The Boone-Newton County Retired Teachers and support Staff met Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at Western Sizzlin Restaurant in Harrison, Arkansas at 11:30 am. The meeting was called to order by President Lynn Holmes who welcomed members and guests.
President Lynn Holmes introduced the speaker, Tom P. from Alcoholics Anonymous. He shared that there were 13 districts of Alcoholics Anonymous in Arkansas including services for Hispanics. The organization provides closed meetings for those recovering from addiction and open meetings for those who wish to know more about supporting a family member or friend in recovery. He shared that the transparency and fellowship provided by the group setting was a great help to those in recovery. The 12 steps to changing life habits are also a key component of the program.
After the program, President Lynn Holmes called the business meeting to order. The invocation was led by Amy Young, and Linda Mathis led the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes of the December meeting were available to the group, and they were approved. Linda Mathis gave the treasurer's report, and it was approved. She reported a total membership of 31 at present.
Committee reports were given. Claude Whited shared information about our state retirement system from a newspaper article written by state legislator Bryan King. He reported that our system's investments were diversified and increasing in value. He stressed the importance of our retirement system electing its own representatives, and encouraged members to be sure to vote when we were notified of the opportunity. Currently there about 142,000 members in the Teacher Retirement System.
Jane Adair, head of the scholarship committee, reported that the AR Retired Teacher Association is now accepting applications for the Parsons-Burnett and Mitchell-Fair Grants.
The Parson-Burnett Grant is awarded to a licensed public-school educator in a certified position for the purpose of furthering their own education. The Mitchell-Fair Grant is awarded to a public-school employee in a classified position who is working towards becoming a licensed educator. Christie Poole from Jasper received a Mitchell-Fair Grant last spring.
Complete guidelines for eligibility and instructions for completing an application are located at www.artanow.com/grants. Applications must be submitted online between January 15 and March 31 of each Year. Awards in the amount of $2,000 will be made in late spring.
The BNCRTSS scholarship application has been updated and emailed to the nine high school counselors in Boone and Newton counties. Applicants should reside in Boone or Newton County, be planning to become a teacher, and to attend North Arkansas College. Applications are due March 1 and the award is $500. Call Jane Adair 870-365-8065 for information.
Amy Young reminded members present to continue to collect their volunteer hours. She also read a thank you note from the Twentieth Century Club thanking BNCRTSS for help in providing 443 dictionaries to third grade students in Boone County.
President Holmes reminded the group of the area conference we are to host in the fall. She will contact others from Area 7 after the State Convention on May 13th to meet and make plans for the meeting.
The next meeting of BNCRRS is March 4th at Western Sizzlin at 11:30. The program will be an informational meeting about supporting the Buffalo National River.
