Oklahoma SCS/NRCS Retired Employees

Minutes of Meeting

October 23, 2015

Oklahoma SCS/NRCS Retired Employees met at the Golden Corral Buffet at 520 South MacArthur Blvd. in Oklahoma City.  Thirty-seven people were in attendance.

President Gordon Moebius called the meeting to order.  Fred Fortney provided the blessing for the meal and everyone enjoyed the buffet meal.

Following the meal, President Moebius again called the meeting to order.  First time attendees introduced themselves:   Tom Lucas retired in January 2015 as the Public Affairs Specialist in the State Office.  Prior to that position he was the RC&D Coordinator at Beaver.  Rod Shaw retired in January 2015 from the District Conservationist position in Oklahoma City.  Prior to that position he was the District Conservationist at Watonga.  He introduced his wife Sheila.  He said he was counting retirement in months not years as the majority of those in attendance.   Those in attendance introduced themselves and their spouse or guest if in attendance.

There is a Health Fair being held at the State Office in Stillwater, Monday, November 2, 2015, from 9 to 11:30 am.  Representatives of the various health plans will be on hand to answer questions.  The 2015 Open Season enrollment period for health benefits begins November 9 and ends December 14, 2015.  One of the changes which could affect most retirees is the addition of an enrollment type:  Self Plus One.  This choice is for individuals with you and one other eligible person such as your spouse or eligible child.  Premiums are lower than the Self and Family option which covers you and at least two additional eligible people.  You Must request the change to Self Plus One from the Self and Family option.  Open season mailers are being mailed the week of October 26^th.

Nick Lambeth reported he had attended the June 16th reunion of Area 9 former employees at the Western Sizzlin Steak House in McAlester.  This was put together by John Beard, retired Area Conservationist from Hugo.  There were about 30 former employees in attendance and everyone had a good time.

Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Hough read the minutes of the April 24, 2015, meeting.  They were approved as read.  The treasurers’ report showed a balance at the last meeting of $713.84 with $200.00 dues deposited for a beginning balance of $913.84.   Expenses for this meeting were $170.73 leaving an ending balance of $743.11.   There were 320 notices mailed, 4 returned and 1 re-mailed.  Thomas Calvert, Purcell, was reported as deceased.  A current address is needed for Val Matheny, Ardmore.  The notice sent to Bob Wingo, Hennepin, was also returned.  Someone thought he was also deceased.

The retiree website (www.cyber-shack.net/nrcs/ ) has been helpful in our effort to keep retirees informed.  This website also has a posting of the attendees, minutes and pictures from each of the meetings.  Special thanks to Randy Freeland and Bill Porter for their work in keeping the website up to date.

Secretary/Treasurer Sandra Hough read a list of recent retirees:  Kim Ehlers, SC, Stillwater FO, 1/1/15; Dennis Stipe, CET, Woodward TSO, 1/1/15; Ronald Smith, CI, Pauls Valley WO, 1/1/15; Rod Shaw, DC, Oklahoma City, 1/1/15; Ron Goedecke, DC, Okmulgee, 5/31/15, 32+ yrs; Jontie Aldrich (USFWS), 6/30/15, 25 yrs federal & 10 yrs state; John Mustain, State Forester/Agronomist, Stillwater SO, 9/3/15, 32+ yrs; Tom Neumeyer, DC, Stigler, 10/1/15; and Mark Conkling, Agronomist, Clinton TSO, 10/1/15 .

Sandra Hough also read a list of retiree deaths:  Lillian Shirley Nordean, 94, Konawa, 4/28/15; Kevin Cook, 46, Civil Engineer, Stillwater SO, 6/11/15; Clay Wilson, 64, Soil Scientist, Perry TSO living in Seneca, MO, 7/26/15, retired in 2000; Harold Irwin, 93, SCT, Hammon, 8/20/15; Bob G. Day, 87, Engineer, Clinton TSO, 10/3/15, retired in 1985 with 33+ yrs; and Kenneth Miller, 91, Design Engineer, Stillwater SO, 10/5/15, 38 yrs.   A moment of silence was observed and Fred Fortney offered a prayer.

Jamey Wood, Assistant State Conservationist for Strategy and Management, presented a power-point on the reorganization plans which will be forthcoming next summer.  Parts of the reorganization plan are already in the works.  Back in 1965 there were 805 employees and today there are 250.  There are also currently 95 supervisors for the 250 employees.  The biggest problem which has been facing employees and especially district conservationist is the lack of time available to be able to meet with producers on their land.  Too much of their time is being spent in the office on the computer, etc.  This reorganization plan will alleviate some of these problems which have been identified.   Thanks Jamey for the information.  He expressed an interest to meet with the group in the future.

Tom Lucas is working to establish an Oklahoma Conservation Museum.  Oklahoma is in the “Heart of the Dust Bowl” and probably one of the most recognized states for our conservation work and the focus of much of the publicity surrounding the Dust Bowl.  Our great heritage of conservation practices and watershed construction projects it seems only fitting we should preserve items for future generations to learn about the happenings in history.  He has met with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts and NRCS to present this concept and has received many offers of correspondence, implements, etc.  He is asking that our retiree group select four individuals who would like to be a part of the founding board of directors.  If there are more than four, they could be a part of an advisory committee.  Several names were mentioned and will be contacted by Mr. Lucas.  He also asked that everyone keep their eyes and ears open for possible items which could be secured or donated for the museum. 

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Golden Corral on MacArthur Boulevard in Oklahoma City.

There was no other business to bring before the group and the meeting was adjourned.

| Back |