DELORIS N. MULLINS

15th President

1996 - 1997

I served as Gwinnett County Retired Teachers Association president for the term 1996-97. Those holding other elected offices were: Marie Beiser, President-Elect; Harriette Hamrick, Secretary; Jackie Perry, Treasurer; and Katherine Carlyle, Immediate Past President. These officers completed their duties in their usual expert manner.

Every individual who agreed to take a position of responsibility from the committee chairman to the telephone committee carried out their duties completely. There are no minor players in GCRTA.

During this year, with the approval of the Executive Officers and the Governing Board, we introduced a formal letterhead including our logo, continued to publish the yearbook and Newsline, the newsletter. One idea I am especially proud of is the establishment of the "In Memory" cards. These cards are used by members or anyone who wishes, as a remembrance of friends and loved ones who pass away by making a contribution in the deceased*s name to the Scholarship Fund. We received enough contributions this first year to pay for our student scholarship.

Our September meeting held at the new Hamilton Mill, Mill House Restaurant, was in honor of our political leaders. Legislative Chairman, Snell Buchanan gave each of the nine political leaders who attended a few minutes to speak to the group and answer any questions.

The annual Scholarship/Budget Auction was a huge success. Each year we have begun to top our receipts from the year before. This is due in no small part to the fantastic group in charge of getting all the items together: Don Herndon, Mary and Dean Long and Jane Alexander. Also, we were entertained by the energy and talent of auctioneer, Brooks Coleman.

Marie Beiser, Program Chairman planned wonderful programs this year. We were entertained by the Collins Hill High School Chorus, under the direction of Lori Ziecker; were presented a laser show by Trina Boetler, teacher at Gwinnett Technical Institute; we were shown various art forms and techniques by artist Susan Pelham of Monroe; and we went on a field trip to CNN Television*s Talk Back Live talk show and toured the studio.

Another outstanding event of the year was to Annual Gwinnett Retired Employees -Luncheon held in November. This year it was held at the Bethesda Senior Center. We Gwinnett County Retired Teachers Association were welcomed by Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks and served a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner.

I am especially proud of the eighteen from Gwinnett County who attended our state convention at Jekyll Island, Georgia. They were as follows: Jane Alexander, Bob and Marie Beiser, Gerald and Christine Blaney, Harriette and Bob Hamrick, Katie and Don Herndon, Mary and Dean Long, Deloris and Reid Mullins, Faye Parker, Jackie and Jerry Perry, and Vera and Neal Timms.

Bob and Marie Beiser put together our beautiful scrapbook which won 1 st Place for Area XIV. We were also honored with the GRTA - Unit of Excellence Award, GRTA Handbook Participation Award, GRTA-Area XIV- Newsletter Award, and I was honored to receive the GRTA-President*s Leadership Award. We were delighted to have all of the winners of the Senior Council Awards this year as members of GCRTA. Gailya Raines was named Senior of the Year; Jackie Perry received the Citizenship Award; and Joan Sewell received the Community Service Award.

Having the opportunity to serve as president with such a terrific group of educators was truly a privilege for me. I was able to get to know each member better, and I certainly appreciated the talents of all who agreed to hold an office or serve on a committee. But beyond all of these are those who came to enjoy the fellowship, share their rich experiences and enjoy time spent with friends. There is no greater group of people anywhere.