Bulloch County Retired Educators received top honors at the 64th Annual Convention recently held in Athens.
Glennera Martin, local BREA president, Pamela Bland, president-elect, Priscilla Clifton, Vera Richmond, Wilhelmina Walker and Gwendolyn Yarbrough attended the three-day event.
Joe Boland, Georgia Retired Educators president, welcomed more than 300 members. He presented the Convention Overview, along with an Adoption of the Agenda. The agenda included a variety of topics, Past Presidents’ Banquet and presentation of contribution for Totes to Tots.
Additional agenda items included, silent auction, memorial, door prizes and recognition for Units of Distinction.
Reports were given on the museum and foundation. Shirley Grant, president-elect, welcomed members and presented the budget. A welcome reception was organized by the University of Georgia School of Education.
The welcome banquet was held with President Boland serving as the host. A slide show of units was shared during the banquet.
Bertha Hightower-Smith rendered several flute renditions during the evening. Michael Kobito, Georgia Teacher of the Year 2023 and Recruitment Retention Specialist for the Georgia Department of Education was the keynote speaker for the banquet. He placed emphasis on his goal to provide teachers with the resources needed to help students reach their potential.
On Wednesday morning, Units were divided according to areas for breakfast. During the breakfast, Bulloch and Effingham Counties were awarded the Unit of Distinction for Area Six. After breakfast, workshops were held. Three of the nine informative workshops included: “Get Back on the Bus & Assist Students with Reading,” “Leadership Academy” and “iPhone Tips & Tricks.”
The Memorial Service was held during the afternoon. Deceased members were identified from each area.
A banquet on the final night recognized past presidents during a procession.
President Boland named Bulloch County Retired Educators as one of the districts to receive an award with 7% increase in membership.
Additional awards for BREA included, Scrapbook Page Award, Handbook Award, Newsletter Award, Public Relations Award, Scholarship Award, Local Unit Service Project Award and Unit of Distinction Award.
He thanked all districts who contributed to the Totes for Tots.
After dinner, members enjoyed dancing to the music by Back in Time Band that was formed in the summer of 2009. The core of the band came from veterans of the 1960s and 1970s rock and rock n’ roll scene from around Athens and Northeast Georgia.
At the final session, President Boland expressed thanks to his supporters. New state officers are Shirley Grant, GREA president and Gwendolyn Yarbrough, Area 6 director.