Twenty members, two scholarship recipient presenters, and two other guests/prospective members — Brenda Babcock and Marcy Martelli — attended our first meeting of the new biennium on Sept. 21, 2023. President Lois Zeh offered a special welcome and prayer before we enjoyed a delicious potluck provided by UWE members.
Following the potluck Jenny Lowe from Lake Local Schools, presented information about her scholarship project, “MVP Mentoring Program.” UWE helped fund some of the supporting activities of this special program, that currently involves 86 students in grades K-8 meeting on a regular basis with one of 60 adult mentors from the school or community.
Marny Mozzarella also shared information about her project that was selected to receive UWE funding. She is a teacher at Perrysburg High School and her project was Harbor Walk for Hope sponsored by the Yellow Oak club at the high school. This club is a student led group that creates fundraisers in order to donate funds to local charities. This particular fundraiser was held at Woodlands Park. The club members set up 10 different stations. Each station provided an activity to help participants in the fundraiser experience positive ways to cope with mental health struggles.
In the absence of scholarship recipient, Julie Gerken, Sharon Nigh, UWE member, shared information about her scholarship project that UWE helped fund. Gerken is a third grade teacher at Toth Elementary in Perrysburg and her project was entitled “Operation Surprise Attack.” Her funding was used to purchase supplies to make cards for children who are unable to attend school due to illness, etc. The project helps students develop a sense of empathy and community for those classmates in need.
Pattie Jo Butler reported she has taken care of UWE donating books to the Wood County Public Library in memory of UWE members Ruby Sproul, Martha Potter, and Mary Ellen Pratt.
Fourteen UWE members, including two new members, Brenda Babcock and Marcy Martelli, met at Otsego High School on Oct. 17, 2023. The program for the meeting was presented by Otsego High School English teacher, Lavender Krupp. Krupp was a recipient of one of United Women Educators’ mini-grants; she used her UWE funds to purchase a digital timing device and an electronic sign of the words, “The Round Table,” both for use with a special student-led podcast project she initiated. “The Round Table” is a district podcast that serves as a platform to share important aspects of the Otsego school district with the community and beyond. A team of students write, produce, record, and edit weekly interviews with different individuals who contribute to Otsego students and the district as a whole. UWE members were able to ask questions, view the podcast room/equipment, talk with two seniors who were part of the founding 5 members of the podcast team.
Following Krupp’s presentation, President Lois Zeh conducted the UWE business meeting. The treasurer, Cheryl Sharp reported the current UWE membership is 28, plus 3 honorary members. The treasurer expressed her gratitude of having all the dues collected on time.
Under committee reports, Jan Hover, scholarship chairperson, stated that the mini-grant scholarship application, letter of introduction, and UWE brochures were mailed to all Wood County schools’ superintendents, who were requested to pass the information on to their teachers. Applications from county teachers for UWE minigrants are due Dec. 15, 2023.
Zeh reminded members that our next UWE meeting will be our annual Christmas Dinner with Silent Auction on Dec. 12 at Bowling Green Country Club. Members are asked to bring items for the auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. and entertainment provided by violinist Sarah Munson will begin at 6:45 p.m. that evening. Members can pay for their dinner reservation at the country club on Dec. 12, instead of mailing a check to the treasurer. Zeh asked members to bring a meaningful holiday ornament to share with the group, while silent auction highest bidders are determined by the evening’s social committee consisting of Jill Bortel, Joan Slebos, Karlyn Thompson, and Mary Ann Hoare.
Minutes of United Women Educators Meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023
