GREA Area 6 director installs new leadership for local retired educators association
Emanuel Retired Educators Association (EREA) met May 19 via zoom. During that meeting, Dr. Connie S. Cooper, director of the Georgia Retired Educators Association’s Area 6, installed new local officers.
Among the installed were President Bobbie Daughtry, President-Elect Jean Schwabe, Secretary Dr. John Derden, and Treasurer Lena Nwakudu. This was Dr. Cooper’s first-ever virtual installation ceremony.
These officers will service for the association’s 2021-2022 year.
Dr. Cooper also delivered brief comments to the group. She mentioned that orientation for presidents will be held in Effingham County on May 27.
She also noted that areas 5 and 6 have a scheduled meeting in Savannah on August 24 with Bulloch County hosting.
Lastly, the visiting Area 6 director told local members about the GREA’s 62nd Annual Convention slated for October 19-21 at the Augusta Marriott. The slogan, “Empowered to Serve,” was selected by the new state president for 2021-2022, Dr. Henrietta Gray.
Also at the meeting, Scholarship Committee chairs Syvetta Young and Dr. Derden recognized the EREA’s scholarship recipient for 2020-2021, Elijah Worthen. A check would be given to him after the meeting, and an anonymous donor later gave an additional $500 to be given to the scholarship recipient.
During the business session, both the minutes from April 21 meeting as well as the treasurer’s report were reviewed and approved by members. Committee reports were presented, and unfinished and new business were discussed.
Following the installation of officers, members and newly-installed President Daughtry commended President Elease Turner for the outstanding job she did in her role as such this year. Despite the challenges the pandemic presented, President Turner rose to those challenges and did an excellent job.
President Turner opened the meeting and welcomed members as well as guest Dr. Cooper. Verdell Brinson provided the invocation.
The local retired educators association will next meet in September.
EREA is one of 128 local units of the Georgia Retired Educators Association (GREA). EREA and GREA are voices for the state legislature and the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia.