December 2017 Minutes

DMARSPA DECEMBER 14, 2017, MINUTES

  1.   President Justine Finley welcomed members and guests.
  2. The music program “The Noted Four” was arranged by Rosemary Hillman.   The group of women sing at care centers, organizations.  The four women singers put DMARSPA members in a festive mood with several Christmas songs
  3.   A basket was passed around for donations to give for the program.
  4. Tabby Kuhl announced she would pick up books for the Story Book Project.  Over 300 books were donated by members.
  5. Justine celebrated December birthdays with members singing Happy Birthday.
  6. Before lunch, President Finley led members in a Pledge to the Flag, followed by a moment of silence.
  7. Lunch served by Barrattas.
  8. Instead of a business meeting after lunch, a few announcements were made, followed by a gift exchange.
  A.  Courtesy:  Dee - Karen Becker lost her husband and mother-in-law.   
B.  Legislative Update:  Justine Finley read an email from Gary Thelen.  There was a unofficial meeting last spring where reps from a company studying IPERS came and degraded IPERS.   No meetings since then.  He Suggested members write/speak to reps.  The IPERS bill comes up in Spring.   It will not be good for the Des Moines plan or IPERS since they follow one another.  Bill Synder spoke about the house bill filed last year, which would turn IPERS into a defined contribution plan.  We have a defined benefit plan now.   Under their plan, you would deposit your money and it would be invested in individual accounts.  Right now, IPERS is 83 percent funded.  IF nothing is contributed, then people in the plan would only get what’s in there.   The legislature is responsible for the other 17 percent.   If they pass the defined contribution plan, our benefits would be reduced.  That’s why we need to contact our representatives.   We need to let people know we vote.
8.  Volunteers are needed.  Justine mentioned Kelly Markey from Dorothy’s House sent an email saying they were given permission to serve teen survivors of trafficking.   They will provide home instruction .   Looking for volunteers.  It would be Monday through Friday.  Three terms: January-May; June-August; September- December.   Would start around February 1.  515-306-5580 is the number to call.
9.  OLD BUSINESS:
A.  Continue to record volunteer hours in your directory.  
B.   Announced next month’s cashiers.
10.  Gift exchange.  Winner of Afghan was Jane Country.  
11.  President Elaine Wilkinson` adjourned the meeting at 12:45 pm.   The January program will be “THE HONEYBEE QUEEN.”

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Wilkinson

Secretary

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