PALM VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED
SCHOOL PERSONNEL
JANUARY 13, 2025
@ RED LOBSTER
MCALLEN, TEXAS
@ 10:30 AM
The meeting was called to order at 10:33 am. President Margaret Rose Guerra opened up with a welcome. We observed a moment of silence for our former President Jimmy Carter. President Guerra went around the room and asked different people what their New Year’s resolutions were. The New Year’s resolutions ranged from eating healthier to seeking God’s direction for the New Year. Next the invocation was read by Elena Ochoa. The pledge was led by Chiqui Guerra. The unit sang “Auld Lang Syne”. Next the unit listened to the historical speech “ I Have a Dream” By Martin Luther King Jr. The President visited each table to see if we had any special guests. There were none.
The minutes were read by the secretary Sharon Smith. The minutes were typed and delivered to the committee members for review. After minor changes the minutes were corrected, approved, recorded and filed. Members of the committee were Kathy Larson, Linda Corpus and Sharon Smith. There were corrections to the minutes observed by Chiqui Guerra. The correction was changed to slate. Correction was noted by the secretary.
Treasurer report was omitted. Lazaro Ramirez and Terri Salinas were absent.
Our special guest was Liliam Santana Llanos, who is the Volunteer Administrator for the Driscoll Children Hospital. There are 3 clinics, one in Brownsville, McAllen and Edinburg. There are several positions for which you can volunteer at. You can work at the gift shop, toy and book cart, coloring area and the surgical area. In the coming months there will be another area - the painting and drawing area. To apply to the person you must fill out a card, you will have an interview and then a background check. The final requirement is the physical check for TB, COVID, blood and other viral tests. Once you are accepted the hospital will need to see the area that has a need and then you will be placed there. The volunteer must complete 300 hours a year. To apply at the hospital desk all persons must go to the front desk and then they will lead you up to the 4th floor to the volunteer’s administration office.
Committee Reports:
Scholarship - Kathy Larson stated there is $161.28 in the scholarship fund. Mrs. Larson stated she will pass the apple around so people could donate. Total
amount received today was $124.00.
Legislative - Chiqui Guerra stated the newly signed HR 82 bill by Joe Biden would help those who paid into the Social Security system. She stated you must
have a minimum of 10 years of working outside of the educational system, and paid into the Social System. This bill would be radioactive for those from
1 year ago.
Membership - Rosalinda Torline stated that we have 108 members as of today.
Community/Volunteer Hours - Rosalinda Torline stated that all hours are due by February 15, 2025. She passed out forms and stated you could give them to her
at the next meeting.
Book Project/ Members Benefits - Alicia Flores stated that books were due by February 15, 2025. She stated she had donated books to the Driscoll Children
Hospital and UTRGV Clinics in Palmview and Edinburg. The new Dental and Vision insurance is $41 for vision and $6 for dental.
Foundation - Debbie Prukop stated there is a new insurance card which can be use for over the counter medication or medical items. It has a $40 amount per
quarter that you can use at any pharmacy.. The day at the capitol it will be from 8:00 - 2:00 pm. We will visit our representatives and have lunch at 12:00 pm. The district is looking into having a bus, van or multiple ways of transportation. Brownsville and Laredo are not going on a bus. Wesalco are going on their own.
If we choose to take a bus it will be between $20 - $50.
Teacher Retirement - Jerry Albrecht stated the Spring Retirement Conference will be on March 8, 2025 at theMcAllen High School Auditorium. Lunch will be
provided for those who volunteer. They will not need to sign up, just show up and he will assign you.
New Business:
Chiqui Guerra presented the slate of officers. They were as follows:
Sharon Smith - president, Alicia Flores - 1st Vice President, Kelly Solis - 2nd Vice
President, Elena Ochoa - secretary, Lazaro Ramirez - treasurer, Margaret Rose
Guerra - parliamentarian. A motion was made by Maggie Gonzalez to accept the
slate of officers. It was seconded by Vicky Gadd. The motion carried.
.
Lobby Day is on March 26, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
On January 28, 2025, there will be a Zoom meeting with the District President.
No state convention
No Spring conference
Teddy Bear Report - We collected 52 bears and they were donated to St. Jude of Pharr, Texas, Sacred Heart Church o Edinburg, Texas and Holy Spirit Church
In McAllen, Texas.
Birthdays - 1
Door Prizes
50/50 - We collected $91.00. The winner of the 50/50 was Ludy Cortez
with $45.50.
Adjournment - 11.52 am
Next Executive meeting February 3, 2025 at Luby Cafeteria
Next Unit meeting February 10, 2025 at Red Lobster.
