The last several
months have been
rewarding as well
as frustrating regarding
H.B. 315.
ORTA leaders are
coordinating their
efforts with the
Health Care Advocates
and STRS.
There is a lot of
work being done behind the scenes. Everyone agrees that a
stream of funding is needed to stabilize the
health care fund. Our political leaders agree
with us that the problem must be faced
and funded but who will pay to solve this
problem is the area of disagreement.
Some school districts claim that they
don't have enough money to adequately
educate each child. The rising cost of fuel
has devastated school transportation budgets
and raised operating costs. Ohio has a
shortfall of tax revenues and must reduce
budget requests. The longer our legislature
waits to solve this growing deficit, the more
expensive it will be to repair.
The repeal of the GPOIWEP issue regarding
Social Security offsets had two
hearings in the past six months. We are
not optimistic for passage this year due to
the election preoccupation by our political
leaders. They are busy getting their party
and themselves elected. We encourage
each member to continue to write to your
federal legislators reminding them of your
concern. Critics answer that the cost of
$60 billion over a ten year period is too
expensive. We need to focus on correcting
this inequity for retirees.
Each ORTA chapter now has a page on
ORTA's website due to the hard work and
efforts of our webmaster, Deloris Ullmann.
This provides each chapter with the potential
to develop and link their own websites
to ORTA's. Our state organization does not
have the resources or staff to develop and
maintain each chapter's website. Deloris
has and will conduct workshops to help
with that process.
ORTA does not publish addresses, or
phone numbers on the website due to
privacy issues. Chapter sites will reduce
future costs (postage) and speed up communication
between members.
Our state committees have met. We were
impressed by the quality accomplishments
and great ideas by many of our chapters.
The committees have recommended some
changes regarding awards. We want to
make available "Best Practices" in the
Quarterly and on the web. We need each
chapter to focus on growth of membership
and leadership development. We want all
chapters to utilize committees of three or
more members and not depend on "what's
his name." When that person moves, etc., a
void.and loss of experience is created. The
use of a committee encourages continuity
and enables members to grow and develop
their leadership potential. Effective committees
and chapters create enthusiasm and
growth. People enjoy being involved with
effective, enthusiastic organizations.
We need and value your ideas, input, and
involvement if we are to grow and maintain
needed benefits. Our highly competent
retirees are a rich resource of capable,
tough, experienced, and talented people
who need to be utilized better. Remember
we must work hard and plan in order to
secure needed benefits for our members.
That will be our measure of success! |
