Minutes from September 8th, 2025
President Jane Hollingsworth introduced and welcomed Juliana Odell, scholarship recipient who spoke briefly to thank HGREA for the scholarship and to acquaint us with her life as a nontraditional college student who has been married for 29 years and works at Sardis Elementary.
Gail Ingram provided inspiration and the invocation.
Lunch was served to a convivial audience.
Johnny Smith will assume leadership of the Georgia Retired Educators Association in October replacing Dr. Bill Sloan who has held that position for the last 20 years. Johnny spoke about the
Teachers Retirement System and Health Insurance for Retirees. He assured us of the
soundness of TRS and reminded us of our 3% yearly COLA which has been staunchly
defended against attacks by various politicians over the years. Johnny also discussed issues concerning insurance coverage. .He reminded us that open enrollment begins 10/20 and goes through 11/07. If you are satisfied with your coverage, you need do nothing and it will roll over. Dr. Sloan spoke after Johnny Smith. He provided a personal anecdote to drive home the message that we should listen to our doctor's advice. He went on to reflect on his career as a principal and then as head of GREA. He explained how after many years of solid membership growth, the trend tended downward during and after Covid. He encouraged us to take on
leadership roles and he praised the accomplishment of Johnny Smith as director of
communications. (Becky Smith is our Facebook coordinator. Submit Facebook posts to her.)
This year's special fundraising cause under the new state president is the Children's Hospital of Georgia. Mason jars on the tables are for contributions.
Treasurer Audrey Simmons reported that we currently have $5,781.17 in the bank. She then reviewed expenditures that have occurred since our May meeting.
Outgoing Secretary Joyce Tharpe presented the minutes from May's meeting and asked for corrections or additions. There were none. They were approved as recorded.
Membership committee chair, Gwennell Brown, advised us that we had 31 renewing members,two new members, and six lifetime members. New members were recognized and welcomed.
Jane commended Val Coley for her work in creating our newsletter.
Two new officers were voted in by acclamation: Joyce Tharpe as President- Elect and Brian Moss as Secretary.
The raffle was held followed by recitation of the mantra before the meeting was adjourned. Acorrection as to the date of the next meeting was made. It will be October 6th.