CalRTA - 52Diablo VistaP.O. Box 4292Walnut Creek, CA 94596-0292

T I M E D M AT E R I A L - D O N ’ T D E L AYR E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postal Paid

Concord, CA

Permit 250

Leave a MessageInfo Hotline: Barbara Diskowski 1-925-938-7834B.B. Editor: Gil Leveroni 1-925-687-4864Luncheons: Betty Hodge 1-925-686-5637Betty’s backup: Bernie Yeghoian 1-925-671-0662Trips: Marge Hennigar 1-707-751-1858Membership: Lorrie Osborn 1-925-937-2898Sunshine: Nellie Hinds 1-925-432-2207

Division 52 Website Address:Div52.calrta.org – For quick and easy access, type div52.

calrta.org. into your internet browser. You can also access our website from calrta.org. Click on Explore CalRTA, Areas and Divisions, IV on the CA map, then Div. 52. You don’t have to log in to access any division or area website.

In Memoriam

BULLETIN BOARD

Diablo Vista Division 52, Area IVOf The California Retired Teachers Association Since 1963

Your partner in pension protection

Our Area IV Advocacy Day Team went

to Washington D.C. in April to visit our

Federally Elected Legislators. We wanted

to educate them about the importance of

several CalRTA core goals: Social Securi-ty Equity and the Security of Medicare and Medicaid for seniors. We hope our efforts

will help produce positive changes in the

WEP/GPO penalties and help to protect

and strengthen Medicare.

You will soon notice positive changes in our Div. 52 commu-

nications! We are coming into the Digital Age by updating de-

livery of our “Bulletin Board” Newsletter to an Email format.

Our Div. 52 Executive Board has decided to reduce spiraling

printing and mailing costs by emailing our bi-monthly News-

letters to all new members and to all current members who

have registered their email address with CalRTA. Our Board

studied the issue and found that 49% of our members have

email addresses, and by emailing their Newsletters we could

reduce publication and postage costs by nearly half. Monies

saved could help fund other worthy Division projects. Please

note a separate article on page 2 for more information about

opting out for E-delivery in your next Newsletter.

Personally, I like having my Newsletter in full color in an

electronic format, because it is always at my fingertips when I need to check on trips and travel, legislative information,

health news, lists of new members and club activities. I create

a “Bulletin Board” file and drop in recent copies for easy ref-erence. Everyone can also go to our website div52.calrta.org

and read the Newsletters online at their convenience.

The Executive Board has also decided to keep Luncheon

Meeting meal costs at a reasonable level for our members by

subsidizing ever increasing catering costs. We hope this en-

dowment will allow more members to attend our luncheons.

And although I will not be president next year, may I thank

each and every person for their loyalty and service to the

Retired Teachers of California. As members of CalRTA, we

proudly offer scholarships to young people having completed

their two-year programs at DVC or LMC. These scholarships

help fund their last two years of college. We also support our

current teachers with teacher grants. It has been a distinct hon-

or to have been your Division president for my two-year term.

Remember…“Teachers Never Stop Caring.”

President’s MessageBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D., President June Luncheon Meeting

Program Committee, Pat Martin, ChairJune 7, 2017 AGENDA

Place: BOUNDARY OAK3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek

Cost: $27.00 for Luncheon only (includes tax & tip)Contact is Betty Hodge

11:00 a.m. Social Hour11:45 a.m. Luncheon & Business Meeting 1:00 p.m. Installation of Officers and introduction of 2017-18 Scholarship Recipients

Reservation deadline: Saturday, May 27, 2017NOTE: Any reservations postmarked or phoned in after

the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee.

Future luncheon dates & reservation deadlines:Wednesday, August 2, 2017 – Deadline July 22, 2017

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 – Deadline September 23, 2017

Program NotesWe will be honoring our Scholarship recipients and in-

stalling the 2017-18 officers as follows:

Lorrie Osborn, President TBD, First Vice President (Membership) Pat Martin, Second Vice President (Programs) Karen Yee, Recording Secretary Patty Waddington, Financial Secretary Rita Goldman, Treasurer Gil Leveroni, Newsletter Editor Barbara Diskowski, Past President

There will be no other programming scheduled for this luncheon. This will allow us to spend more time with our 2017 scholarship recipients. Members have commented to us how much they enjoy meeting and listening to our young scholars. Please plan on joining us on June 7th.

‡Boundary Oak is not considered a restaurant by the County & State Boards of Health. Therefore, they are not allowed to distribute take-home boxes to their patrons. On a more positive note, there will be wonderful ambience, good food, and best of all, plenty of parking with golf cart service, if needed.

June - July 2017

The BULLETIN BOARD is published bi-monthly by the

Diablo Vista Division 52 of the California Retired Teachers

Association. We are a non-profit organization which does not assume responsibility or liability for the safety or well-being

of participants in any of its activities.

President Barbara Diskowski

First Vice President Lorrie Osborn

Second Vice President Pat Martin

Recording Secretary Vivian Boyd

Corresponding Secretary Linda LaCasse/Karen Yee

Financial Secretary Patty Waddington

Treasurer Rita Goldman

Editor Gil Leveroni

Circulation Chair Ann Custer/Pat Martin

Past President Russ Rackow

Logging on to the CalRTA WebsiteVisit calrta.org – This takes you to the state association

website. You will need to login with your member ID and

password as follows:

Mbr ID:

Password:

Login:

You will find this on the address label on your Contact magazine.

Click on this and you are in the site.

Just browse by clicking on topics.

Your last name

William C. BatzeClark Brown

Elsie A. DoyleFay B. Fehd

Victoria MicuJudy J. Trette

Georgine SullivanBetty L. Underwood

                                           

CalRTA  Division  52  Diablo  Vista  met  with  Ms.  Shanelle  Scales-­‐Preston  to  talk  about  how  after-­‐  school  programs  are  so  vital  for  youngsters  whose  parents  have  long  commutes  and  arrive  late  after  work.  We  also  talked  about  how  the  Social  Security  penalties  associated  with  the  WEP/GPO  negatively  affect  retired  teachers.    From  left,  Karen  Yee,  Lorrie  Osborn,  Linda  Rae  Hall,  Ms.Shanelle  Scales-­‐Preston,  District  11  Director  for  Congressman  Mark  DeSaulnier,  Barbara  Diskowski,  Ed.D.  President  of  Div  52  and  Jeanne  Walker.  Cal  RTA  is  an  all-­‐volunteer  group  of  retired  teachers  and  supporters  of  public  Education.  We  were  impressed  with  Ms.  Shanelle’s  information  on  the  areas  we  discussed.    

 Local  Advocacy  Day    Meeting  in  Walnut  Creek  

Hop on the Bus, Gus!We will be moving into the electronic age by sending our

newsletters to all members who have email addresses. Not only are we being more environmentally conscious, but the cost savings on printing, paper and postage will allow us to redirect our resources toward other projects. If we have your email address but you prefer a print copy, please notify Lor-rie Osborn [jalosborn@gmail.com] or call her at 925-937-2898. If you have not yet registered your email address with CalRTA, please email Lorrie to opt in for E-delivery only.

Page 2 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Little Red School HouseLuncheon April 5, 2017

Little Red School House $419.00(proceeds go to the Scholarship Fund) Luncheon Attendance: 106

Page 7CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Day Trips 2017May 31, 2017 - SF Theater Outing - Roman Holiday at the Golden Gate. Cost: $80., BART, lunch OYO. TBA. Call Marge if there has been a cancellation.

June 15, 2017 - Captain Morgan's Delta Cruise: 2 1/2 hour narrated Delta Cruise to Stockton, lunch at Garlic Brothers on the dock, Cost $120. includes round trip cruise, lunch, and bus. Payment due. Wait list. Call Marge to see if there have been any cancellations.

July 12, 2017 - Angel Island: Bart to SF, Ferry to Angel Island, prepay for tram ride. $30. pp. Contact M. Bradford, 70 Flora Ct. PH, CA 94523.

August 16, 2017 - Filoli: Bus, Entrance, Guided Tour, Lunch. See the summer gardens! Price cut! $85. Payment due June 16, 2017.

September 26, 2017 - Monterey Aquarium: Cost: $40., Bus $35., Total $75. Lunch OYO. Payment due July 26, 2017.

October 14, 2017 - Jack London State Park: Tour in golf cart, lunch in Glen Ellen, Tour Downtown Sonoma. Cost: $85. Incl. bus, parking for bus, park entrance, guide, lunch. Payment due Aug. 16, 2017.

November 16, 2017 - Black Diamond Mines, Downtown Clayton: Incl. Museum. This trip will be guided by our own Adela Oldford and JoAnne Caspar. Cost $15. incl. mine and museum. Lunch at La Veranda OYO. Carpool. To reserve your spot call Adela at (925) 360-6305.

December 2, 2017 - Christmas Tea, Air Museum & Surprise Tour. Cost: Bus, tea, museum, tour: est. $90. Please sign up! You will not be disappointed! Payment due Oct. 2, 2017.

Senior SafarisMarge & Ed Hennigar, Safari DirectorsThe following trips are planned for the members of Diablo

Vista - Div. 52 and their friends. For more information and/or a flyer, please call Ed and Marge Hennigar at 1-707-246-9150 (cell), email: mhennigar@sbcglobal.net. For day trip information, contact either Marge or Adela Oldford at 1-925-672-9446.

3rd Annual Ashland Trip: September 2-8, 2017. Oregon Shakespeare Festival and more! Choice of 11 plays, Britt Mu-sic Festival, Cabaret Theater, Jet Boat ride, Ashland Springs Hotel downtown, dbl room size choices. Final planning meet-ing with cost sheets on Wed., May 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Denny's on Willow Pass Road. We are putting this trip to-gether with group discounts and lowest cost for ourselves and YOU! Call Marge.

Update! Changes! Mackinac Island, Grand Hotel, Niagra Falls!: October 13-20, 2017. Visit this unique island in Michi-gan, stepping back in time! No cars! Horse drawn carrige ride, Henry Ford Museum, Frankinmuth, MI Greenfield Village, Hydro floral clock, more! Home pickup, round trip air, Talbot Tours: (800) 663-9933. Total Cost incl. air, pp dbl $3075.

Discover Thailand: Nov. 1-16, 2017. OAT-Questions? There is one shared space available. Call Margaret Bradford at

1-925-798-8748 for information.

Royal Clipper Windward Island, Caribbean: January

20-27, 2018. Clipper Deck, Price Drop! Commodore decks,

$2264. incl all fees and taxes w/o air, Call Talbot Tours (800)

662-9933.

Treasurer’s ReportRita Goldman, TreasurerFinancial Report for Period 1/31/16 - 3/31/17Checking Acct. Balance Western CU (1/31/17) 5,664.00INCOME

State Dues 2,778.00Luncheons 2,250.00See’s Candy .00Miscellaneous .00 $5,228.00Total Income for Period $10,892.00

DISBURSEMENTSBudgeted Items 4,769.00Luncheons 3,395.00See's Candy .00Total Disbursements for Period $9,122.00

Balance in Checking Acct. $1,770.00Western Money Market $10,421.00Western Savings Account $26.00TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE $12,217.00

June - July 2017June - July 2017

Local Advocacy Day Meeting in Walnut CreekCalRTA Division 52 Diablo Vista met with Ms. Shanelle

Scales-Preston to talk about how after-school programs are so vital for youngsters whose parents have long commutes and arrive late after work. We also talked about how the Social Security penalties associated with the WEP/GPO negatively affect retired teachers. From left, Karen Yee, Lorrie Osborn, Linda Rae Hall, Ms. Shanelle Scales-Preston, District 11 Director for Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Barbara Diskowski, Ed.D. President of Div 52 and Jeanne Walker. Cal RTA is an all-volunteer group of retired teachers and supporters of public Education. We were impressed with Ms. Shanelle’s information on the areas we discussed.

CalRTA T-Shirts for Sale“Teachers Never Stop Caring” black and white with

CalRTA patch T-Shirts with www.CalRTA.org on the back are available in sizes Large, XLarge, XXLarge and XXXLarge. Order yours today, taxes and postage included. This is a great way to Brand CalRTA with the public. Call 925-639-9787 for information or send your orders and checks at $20.00 each payable to CalRTA–Div.52 to B. Diskowski, 2085 Banbury Road, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598.

MembershipLorrie Osborn, 1-925-937-2898Diablo Vista Totals through March 31, 2017

Dues Deduct 579Cash Members 434Life Members 51Total 1,064Unpaid Cash Members 46

Welcome New MembersPat Brown

Kathleen A. CurranDonna Davis

Sheila Driscoll

Michael HolmesJoan K. MartinWilliam SotoLietta Wood

For every extra kilogram carried on a space flight,530 kg of excess fuel are needed at lift off.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 Luncheon MeetingPlease note that any reservations postmarked or phoned after the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee. You are encouraged to make your luncheon reservations ASAP to avoid last minute problems. NO reservations will be accepted on the day of the luncheon. (Whether by phone or mail, a reservation paid is a reservation made!)

11:00 a.m. Social Hour11:45 a.m. Luncheon, Business Meeting1:00 p.m. ProgramReservation deadline: May 27, 2017Mail check to Betty Hodge4939 Laurel Road, Concord, CA 94521

Boundary Oak3800 Valley Vista Rd., Walnut Creek

(Remember to carpool!)$27.00 payable to CalRTA-52

NAME

FREE LUNCHES TO:Nancy Treichelt

Joanne ZinkCongratulations!

MEMBER NEWMEMBER

GUEST FIRSTTIME

CHICKENPARMESAN

ALASKANCOD

(VEG) STUFFEDCANNELLONI

PHONE #

Please provide phone numbers for ALL guests and first time new members.

 

 

       Div.  52  Luncheon  Members  of  the  Month  

Members  of  the  Month  for  April  were  from  left,  Treasurer,  Rita  Goldman,  Hospitality  Chair,  Nellie  Hinds,  Joan  Lundahl,  Golden  Agers’  Chair  and  President,  Barbara  Diskowski.  These  members  are  being  recognized  for  their  special  efforts  on  behalf  of  CalRTA  Division  52.    

The three members of the month for April were from left, Treasurer, Rita Goldman, Hospitality Chair, Nellie Hinds, Joan Lundahl, Golden Agers’ Chair and President, Barbara Diskowski, as presenter. These members are being recog-nized for their special efforts on behalf of Diablo Vista.

Advocating EquityLinda Rae Hall, Div.52, Legislative Co-Chair

Division 52 was proud to send a Leg-islative Team to Washington D.C. to participate in CalRTA Advocacy Day on April 26th. Our team members met with our U.S. Representatives there to ad-dress the importance of Social Security fairness and the security and affordabil-ity of Medicare for retired educators.

Our local Legislative Team was also busy in April, meeting with the senior staff of U. S. Represen-tative Mark DeSaulnier in Walnut Creek and U.S. Represen-tative Mike Thompson on Mare Island, to discuss the merits of H.R. 1205 “Social Security Fairness Act 2017-2018.” This new bill, which would completely repeal WEP/GPO penal-ties for teachers and all public employees, was recently writ-ten and introduced into the House by Representative Rodney Davis (R-Illinois.) It has been sent to the Ways and Means Committee for further discussion.

Representative DeSaulnier has already shown his support by signing on to co-sponsor H.R. 1205. In fact, three out of four of our federally elected U.S. Representatives in Contra Costa County, Mark DeSaulnier – District #11, Jerry Mc-Nerney- District #9 and Eric Swalwell -District #15, have stepped up to co-sign this newly proposed Social Security Equity legislation. We will continue to encourage Rep. Mike Thompson – District #5 to sign on as a co-sponsor.

There is some good news to report on the continuing CalR-TA campaign to convince Governor Jerry Brown to appoint a retired teacher to the CalSTRS Governing Board. They are currently interviewing candidates…maybe they read your 200 postcards!! Thank you Div. 52 members for your politi-cal action!

