BCREA May Meeting Set

Just want to give a heads up on our upcoming meeting.  Senator Bewely did publish an update in the Chetek Alert which I found informative.  I am not sure if she also hit the other papers in our county.  I have forwarded these topics that I thought we would like to be addressed: School Funding, Vouchers, Safety of our Pension fund, School Safety. 

When: May 3, 2018

Program: Q & A with our State Senator Janet Bewely

Where: Red’s Supper Club

121 Lakeview Drive

Chetek, WI

9:30 am Coffee & Registration at

10 to 10:30 am Business Meeting

10:30 pm State Senator Janet Bewely

Lunch Choices

(choice will be taken at registration)

Red’s House Salad with Grilled Chicken Breast

Classic Prime Rib Sandwich with grilled onions & Swiss cheese

Hamburger or Grilled Chicken Breast with Lettuce and Tomato

Sandwiches include homemade potato chips and pickle

March BCREA Meeting Held

On Thursday, March 15, 2018, the Barron County Retired Educators held a meeting at Bethany Lutheran Church. There were two programs, a business meeting, and lunch during the meeting.
The first program was called "Bee Keeping and their Importance to our Environment" presented by Richard Koehn of Milk & Honey Acres of Almena, Wisconsin.  The second program was by Mary Jane Woodall of Association of Benefits Advisors(AMBA), including a background of the company and the benefits available to WREA members.
Following the presentations, a business meeting was held, lead by Kathy Duerr, president of BCREA.  Marie Anderson was recognized for her many years of service as Secretary of BCREA.  A new secretary and a Calling Committee Chair are needed by the organization.
The Spring District 1 meeting will be held in Rice Lake on Tuesday, May 1st.  The BCREA is hosting this meeting.  Any member wishing to attend the meeting should contact Kathy Duerr.  The organization has funds to help pay for the registration to this event.
The Wisconsin Retirement System has announced that starting May 1st, payments to retirees will increase by 2.4% in Core and 17% in variable.
The next meeting of BCREA will be May 3rd, 2018, at Red's Supper Club in Chetek.  Registration will begin at 9:30 am with the meeting starting at 10 am.  The presenter will be State Senator Janet Bewely.

Richard Koehn

Richard Koehn in protective gear

Mary Jane Woodall

Mary Jane Woodall introduced by Kathy Duerr

Osterloth, Bekkum at convention

On Oct. 2-4, more than 200 retired educators gathered at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake to attend the convention of the Wisconsin Retired Educators' Association.
Paul Wesselmann, The Ripples Guy, was the keynote speaker who unleashed an infusion of energy and insight for convention attendees.
Chris Gleason, 2016-2017 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year representative shred how he is "lighting a fire in kids" through music.
Delegates from the Barron County Rirred Educators' Association included John Osterloth of Rice Lake and Victor Bekkum of Cumberland.  Osterloth serves on the WREA Board of Directors as chair of the WREA Member Benefits committee, and Bekkum is the Past President of WREA.  The group is a non-partisan, independent organization with more than 10,500 members statewide and 65 local units.  For details about BCREA, contact Kathy Duerr at 715-924-2120.
Article published in the Rice Lake Chronotype.

November BCREA Set

Hi!  here is the info on are upcoming meeting. Some of you are on a calling list, if you want to get this info just by email, please let me know by responding to me via email.

Hoping to see you there,  Kathy

Barron County Retired Educators Association

St Paul Lutheran Church

743 221/2 Ave. (Sth 48)

Cumberland

PROGRAM:  Wood Shaving Enterprise and Overseas Troop Entertainment

Presenter: Zach Schaff

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Coffee and Registration 9:30

Program starting at 10

Lunch at noon -  $12

Please call Kathy Duerr(715 924 2120) or e-mail (kat@chibardun.net subject line: BCREA Nov attendees)

Member Benefits Committee Meeting Held

John Osterloth and Vic Bekkum attended a Member Benefits Committee Meeting held at the WREA Office in Middleton, Wisconsin.  John is the current Chairman of the committee and Vic is an ex-officio member of the committee.  Tracy Sabol from the Insuring Success company made a presentation to the committee of the products available from her company.  An update on AMBA was given to the committee.  The committee discussed the duties of the committee and the duties of committee members as described in the bylaws of the organization.  The committee then discussed the previous goals set by the committee and developed three new goals to be revisited and adopted at the next meeting.  Next meeting date is to be determined at a later date.

Wisconsin Retired Educators Association Meetings

On Monday, July 17 and Tuesday, July 18, John Osterloth and Vic Bekkum attended several WREA meetings held at the Holiday Inn in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  A Committee Chair meeting, District Directors meeting, Board of Directors Banquet, a New Board of Directors informational meeting, and a Board of Directors meeting, were held over the 2 days.  The passing of information and very nice companionship took place during all of the mentioned activities.

BCREA Picnic

On Monday, July 10, 2017, the Barron County Retired Educators Association (BCREA) held their annual picnic at the new shelter at Narrows Park in Rice Lake.  Approximately 20 members of the organization enjoyed beautiful weather, great food, and companionship.