Huajilla TRTA installs new officers at first meeting of new year

By Editor | October 2, 2024

By Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly

The Huajilla Chapter of Retired Teachers Association held its first meeting of the new calendar year on Monday, September 23 at the D’Hanis Community Center and installed its 2024-26 officers.

There were 55 members and guests present for the meeting which was called to order by Huajilla President Earline Schlortt. She then welcomed our special guests, TRTA District 20 President Melissa Ramos and her husband, Jesse Ramos, who also serves as Vice President of Texas Retired Teachers Foundation. New members Darlene Haby, Pam Syasak, Gail Gooley, Melissa Haby, and guests Irene Cox and Shirley Click were also introduced.

Sam Dubberly led the Pledges to the US and Texas flags; Lewis Stroud offered the opening prayer, followed by singing of “America the Beautiful.”

Schlortt turned the meeting over to Melissa Ramos, who formally installed the 2024-2026 executive officers: President Earline Schlortt, first Vice-President Elaine Neuman, second Vice-President Betsy Polgue, Secretary Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly, Treasurer Maria Elizondo, and Parliamentarian Bertha Benedetti. Past President Marianne Garrett was unable to attend.

President Schlortt’s meeting focus continued with recognition and appreciation of those who have been or continue to lead Huajilla, previous years’ officers and committee chairs, followed by recognition and introduction of current Committee Chairs.

Those recognized included: Public Relations and Communications: Betsy Polgue, Membership and Scholarship: Elaine Neuman, Volunteer Services: Brenda Prestage, Book Project: Lola Hill, Legislative: Ken Hanson, Member Services and Retirement Education: Sam Dubberly, Health and Safety: Cynthia Howard, and TRT Foundation: Bruce Simpson.

Recognition was also given to callers: Castroville Area: Kathy Bendele (serving while Bertha Benedetti recovers from surgery), Devine Area: Kay Shultz and Wendy Maxwell, D’Hanis: Jean Sexton, Hondo Area: Irene Dubberly and Laurie Santos, Sabinal Area: Betty Mathis, Concan and Rio Frio Area: Betsy Polgue, and Out of Area: Irene Dubberly.

Summer and September birthday people were honored by members singing ‘Happy Birthday’, and later, cake, courtesy of Elaine Neuman.

The next focus was addressing Huajilla’s unfinished business. Minutes from the April 2024 meeting were reviewed by the committee. Jean Sexton made a motion to approve the minutes, Lewis Stroud seconded the motion, and the minutes were approved for filing.

Maria Elizondo presented and will file the Treasurer’s report covering the period from May – August 2024. The Audit Committee consisting of Elizondo, Deborah Zerr, Dorothy Saunders and Elaine Neuman completed the required TRTA Audit and submitted the completed report to the state TRTA office, which accepted the report.

Elizondo then presented the proposed budget prepared by the executive officers and explained the proposed expenditures and income. After discussion, Deborah Zerr made a motion to approve the budget and after a “second” from Karen Muennink, the budget was unanimously approved.

The various committee reports were available to the membership during the meeting, and members received a summary of the new teacher baskets, which were prepared and delivered to seven of the surrounding districts. Districts drew names of the winners and they can be found on the Huajilla’s Facebook page. This is a year-long project, and members are encouraged to contribute to the teacher baskets throughout the year.

Brenda Prestage provided information related to volunteer services and requested that members submit hours for the previous months, including summer volunteering, and continue to submit hours monthly.

Lola Hill presented the recognition for the volunteer services award from TRTA District 20 for the chapter’s volunteer activities. The top three highest volunteer hours from Huajilla were submitted by Linda Cole, Sam Dubberly and Irene Rodriguez-Dubberly.

The focus of the September and October meetings is contributing to the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation. State TRT Foundation Vice President Jesse Ramos provided examples of the monetary assistance provided to TRTA retirees who have suffered losses due to various catastrophic situations which have occurred in Texas recently. Committee Chair Bruce Simpson made a motion that Huajilla designate funds to TRTF to be presented at the TRTA District 20 Fall Conference, and the motion was unanimously approved.

Schlortt then asked for delegates to the TRTA District 20 Fall Conference which will be on October 24 at the Cana Ballroom in Boerne. Any member may sign up to attend; Huajilla will pay a portion of the registration fees for any member who wishes to attend.

Membership Chair Elaine Neuman indicated that the membership list will be updated and provided to members at the October and following months’ meetings. Members are encouraged to bring their yearbooks to subsequent meetings so they can receive the various inserts for it.

Members were invited to take a group photo prior to visiting with friends and enjoying a beef and chicken fajita meal and sides prepared by Jeremy and Frank Sexton and others.

The next meeting will be on October 28 at the First Baptist Church in Hondo. Coffee and registration will be at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting will start at 10 a.m. A special program from the Texas Rangers is on tap and members are encouraged to invite a new member. New members’ dues will be paid by AMBA.

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