Page 6 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 3CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Scholarship Foundation GiftGifts may be as memorials, in honor of someone or to assist

the Foundation in recognition of worthy students.

This Donation is Made In honor of In memory of

Name

A memorial or celebration card will be sent with no mention of amount to the person(s) you name below:

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

Make check payable and mail to:Diablo Vista Scholarship FoundationP.O. Box 4292, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Memorials and Honors will appear in the newsletter, but amounts will not appear. Your gift is tax deductible. Please provide your information below.

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

California Retired Teachers Membership Enrollment FormMail to: Lorrie Osborn ~ 250 Donegal Way, Martinez, CA 94553

Name: Phone: ( ) Email:

Address: City: State/Zip:

Social Security # (required for Dues Deduct* only) District retired from:

New Member or Renewing Member in Diablo Vista Division 52

Please check your selected payment method: *Dues deduction of $4.50 monthly: I authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) to deduct my Association dues. Should the amount of dues be

adjusted, as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTA business office, in writing, to the contrary. To terminate dues deduction, I agree to make my request in writing to the CalRTA office.

Cash: $54 annually (Include a $54 one-time check payable to CalRTA.)

Signature Date

LegislationBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D. CalRTA Area IV Government Relations Co-Representative and Div.52 Legislative ChairAs you are reading this article, Area IV Divisions 2, 49, 52,

58 59, 85, and 91 will have made their local visits with their Federal Congressmen and women.

We are represented in Area IV by the following representatives:Congressman Mike Thompson, District 5, Vallejo,phone: 1-707-645-1888 Congressman Jerry McNerney, District 9, Antioch, phone: 1-925-754-0716 Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, District 11, Walnut Creek, phone: 1-925-933-2660, Richmond, phone: 1-510-620-1000Congresswoman Barbara Lee, District 13, Oakland, phone: 1-510-763-0370Congressman Eric Swalwell, District 15, Hayward, phone: 1-510-370-3322 and Pleasanton 925-460-5100Congressman Ro Khanna, District 17, Santa Clara,phone: 1-408-436-2720.To make an appointment to see your Congressman’s office,

contact his or her scheduler at the phone numbers listed locally.

Div. 2 Oakland and Div. 49 Berkeley keep in close touch with Barbara Lee. Diablo Vista members see Congressmen Mike Thompson, Martinez and Benicia, Div. 58 meet with Con-gressman Mark DeSaulnier West County and Walnut Creek, Div. 59, Hayward with Eric Swalwell, Div. 85, Tri Valley also with Eric Swalwell, Div. 91 the Fun Division (Fremont Union city and Newark) contact Ro Khanna in Santa Clara. My hus-band Bob and I represented our Division along with Marge and Ed Hennigar.

On Wednesday, April 26, we met with Congressman Bar-bara Lee’s staff, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s staff, Con-gressman Eric Swalwell, and Congressman Ro Khanna. We were able to drop in to visit both Mike Thompson’s and Jerry McNerney’s office staff. During our Congressional visits, we left our Representatives some packets of information about CalRTA and the Core Goals of our organization. We spoke to the new HR Bill 1205 and the Social Security Fairness Act of 2017, which fully repeals the Windfall Elimination (con't)

A Scholarship Foundation Historical TourFor several years, the Executive Board of Division 52 had

been awarding small scholarships to students who were at-tending Diablo Valley College or Los Medanos College and going on to higher education. The Executive Board met in August 1981 after deciding it was time to consider the ad-vantages of forming a scholarship foundation. A committee was formed of members and several proposals were pre-sented to the Division Board. Approval was given to estab-lish the Scholarship Foundation later in 1981.

An incorporation committee, chaired by Charles Carlson, was formed in 1982 and articles of incorporation were ap-proved by the state that year.

Currently, the fourteen members of the Board of Directors are responsible for the governance of the Foundation, and annually establish the number and amounts of the scholar-ship awards that are consistent with available funds. A fif-teenth member would be the current Division 52 president, who serves as ex-officio with voting rights.

A five-member Award Selection Committee reviews the applications submitted to the college scholarship offices by graduating junior college students. The committee presents the names of the finalists to the Board of Directors for final approval. The recipients are chosen based on the students’ level of academic achievements, community service, lead-ership, citizenship, and the extent of financial need. At least one award is reserved for an applicant choosing teaching as a career, and another for a reentry (con't top right)

In AppreciationThank you to those who have made gifts to the Scholarship Foundation in honor or in memory of members of the teaching profession and loved ones. (Gifts made from 2/6/17 – 4/10/17).

In Memory of: Donor:John Cambus Shirley ParentJohn Cambus Joan ThisiusJohn Cambus Betty HodgeTed Brekke Julie & Jeff Martin Ted Brekke Sari KulbergBetty Lambert Templeton Eloise WightBetty Lambert Templeton Shirley & Al WinwardBetty Lambert Templeton Patricia GravesJohn Osborn Linda HuffmanJohn Osborn Gary PasseyJohn Osborn Anne HaydockJohn Osborn Janet SpencerJohn Osborn Gil LeveroniJohn Osborn Cal FagerbourgJohn Osborn Dick & Shannon MerrillJohn Osborn Betty HodgeJohn Osborn Linda OgdenJohn Osborn Joan FalligantJohn Osborn Andree MoranJohn Osborn Gail Jennings Dorothy Epperson Joyce ParsonMartha McLean Ralph & Marjorie LubeckNancy Piedmonte Lorraine ForceBud Brinkerhoff Grace MaesJudy Trette Fred & Georgine SullivanJudy Trette Richard RoosRega Dale Porter Ann & Reed CusterLauren Fickett Gail JenningsSteven Prado Joyce & Nils ParsonJoe Ovick Barbara DiskowskiMargaret Mutti Barbara Diskowski

In Honor of: Donor:Diablo Vista Scholarship Yvonne MossDiablo Vista Scholarship AnonymousMartha Riley Barbara DiskowskiPat Seaman Barbara Diskowski

woman over the age of twenty-five.The treasurer then tracks the current year recipients over

the next two years. In order to receive their payments in equal installments, each recipient must submit proof of en-rollment for both years and transcripts for each quarter or semester. All work must average a “C” grade or better.

Money for the scholarships comes from donations, me-morials, fund raisers, annual appeals and bequests. Since our inception, about one hundred recipients have received award totals of over $200,000. All our award selectees are chosen from DVC or LMC.

The Foundation has always been well-served by many ded-icated members, and Diablo Vista Division 52 owes them a debt of gratitude.

Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) now in the Ways and Means Committee. We also illustrated how vital Medicare is for seniors. Contact your representa-tives’ offices to let them know that it is very important to you that they co-sponsor this bill. Go to www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1205 for more information.

June - July 2017 June - July 2017

Page 4 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 5CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Membership NewsLorrie Osborn Summer is quickly approaching and many

of our working colleagues are yearning for their well-deserved days of relaxation. And for a few lucky ones, retirement may be the reward for their years of dedicated service! Please tell your friends and colleagues that CalRTA is fighting to protect their pensions and benefits, establish Social Security

fairness, and preserve and enhance Medicare. Invite folks to check out our website, Div52.CalRTA.org, where they may read our Bulletin Board and get an update on our activities. Of course, invite them to our lunches and travel opportunities. Remember that a person does not have to be an educator to join; we are increasing our membership with people who enjoy our events and support our goals!Our Pre-Retirement workshop was a big success at Los

Medanos College. The room was filled with close to 100 people and Eva Lau, our CalSTRS speaker, gave the participants an abundance of information and answered many questions. I’d like to thank all of the people who worked on putting the workshop together; Barbara Diskowski, Linda Hall, Karen Yee, Patty Waddington, Pat Seaman, Cal Fagerbourg, Rita Goldman, Andree Moran, Nellie Hines, Delia Hewins, Janet Spencer, Kat King, Joan Falligant, Russ Rackow, Lynne Terril, Barbara Hornstein, Helen Cryer, Claudia Bass, Bob Diskowski, and yours truly. The participants were asked to evaluate the workshop and 71% of them gave us a 5 out of 5! That’s a good indication that this information is truly needed. We plan to do another workshop in the 2017-18 year.We will also be present on May 10th at the Contra Costa

County Office of Education celebration for their retirees and currently working teachers.If you have ideas on how to reach retiring educators or know of

district events, we’d love to hear about them! Our effectiveness is only as strong as our membership.

