RETIRED EMPLOYEES OF KERN COUNTY

MINUTES OF GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

November 11, 2003

At 12:00 noon the numbers were announced for each table.  A very good catered lunch was enjoyed by all in attendance.  The meeting was called to order at 12:45 p.m.  Walter Stewart led the Pledge of Allegiance.  A moment of silence was held and an extra moment for Alice Mack who had passed away on November 7, 2003.  Alice had a long history with REOKC.  There were no new members, guests or first-time attendees in attendance.

 First Vice President Norman Briggs introduced our speaker, Greg Pulskamp.  Mr. Pulskamp is a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Kern.  Mr. Pulskamp spoke on Financial Elder Abuse.  This is a growing crime rate.  The reasons for this are that we have more older people, smarter criminal who wants more money with less work.  The District Attorney’s office does not have any one specific employee working on elder abuse.  For it to be a criminal act, it has to be that someone takes money from someone 65 years and older.  When the laws were first written the victim and perpetrator had to have close relationship.   Now it is only that a person and a person over 65 years.  If a person is found guilty of elder abuse, they can get 2 – 4 years behind bars.  The law states that if the amount taken is over $400 it is a felony but in Kern County it is a felony if over $5,000 is taken.  Characteristics of almost all victims are 1) isolationism; 2) lack of sophistication; and 3) failed to plan their estate planning.  The perpetrators are 1) relatives; 2) professional advisors; 3) neighbors and 4) door-to-door con artists.  Prevention is to get out and keep active, both mentally and physically and research the product or company before you buy.

 BUSINESS MEETING:

 Doris Williams gave the Treasurer’s Report for October 31, 2003.  Doris reported the total REOKC membership as of October 31, 2003 was 3,128.

 CRCEA – Everett Julkowski was not in attendance due to a dental appointment.  President, David Merritt announced that the CRCEA Conference Report is on the CRCEA Web Site which has a link to REOKC Web Site.

 EYE GLASS – Helen Heath reported that in the last month she has collected 6 pair of glasses.

 SUNSHINE – Elinor Wells reported that she had sent out only 3 cards in September and October.

 NEWSLETTER – The TREND is in the mail.  Some people have already received their TREND and others have not.

 OLD BUSINESS:

 Nominating Committee Report – Tom McCarthy, chairman, gave the following               Report:  Officers for 2004 –

                                                   President                 -     Norman Briggs

                                                  1^st Vice President   -      Jeanne Berkshire

                                                   2^nd Vice President  -      Elinor Wells

                                                    Treasurer                 -      John DeMario

                                                     Director                   -     Walter Stewart

                                                     Director                   -      Dolores Christian

                                                     Director                  -      Lois Maujer

Treasurer, Doris Williams noted to President, David Merritt that the voting needed  to include Secretary, Ginger Mello which was stated by Tom McCarthy that the Secretary was included in the election process.  President, David Merritt opened the nominations from the floor.   Belva Jarad made a motion to close the nominations at this point after no one made a nomination.  MOTION by Helen Dodd to elect this slate by acclamation; seconded by Norma Morgan and CARRIED.

 NEW BUSINESS:

  President, David Merritt stated that the speakers at the CRCEA Conference were marvelous and 80% spoke on Health Care and Prescription’s.   David also   reminded the general membership that in the spring he had spoken to Bill         Kirkwood, past president of CRCEA, about CRCEA putting together a medical plan that all 1937 Act Counties could become a part of.  David stated that when he spoke with Mr. Kirkwood there was 3 things he wanted looked at and that was  that it would integrate with Medicare, would be portable and have prescription coverage.  David stated that the medical coverage in Kern County and elsewhere in the country will be changing drastically in the future.

 The attendance prize was won by Ann Farrell.

 There were 29 - $5.00 door prizes.  President, David Merritt called the numbers for the door prizes.  After the distribution of prizes, the meeting was adjourned at 2:18 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted this 14^th day of November, 2003.

 Ginger Mello, Secretary