASON) I need to receive your reservation by Saturday, January 8th. If it becomes necessary for you to cancel, a refund or credit will be given only if notification is received by Sunday, January 9th.

Please Note: You can make a “Pay at Registration Reservation” with me via telephone. If you make this kind of reservation and do not attend or cancel, you will be billed for the amount. We have to pay for the number of reservations to which we commit.

You may arrive as early as 11:15 a.m. to complete all business before the meeting starts at 12:00 p.m., giving you time to visit with your friends. The buffet will open at 11:40 a.m.

You are always welcome to attend the meeting without having lunch. Please let me know if you wish to do this so that I can make arrangements.

Please remember: our meetings will be cancelled for inclement weather only when the WS/FC schools are closed. School delays will not affect the luncheon meetings. I hope to see you on January 12, 201l.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Gwendolyn D. Andrews - (336) 924-8772

Hospitality Chairperson

SCHOLARSHIP FUND DONATIONS

“Thank You” for your donations that make it possible for us to support future educators. Donations have been made as follows:

In Memory of the following family and friends:

I. Bryce Gordon

By: Elizabeth M. Horton

In Honor of the following:

The Scholarship Fund

By: Vickie Sprinkle

Dorothy Vernon (Cookbook Sales)

The Scholarship Fund box with envelopes for donation is always on the registration table at our membership meetings.

Please consider this fund when you are planning for your final wishes. It is a very fitting legacy for your service to the children of this county.

Florence Wiley

Scholarship Committee Chairperson

Minutes of November 10, 2010 RSP Meeting

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Retired School Personnel met Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at noon at Sundance Plaza Hotel. President Ron McKinney called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Juanita Tatum gave the invocation.

After lunch, Reba Smith reminded everyone to register for door prizes. She also informed us that January door prizes will be for those who turn in volunteer report forms.

Ron McKinney presented Reba Smith with a gift for her service as President the past two years.

President McKinney introduced our speaker, Hank Godwin, or Our State magazine. Mr. Godwin shared a plan to raise money for our scholarship fund by selling Our State magazine subscriptions. We can make $5.00 per subscription for our scholarship fund.

Treasurer Gwen Andrews reported that 78 members had registered for today’s meeting. Mrs. Andrews reported that her financial report is in the latest Harvest Time. She moved to approve it, Reba Smith seconded and the motion passed.

Gwen Andrews gave the membership report. As of Monday, November 8, we have 386 members. More payroll deduction members will be added. Mrs. Andrews also announced that the Scholarship Fund Box is on the table out front and that RSP cookbooks are for sale there….all for the Scholarship Fund.

President McKinney recognized some special guests: Nancy Link, NCAE Uniserv Director who replaced him, and Millicent Allen, Odessa Gaither’s daughter.

Legislative Chairman Bob Severs reported that the General Assembly will begin in 2011 with many changes and challenges. The state retirement system and health plan may undergo drastic changes in the future. If medical costs continue to rise, they may tap into the pension fund to cover costs. President McKinney emphasized the need to communicate with state legislators about this critical issue. Mr. Severs’ report will be in the Harvest Time.

Necrology Chairman Donna Staley reported the two most recent deaths, Anne Small and Elvinia Price Smith. Previous deaths are listed in the last newsletter.

Community Participation Chairman Kathryn Mansfield asked us to please turn in our volunteer hours. We can send them to her in December or bring them to her at the January meeting.

Pen Pal Coordinator Rita Taylor shared that an e-mail had been sent about the Scholastic Books order. She is asking that we give $5.00 or $6.00 for books for our pen pals. We can pay by check to Scholastic Books or take cash to Speas. Mrs. Taylor also asked that we not take lunch to the school this year. There will be a box at each meeting for us to bring classroom items for the 5th grade teachers, the Pen Pals’ teachers. We will have a winter party with our pen pals, maybe after January testing.

Door Prizes were given out to Millicent Allen, Donna Gouge, Reba Smith, Susan McBride, Nancy Link, Shirley Chambers, Shirley Frank, Lenna Severs, Viola Roseboro, Viola Roseboro and Ann Councilman.

Gwen Andrews announced that the next meeting is January 12, 2011. The newsletters will go out earlier next month. She also reminded us that if the weather is bad and there is no school, there will be no meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 1:20.

Mary Jo Brewer

Secretary

Necrology Report

Christmas Greetings!

 

As our thoughts and hearts turn to this Christmas season, let us remember those who have suffered the loss of a loved one in our organization, the latest of which are remembered on another page of this newsletter.

 

May your holiday season be memorable, healthy and filled with peace.

 

Thank you for keeping me apprised of our losses in a timely manner.

 

Donna L. Staley

Merry Christmas from the RSP Officers

and

Committee Leaders

More Pen Pal Fun

WS/FCRSP OFFICERS

President Ron McKinney

rbmack@

Vice-President Jo Anne Goetz

jrvgoetz@

Past President Reba J. Smith

buckdancegal@

Secretary Mary Jo Brewer

mbrewer9@triad.

Treasurer Gwendolyn Andrews

924-8772

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Danner

sadanner@triad.

Historian/Parliamentarian Walter R. Wiley, Jr.

wwileyjr@

In Memoriam

Florence Aitchison Crouse

October 8, 2010

Annie Laurie Morgan

November 16, 2010

Jacquelyn Anne Small

October 14, 2010

Elvenia Price Smith

October 17, 2010

COMMITTEE LEADERS

Budget & Finance Gwendolyn Andrews

Stephen Danner

sadanner@triad.

Legislative Robert Severs

RSevers@

Membership Ann K. Councilman

lacman8383@

Necrology Donna L. Staley

Retirement Planning/Photography John Shore

jhnjshr@triad.

Public Relations and

Community Participation Kathryn Mansfield

Mansfieldkw@

Newsletter Dr. Lee Beall

lbeall@triad.

Hospitality Gwendolyn Andrews

Nominating Julia L. Johnson

Scholarship Florence G. Wiley

wwileyjr@

Pen Pal Coordinator Rita Taylor

rvta@

Website Evan Herreid

eherreid@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Visit our web at web2k.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/wsfcrsp or go to state web () and click on Winston-Salem/Forsyth County.

  Reservations for January 12, 2011 Meeting

To register, complete and cut out the form below and mail with your check for $12, payable to WSRCRSP by January 7th, 2011. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Yes, I _________________________ would like to

(Name)

make reservations for ________, on Jan. 12th, 2011

(# of people)

I/We have enclosed a check for $______, which is

$12.00 per person. Make check payable to WSFC RSP and mail to: Gwendolyn Andrews

3550 Stimpson Drive

Pfafftown, NC 27040-8609

PLEASE Make checks payable to: WSFC RSP

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