West Grayson Retired School Personnel Association (WGRSPA) met Feb. 4 for a presentation about cyber security and various fraud techniques that are currently used to steal bank and personal information from unsuspecting victims.
The meeting was held at La Hacienda Restaurant with 19 members and four guests in attendance. Special guests included Susan McDaniel, District 10 Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) president; Gary Schepf, past District 10 president and current TRTA State Secretary/Treasurer; Donna Gooding, Irving TRTA Chapter president; and Nancy Hutchison, Irving Chapter treasurer.
Carol Golden led members in the Valentine song “Skinamarink a Dink a Dink, Skinamarink a Doo” and then set the tone of the meeting with a parody of the song “Hello, Dolly” (which she renamed “Hello, Caller” to go along with the program on cyber security).
WGRSPA member T. R. Fletcher introduced Schepf, who has long worked with computer technology education and robotics in several school systems and now presents programs on cyber fraud prevention. Members learned about fraud techniques such as “phishing,” “whaling,” “vishing” and “smishing” that are used to steal information and resources from their victims.
Schepf also stressed the importance of using strong passwords and keeping all personal information secure, not answering unknown numbers or speaking if answered until one is sure of the identity of the caller. He stressed the word “Sec-U-R-IT-y” to point out one’s personal responsibility in preventing being the victim of cyber fraud.
Also at the meeting, McDaniel presented news about the March 26 TRTA Lobby Day when TRTA members across the state will converge at the Capitol in Austin to meet with members of the 89th Legislature.
She thanked members for their advocacy in the repealing of the federal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) HR 82 (Social Security Fairness Act) legislation that returns unfair Social Security benefits to those whose benefits have been reduced or eliminated in past years.
In the legislative report, Fletcher reminded members of the weekly video TRTA broadcasts given by Tim Lee, executive director of TRTA on Friday afternoons and that these can be caught live or afterwards on the website. Information regarding the implementation of payments from the GPO/ WEP repeal (H.B. 82 The Social Security Fairness Act) can also be found on the TRTA.org and ssa.gov websites.
Carol Pike reported that 11 members turned in Volunteer Hours for the past year with a participation rate of 55%. Each hour represents $33.49 with members reporting across the state a value of $925,429.17 contributed to the state by their voluntary work in our communities.
WGRSPA member Donna Penn reported a high 3,000 hours. Sharon Lively received a $10 Whataburger gift card for 1,030 hours; Wanda Dutton received a $15 gift card to 56 Deli for 1200 hours; and Harold and Frankie Tamplen received a $25 gift card to Lovejoys On Main for consistently reporting their hours each meeting.
Doris Haynie reported on the WGRSPA book project, which gives a book to each third-grade student in the organization’s chapter member schools, Whitesboro (where 170 books were awarded), Collinsville (with a pending date for distribution), S&S (early May distribution of 70 books) and Tioga (awarding on June 4).
Haynie got everyone up and moving with some gentle exercises to practice at home and reported on the beginning of the “Walk Across Texas” activity on March 1. WGRSPA will have two teams participating in this health incentive activity.
Judy Rue reported that applications are now being accepted for scholarships awarded by WGRSPA. These include one for a junior or senior college education major or teacher seeking additional certifications or degrees; The Curtis Anne Kinsfather Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a WHS senior who needs financial assistance; and memorial scholarships in Joe and Deloris Bertino’s names.
Students are encouraged to apply to the school counselors in their respective schools or to Judy Rue, 1101 Roland Rd., Whitesboro, TX 76273, if applying for college or graduate/certification assistance.
A Retirement Seminar will be held on March 20 from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Wesley Hall. Brochures explaining filing retirement information for personnel planning to retire in the near future will be presented by Cladene Belcher. A member of the staff of AMBA, a benefits partner with TRTA, will be in attendance.
Other business included information on a Spring Field Trip to St. Jo’s Historic Downtown on April 5 and the Memorial meeting on May 6. Guest Susan McDaniel won the door prize provided by Sharon Lively.
The next meeting of WGRSPA will be March 4 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Las Haciendas Restaurant. All public education retirees and anyone interested in public education is encouraged to join WGRSPA and be a part of the work for public school retirees and fellowship.
