August 2014 President’s Message

HELLO and GREETINGS to the entire MRTA family. Gail and I just returned from a wonderful and SAFE 4th of July weekend with family. It is our hope that you and your family experienced the same.

I would like to update you on some recent MRT Foundation activities. The words come to mind—“THANK YOU”. The two words seem inadequate. Let me expand THANK YOU to “A VERY BIG THANK YOU” as I go forward with the information below.

The MRT Foundation Board of Directors voted, in September of 2013, to launch a fundraising campaign for an ELEVATOR in the MRTA/ MRTF Office Facility. The announcement was made at the Annual Meeting at the same time. An Elevator Planning Committee was appointed and planning on the campaign was organized. Various

fundraising activities were planned and organized over the next several months. The Theme for the campaign was—-MRTA LEADERS ASKED—WE LISTENED—“THE NEED IS NOW.” The entire idea behind the project was to meet the mobility needs of our MRTA membership in using the lower level Classroom Area of the office facility.

I am very pleased and so honored to be able to inform you that the BOOKS ARE CLOSED ON THE ELEVATOR CAMPAIGN. Total cost of the project was $107,000. We had about $30,000 on hand when the fundraising campaign started. The elevator company, the contractor, the architect, and all the inspectors HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL.

The MRT Foundation Board of Directors would like to extend A VERY BIG THANK YOU to the following for participating in the ELEVATOR FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN:

  • All individual MRTA members who donated cash or bought a patio brick.
  • Local Units that donated cash, bought a patio brick, or had fundraisers for the elevator.
  • Regional Vice Presidents who organized various fundraisers at their Region meetings.
  • Business and Corporate partner donations.
  • Local Unit and individual participation in the last Silent Auction, Year-End-Ask Letters, and the Spring Mailing Label Campaign.
  • Individuals who participated in the various levels of the Donor Wall.
  • Individuals and Board Members who donated expenses to meetings since last September.
  • MRTA Executive Director Jim Kreider, the Office Staff, and the MRTA Board of Directors.

The 2014 Classroom Grant Program is well underway as we speak. Applications had to be postmarked no later than June 30. The Regional Vice Presidents will form the committees and the selection process will be completed in the next few weeks. Winners will be notified and checks distributed by the time school starts for the 2014-15 school year. A total of 190 applications for grants were received this year. This is the largest number of applications received for one year in the history of the grant program. The popularity of the grant program is growing as word spreads across the state. Forty-two grants will be awarded for 2014, 3 grants for each of the 14 MRTA regions. Each grant will be for $500 and all grants will total $21,000. This is money raised in addition to the elevator campaign. Another VERY BIG THANK YOU is in order for your continued support of the Classroom Grant Program. The Foundation Board is very proud of this program.

A short note to Local Unit Presidents and Members across the state. Please remember the Silent Auction coming up at the Annual Meeting in September. This is a major fundraiser for the Foundation and all money raised will go for Classroom Grants. Please note the flyer in this edition of the Newsletter.

A final note for members who purchased a Patio Brick in the elevator campaign. The bricks have been engraved and are installed in the Patio Area.

On behalf of the MRT Foundation Board of Directors, “A VERY BIG-BIG-BIG THANK YOU” for your continuing support of our fundraising activities. Our OFFICE FACILITY IS NOW COMPLETE with the elevator. MRTA folks are the BEST and can be very proud of what you have accomplished for retired educators in Missouri. I am so thankful and proud to be associated with all of you.

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