THE BEGINNING
In the late 1980’s, a group of retirees, all of whom had taught at Tucker High School, started getting together socially. The meetings were informal and were held at someone’s home. Some of the discussions centered on problems with the early retirement program and the need for some assistance with health insurance costs. At one of the meetings it was suggested that others could be invited to join and form an organization that would provide a strong voice for dealing with these problems.
On February 7, 1991, a small group met at Tucker High School to organize a countywide retirees association. Goals to be achieved and an organizational committee were set up with Elsie Pelfrey as chairman.
Concerns of the new organization were the inconsistencies in the early retirement system relative to individual retiree assignments and the rules changing ‘after the fact’. The group also felt it needed to keep a legislative vigil, both locally and statewide, and that it was important to be recognized as a group. Assistance with health insurance costs was also an important issue.
The original Organization Committee was comprised of people who had been contacted from around the county. They were: Anne Friend, Ruth Henry, Jane Gray Kibler, Hugh Palmer, Fran Purdum, Virginia Sencindiver, Charlotte Melton, Marion Yobs, Gloria Cox, and Elsie Pelfrey. The organization decided from the beginning that it would be open to all retired Henrico school personnel, not just teachers and administrators.
The first membership meeting was April 17, 1991, in the Boardroom at the Henrico Government Center. The speaker for the first meeting was Delegate Jack Reid from the General Assembly, who was also Dr. Bosher’s Assistant. Approximately 30 people attended … a beginning! (Now three luncheon meetings are held each year for the membership and average 140 in attendance!)
On June 18, 1991, a Planning Committee meeting was held at Tucker High School. The officers for 1991-1992 were presented: President, Elsie Pelfrey; Secretary, Charlene Ambrose; and Treasurer, Ginny Sencindiver.
Committee Chairmen were: Legislative, Gloria Cox; Social, Nathan Young; Program Planning, Annamae Hill; Hospitality, Fran Purdum; Publicity, Anne Friend; Liason with Henrico County Schools, Joseph Sellers; and Bylaws, Marnell Bradley. Doris Hellams agreed to chair the Telephone Committee that would be responsible for contacting potential members.
More about the history of HRSPA