BARTA FALL NEWSLETTER 2022-2023
Welcome to Fall 2022


 
www.barta2.org
 https://m.facebook.com/bartholomewretiredteachers/
 
Programs for 2022-23

 
September 13, 2022 Sandy Hook United Methodist Church (1610 Taylor Rd, Columbus IN 47203)
 
November 15, 2022 Sandy Hook United Methodist Church
 
March 7, 2023 Sandy Hook United Methodist Church
 
 
 
 
May 9, 2023 Four Seasons Retirement Center
(1901 Taylor Rd, Columbus IN 47203)
11:15-11:30 AM Registration
Lunch & Program 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
 
Message from BARTA Leadership
 
We are so excited to begin this next year with the thought of meeting in person, refreshing our friendships and creating new memories.  We are ready to make our mark on the new season for BARTA. 
 
Our membership is currently at 274. We are welcoming fourteen new retirees from BCSC and FRHC to join our group.  Please encourage your friends who are retired to become members of BARTA. Our dues have remained consistent to make it possible for all to join the fun and the projects. We are proud of the Teacher Grants that are funded by the membership in collaboration with Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation and hope all will contribute to those efforts. Pennies from Heaven fund projects in the community and schools as well as programs represented by our guest speakers.
Please submit your 2022-23 Membership card and dues in the envelope provided.
IRTA’s 57th Annual Representative Assembly was attended by LuAnn Davis, Lynne Fleming, Dan Fleming and Janice Montgomery as the voting delegates for BARTA.  They accepted awards in honor of many areas of our organization that were recognized at the May 9, 2022 BARTA meeting. A huge debt of gratitude to all who make the programs and components of BARTA work so well.
 
You can be proud that your membership continued to work hard in our community during this two-year period. Many of you were still volunteering, calling friends, checking on family members and working with students to keep their lives enriched.  Hopefully, this year will bring new adventures for us all.
 
2021 IRTA Awards given to BARTA
  • Volunteers-400 hours
  • Outstanding Community Service Group Project
  • Outstanding Volunteer
  • CASA Volunteer
  • Website
 
We Are Grateful for Our Volunteers

DAN FLEMING
(picture from IRTA State Conference)
 
 
 
 
 
Dan Fleming
2021 CASA Volunteer  &
BARTA’s Outstanding Volunteer
 
I believe the meaning of being alone to young people is a feeling that there is no one “in their corner.” They may know that there is a parent or guardian out there somewhere who may or may not care about them, but even caring parents often have a multitude of issues that prevents them from being present in a meaningful way.  Young people soon realize that their CASA volunteer is the one person who wants and is able to be their voice when they can’t speak, and a listening ear when the world seems inattentive. --Dan’s quote
 
 
BARTA Volunteers …
 
Our local newspaper, The Republic, has highlighted  numerous examples of our members’ volunteer efforts. Recently, Sandy and Dave Watts coordinated a recycling project with students. Several of you have collected the bottle caps that can be recreated into picnic tables and benches and dropped them at the Watts’ home.  Sandy and Dave organized the collection, and sorted and delivered until the finished products (bench & picnic tables) were returned to Columbus to benefit the school and church areas. Likewise, Peggy Wampler can be found at most community events as the volunteer extraordinaire! Peggy received Community Recognition for the Dietz AJGA Volunteer of the Year at their golf outing.
 
Recognition of our Community Educators
We are so grateful that our community has many ways of rewarding our community’s educators.
  • BCSC-Teacher of the Year by Building and entire district
  • Bill and Sally Hanley Award-Heritage Fund
  • Edna Folger Award Winner-County Award presented by SIHO
 
Volunteer Opportunities for the Upcoming Year
We know many of you volunteer in your neighborhood schools as tutors, mentors, readers with Book Buddies, churches, local boards and other organizations like Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center, Love Chapel, Visitors Center, Mill Race Center, CRH, and Déjà vu Art Show.  Joe and Donna Nicholson collect the information from our members and determine the total hours donated by BARTA for the IRTA recognition program.  Your work is valued and appreciated by the community and educators.
If you are looking for new or additional opportunities, Joe and Donna have researched some options. 
 
