JULY 21, 2026
​   MINUTES OF MEETINGS
   OF THE WCREPA 
   EXECUTIVE BOARD

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July 21, 2026
CES, Hagerstown Room
9:00 a.m.
Present:  Cathy Grantham, Mary Rogers, Aileen Boyd, Christina Doucette, Jan Stephens, Linda Nairn, Karen Teach, Sally Mummert, Pam Cole, Kathy Garlitz, Linda Shank, Ruby Roessner, Rose Ulrich, Kathy Snyder, Dennis Smith, Sharon Chirgott
 
Call to Order:  Co-President Mary Rogers & Co-President Cathy Grantham

• Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mary Rogers.
• Mary delivered the Thought for the Day, excerpts from the New Yorker Book of Teacher Cartoons.
• The agenda was approved by a motion from Christina Doucette, seconded by Karen Teach.
• The April 21, 2026 minutes was approved by consensus with the change of the date of Not Back to School from August 25 to August 24.

 
Finances

• Auditors:  Ruby Roessner reported the audit will begin as soon as documents are provided.
• Treasurer’s Report:  Kathy Snyder that there is $8,280.58 in the checking account, $30,994.94 in savings.  Total assets which include the scholarship accounts are $321,995.86.
• Treasurer’s Scholarship Fund Report:  Aileen Boyd shared that the endowment fund has been doing well and has accrued to $268,826.08.

 
Committee Reports  

• Adopt a Highway:  Christina shared that the organization is in the third year of a three-year commitment and she’s not likely to renew.  The next clean-up date is September 29, 8:30 a.m. reporting to the regular meeting place.
• Archivist:  no report
• Celebration of Trees:  Karen Teach would like to change the theme of the tree to recognize each school.  Several ideas were discussed for the decorating which occurs in November.
• Facebook Page:  no report  I was there and reported.  I thanked Iris Kresge for posting.
• Legislation:  no report
• Membership/Pre-Retirement:  Linda Shank reminded the group that MRSPA dues are $50 and local dues are $12.  There are 418 members, 97 of which are cash paying.  Fourteen members passed away this year.
• MRSPA Area I West Director:  Christina announced that Wanda Twigg is retiring as the MRSPA Executive Director but will remain in the position until the end of the year as a successor is being sought.  Christina also reminded the group that MRSPA leadership wants to be invited to local meetings.
• Newsletter: Christina has recognized about $1,000 in savings by submitting the document print ready to Copy Quik.  She redesigned and updated the WCREPA logo as noted on the agenda and minutes headings.
• Nominating:  Cathy and Mary are looking for members for this committee.
• Outstanding Member Service Award:  Sally Mummert, reporting on behalf of the committee comprised of Pam Cole & Kathy Garlitz, said there has been one nomination to date and the nominating window closes on August 1.  Only one person will be honored each year.
• Public Relations:  There is no committee but since the newspaper doesn’t seem to publish local community news sharing information is accomplished by Facebook, newsletter, and website. 
• Scholarship:  Cathy Grantham will “train” new members Sally Mummert and Pam Cole.
• Socials

• 500 Club:  Karen Teach encouraged people to attend on the first Thursday of the month at the Northern Avenue American Legion; newbies are taught if they do not know the game. 
• Bunco continues to meet on third Thursday of the month at the Northern Avenue American Legion.  Cathy thanked Linda Shank for helping in July and for helping in August.
• Luncheons:  Jan Stephens & Linda Nairn proposed eliminating the October luncheon because October attendance is traditionally quite low since events are held in August and September.  The group agreed.
• Not Back to School Luncheon, chaired by Rose Ulrich & Cathy Grantham, will be held Monday, August 24th 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., Western Sizzlin’.  No RSVP is required; orders will be individual. 
• Summer Picnic Thursday, Sept. 10, is chaired by Rose Ulrich, Cathy Grantham & Christina Doucette.  The check-in starts at 5:00 p.m. with the meal at 5:30 at the pavilion in Doubs Wood.  Ernst Market will again cater the meal.  Since the USA is still celebrating its 250th anniversary attendees are encouraged to wear red. white and blue. 

• Check in-Karen and Sharon
• Welcome and invocation-Rose
• Pledge of Allegiance-Karen
• 50/50-Karen
• Patriotic games-Rose and Cathy
• Bagging leftovers-Kathy, Jam, Linda Shank, Sally
• Collecting the money-Pam

• Website:  Dennis Smith still can’t access the website, and it will need to be rebuilt.  Cathy praised Dennis for the quality posts.  Dennis, Dave, and Kathy will begin a new website because the old website was in Carolyn Seburn’s name and cannot be accessible by Kathy Snyder, treasurer.  She has been paying out of her own pocket for several years.
• Welfare/Memorial:  no report I reported on Bonnie’s behalf that she had sent several cards.

 
Old Business:

• WCREPA had a large contingent attend the annual MRSPA business meeting held on May 5 at Turf Valley in Ellicott City.
• Rose relayed the need to contact Jeff Proloux and Erin Anderson about naming a school after Leon Brumback Kathryn Tyler, his sister.  She hasn’t heard any more from her.

 
New Business:

• MRSPA Association Presidents’ Meeting Zoom Meeting July 22nd at 10 AM
• The group really valued having a speaker at the May meeting and Linda Shank will contact someone at the Boys and Girls Club which will be the December Outreach Project.
• Brainstorming ways to recruit new members offered some ideas.  Strategies include stressing the state group’s lobbying efforts protects our pension, member benefits, and altruism projects.  Linda S. distributed a membership packet to everyone to have on hand for one-on-one recruiting opportunities.  Sharon will contact Carol Mowen, WCTA president, to discuss partnering to aid recruiting.
• Other

• Karen is changing from the MRSPA’s scholarship committee to the grant committee.
• The thank you note from Children in Need was shared after the contribution from the May altruism project.

 
 
Next meeting:  October 20, 2026
Future meetings (3rd Tuesday of the month)

• January 19, 2027 Meeting at Brooke’s House Coffee Shop will be investigated.
• April 20, 2027
• July 20, 2027

 
The meeting adjourned about 10:45 a.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Chirgott
Secretary