Directory ChangesPlease note this new information in your directories. Name

changes can only be made by the person by calling CalRTA at 1-800-523-2782 or writing to CalRTA Office, 800 Howe Ave., Suite 370, Sacramento, CA 95825.

Susan Bonilla3351 42nd St.

Sacramento, CA 95817-3721

Helen D. Chase1849 Cleveland Ct.Concord, CA 94521

Patricia Crutcher491 Discovery Rd., Apt. 130

Port Townsend, WA 98368-6137

Donna Davis160 Kaupea St.

Makawao, HI 96768-8013

Keith E. Dawson3801 Roberts Rd.

Ceres, CA 95307-6619

Marcia D’Ottavio1266 Stonebridge Dr.

Lodi, CA 95747

Barbara Gustafson35421 1st Ave. S, Apt. B

Federal Way, WA 98003-7050

Charlotte Hollenbeck123 Rangewood Dr.

Pittsburg, CA 94565-6442

Muriel S. JohnsonP.O. Box 257

Little River, CA 95456-0257

Janice MacDougall321 W Prospect Ave.

Danville, CA 94526-3918

Evelyn T. Mirault355 W Central Ave., Apt. 234Springboro, OH 45066-1296

Yvonne Moss649 Main St. #160

Martinez, CA 94553-1137

Laura O. Muceus1404 Milbanke Dr. SE

Olympia, WA 98513-7796

Doris H. Mullin1700 Tice Valley Blvd., Apt. 210Walnut Creek, CA 94595-1641

DVRTA Linked with Community College Teachers

Pat SeamanPat Seaman represented CalRTA and Division 52 recently

at the United Faculty Health, Benefits and Retirement Conference. For several years our Division has given $5,000 scholarships to DVC and LMC graduates, but there has been few Community College members. This year, our pre-retirement workshop was held at LMC, and community college faculty from all over Contra Costa attended. The satellite campus in Brentwood had invited us to present another pre-retirement workshop at their site and invite the K-12 teachers from East County. Want to help organize? Contact Lorrie Osborn.

The Community College teachers are very aware of the WEP/GPO and the attacks of public pensions and want to work with us! What I learned from them is that after retirement many community college teachers lose contact with other educators. They also lose the social attachment, the political attachment and the opportunity for leadership.

If you know active or retired community college teachers, ask them to join us! We are happy to partner FACCC (Faculty Association of California Community Colleges) with CalRTA to achieve common goals.

Day of the TeacherThe month of May has several days celebrating the

outstanding work of teachers. Tuesday May 2nd is “National Teacher Appreciation Day”. May 1-5 is “National Teacher Appreciation Week” and the second Wednesday in May is designated as California’s “Day of the Teacher”.

It originated in 1982 in accordance with California’s Education Code. As retired educators, we need to show our support for our colleagues, especially during difficult financial times.

This year, California’s Day of the Teacher, celebrated on May 10, unfortunately coincides with delivery of the newsletter that you may now be reading. However, why do we only use one day or week of the year to personally thank a teacher or encourage young people we know to consider teaching as a rewarding profession? We could involve ourselves in some activity which directs attention to teachers and the teaching profession whenever an opportunity presents itself on any day or month throughout the year.

2017 Laura E. Settle Merit Award WinnerPat Seaman Named

Pat Seaman was this year’s recipient of our Laura E. Settle Merit Award. She was recognized for her many years as outstanding educational and community leader. The award was presented by Dick Merrill.

The story of our 2017 recipient began when she was born in Kansas City and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from Bethany College in West Virginia with majors in Art And Education. Her student teaching was in rural Appalachia, but her first teaching job was back in her hometown of Westfield, New Jersey.

She moved to California in 1970 having never even visited there. Art teaching jobs were scarce so she went to graduate school and completed her 1st MA in special Ed at San Francisco University.

What a career of diversity she has had! To many, teaching art, Special Education and Computers may seem like an odd combination. She went on from teaching Art in Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles to Computers at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek. She has worked in 11 school districts in CCCounty and worked with all grade levels. Pat had won many awards over the years, but most notable was CCC office of Education teacher of the year in 1986 and CalRTA’s Ed Ely Award for Outstanding Communications in 2014. Pat married Rod Kilcoyne in 2004. Soon afterward, at Dan Pope’s insistence, she joined CalRTA and Joan Thisius convinced her to teach teachers at Brandman University.

In Diablo Vista she first served in division and state membership committees before becoming Division 52 President. Pat re-tooled our Diablo Vista membership directory and has been a cheerleader for many Diablo Vista changes in the last decade. Since 2012 she has been the Area IV Director, but hasn’t stopped being at board meetings and participating in other division 52 activities.

In the broader community, she serves on the Chapter Advisory Board of the American Sewing Guild, which provides clothing and bedding for foster children, veterans, and others, from blankets for preemies to mending for folks in assisted living.

Does she have time for other interests? Anyone who knows her well soon learns that she has an inspirational mother-in-law who is now 104! Pat visits Millie almost every day. She also enjoys sewing jackets and other sewing requests for her family. But her long-time passion is her kaleidoscope collection! No visit to her home is complete without seeing her latest scope!

She says she is too young to receive this award since she will not even be 70 for 3 more days. Congratulations Pat!

Volunteer Hours ReportPatty Waddington Sixty-four members responded to the call of reporting their

volunteer hours from March 1st, 2016 to February 28, 2017. This number represents only about 6% of our total membership. However, this relatively small percentage reported an astounding total of 24,888 volunteer hours of service to our community.

Many of the volunteers represented a variety of work; such as, Singing Messengers, Assistance League, ARF, volunteer tutoring of children, immigrants and seniors, archiving docs for the CCC Historical Society, charity bicycle racing, assistant coaching, and helping the Concord Blue Devils. This was in addition to work at airports, hospitals, schools, churches, synagogues and cultural groups.

If you didn’t report your hours this year, please consider getting involved for our 2018 survey. Next year, the form will be available on our website and the Directory, as well as an insert in our January newsletter or emailed to you as an attachment.

The purpose of this survey is to enhance the image of CalRTA by informing the public, our legislators, and our membership of volunteer community services rendered by CalRTA members. Teachers never stop giving! Thanks to all our volunteers!

Lois E. Payne150 Cortona Way, Apt. 309

Brentwood, CA 94513-7170

Betty T. Potts672 Baldwin Dr.

Brentwood, CA 94513-6907

Arthur M. Poulin1153 Lea Dr.

Novato, CA 94545-3305

Marie R. Prichett8415 Island Dr. S

Seattle, WA 98118-4731

Patricia M. Raines10713 E Arrowvale Dr.

Chandler, AZ 85248-7743

Karen Sakata77 Santa Barbara Rd.

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-4215

Nellina E. Strong110 41st St.

Oakland, CA 94611-5250

Martha Doerr Toppin1722 Comstock Dr.

Walnut Creek, CA 94595-2469

William J. Walsh175 Cleaveland Rd., Apt. 256Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-7100

Nancy Walton1148 Fairlawn Ct., Apt. 1

Walnut Creek, CA 94595-2870

Jill Warren395 Devon Chase HL, Unit 5902

Gallatin,TN 37066-6770

Margaret G. Wilcox3255 Villa Ln., Apt. 203Napa, CA 94558-3031

April Luncheon T hankYou

Many thanks to Joan Lundahl for planning this Golden Ager event again this year. We had a great time and

we look forward to doing it again next year! She was ably assisted by Chris Walters.

Did you know?The dot over the letter “i” is called a tittle.