______________________________ __________________________
Review Committee review Committee
_______________________________
Review Committee
PALM VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED
SCHOOL PERSONNEL
FEBRUARY 2, 2025
@ RED LOBSTER
MCALLEN, TEXAS
10:30 AM
The meeting was called to order at 10:32 by President Margaret Rose Guerra. Before the meeting started Kathy Larson spoke to inform the unit that she will be collecting money for the scholarship fund.
Opening Activities were as follows:
Invocation - Tracey Limon
Pledge - Elena Ochoa
Song - “I Can’t Help Myself” by The Four Tops”. The Unit danced to the music.
Poem - “How Do I Love You” written by Elizabeth Browning and read By Diana Ramirez Garza - Sonnet 43
Introduction of Special Guests - Rick and Yolanda Farias from LaJoya ISD and Ana Garcia From MCISD.
Presentation: Angels of Love - victims of domestic violence, the presenter was Veronica Perez, executive director. Angel of Love is a community outreach program. This program is for all people from different walks of life. She talked about the different programs. Here are a list of some:
Purple Purse - a program that empowers the ladies to get a deeper understanding of their finances.
Miss Angel of Love Royal Court - a program where the ladies represent the organization in various programs and events.
Handbag for Hope - The organization collects gently used bags and hew toiletries for the clients to use after surviving violence.
Distinguished Gentlemen - this program is designed to help young boys to become gentlemen and responsible citizens.
55% of the domestic cases are dropped by the person who has been abused.
The organization also helps the victim to design a plan to safely escape from the person.
$416 was collected for donations for the scholarship fund. This was reported by Kathy Larson.
Minutes: The minutes were typed and sent electronically and delivered to the committee for review. Members of the committee are Sharon Smith, Kathy Larson and Maria Corpus
Treasurer Report: Beginning Balance $3,681.66. 50/00 Donation was $45.50 which was added and the ending balance was $3,727.16 Saving Balance $0.00
Committee Reports:
Legislative - Given by President Guerra. The President stated that the House passed a bill for vouchers. Lobby Day there will not be a bus for transportation.
Membership - Rosalinda Torline stated there are 108 members
Community/Volunteer Hours - Rosalinda Torline stated that if you need a form for your hours she has them. The forms need to be turned in today if not the deadline is February 15, 2025. You can mail the forms to Rosalinda Torline.
Membership Benefits/Book Project - Alicia Flores stated that Star Hearing Corporation has hearing aids if you need information about hearing aids. The book project she donated books to the Mcallen Library.
She is only taking used children's books. She has donated books to children's hospitals. libraries, and women’s shelters. She also stated that many placesnow are only collecting children's books.
Foundation - no report from Debbie Prukop
Sunshine - Kelly Solis mentioned that she had two cards to be sent out. The cards were for Frances Paz and Mr. Moescher.
Teacher Retirement Education - Jerry stated that on March 3, 2025, will be the Spring Retirement Conference at McHi Auditorium. There will be no sign up, and just show up and you will be assigned,
The president asked for a volunteer to be in charge of Health and Safety.
Technology - Amy Albrecht no report
The President opened the floor for officers for the coming year of 2025 - 2026. Nominations were taken from the floor, and Sharon Smith was nominated for president. After three calls for nominations, a motion was made by Vicky Gadd to accept the nomination of Sharon Smith for president and it was seconded by Terri Salinas. A vote was taken and Sharon Smith became the President.
The president opened the floor for the 1st - Vice President. A nomination was made by Kelly Solis for Alicia Flores for 1st Vice President. It was seconded by Marianna Esparza. After three calls for additional nominations, a vote was taken and Alicia Flores became the 1st Vice President.
The president opened the floor for nominations for 2nd Vice-President. A nomination was made for Kelly Solis to be 2nd Vice President. It was seconded by Rosalinda Torline. After three calls for additional nominations, a vote was taken and Kelly Solis became the 2nd Vice President.
The president opened the floor for nominations for secretary. A nomination was made by J.J. Luna for Elena Ochoa to become secretary. It was seconded by Vicky Gadd. After three calls for additional nominations, a vote was taken and Elena Ochoa became the secretary.
The president opened the floor for nominations for treasurer. A nomination was made by Vicky Gadd for Lazaro Ramirez to become treasurer. It was seconded by Sylvia Garza. After three calls for additional nominations, a vote was taken and Lazaro Ramirez became the treasurer.
Terri Salinas stated she will still be responsible for sending out the invitations for the meeting, updating the membership list and sending out emails. Any changes to your email, address or name please inform Terri Salinas.
The position for parliamentarian has always been filled by the outgoing president. That position for the year 2025-2026 will be held by Margaret Rose Guerra.
Lobby Day- will be on March 26, 2025. There will be only one bus for Laredo and Zapata units. All others must go on their own.
Mr J.J. Luna addressed the Unit. He stated that there will be two buses going to the capitol on February 22, 2025. The bus will go and come the same day. It will leave at 7:00 am in the morning. Lunch and breakfast will be provided. There were 10 copies of the form to sign up. The title of the organization that is sponsoring the trip is “Save Our School”.
Birthdays - 5
Door Prizes
Next meeting will be March 3, 2025 for the Executive Board and March 10, 2025 for the members.
Adjournment 12:23 pm
_______________________________ ___________________________
Review Committee Review Committee
_______________________________
Review Committee
PALM VALLEY ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL
MARCH 10, 2025
RED LOBSTER
@ 10:30 AM
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 am at the Red Lobster restaurant in McAllen, Texas. The meeting began with the opening activities. President Maargaret Rose Guerra welcomed the members followed by a moment of silence for Mrs. Bertha D. Garcia. She was the president of Palm Valley during the 90’s and was a member of the Museum Guild. She was a Daughter of Pertecuple Help. The prayer was led by Hilda DeShazo, followed by the pledge of allegiance to the USA and Texas flag led by Amy and Jerry Albrecht. Rosalinda Torline gave words and showed words of expression for Mrs. Bertha D. Garcia. An envelope was presented by President Guerra for the family of Bertha D. Garcia. A video was shown by the Irish Riverdance song. A poem was read by Margaret Rose Guerra, “An Irish Blessing” by Grace E. Easy. Introduction of special guests were: Gloria Garcia from LaJoya ISD and Maria Teresa Escaname from Mission CISD.
The minutes were typed and sent electronically to the committee for review. Members of the committee are Kathy Larson, Linda Corpus and Sharon Smith. After minor changes, the minutes were corrected, approved, recorded and filed. Sharon Smith presented the minutes to the unit.
Terri Salinas gave the financial report. Beginning balance was $3,727.16
deposits were $90, expenses $91.48 and ending balance was $4515.68.
Saving account $0
Hilda DeShazo requested a moment to discuss the expense for gifts for next year. She informed the unit that she found 8 bows that were at a good price for the speakers for next year. The cost of the bows were $18.48.
Presentation: Benjamin Vela of the McAllen Police Department presented a program to watch how to start a Neighborhood Watch. He has been with the force for 22 years. He stated that McAllen is the 2nd safest city in the nation. The first step in forming a Neighborhood Watch is to meet and talk to your neighbors. Once people agree you must do the following when things happen in your neighborhood: report crimes
Call suspicious activity in
Make sure neighbors are involved
Get a police officer to speaker at your meetings
Pass out a directory
If you have a festival, walk or other event the department
will send an officer to patrol
There is a commissioner meeting every month and different issues are discussed that deal with the city. The 2nd and 4th Monday of the month are when the commissioinoer’s meetings are held.
Officer Vega took questions from the unit. Some concerns were: car racing down major streets,loud music being played late at night, selling guns, parties that last until early in the morning and strange cars at your neighbor's home when they are not there and weaving between traffic along the expressway.
Committee Reports:
Legislative - Chiqui Guerra - absent
Membership and Community Hours - Rosalinda Torline stated there are 120 members and community hours forms have been turned in. The person with the most community hours is Zelma DeLaGarza
Membership Benefits and Book Report - Alicia Torres - There is an emergency transport insurance that is offered by AMBA . She will be collecting books for the next calendar year. There are slightly used books for sale at the McAllen Library. Slightly used hardcover books are one and two dollars and paper back for one dollar.
Foundation - Debbie Prukop absent
Sunshine - Kelly Solis - absent - Terri Salinas reported for her. Get Well cards were sent to Harry Mosher, Frances Paz, Merced Zapata and Roger Larson. A sympathy card was sent to the family of Hilda Garcia on behalf of Bertha Garcia. A thank you card was sent from Bertha’s family.
Scholarship - Kathy Larson - absent - report given by Terri Salinas. The balance in the scholarship fund is $1026.68 We need more money for an additional scholarship. The $5 increase for dues will be going to the scholarship fund.
Technology - Amy Albrecht stated that the speaker was not holding a charge so that was the reason for the sound being made while people were using the microphone.
Health and Safety - need a volunteer.
New Business:
There will be a Zoom meeting with the District President on March 18, 2025.
The meeting is for district officers and district chairperson.
Lobby Day will be on March 26, 2035 in Austin, Texas at the state capitol.
No date for the Fall Conference.
Push TRTA members will highlight a member of Palm Valley Unit.
Please don’t forget to register for Lobby Day. They need to know how many are going so they can have a count for sack lunches.
Old Business:
No Spring Conference nor State Conference.
Birthdays - 1
Door Prizes
50/50 Collected $100 winner of the 50/50 was Marissa Monroe
April 7, 2025 Executive Board meeting at 2:30 pm at Luby’s
April 14, 2025 Membership meeting at Red Lobster at 10:30 am
Meeting adjourned at 11:55 am.
______________________________ ___________________________
Review Committee Review Committee
______________________________
Review Committee