PEER February 19, 2007 Minutes

Vice President Janey Ball called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.
 
Members present:  Janey Ball, Thelma Dumont,  Jan Handura, Heather Rosenhoch, Brenda Schlechter, Nan Lanham, Allin Turner, Kathy Bell, Bill Bakewell, Dallas Schimke, Connie Purdum, Sharon Agner, Frances Wallace, Bill Wallace, Mary Holtzman, Bob Schlerf, Kathy King, Rosalie Davies, Dave Byers, Sarah Byers, Claire Cousins, Phyllis Walls, Esther Albertson, Bob St. Julien, Helen Lents, JoAnne Wilson, Virginia Kates, Joyce Walters, Herbert Miller, Bob Swanson, Sue Butler, Cora Royal, Lois Campbell, Harriette Beaven, Ethelstine Harris, Jana Maples, Walter Blanchard, Becky Woodroffe, Dee Bell, Annette Faison, Jane Lee, Wendy Hail, Bob Hassall, Roberta Reinfrank, and Linda McGeehan
 
Jana Maples reminded us of the annual “Meet and Greet” for Dr. Wilcox and the School Board to be held April 3rd.  She passed around a signup sheet for those willing to bring refreshments.
 
Ethelstine Harris provided everyone with a card and a ribbon to wear in celebration of Black History Month. She thanked Carolyn Underwood for her part in providing them.
 
Program:  Claire Cousins introduced Frank Peterman, State Legislator from St. Petersburg, who spoke about Black History and its importance to our society.  He stressed the need to teach students the truth about the history of Africans’ accomplishments as well as the accomplishments of Black American inventors, scientists, engineers, and civil rights leaders.  He also spoke about the scientific and scholarly foundation for the truth that we are “all part of the human family.”
 
The minutes of the January 22, 2007, meeting were corrected to read “Bob Schlerf passed out thermo mugs from AFT to members present.” 

Reports

Vice President: Janey Ball reminded members to save items for the Materials for New Teachers Flea Market.  She asked that members bring items for baskets for the FEA silent auction to the April meeting.  The themes for the baskets are “Happy Holiday” and “Pets.”
Elections for secretary, treasurer, and representative to the FEA-R  convention will be held at the May meeting.
 
Treasurer: Dallas Schimke reported a balance of $9,949.11 in the PCTA account.  Expenses were $196.84 for postage and printing.  Credit Union balances will be reported in April.
 
Membership/Volunteer:  Dave Byers reported that with the addition of two new members, we now have 298 members.  Volunteer hours reported last month were 439 school hours and 942 other hours = 1381.  This makes a total so far this year of 1,726 school hours and 4,446 other hours = 6172.
 
FEA has not yet published information on the election for delegates to the FEA and NEA conventions. However, delegate nomination forms are available from Dave, and must be returned to FEA by March 9th.  FEA-Retired is allowed 25 delegates to the FEA convention in September, and those interested in attending have a good chance of going. Money is provided for mileage and part of room expenses. Two delegates from FEA-Retired will be elected to attend the NEA convention in July in Philadelphia.
 
Allin Turner reported that the Scholarship Committee is making progress.   More information is included in the Pipeline.
Last month 78 pounds of food was donated to the RCS food pantry making a total of 285 pounds.
 
Ethelstine Harris spoke about the health insurance subsidy proposal in the Legislature, and Kathy Bell suggested that members write their legislators supporting raising the health care subsidy.  Ethelstine passed the envelope for contributions to the Political Action fund at the FEA Convention.
 
Old Business:  None
New Business:  None
                                       
Claire Cousins asked that members consider attending two meetings being held by FAST (Faith in Action and Strength Together) , a coalition of 30 churches concerned with two issues this year: affordable housing and discipline in Pinellas County schools.  They are asking for no further commitment than attendance at the meetings to show strong public support for these issues.  The meetings are at 7:00 pm on Feb.26 at Shiloh Baptist Church on Ulmerton Road and March 12 at Pasadena Community Church.
 
There will be no meeting at the PCTA in March.
 
Door prizes were handed out.
 
Meeting adjourned at 11:15 am.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
JoAnne Wilson for Nan Lanham