June - July 2017 June - July 2017

Page 4 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 5CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Membership NewsLorrie Osborn Summer is quickly approaching and many

of our working colleagues are yearning for their well-deserved days of relaxation. And for a few lucky ones, retirement may be the reward for their years of dedicated service! Please tell your friends and colleagues that CalRTA is fighting to protect their pensions and benefits, establish Social Security

fairness, and preserve and enhance Medicare. Invite folks to check out our website, Div52.CalRTA.org, where they may read our Bulletin Board and get an update on our activities. Of course, invite them to our lunches and travel opportunities. Remember that a person does not have to be an educator to join; we are increasing our membership with people who enjoy our events and support our goals!Our Pre-Retirement workshop was a big success at Los

Medanos College. The room was filled with close to 100 people and Eva Lau, our CalSTRS speaker, gave the participants an abundance of information and answered many questions. I’d like to thank all of the people who worked on putting the workshop together; Barbara Diskowski, Linda Hall, Karen Yee, Patty Waddington, Pat Seaman, Cal Fagerbourg, Rita Goldman, Andree Moran, Nellie Hines, Delia Hewins, Janet Spencer, Kat King, Joan Falligant, Russ Rackow, Lynne Terril, Barbara Hornstein, Helen Cryer, Claudia Bass, Bob Diskowski, and yours truly. The participants were asked to evaluate the workshop and 71% of them gave us a 5 out of 5! That’s a good indication that this information is truly needed. We plan to do another workshop in the 2017-18 year.We will also be present on May 10th at the Contra Costa

County Office of Education celebration for their retirees and currently working teachers.If you have ideas on how to reach retiring educators or know of

district events, we’d love to hear about them! Our effectiveness is only as strong as our membership.

Directory ChangesPlease note this new information in your directories. Name

changes can only be made by the person by calling CalRTA at 1-800-523-2782 or writing to CalRTA Office, 800 Howe Ave., Suite 370, Sacramento, CA 95825.

Susan Bonilla3351 42nd St.

Sacramento, CA 95817-3721

Helen D. Chase1849 Cleveland Ct.Concord, CA 94521

Patricia Crutcher491 Discovery Rd., Apt. 130

Port Townsend, WA 98368-6137

Donna Davis160 Kaupea St.

Makawao, HI 96768-8013

Keith E. Dawson3801 Roberts Rd.

Ceres, CA 95307-6619

Marcia D’Ottavio1266 Stonebridge Dr.

Lodi, CA 95747

Barbara Gustafson35421 1st Ave. S, Apt. B

Federal Way, WA 98003-7050

Charlotte Hollenbeck123 Rangewood Dr.

Pittsburg, CA 94565-6442

Muriel S. JohnsonP.O. Box 257

Little River, CA 95456-0257

Janice MacDougall321 W Prospect Ave.

Danville, CA 94526-3918

Evelyn T. Mirault355 W Central Ave., Apt. 234Springboro, OH 45066-1296

Yvonne Moss649 Main St. #160

Martinez, CA 94553-1137

Laura O. Muceus1404 Milbanke Dr. SE

Olympia, WA 98513-7796

Doris H. Mullin1700 Tice Valley Blvd., Apt. 210Walnut Creek, CA 94595-1641

DVRTA Linked with Community College Teachers

Pat SeamanPat Seaman represented CalRTA and Division 52 recently

at the United Faculty Health, Benefits and Retirement Conference. For several years our Division has given $5,000 scholarships to DVC and LMC graduates, but there has been few Community College members. This year, our pre-retirement workshop was held at LMC, and community college faculty from all over Contra Costa attended. The satellite campus in Brentwood had invited us to present another pre-retirement workshop at their site and invite the K-12 teachers from East County. Want to help organize? Contact Lorrie Osborn.

The Community College teachers are very aware of the WEP/GPO and the attacks of public pensions and want to work with us! What I learned from them is that after retirement many community college teachers lose contact with other educators. They also lose the social attachment, the political attachment and the opportunity for leadership.

If you know active or retired community college teachers, ask them to join us! We are happy to partner FACCC (Faculty Association of California Community Colleges) with CalRTA to achieve common goals.

Day of the TeacherThe month of May has several days celebrating the

outstanding work of teachers. Tuesday May 2nd is “National Teacher Appreciation Day”. May 1-5 is “National Teacher Appreciation Week” and the second Wednesday in May is designated as California’s “Day of the Teacher”.

It originated in 1982 in accordance with California’s Education Code. As retired educators, we need to show our support for our colleagues, especially during difficult financial times.

This year, California’s Day of the Teacher, celebrated on May 10, unfortunately coincides with delivery of the newsletter that you may now be reading. However, why do we only use one day or week of the year to personally thank a teacher or encourage young people we know to consider teaching as a rewarding profession? We could involve ourselves in some activity which directs attention to teachers and the teaching profession whenever an opportunity presents itself on any day or month throughout the year.

2017 Laura E. Settle Merit Award WinnerPat Seaman Named

Pat Seaman was this year’s recipient of our Laura E. Settle Merit Award. She was recognized for her many years as outstanding educational and community leader. The award was presented by Dick Merrill.

The story of our 2017 recipient began when she was born in Kansas City and raised in New Jersey. She graduated from Bethany College in West Virginia with majors in Art And Education. Her student teaching was in rural Appalachia, but her first teaching job was back in her hometown of Westfield, New Jersey.

She moved to California in 1970 having never even visited there. Art teaching jobs were scarce so she went to graduate school and completed her 1st MA in special Ed at San Francisco University.

What a career of diversity she has had! To many, teaching art, Special Education and Computers may seem like an odd combination. She went on from teaching Art in Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles to Computers at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek. She has worked in 11 school districts in CCCounty and worked with all grade levels. Pat had won many awards over the years, but most notable was CCC office of Education teacher of the year in 1986 and CalRTA’s Ed Ely Award for Outstanding Communications in 2014. Pat married Rod Kilcoyne in 2004. Soon afterward, at Dan Pope’s insistence, she joined CalRTA and Joan Thisius convinced her to teach teachers at Brandman University.

In Diablo Vista she first served in division and state membership committees before becoming Division 52 President. Pat re-tooled our Diablo Vista membership directory and has been a cheerleader for many Diablo Vista changes in the last decade. Since 2012 she has been the Area IV Director, but hasn’t stopped being at board meetings and participating in other division 52 activities.

In the broader community, she serves on the Chapter Advisory Board of the American Sewing Guild, which provides clothing and bedding for foster children, veterans, and others, from blankets for preemies to mending for folks in assisted living.

Does she have time for other interests? Anyone who knows her well soon learns that she has an inspirational mother-in-law who is now 104! Pat visits Millie almost every day. She also enjoys sewing jackets and other sewing requests for her family. But her long-time passion is her kaleidoscope collection! No visit to her home is complete without seeing her latest scope!

She says she is too young to receive this award since she will not even be 70 for 3 more days. Congratulations Pat!

Volunteer Hours ReportPatty Waddington Sixty-four members responded to the call of reporting their

volunteer hours from March 1st, 2016 to February 28, 2017. This number represents only about 6% of our total membership. However, this relatively small percentage reported an astounding total of 24,888 volunteer hours of service to our community.

Many of the volunteers represented a variety of work; such as, Singing Messengers, Assistance League, ARF, volunteer tutoring of children, immigrants and seniors, archiving docs for the CCC Historical Society, charity bicycle racing, assistant coaching, and helping the Concord Blue Devils. This was in addition to work at airports, hospitals, schools, churches, synagogues and cultural groups.

If you didn’t report your hours this year, please consider getting involved for our 2018 survey. Next year, the form will be available on our website and the Directory, as well as an insert in our January newsletter or emailed to you as an attachment.

The purpose of this survey is to enhance the image of CalRTA by informing the public, our legislators, and our membership of volunteer community services rendered by CalRTA members. Teachers never stop giving! Thanks to all our volunteers!

Lois E. Payne150 Cortona Way, Apt. 309

Brentwood, CA 94513-7170

Betty T. Potts672 Baldwin Dr.

Brentwood, CA 94513-6907

Arthur M. Poulin1153 Lea Dr.

Novato, CA 94545-3305

Marie R. Prichett8415 Island Dr. S

Seattle, WA 98118-4731

Patricia M. Raines10713 E Arrowvale Dr.

