OCTOBER 21, 2025
​    MINUTES OF MEETINGS
    OF THE WCREPA 
    EXECUTIVE BOARD

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WCREPA MINUTES
October 21, 2025, 9:00 a.m.
Hagerstown Room, CES
 
Members present:  Linda Shank, Karen Teach, Sharon Chirgott, Jan Stephens, Aileen Boyd, Cathy Grantham, Dennis Smith, Christina Doucette, Linda Nairn, Lucy Linn, and Rose Ulrich.
 
The meeting was called to order by Past-President Lucy Linn at 9:00 a.m.
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Linda Shank.
 
The agenda was approved as printed.
The minutes of the previous meeting had been approved electronically and posted on the website.

Finance
Aileen Boyd reported that the scholarship investment fund has been growing significantly to $246,926.11.  There are sufficient funds in the checking account ($14,235.56) to cover the spring scholarship payments.  UMBC did not appear to have received the check for Hannah Brown, but it was later found.  A cover letter with each scholarship payment to the college or university could perhaps clarify and avoid mix-ups. The scholarship funds were audited for the period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, and found to be accurate with proper documentation. Treasurer’s Report was shared by Karen Teach in Kathy Snyder’s absence.  Checking account, $11,390.03;  savings, $29,269.69;  total assets including the Raymond James Endowment, $301,821.39.

Committee Reports
Outstanding Member Service Award Christina Doucette was awarded the Outstanding Member Service Award at the October luncheon. Nominations for next year can be submitted any time from now until August 31.

Facebook Page Cathy Grantham participated in a Zoom meeting with MRSPA and other chapter Facebook managers where ideas were shared.

Legislation Lucy will continue as the legislative chair and reported that the committee is working to keep the Blueprint in balance.
 
Membership/Pre-Retirement Linda Shank shared there’s 94 cash payers.  Eight required reminder letters and their membership will be revoked at the end of November if they remain unpaid.  Two members passed away since last meeting;  one cancelled their membership;  two new members joined. Linda participated in a Zoom meeting with MRSPA.  Locals were asked to not charge dues for the period following enrollment to the end of the fiscal year, beginning dues payment July 1.  On a motion by Christina Doucette, seconded by Cathy Grantham, the group agreed to do so. The new MRSPA advertising campaign will be rolled out in the spring. Utilizing UMBA, a member service, was encouraged.

Newsletter Christina Doucette has the draft in hand, and it is due to be distributed on November 1, perhaps sooner. Do we want to update the logo?  Something to think about.

Nominating Still looking for committee members.

Scholarship Cathy Grantham reported that scholarship applications can be submitted from now to March 31.  The number of scholarships to be awarded will be determined by the number of qualified applicants.

Website David Williams been recruited to learn how to update the website and be mentored by Dennis.  Dennis is working to determine who has ownership of the website so that Dave can access it.

Welfare/Memorial Bonnie Brown sent in a report that she had sent one get well card, 3 sympathy cards and three members have passed away.

Social 500 Club—upcoming gathering, November 6. Not Back to School—successful, about 25 attended.

Fall picnic—45 attended, held 50/50 and the winner donated $50 to the organization.  It was suggested that the menu be reduced to two meats. Upcoming luncheons are being arranged by Jan Stephens and Linda Nairn. The December 5th luncheon will be held in the banquet rooms at the Fireside Restaurant, $26 each, reservations are to be sent to Karen Teach.  Altruistic donations will benefit Micah’s Backpack and Kathy Powderly, head of the Hagerstown Area Religious Council, has been invited to speak. Suggestions were made about possible sites for future luncheons along with the possibility of trying a breakfast event.

Adopt a Highway—November 11, 8:00 a.m.  Because of the age of the participants it was said that the partnership will not be renewed when our present commitment ends (in year 2 of 3).

Celebration of Trees—chaired by Karen Teach, several have volunteered to assist, meeting November 5, could use more school/teacher related ornaments.
 
Old Business
Lucy brought up the idea of members being involved in an altruistic project(s).  Suggested activities included being part of a bigger project:  Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed construction, Salvation Army bell ringer or Red Cross gift wrapping during the holidays.

​New Business
Lucy expressed concern over printing costs of the newsletter since it is the largest budget item.  The group agreed that options should be explored. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
 
 
 
Next meeting— January 20, 2026 at St. Ann Catholic Church
Future meetings—April 21, 2026 and July 21, 2026 at CES
 
 
 
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Chirgott
Secretary