Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/61011
DSEA-Retired: the commitment continues. . . Retired group sponsors afternoon of presentations, answers to questions, and lots of "free stuff" - by Rich Phillips, president, DSEA- Retired This new event was a result of many of our DSEA-Retired members requesting health screen- ings as well as informa- tion on certain topics. T o accommodate member requests, DSEA-Retired put together a program of ses- sions and information tables recent- ly at the Conference Center of Dover Downs. Jenny Lloyd (retired from Colonial) organized the vendors and many of the presenters. Rosemarie Kosmalski, public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, made herself available to answer ques- tions about changes to Social Security. She even had her laptop set up to make changes to or review personal accounts, if requested. Kim Lindsey, Member Benefits specialist for NEA, and Tammy Wagner, Member Benefits spe- cialist for DSEA, shared the thou- sands of benefits and discounts available to DSEA-Retired members - part of your dues at work. Another popular topic was Medicare. Lakia Turner, State of Delaware Medicare specialist, made a presentation about the recent changes in Medicare. She was also able to assist Medicare recipients with their accounts as well as answer questions. Brenda Lakeman, director of Office of Management and Budget, and Kim Vincent, deputy pension administrator, were able to answer personal questions about benefits that many pensioners had. Terry Whitham, E911 (Enhanced 911) administrator for the State of Delaware, was also on hand to inform retirees of the purpose of the 911 Emergency Registry. For folks with special needs, you are encouraged to register online at www.de911assist. delaware.gov/, or on paper, providing information that is only accessible to first responders, if needed. www.dsea.org • Osher Lifelong Institutes, for- mally University of Delaware Lifelong Learning, had information about their institutes in all three counties. "I attended the [DSEA-Retired] Mary Jo Hunter (left,retired librarian from Christina) talks to Carla Pyle (seated, retired from Red Clay) about volunteering for the Historic Houses of Odessa pro- gram. Carl and husband Jeff (retired from Christina) moved to Historic Odessa and jumped right into the various groups in town that work to preserve its buildings and history. Available to answer questions and solicit volunteers were several com- munity groups. The Historical Odessa Foundation representa- tives were Carla and Jeff Pyle, both members of DSEA-Retired. If you are interested in helping in some way as docents or in other capacities, please contact Carla. Another group seeking volun- teers is PAWS (Pet Assisted Visitation Volunteer Services, Incorporated). This group was rep- resented by Community Relations Coordinator Bythe Anne Lyndstrom. PAWS is looking for people willing to share their loving pets (dogs, cats and rabbits) with people in nursing homes, hospitals, etc. Blythe brought along Leslie, a Holland Lop rabbit, so her table was a magnet for animal lovers. Other vendors with information tables and representatives included the following: • Bayhealth in the Dover area pro- vided some health screenings to retirees who attended. • Collette Travel's Bob Koch spoke of this year's DSEA-Retired tour to Ireland. He also presented pictures from the areas that will be toured, including Northern Ireland. • Delaware Area Regional Transit (DART) had some informa- tion including applications for reduced fares, including SCAT (Senior Citizens Affordable Taxi) • Delaware Hospice • Delaware Senior Olympics, for those who are still ready for a chal- lenge • Delaware Division of Services for Aging & Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD). The two representatives available had lots of valuable information about pro- grams that the State of Delaware provides for its senior population, including free legal advice for sen- iors • DelaWELL Health Manage- ment Program offers health coach- ing, topical workshops and services, paid for by the State, to anyone who is pre-Medicare. This program is for anyone 50+ years. The State even offers monetary Incentives up to $200 for joining and following through on the program. • Milford Housing for Seniors provided information about a pro- gram that helps seniors who cannot afford to do some "handyman" work on their own. • Modern Maturity Center pro- vided information about all of the services that they currently pro- vide. afternoon workshops on March 7, 2012 at Dover Downs. The afternoon was so informative, friendly and hospitable. Many topics were cov- ered. The presenters answered questions willingly, not rushing… The only thing lacking was more members taking advantage of this afternoon. Kudos to staff and our leaders for planning this great afternoon. One certainly could see our dues at work." - Linda Ferraro, retired from Christina School District NEA-Retired annual dues increasing $5 N EA-Retired dues will be increasing $5 beginning on September 1, 2012. This increase is the first dues increase in seven years. If you are retiring from active service this year, you can save the extra $5 by joining prior to September 1. Facts about joining DSEA- Retired • We have discovered that many retirees who thought they joined DSEA-Retired, actually joined DRSPA (Delaware Retired School Personnel Association). This group mainly composed of administra- tors; is not affiliated with DSEA or NEA; and does not offer the same benefits as DSEA or DSEA-Retired. • Your membership does not auto- matically transfer from your active DSEA membership to DSEA-Retired membership. You must complete a membership form to become a member of DSEA/NEA-Retired. To get this form and membership information, please contact Debbie Weaver, DSEA-Retired program assistant, at Debbie.Weaver@dsea. orgor by calling her at 866-734-5834. March/April 2012 DSEA ACTION! 15