Chandler, AZ 85248-7743

Karen Sakata77 Santa Barbara Rd.

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-4215

Nellina E. Strong110 41st St.

Oakland, CA 94611-5250

Martha Doerr Toppin1722 Comstock Dr.

Walnut Creek, CA 94595-2469

William J. Walsh175 Cleaveland Rd., Apt. 256Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-7100

Nancy Walton1148 Fairlawn Ct., Apt. 1

Walnut Creek, CA 94595-2870

Jill Warren395 Devon Chase HL, Unit 5902

Gallatin,TN 37066-6770

Margaret G. Wilcox3255 Villa Ln., Apt. 203Napa, CA 94558-3031

April Luncheon T hankYou

Many thanks to Joan Lundahl for planning this Golden Ager event again this year. We had a great time and

we look forward to doing it again next year! She was ably assisted by Chris Walters.

Did you know?The dot over the letter “i” is called a tittle.

June - July 2017 June - July 2017

Advocating EquityLinda Rae Hall, Div.52, Legislative Co-Chair

Division 52 was proud to send a Leg-islative Team to Washington D.C. to participate in CalRTA Advocacy Day on April 26th. Our team members met with our U.S. Representatives there to ad-dress the importance of Social Security fairness and the security and affordabil-ity of Medicare for retired educators.

Our local Legislative Team was also busy in April, meeting with the senior staff of U. S. Represen-tative Mark DeSaulnier in Walnut Creek and U.S. Represen-tative Mike Thompson on Mare Island, to discuss the merits of H.R. 1205 “Social Security Fairness Act 2017-2018.” This new bill, which would completely repeal WEP/GPO penal-ties for teachers and all public employees, was recently writ-ten and introduced into the House by Representative Rodney Davis (R-Illinois.) It has been sent to the Ways and Means Committee for further discussion.

Representative DeSaulnier has already shown his support by signing on to co-sponsor H.R. 1205. In fact, three out of four of our federally elected U.S. Representatives in Contra Costa County, Mark DeSaulnier – District #11, Jerry Mc-Nerney- District #9 and Eric Swalwell -District #15, have stepped up to co-sign this newly proposed Social Security Equity legislation. We will continue to encourage Rep. Mike Thompson – District #5 to sign on as a co-sponsor.

There is some good news to report on the continuing CalR-TA campaign to convince Governor Jerry Brown to appoint a retired teacher to the CalSTRS Governing Board. They are currently interviewing candidates…maybe they read your 200 postcards!! Thank you Div. 52 members for your politi-cal action!

Page 6 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD Page 3CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Scholarship Foundation GiftGifts may be as memorials, in honor of someone or to assist

the Foundation in recognition of worthy students.

This Donation is Made In honor of In memory of

Name

A memorial or celebration card will be sent with no mention of amount to the person(s) you name below:

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

Make check payable and mail to:Diablo Vista Scholarship FoundationP.O. Box 4292, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Memorials and Honors will appear in the newsletter, but amounts will not appear. Your gift is tax deductible. Please provide your information below.

Name

Address

City: State/Zip:

California Retired Teachers Membership Enrollment FormMail to: Lorrie Osborn ~ 250 Donegal Way, Martinez, CA 94553

Name: Phone: ( ) Email:

Address: City: State/Zip:

Social Security # (required for Dues Deduct* only) District retired from:

New Member or Renewing Member in Diablo Vista Division 52

Please check your selected payment method: *Dues deduction of $4.50 monthly: I authorize the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS) to deduct my Association dues. Should the amount of dues be

adjusted, as deemed necessary by CalRTA, I authorize that the adjusted deductions shall continue unless I notify the CalRTA business office, in writing, to the contrary. To terminate dues deduction, I agree to make my request in writing to the CalRTA office.

Cash: $54 annually (Include a $54 one-time check payable to CalRTA.)

Signature Date

LegislationBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D. CalRTA Area IV Government Relations Co-Representative and Div.52 Legislative ChairAs you are reading this article, Area IV Divisions 2, 49, 52,

58 59, 85, and 91 will have made their local visits with their Federal Congressmen and women.

We are represented in Area IV by the following representatives:Congressman Mike Thompson, District 5, Vallejo,phone: 1-707-645-1888 Congressman Jerry McNerney, District 9, Antioch, phone: 1-925-754-0716 Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, District 11, Walnut Creek, phone: 1-925-933-2660, Richmond, phone: 1-510-620-1000Congresswoman Barbara Lee, District 13, Oakland, phone: 1-510-763-0370Congressman Eric Swalwell, District 15, Hayward, phone: 1-510-370-3322 and Pleasanton 925-460-5100Congressman Ro Khanna, District 17, Santa Clara,phone: 1-408-436-2720.To make an appointment to see your Congressman’s office,

contact his or her scheduler at the phone numbers listed locally.

Div. 2 Oakland and Div. 49 Berkeley keep in close touch with Barbara Lee. Diablo Vista members see Congressmen Mike Thompson, Martinez and Benicia, Div. 58 meet with Con-gressman Mark DeSaulnier West County and Walnut Creek, Div. 59, Hayward with Eric Swalwell, Div. 85, Tri Valley also with Eric Swalwell, Div. 91 the Fun Division (Fremont Union city and Newark) contact Ro Khanna in Santa Clara. My hus-band Bob and I represented our Division along with Marge and Ed Hennigar.

On Wednesday, April 26, we met with Congressman Bar-bara Lee’s staff, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier’s staff, Con-gressman Eric Swalwell, and Congressman Ro Khanna. We were able to drop in to visit both Mike Thompson’s and Jerry McNerney’s office staff. During our Congressional visits, we left our Representatives some packets of information about CalRTA and the Core Goals of our organization. We spoke to the new HR Bill 1205 and the Social Security Fairness Act of 2017, which fully repeals the Windfall Elimination (con't)

A Scholarship Foundation Historical TourFor several years, the Executive Board of Division 52 had

been awarding small scholarships to students who were at-tending Diablo Valley College or Los Medanos College and going on to higher education. The Executive Board met in August 1981 after deciding it was time to consider the ad-vantages of forming a scholarship foundation. A committee was formed of members and several proposals were pre-sented to the Division Board. Approval was given to estab-lish the Scholarship Foundation later in 1981.

An incorporation committee, chaired by Charles Carlson, was formed in 1982 and articles of incorporation were ap-proved by the state that year.

Currently, the fourteen members of the Board of Directors are responsible for the governance of the Foundation, and annually establish the number and amounts of the scholar-ship awards that are consistent with available funds. A fif-teenth member would be the current Division 52 president, who serves as ex-officio with voting rights.

A five-member Award Selection Committee reviews the applications submitted to the college scholarship offices by graduating junior college students. The committee presents the names of the finalists to the Board of Directors for final approval. The recipients are chosen based on the students’ level of academic achievements, community service, lead-ership, citizenship, and the extent of financial need. At least one award is reserved for an applicant choosing teaching as a career, and another for a reentry (con't top right)

In AppreciationThank you to those who have made gifts to the Scholarship Foundation in honor or in memory of members of the teaching profession and loved ones. (Gifts made from 2/6/17 – 4/10/17).

In Memory of: Donor:John Cambus Shirley ParentJohn Cambus Joan ThisiusJohn Cambus Betty HodgeTed Brekke Julie & Jeff Martin Ted Brekke Sari KulbergBetty Lambert Templeton Eloise WightBetty Lambert Templeton Shirley & Al WinwardBetty Lambert Templeton Patricia GravesJohn Osborn Linda HuffmanJohn Osborn Gary PasseyJohn Osborn Anne HaydockJohn Osborn Janet SpencerJohn Osborn Gil LeveroniJohn Osborn Cal FagerbourgJohn Osborn Dick & Shannon MerrillJohn Osborn Betty HodgeJohn Osborn Linda OgdenJohn Osborn Joan FalligantJohn Osborn Andree MoranJohn Osborn Gail Jennings Dorothy Epperson Joyce ParsonMartha McLean Ralph & Marjorie LubeckNancy Piedmonte Lorraine ForceBud Brinkerhoff Grace MaesJudy Trette Fred & Georgine SullivanJudy Trette Richard RoosRega Dale Porter Ann & Reed CusterLauren Fickett Gail JenningsSteven Prado Joyce & Nils ParsonJoe Ovick Barbara DiskowskiMargaret Mutti Barbara Diskowski

In Honor of: Donor:Diablo Vista Scholarship Yvonne MossDiablo Vista Scholarship AnonymousMartha Riley Barbara DiskowskiPat Seaman Barbara Diskowski

woman over the age of twenty-five.The treasurer then tracks the current year recipients over

the next two years. In order to receive their payments in equal installments, each recipient must submit proof of en-rollment for both years and transcripts for each quarter or semester. All work must average a “C” grade or better.

