Vermont Retired State Employees Association, Inc.
“Working for Retired State Employees and Beneficiaries”
www.vrsea.org
August 11, 2021
The 2021 Annual Meeting of the Vermont Retired State Employees’ Association, Inc. was held by Zoom on August 11, 2021. President Shelley Martin called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. The following officers and trustees were present: Shelley Martin, President; Kathy Callaghan, Secretary; Roger Dumas, Treasurer; Judy Hurley, Charly Dickerson, Allen Blake, Bruce Hyde, Jerry Schwarz, Vern Mackey, Mary Lou Bolt and Marc Metayer. Nominating Committee Chair Bert Smith also attended.
President Shelley Martin officially welcomed everyone, explaining that the Annual Meeting was held by Zoom this year for everyone’s safety. She opined that we hope to have an in-person meeting next year. The President called for a moment of silence for those we have lost this year and members of their families. She then introduced VRSEA Board members and Mr. Smith.
Secretary’s Report: President Martin explained that normally the Secretary’s Report consists of the minutes of the prior year’s Annual Meeting. Since the 2020 Annual Meeting was cancelled due to Covid-19, there was no Secretary’s Report this year.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Roger Dumas presented a comparison of the VRSEA budgets for the last three years. He shared that the VRSEA Audit Committee of Helen Weed and Marie Maclay confirmed that the FY 2019 to 2020 records were in good financial order. Roger presented the FY 2020-2021 year-to-date budget, and indicated that there may be a slight surplus at year end. On the FY 2021-2022 budget, he explained that it has increased due to two new budget lines. The Board has decided to have a Data Entry Processing individual to handle the hundreds of memberships and renewals we receive by mail each year. In addition, there is a new 2022 budget line for Special Events. Finally, the Treasurer reported that the 2022 pension COLA will be reported in the October 2021 VRSEA newsletter, which will be sent to all State retirees.
Nominating Committee Report: Nominating Committee Chairman Bert Smith reported that no VRSEA members had contacted him to be considered for VRSEA Board membership in 2022. He reviewed the fact that in 2020, no Annual Meeting was held due to Covid-19, and the existing slate of Trustees agreed to serve another year. Bert then presented the Nominating Committee’s recommendation that five VRSEA Trustees be elected to serve a 1-year term, and five Trustees to serve a regular 2-year term. This will bring the Board elections back into compliance with our By-Laws, which state that Trustees are elected for two-year terms. The Annual Meeting attendees then voted by online ballot. The attendees voted unanimously to re-elect all 10 of the current VRSEA Trustees, as follows: Serving a 1-year term: Allen Blake, Kathy Callaghan, Shelley Martin, Bruce Hyde and Judy Hurley. Serving a 2-year term: Charly Dickerson, Roger Dumas, Vern Mackey, Marc Metayer and Jerry Schwarz.
Appreciation: Roger moved and Charly seconded a motion to thank Bert Smith for his many years of exemplary service on the VRSEA Nominating Committee. Along with Committee members Mike Wiater and Susan Hudson, Bert has faithfully executed the Committee’s duties for many years. The Committee has produced excellent Trustee candidates when there were Board openings, which has greatly enhanced the VRSEA Board. We owe Bert and his team a debt of gratitude.
President’s Report: President Shelley Martin reviewed the fact that there is currently a Legislative Pension Task Force meeting to consider changes to the pension system. She expressed appreciation for Vermont Treasurer Beth Pearce’s position that no changes should be made to the pension benefits for existing retirees. Treasurer Pearce has reiterated this position many times to the VRSEA Board and to members of the Legislature. The Pension Task Force must produce a preliminary report of their findings to the Legislature by October 15 and a final report by December 2. VRSEA employs a professional lobbyist, Bridget Morris, who has done an excellent job on following the Task Force. Legislative Chair Roger Dumas keeps the VRSEA Board informed on pension issues weekly and also does an excellent job.
Next, President Martin explained the important differences between the VSEA retiree group (VSEA-RC), and our organization, VRSEA. The VSEA-RC chapter is not an independent organization. It is one of the many chapters of the VSEA union and answers to the VSEA Board. VSEA-RC has no authority to act on behalf of their retiree members. In contrast, VRSEA is a fully independent organization with full authority to act on behalf of its members. We answer only to our membership, and no other entity. VRSEA exists to protect our members’ pension and retiree health care benefits and has no other agenda or affiliation.
President Martin updated the group on the new Special Events that VRSEA is offering its members. VRSEA is embarking on a series of Special Events for our members, beginning with the first one on August 19 at Lake Bomoseen State Park. On Saturday, October 2, VRSEA will be participating in the Barre Fall Festival with a table and activities. A member asked if anyone was car- pooling to Lake Bomoseen; Judy Hurley will be in touch with the member. The President reminded members that VRSEA needs their emails to communicate more easily. We do not share them.
Lastly, President Martin expressed her appreciation to the VRSEA Board of Trustees and Committees for all their hard work throughout the year, and thanked VRSEA members for their support and trust in VRSEA.
President Martin adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Callaghan
VRSEA Secretary