RETIRED MUSIC EDUCATORS Rex Benson, Chairperson
Imagination–Creation: Don’t Skip the First Step!
As I’m writing this our family is preparing for a journey to Disneyworld next week-the advantages of retirement!! Now I must admit that over the years of taking bands, show choirs and family trips to Disney I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve made the journey . . . could it be 16? I wonder what keeps us going back. One such trip to Florida was for an ASBDA (American School Band Directors Association) convention. For that conference the Disney people made a presentation to the entourage of band directors. Teir presentation outlined the Disney creative process.
Now it has been several years since that convention and I’ve slept since then so the details of my memory might be a bit “foggy,” but here goes. A major component of Disney is the “Imagineering” Division. We’ve had former parents who left Mendota to go California and work in the Imagineering think tank division–can you imagine that your “job” is to imagine, dream, create? As I understand the mission of this division or team is exactly that–NOT to worry about how to make or implement the idea–NOT to worry about how to pay for it–NOT to let anything get in the way of the vision.
Te next step in the process is a different team that works on how to make the idea (dream or creation) happen. It is up to other teams to then implement the ideas as to funding, marketing etc. Now we might say that in our world this can’t happen–especially in our current financial status. My point is that too often we skip to the 2nd
or 3rd step and think we can
never do that . . . administration/board will never allow me to do that, we don’t have the money for that, why even go there. Many times those thoughts are true and we can’t minimize that; however, when we stop taking that first step–when we stop imagining/creating–when we stop aiming for the best we can be we have lost why we became teachers–especially music teachers in the first place. Don’t skip the first step!
TRS for Active and Retired Music Educators– Presentation and Time for Individuals Afterwards
For several years now, we have offered a session at the Illinois Music Education Conference on TRS and music educators. Tis has been a very beneficial session for retirees to stay current on TRS initiatives and for those looking to retiree to plan ahead. We have this session again with Claire Ribelin from the Springfield TRS office. As a former music educator Claire speaks our language! Tis session will be Friday, January 27
from 9:30–10:45 am in rooms 209 of the Peoria Civic Center. New this year will be an entire block of time following Claire’s presentation open for questions and answers! Tis will be in the same room–209 from 11:00–12:15 pm–bring your questions.
Social Security/Medicare/TRS
We have with us again Edward Slininger from the Peoria Social Security office. Ed does an excellent job of explaining Social Security and Medicare and how TRS and SS work. Tis session will be on Friday, January 27 from 12:30–1:45 pm in the same room–209 of the Peoria Civic Center.
Transitioning into Retirement–Terry Solomonson
In my 2009 Fall Illinois Music Educator article I referred to a doctoral dissertation by friend and colleague, Terry Solomonson at Western Illinois University. Dr. Solomonson is “official” now and is going to share some of his findings with us. Whether you are about to retire or you are a director who is looking for perspective on how being a music educator effects you and your family I’m sure you will find Terry’s presentation interesting and enlightening. Be sure to mark this one. Tis session will also be on Friday, January 27 from 2:00-3:15 pm in room 209 of the Civic Center. See you there.
Reception for Retirees– The Most Important Session
Now for all of us retirees, I firmly believe that one of the most important aspects of going to a conference is maintaining the contact with friends and colleagues. Te IMEA leadership is once again hosting a reception for all retirees in the Presidential Suite of the Pere Marquette room 1204 on Friday, January 27 from 5:00–6:15 pm SPREAD THE WORD! Hope to see many of you there!!
Keep smiling! REX
Rex Benson IMEA Retired Special Area Chair 2235 Delaney Drive Ottawa, IL 61350 815.434.0705
rex.benson@
mchsi.com
102
Illinois Music Educator | Volume 72 Number 1
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112