Money for the scholarships comes from donations, me-morials, fund raisers, annual appeals and bequests. Since our inception, about one hundred recipients have received award totals of over $200,000. All our award selectees are chosen from DVC or LMC.

The Foundation has always been well-served by many ded-icated members, and Diablo Vista Division 52 owes them a debt of gratitude.

Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) now in the Ways and Means Committee. We also illustrated how vital Medicare is for seniors. Contact your representa-tives’ offices to let them know that it is very important to you that they co-sponsor this bill. Go to www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1205 for more information.

June - July 2017 June - July 2017

                                           

CalRTA  Division  52  Diablo  Vista  met  with  Ms.  Shanelle  Scales-­‐Preston  to  talk  about  how  after-­‐  school  programs  are  so  vital  for  youngsters  whose  parents  have  long  commutes  and  arrive  late  after  work.  We  also  talked  about  how  the  Social  Security  penalties  associated  with  the  WEP/GPO  negatively  affect  retired  teachers.    From  left,  Karen  Yee,  Lorrie  Osborn,  Linda  Rae  Hall,  Ms.Shanelle  Scales-­‐Preston,  District  11  Director  for  Congressman  Mark  DeSaulnier,  Barbara  Diskowski,  Ed.D.  President  of  Div  52  and  Jeanne  Walker.  Cal  RTA  is  an  all-­‐volunteer  group  of  retired  teachers  and  supporters  of  public  Education.  We  were  impressed  with  Ms.  Shanelle’s  information  on  the  areas  we  discussed.    

 Local  Advocacy  Day    Meeting  in  Walnut  Creek  

Hop on the Bus, Gus!We will be moving into the electronic age by sending our

newsletters to all members who have email addresses. Not only are we being more environmentally conscious, but the cost savings on printing, paper and postage will allow us to redirect our resources toward other projects. If we have your email address but you prefer a print copy, please notify Lor-rie Osborn [jalosborn@gmail.com] or call her at 925-937-2898. If you have not yet registered your email address with CalRTA, please email Lorrie to opt in for E-delivery only.

Page 2 CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Little Red School HouseLuncheon April 5, 2017

Little Red School House $419.00(proceeds go to the Scholarship Fund) Luncheon Attendance: 106

Page 7CalRTA – 52 BULLETIN BOARD

Day Trips 2017May 31, 2017 - SF Theater Outing - Roman Holiday at the Golden Gate. Cost: $80., BART, lunch OYO. TBA. Call Marge if there has been a cancellation.

June 15, 2017 - Captain Morgan's Delta Cruise: 2 1/2 hour narrated Delta Cruise to Stockton, lunch at Garlic Brothers on the dock, Cost $120. includes round trip cruise, lunch, and bus. Payment due. Wait list. Call Marge to see if there have been any cancellations.

July 12, 2017 - Angel Island: Bart to SF, Ferry to Angel Island, prepay for tram ride. $30. pp. Contact M. Bradford, 70 Flora Ct. PH, CA 94523.

August 16, 2017 - Filoli: Bus, Entrance, Guided Tour, Lunch. See the summer gardens! Price cut! $85. Payment due June 16, 2017.

September 26, 2017 - Monterey Aquarium: Cost: $40., Bus $35., Total $75. Lunch OYO. Payment due July 26, 2017.

October 14, 2017 - Jack London State Park: Tour in golf cart, lunch in Glen Ellen, Tour Downtown Sonoma. Cost: $85. Incl. bus, parking for bus, park entrance, guide, lunch. Payment due Aug. 16, 2017.

November 16, 2017 - Black Diamond Mines, Downtown Clayton: Incl. Museum. This trip will be guided by our own Adela Oldford and JoAnne Caspar. Cost $15. incl. mine and museum. Lunch at La Veranda OYO. Carpool. To reserve your spot call Adela at (925) 360-6305.

December 2, 2017 - Christmas Tea, Air Museum & Surprise Tour. Cost: Bus, tea, museum, tour: est. $90. Please sign up! You will not be disappointed! Payment due Oct. 2, 2017.

Senior SafarisMarge & Ed Hennigar, Safari DirectorsThe following trips are planned for the members of Diablo

Vista - Div. 52 and their friends. For more information and/or a flyer, please call Ed and Marge Hennigar at 1-707-246-9150 (cell), email: mhennigar@sbcglobal.net. For day trip information, contact either Marge or Adela Oldford at 1-925-672-9446.

3rd Annual Ashland Trip: September 2-8, 2017. Oregon Shakespeare Festival and more! Choice of 11 plays, Britt Mu-sic Festival, Cabaret Theater, Jet Boat ride, Ashland Springs Hotel downtown, dbl room size choices. Final planning meet-ing with cost sheets on Wed., May 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., Denny's on Willow Pass Road. We are putting this trip to-gether with group discounts and lowest cost for ourselves and YOU! Call Marge.

Update! Changes! Mackinac Island, Grand Hotel, Niagra Falls!: October 13-20, 2017. Visit this unique island in Michi-gan, stepping back in time! No cars! Horse drawn carrige ride, Henry Ford Museum, Frankinmuth, MI Greenfield Village, Hydro floral clock, more! Home pickup, round trip air, Talbot Tours: (800) 663-9933. Total Cost incl. air, pp dbl $3075.

Discover Thailand: Nov. 1-16, 2017. OAT-Questions? There is one shared space available. Call Margaret Bradford at

1-925-798-8748 for information.

Royal Clipper Windward Island, Caribbean: January

20-27, 2018. Clipper Deck, Price Drop! Commodore decks,

$2264. incl all fees and taxes w/o air, Call Talbot Tours (800)

662-9933.

Treasurer’s ReportRita Goldman, TreasurerFinancial Report for Period 1/31/16 - 3/31/17Checking Acct. Balance Western CU (1/31/17) 5,664.00INCOME

State Dues 2,778.00Luncheons 2,250.00See’s Candy .00Miscellaneous .00 $5,228.00Total Income for Period $10,892.00

DISBURSEMENTSBudgeted Items 4,769.00Luncheons 3,395.00See's Candy .00Total Disbursements for Period $9,122.00

Balance in Checking Acct. $1,770.00Western Money Market $10,421.00Western Savings Account $26.00TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE $12,217.00

June - July 2017June - July 2017

Local Advocacy Day Meeting in Walnut CreekCalRTA Division 52 Diablo Vista met with Ms. Shanelle

Scales-Preston to talk about how after-school programs are so vital for youngsters whose parents have long commutes and arrive late after work. We also talked about how the Social Security penalties associated with the WEP/GPO negatively affect retired teachers. From left, Karen Yee, Lorrie Osborn, Linda Rae Hall, Ms. Shanelle Scales-Preston, District 11 Director for Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Barbara Diskowski, Ed.D. President of Div 52 and Jeanne Walker. Cal RTA is an all-volunteer group of retired teachers and supporters of public Education. We were impressed with Ms. Shanelle’s information on the areas we discussed.

CalRTA T-Shirts for Sale“Teachers Never Stop Caring” black and white with

CalRTA patch T-Shirts with www.CalRTA.org on the back are available in sizes Large, XLarge, XXLarge and XXXLarge. Order yours today, taxes and postage included. This is a great way to Brand CalRTA with the public. Call 925-639-9787 for information or send your orders and checks at $20.00 each payable to CalRTA–Div.52 to B. Diskowski, 2085 Banbury Road, Walnut Creek, CA, 94598.

