Newsletter

Legislative News … Daniel North and Claudia Schott

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Now that the government shutdown is at a “strategic pause,” we have work to do. AARP is urging us to continue asking our members of Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to protect SNAP and reject creating additional program barriers for individuals and families struggling with food insecurity. Basically, don’t let us go hungry.

You can get more information about CalFresh, the state program that is part of SNAP, that provides fresh food to low-income households, including seniors. This is one of the programs that will be affected. For more information about CalFresh, either call 1-877-847-3663 or you can go online to http://www.cdss.ca.gov/food-nutrition/calfresh or http://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/CalFresh  You can view a PDF of the CalFresh brochure at CalFresh_Senior_Bro_Eng.pdf or https://211sandiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CalFresh_Senior_Bro_Eng.pdf sorry about all the webpages, everyone, but I can’t give you all a hardcopy of the brochures. You better hurry and give our Senators what for!

Of course, the “strategic pause” is only good until February 15th. If President Trump and Congress can’t come to a reasonable compromise, the shutdown will continue. As Trump’s approval rating continues to plummet, many Democrats are putting their names into the hat, including our very own Senator, Kamala Harris, and none other than Elizabeth Warren, an astute and incisive critic of the president.

“Harris believes that the time is now for us all to defend the American values of equality, decency, justice, and democracy — and her candidacy will be animated by her life’s work of fighting ‘for the people,’” according to a statement.

The list of possible Democratic candidates for the presidency is very long, senators from Hawaii to New Hampshire are adding their names. This looks to be a very interesting election. (But then, aren’t they all?)

Need Callers … Thelma Bridges

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We need two new callers for AARP; you can call Thelma Bridges, at the number listed in the Dispatch, if your are interested. It’s a very simple job each month which would only take about 30 minutes of your time.  You get to know people and just remind them of the meeting each month.

President … Ken Schieck

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AARP Associate State Director Antoine Cook left our January meeting with at least two positive impressions:

1) No other California chapter sponsors lunches after a general meeting;

2) He was impressed with the idea of “Glad Tidings” (thanks to Marilyn Clough for that phrase).

I know from other conversations with Antoine that he is also impressed with the scope of the Dispatch and the fact that it is published monthly.

These activities only come about because members of our chapter are willing to step up and use their talents to serve the larger community be that our AARP chapter or the neighborhoods and cities where we live (and sometimes work!). Furthermore, Mr. Cook also said that the Board positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer are absolutely necessary for a chapter to stay in existence.  I bring this up to you because the position of Vice-President is currently vacant. If you appreciate the speakers that have informed our meetings over the years, you have an idea of what the Vice-President’s main responsibility is.  Anyone with powers of persuasion and knowledge of the interests of seniors should consider volunteering in this position.

If you are interested, please see Jan Delucchi or myself; I served in this capacity recently for two years.  Thank you for your interest.

Please read newly posted articles on our website and this issue of the Dispatch

President…Ken Schieck

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First of all, I wish a very happy and prosperous 2019 to all of you;; some of us had a very prosperous 2018, others just want to forget about the past year and get on with the new one. To all the members who joined (or returned to) our chapter in 2018, I offer a big “thank you.” Please consider lending your talents to the activities that will be planned this year.

Below is a letter from our vice-president, Gene Lennon, who will be moving in a different direction for the time being. Perhaps you can fill his position.

Dear Campbell Area AARP Chapter 5151 members,

Many of you may be wondering why I have not been attending the monthly meetings and fulfilling my obligation as Vice President/Program Director. In the past few months, I have experienced some major lifestyle changes that have prevented me from completing my requirements of the position.

I am truly sorry for my inability to fully serve you as was expected of me, but hope you did appreciate what programs I was able to secure during my time as V.P.

You voted me into the position with expectations of my ability to provide educational, entertaining, and informative programs for a period of 2 years and I was going to extend for another, but things changed. Life is unpredictable and sometimes alters the course we choose.

I have enjoyed meeting all of you and helping to bring value to the Chapter and would not hesitate to volunteer once again if things should change. As of now, I am unable to attend the monthly meetings and participate in the Board of Director meetings which are to guide, direct, implement and administer policies that benefit the chapter.

Please give your support to the board and to Paddy Wray for helping me complete that which I cannot. Her contributions to this chapter are immeasurable and should not go unrecognized, respected and appreciated. With all my heart, I thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely,
Gene Lennon V.P. Campbell Area AARP Chapter 5151

Tuesday, January 15, In Q80

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Social Time 9:15 am Meeting 10:00 am

Leave clean clothing, bedding and nonperishable food for Sacred Heart on the bench outside. Please do not bring garage-sale-type items for Sacred Heart. Please bring books to share. Place these items on the first table: donations for the troops, new and used greeting cards in the box;; your volunteer hours in purple envelope.

Program… Paddy Wray and Ken Schieck

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Our speaker for the general meeting this month will be Antoine Cook, AARP Associate State Director, focused on Volunteer Engagement and Management in the local community. He began working for AARP in July 2006 and is responsible for developing and managing relationships with various AARP programs, such as: Smart Driver, Tax Aide, Chapters and more. Mr. Cook also sponsors conference calls in which California chapters of AARP share information. The program topic will be the relationship between the California state office and the local chapters.

Membership…Shelly Schwartz

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Happy New Year to Everyone!

And, of course, I’d also like to hear from all who have not yet paid your 2019 Membership dues.

Check the Dispatch for the Membership Application, complete the form, and follow the directions to send me a check for your annual dues.