The Shadow
The Alleghany Retired Teachers Association held their September meeting at Granbery United Methodist Church in Covington on September 6. President Joan Green called the meeting to order, welcomed the ARTA members and guests, and led the ARTA members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Anita Rice, Vice President, introduced Matt Smith of the Highlands Community Bank who presented a program on “Scams and Frauds.” He shared handouts on 5-Steps to Prevent Identity Theft, Cybercrime Happens Way More than You Think, Data Breaches and You, and Staying Safe Starts with You. He emphasized the importance of never giving out personal information over the phone or on online sites, of not cashing checks that arrive in the junk mail, or ever paying money to receive a larger amount of money. He cautioned members to be aware of emails or callers who say they are calling from Medicare, FBI, etc. who ask for money or want your personal information. Don’t open emails from people or businesses you don’t know.
Matt suggested using annualcreditreport.com or other online identity theft protection services in order to be alerted about potential attacks on your personal accounts. He said it is important to use common sense when using debit or credit cards and in making purchases online. It is important to monitor online bank accounts and credit card accounts and to promptly report any suspicious activity.
Minutes from the May meeting were distributed to the members and filed as presented.
Following Joan’s treasurer’s report presentation, the report was filed as presented.
Joan then offered the proposed budget for 2022-2023 for approval. The budget was approved on a motion made by Helen Jean Fitzgerald and seconded by Kathy Cvizic.
Dewey Lawson, Co-Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, had Matt draw for the 50/50 which benefits the scholarship fund. Betty Kern won and donated it back into the scholarship fund.
Joan thanked Margaret Sams for developing a tri-fold brochure to use in recruiting new members and she passed the brochure around for members to view. Joan mentioned that ARTA received community service appreciation awards for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. She thanked the members for turning in their community service hours and for Helen Jean Fitzgerald for sending in the report.
Joan informed the members about the Fall VRTA Delegate Assembly meeting in Midlothian on October 18-19 and the District P in Roanoke on October 26. Joan passed around sign-up sheets for the Fall VRTA Delegate Assembly meeting and the Fall District P meeting. For the District P meeting, she asked members to write down questions and concerns about the issues of nursing home reform and fully funded public education. Those questions and concerns will be presented to Delegates Terry Austin and Sam Rasoul. Harriett Snead emphasized that these are two high-priority issues and stressed the importance of getting our legislators fully on-board to endorse them.
It was reported that get well and sympathy cards had been sent to several members.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Anita Rice blessed the food which had been prepared by the Granbery Agape Ladies.
The next meeting for Alleghany Retired Teachers Association will be December 6 at Temple Baptist Church.
