Retired educators have new name for 50-year-old organization in Orleans

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Officers of the Orleans County Retired Teachers Association pose in front of a giant stained glass window at the West Barre United Methodist Church, where they held their annual meeting on Wednesday. From left are Georgia Thomas, immediate past president and executive board member; co-presidents Barb Dunham of Knowlesville and Gail Johnson of Albion, corresponding secretary; guest speaker Mary Beth Tyndall of Rochester, acting president of the Central Western Zone of Retired Educators of New York; Charlene Smith of Medina, treasurer; Ann Czajkowski of Barker, co-president; and Nancy Walker of Holley, recording secretary.

WEST BARRE – The group formerly known as the Retired Teachers’ Association held its annual meeting Wednesday at the West Barre United Methodist Church.

Ann Czajkowski of Barker, co-president, explained the group has a new name – Orleans County Retired Educators’ Association. The name was changed by the State Retired Teachers’ Association to encompass anyone who works in a school system, with the goal of increasing membership. This would include office personnel, janitors and bus drivers.

Czajkowski explained membership statewide has been declining and the new name will allow for others involved in education to be members. She also said the Orleans County group joined the Central Western Zone in 1976, making this year their 50th anniversary. The CWZ recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, Czajkowski added.

Ann Czajkowski, standing, president of the Orleans County Retired Educators Association, talks to members at their annual meeting Wednesday at West Barre United Methodist Church. Seated clockwise from her left are co-president Barb Dunham, guest speaker Mary Beth Tyndall of Rochester; and Ann’s husband Gene. At the table at right is Jo Ann Smith.

In addressing the group, Czajkowski explained community service is a big focus for retired educators.

“They are involved in their churches, food pantries and support for veterans. The guest speaker at last year’s meeting talked about the Honor Flights to see the military memorials in Washington, D.C.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could raise enough money to send a veteran,” Czajkowski asked. “The cost to go is $900 per veteran.”

Also discussed at Wednesday’s meeting was a change in bylaws and continued emphasis on new members. Each member in the room was introduced, with their school and years of teaching. Nearly all had taught more than 30 years, in learning institutions in Orleans County, Barker, Penfield, Roy-Hart and in Maryland.

“We all know someone who is eligible to join,” said Grace Kent of Albion.

Georgia Thomas was recognized for having made a raffle basket and delivered it for the Central Western Zone’s annual meeting for the last 10 years.

Guest speaker for the meeting was Mary Beth Tyndall of Rochester, acting president of RENY’s Central Western Zone. She explained why the state was broken up into 10 zones, with each zone made up of several counties. Orleans County is one of 10 which make CWZ. She also talked about the importance for retired educators to join both the state Retired Educators of New York and New York State United Teachers to work towards improving retirement benefits and protecting those already achieved.

Co-president Barbara Dunham read a short history of OCRTA’s 50 years of existence.

The Orleans chapter was organized through the efforts of Hazel D’Amico, who had been contacted by Edith Paul of Le Roy to enlist her help in reaching Orleans retirees to promote membership in the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association, founded in 1951.

OCREA’s co-president Barb Dunham of Knowlesville chats with Kay Van Nostrand of Medina prior to their annual meeting on Wednesday. Standing at rear is Gail Johnson of Albion.

D’Amico assumed this responsibility for a while and then asked Catherine Bartlett to become county chairperson for ORCTA. After distributing state membership materials to retirees for two years and attending Central Western Zone meetings and NYSRTA’s annual conventions, Bartlett decided there should be an Orleans County organization. She enlisted the assistance of retirees rom each school district in Orleans County, and the first meeting of the group was a pot luck supper at the Clifford Wise Junior High School in Medina on June 17, 1976.

A slate of officers was chosen to serve 1974-1975, with officers as Ed Devlin, president; Reta Dolan, vice president; Helen Gilmeister, recording secretary; Ruth Hall, corresponding secretary; and Elma Prince, treasurer. An official constitution was proposed Sept. 29, 1976 and adopted March 31, 1977.

Throughout its 50-year history, members of the Orleans County unit have concentrated on improving the status of active and retired educators, while contributing and also serving in numerous other community groups.

Presidents in the early years included Edward Devlin, Warren Towne, Howard Caldwell, Joanne Loughlin, Loyal Morse, Mary Vosler and Frank Berger. Berger served in the position for several terms, until turning it over to Georgia Thomas. Berger was also elected vice president of the Central Western Zone in 1996.

While membership in the Retired Teachers’ Association has been declining state-wide, Orleans County’s group has remained pretty steady, Czajkowski said this week.

Eligible retired educators are encouraged to join to support this organization, whose efforts have resulted in changes beneficial to them. This includes influencing legislative gains for all retirees in the state.

It should be noted that over the years, retired educators are and have been active in the affairs of their communities. Some have been recognized for various civil, social, church and educational contributions. Examples are migrant ministries, veterans’ services, volunteerism and election to political office.  As an example, one retired teacher became county historian and others had a school named after them – Towne Elementary School and Clifford Wise Junior-Senior High School.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Czajkowski and Tyndall reported they had presented Dunham with of a Recognition Certificate from CWZ for agreeing to accept the co-president’s position. The presentation was made at the annual meeting of CWZ in September.

Czajkowski also reported the Orleans Chapter had one life member – Vivian Ward.

Others who are committee chairs are Grace Kent, membership; Gary Kent, legislation and publicity; Kay VanNostrand, bylaws; Ruth Smith, health care, Eileen Wuethrich, friendly service; and Jeff Annable, audit and budget.