Kyle Hendricks Manager of Community Impact, Heritage Fund-The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
  • Community Gathering, Camps, STEM Camps, Student Mentor Training
  • Gala event that may need volunteers.
Cathy King, United Way Community Impact Coordinator & Alicia Monroe, Volunteer Action Center Director,  https://uwbarthco.galaxydigital.com/ Tutoring kids Help students prepare for HSE Exam (Formerly GED) Administrative needs. Help prepare learning kits to take to homes. Help prepare Safe Packs, Tutoring needs, Child Care Back pack program
Courtney Foust and Jody Ecken-Sans Souci
  • The Thrift Store
  • Free Cost Program
  • Low Cost Program
  • Employee Retention Program. (helps people regain skills to keep full time jobs) Participants are paid to go through training.
  • They also need instructors for their Sans Souci Build You programs. 6 week programs:
Personal Development, Communication skills, computer literacy, career exploration, finance, and externship.
 
 
Member Concerns-BARTA has lost many members in the last couple of years.  At BARTA’s May 2022 meeting, these dear friends were recognized and remembered. Thanks to June Hagan for keeping the information for BARTA and sending cards to the families. (info on website)
 
Treasurer’s Report from Janet Smith
Thank you to Dr. Charlie Dilk for completing the audit by June 17, 2022.

  • Balance as of June 21, 2022-$4032.39
  • Teacher Grants $2563.88
  • Afghan back pack supplies in addition to member donations $327.47
  • Ukrainian student from East HS $300
  • Elementary Expo for Professional Development $100
  • Community Center of Hope $200
  • Bartholomew County School Supply Program $200
  • IRTF donation for BARTA’s deceased members $110 (goes for scholarships)
 
The IRTA Foundation has three major areas of work:
  • College Scholarships
  • Active Teacher Grants
  • A Hand Up program for retirees in need
 
Details are on the IRTA website, www.retiredteachers.org.  Please encourage people you know to apply for the various opportunities.  Teacher Grant Applications are open right now.
 

 
Hoosier Lottery-Did you know?
Since October 13, 1989, the lottery has paid more than $15.9 billion to winners with a contribution of $6.7 billion (25.8 %) to good causes throughout the state including police, firefighters, and teacher retirement fund ($30,000,000) and Lottery Surplus Fund. Over $1.7 has been paid to Lottery retailers.
Source-Hoosier Lottery Flyer for IRTA Assembly Summer 2022
 
Legislative Update: This will be available after the summer State Legislative Session.
 
BARTA OFFICERS and Executive Team-Contact (812.390.9023 or Lmont72@comcast.net)
President-Janice Montgomery
Vice President-LuAnn Davis
Secretary-Deborah Eikenbary
Treasurer-Janet Smith
Community Projects- Joe & Donna Nicholson
Website-Joe Nicholson
Facebook-Joyce Heckman
Publicity-Cheryl Zuckschwerdt-Ellsbury
Membership-Lynne Fleming
Member Concerns-June Hagan
Legislative-Dr. John Quick
IRTA Foundation-Georgianna Waldrop
Pledge-Dr. Bill Riley
 
Contact IRTA  (www.retiredteachers.org)
IRTA President-Paula M. Dyer                              
260-563-7794 (dyerp@retiredteachers.org)
IRTA President Elect-David Lennen                    
812-254-2080 (lennend@retiredteachers.org)
IRTA Executive Director-Laura Penman            
888-454-9333 (lpenman@retiredteachers.org)
District 7-Marty Mullin                                        
765-580-0031 (mullinm@retiredteachers.org)
 
        
Notecards were placed in the 2000 backpacks given throughout the community.  These were completed by BARTA volunteers and other county volunteers.