Despite a busy fall schedule that included the Pumpkin Project, Harvest Basket (won by Randy Thomas at the Peanut Festival) and other gatherings, eight West Grayson Retired School Personnel Association (WGRSPA) members attended the Texas Teacher Retirement Association (TRTA) District 10 Fall Conference in Frisco last week.
Those attending the disco-themed event were TR Fletcher, Sharon Lively, Glenda Coulson, Carol Golden, Sue Parker, Mary Nan Story, Carla Hawkins and Doris Haynie.
With District 10 President Karol Kuykendall presiding, state reports included a legislative update by state legislative chair Thomas Poore, in which he emphasized the importance of becoming an informed voter, communicating with elected officials, checking out their voting records on issues important to you and recruiting members to strengthen the organization’s power and influence.
Gary Schepf, TRTA Vice President, took the podium twice with his state report and as keynote speaker. He stressed repeatedly that when it comes to cyber-security, ”U R it.”
He cautioned listeners to become educated in order to recognize cyber criminals’ tactics. Note that companies do not use Gmail, watch for misspellings, carefully think, observe, study and evaluate the unexpected item. Do not simply scan. Keep your hand away from the click button, knowing that stop, look and listen now needs to be pause, think and investigate.
He noted that answering aloud can give AI enough of your voice to create sentences and paragraphs which criminals can use to trick family members into sending money, supposedly to rescue you from false emergencies.
Do not hesitate to report your suspicions to authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
A moving tradition at each conference is the memorial honoring all District 10 members who have passed away since the last meeting. This year’s was a beautiful video of portraits and career highlights of each friend lost.
An important and timely focus during the committee reports was Gwen Craig reminding attendees about the Texas Retired Teacher Foundation (TRTF) and how it aids retired teachers during emergencies, first-time teachers setting up their classrooms and innovative teaching project expenses.
November is TRTF month and locally WGRSPA not only outright contributes but also has a Bingo fundraiser with donated prizes at the next meeting, Nov. 3, at 11:30 a.m. at First State Bank. In addition to celebrating TRTF, Jeremy Brown of Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA), shares a spot on the program and always proves to be informative, entertaining and generous in the organization’s fundraisers.
