Coverage of 2024 Spring Regional Meetings!
Conducting multiple regional meetings in each of the three grand divisions, TRTA leadership crossed the state during March to work with local chapter leaders. Meetings were held in West Tennessee in Jackson and Dyersburg; the following week saw meetings conducted in Nashville, Cookeville, and Lawrenceburg; and the final week of meetings began in Knoxville, then moved to Chattanooga, before completing the statewide tour in Johnson City. Fifty-one chapters attended at least one of the regional meetings, with a total of 234 in attendance.
Members Gather Across the State
Jackson
Dyersburg
Lawrenceburg
Cookeville
Nashville
Johnson City
State Leadership at the Meetings
TRTA President William (Bill) Murray acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the regional meetings. He welcomed attendees at all the meetings and introduced presenters and chapters. At the end of the day, he gave closing comments and helped give away $20 bills as door prizes!
TRTA Legislative Chairperson Ted Williams led the first morning session of the meetings with a discourse concerning current bills going through the TN General Assembly.
At two regional meetings, attendees got to hear TRTA Member and TCRS Representative Mike Barker--always a crowd favorite-- give a TCRS update.
Dr. Duran Wiliams, TRTA Executive Director, gave an association update at each meeting and with a slideshow helped disseminate and explain information concerning the legislative bills, in particular, the vouchers going through the TN General Assembly. ***Dr. Williams also acted as chief photographer, which is why there are no action shots of him!
Libbey Burney, TRTA Membership Chairperson, led an afternoon table activity where chapter attendees were asked to highlight on chart paper the things their chapter did of which they were most proud.
TRTA President-Elect Dewayne Emert provided the TCRS update in Middle and East Tennessee meetings. He also provided information on the new Medicare numbers resulting from the data breech last year.
A Gallery Walk of Some Local Chapters' Proudest Endeavors
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:370,h:493.3333333333333,cg:true)
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:370,h:493.3333333333333,cg:true)
.jpg/:/cr=t:18.75%25,l:18.75%25,w:62.5%25,h:62.5%25/rs=w:370,h:493.3333333333333,cg:true,m)
.jpg/:/cr=t:7.63%25,l:7.63%25,w:84.75%25,h:84.75%25/rs=w:370,h:493.3333333333333,cg:true,m)
.jpg/:/cr=t:11.54%25,l:11.54%25,w:76.92%25,h:76.92%25/rs=w:370,h:493.3333333333333,cg:true,m)
.jpg/:/cr=t:5.36%25,l:5.36%25,w:89.29%25,h:89.29%25/rs=w:370,h:493.3333333333333,cg:true,m)
A Look at Some Artifacts That Associations Brought To Share
Maury--"The Wrench Award"
Members who volunteered at the library had to make "adjustments" when older children showed up at story time. You can't take the teacher out of a retiree! Long live "monitor and adjust"!
Franklin--"Greatest Patrons of the Arts"
They had a music presentation at their January meeting, and both a theater AND art presentation at the March meeting!
Dickson--"Where Everybody Knows Your Name!"
Meetings have a name tag board!
Clarksville-Montgomery--"Most Likely To Have Been Cheerleading Sponsors"
This year's theme is "CMCRTA CAN DO!"
CM-CR-TA-Can-Do!
Robertson--"Best-Looking Sliced Pie at a Meeting!"
Their November meeting had the yummiest pie ever seen!
Marshall--"Fountain of Youth Award"
For having the oldest member--105!
Memphis-Shelby--"Most Ingenious Photo Submission"
Photo collages were used to get more faces in the pics!
Gibson--"Best Group Photo with President Bill Murray"
Their photo of him with a group of ladies made him look good!
Jackson-Madison--"Chapter That Knows How To Party!"
They had an over-the-top Halloween meeting in October of 2023!
Knox--"Fanciest Meeting Venue"
The Foundry at the World's Fair site!
Grainger--"Member Hospitality Award"
A meeting was held at a member's home where a homecooked meal was provided!
Anderson County--"Most Magical Meeting, Literally!"
A magician actually performed at the September meeting!
Bristol--"Getting a School Board To Sponsor a Meal!"
The December meeting was sponsored by the school board!
Kingsport--"Best Choir Spectacular"
The December meeting had a near-Broadway-level performance by local students!
Greeneville-Greene-- "Most Obvious Alliteration"
Dan Duggar read the devotional and Cari Allen directed The Chucky Doak Choir!
Washington--"Revealing Food City Has a Banquet Room"
Not only did Food City sponsor a meal, but the meeting was held at the Food City banquet room!
Sullivan--"Most Unusual Musical Entertainment"
The Piney Flats Dulcimer Band!
McMinn and Jefferson
- McMinn-- "Most Sizzling Meetings" (Meetings occurred at the Western Sizzlin' Steak House.)
- Jefferson--"Most Supportive of Active Teachers" (Chapter gives active teacher grants.)