MembershipLorrie Osborn, 1-925-937-2898Diablo Vista Totals through March 31, 2017

Dues Deduct 579Cash Members 434Life Members 51Total 1,064Unpaid Cash Members 46

Welcome New MembersPat Brown

Kathleen A. CurranDonna Davis

Sheila Driscoll

Michael HolmesJoan K. MartinWilliam SotoLietta Wood

For every extra kilogram carried on a space flight,530 kg of excess fuel are needed at lift off.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 Luncheon MeetingPlease note that any reservations postmarked or phoned after the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee. You are encouraged to make your luncheon reservations ASAP to avoid last minute problems. NO reservations will be accepted on the day of the luncheon. (Whether by phone or mail, a reservation paid is a reservation made!)

11:00 a.m. Social Hour11:45 a.m. Luncheon, Business Meeting1:00 p.m. ProgramReservation deadline: May 27, 2017Mail check to Betty Hodge4939 Laurel Road, Concord, CA 94521

Boundary Oak3800 Valley Vista Rd., Walnut Creek

(Remember to carpool!)$27.00 payable to CalRTA-52

NAME

FREE LUNCHES TO:Nancy Treichelt

Joanne ZinkCongratulations!

MEMBER NEWMEMBER

GUEST FIRSTTIME

CHICKENPARMESAN

ALASKANCOD

(VEG) STUFFEDCANNELLONI

PHONE #

Please provide phone numbers for ALL guests and first time new members.

 

 

       Div.  52  Luncheon  Members  of  the  Month  

Members  of  the  Month  for  April  were  from  left,  Treasurer,  Rita  Goldman,  Hospitality  Chair,  Nellie  Hinds,  Joan  Lundahl,  Golden  Agers’  Chair  and  President,  Barbara  Diskowski.  These  members  are  being  recognized  for  their  special  efforts  on  behalf  of  CalRTA  Division  52.    

The three members of the month for April were from left, Treasurer, Rita Goldman, Hospitality Chair, Nellie Hinds, Joan Lundahl, Golden Agers’ Chair and President, Barbara Diskowski, as presenter. These members are being recog-nized for their special efforts on behalf of Diablo Vista.

CalRTA - 52Diablo VistaP.O. Box 4292Walnut Creek, CA 94596-0292

T I M E D M AT E R I A L - D O N ’ T D E L AYR E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postal Paid

Concord, CA

Permit 250

Leave a MessageInfo Hotline: Barbara Diskowski 1-925-938-7834B.B. Editor: Gil Leveroni 1-925-687-4864Luncheons: Betty Hodge 1-925-686-5637Betty’s backup: Bernie Yeghoian 1-925-671-0662Trips: Marge Hennigar 1-707-751-1858Membership: Lorrie Osborn 1-925-937-2898Sunshine: Nellie Hinds 1-925-432-2207

Division 52 Website Address:Div52.calrta.org – For quick and easy access, type div52.

calrta.org. into your internet browser. You can also access our website from calrta.org. Click on Explore CalRTA, Areas and Divisions, IV on the CA map, then Div. 52. You don’t have to log in to access any division or area website.

In Memoriam

BULLETIN BOARD

Diablo Vista Division 52, Area IVOf The California Retired Teachers Association Since 1963

Your partner in pension protection

Our Area IV Advocacy Day Team went

to Washington D.C. in April to visit our

Federally Elected Legislators. We wanted

to educate them about the importance of

several CalRTA core goals: Social Securi-ty Equity and the Security of Medicare and Medicaid for seniors. We hope our efforts

will help produce positive changes in the

WEP/GPO penalties and help to protect

and strengthen Medicare.

You will soon notice positive changes in our Div. 52 commu-

nications! We are coming into the Digital Age by updating de-

livery of our “Bulletin Board” Newsletter to an Email format.

Our Div. 52 Executive Board has decided to reduce spiraling

printing and mailing costs by emailing our bi-monthly News-

letters to all new members and to all current members who

have registered their email address with CalRTA. Our Board

studied the issue and found that 49% of our members have

email addresses, and by emailing their Newsletters we could

reduce publication and postage costs by nearly half. Monies

saved could help fund other worthy Division projects. Please

note a separate article on page 2 for more information about

opting out for E-delivery in your next Newsletter.

Personally, I like having my Newsletter in full color in an

electronic format, because it is always at my fingertips when I need to check on trips and travel, legislative information,

health news, lists of new members and club activities. I create

a “Bulletin Board” file and drop in recent copies for easy ref-erence. Everyone can also go to our website div52.calrta.org and read the Newsletters online at their convenience.

The Executive Board has also decided to keep Luncheon

Meeting meal costs at a reasonable level for our members by

subsidizing ever increasing catering costs. We hope this en-

dowment will allow more members to attend our luncheons.

And although I will not be president next year, may I thank

each and every person for their loyalty and service to the

Retired Teachers of California. As members of CalRTA, we

proudly offer scholarships to young people having completed

their two-year programs at DVC or LMC. These scholarships

help fund their last two years of college. We also support our

current teachers with teacher grants. It has been a distinct hon-

or to have been your Division president for my two-year term.

Remember…“Teachers Never Stop Caring.”

President’s MessageBarbara Diskowski, Ed.D., President June Luncheon Meeting

Program Committee, Pat Martin, ChairJune 7, 2017 AGENDA

Place: BOUNDARY OAK3800 Valley Vista Road, Walnut Creek

Cost: $27.00 for Luncheon only (includes tax & tip)Contact is Betty Hodge

11:00 a.m. Social Hour11:45 a.m. Luncheon & Business Meeting 1:00 p.m. Installation of Officers and introduction of 2017-18 Scholarship Recipients

Reservation deadline: Saturday, May 27, 2017NOTE: Any reservations postmarked or phoned in after

the deadline will be charged a $4.00 late fee.

Future luncheon dates & reservation deadlines:Wednesday, August 2, 2017 – Deadline July 22, 2017

Wednesday, October 4, 2017 – Deadline September 23, 2017

Program NotesWe will be honoring our Scholarship recipients and in-

stalling the 2017-18 officers as follows:

Lorrie Osborn, President TBD, First Vice President (Membership) Pat Martin, Second Vice President (Programs) Karen Yee, Recording Secretary Patty Waddington, Financial Secretary Rita Goldman, Treasurer Gil Leveroni, Newsletter Editor Barbara Diskowski, Past President

There will be no other programming scheduled for this luncheon. This will allow us to spend more time with our 2017 scholarship recipients. Members have commented to us how much they enjoy meeting and listening to our young scholars. Please plan on joining us on June 7th.

‡Boundary Oak is not considered a restaurant by the County & State Boards of Health. Therefore, they are not allowed to distribute take-home boxes to their patrons. On a more positive note, there will be wonderful ambience, good food, and best of all, plenty of parking with golf cart service, if needed.

June - July 2017

The BULLETIN BOARD is published bi-monthly by the

Diablo Vista Division 52 of the California Retired Teachers

Association. We are a non-profit organization which does not assume responsibility or liability for the safety or well-being

of participants in any of its activities.

President Barbara Diskowski

First Vice President Lorrie Osborn

Second Vice President Pat Martin

Recording Secretary Vivian Boyd

Corresponding Secretary Linda LaCasse/Karen Yee

Financial Secretary Patty Waddington

Treasurer Rita Goldman

Editor Gil Leveroni

Circulation Chair Ann Custer/Pat Martin

Past President Russ Rackow

Logging on to the CalRTA WebsiteVisit calrta.org – This takes you to the state association

website. You will need to login with your member ID and

password as follows:

Mbr ID:

Password:

Login:

You will find this on the address label on your Contact magazine.

Click on this and you are in the site.

Just browse by clicking on topics.

Your last name

William C. BatzeClark Brown

Elsie A. DoyleFay B. Fehd

Victoria MicuJudy J. Trette

Georgine SullivanBetty L. Underwood