Lancaster Chapter

Greetings,

As I assume the presidency of Lancaster County School Retirees I have been reflecting on our Mission Statement. It reads “To continue to support education, to serve others in need and to help one another enjoy retirement”. As we enter 2021 and continue to be limited by the circumstances of the Corona virus we must not lose sight of that mission.

LCSR has not been able to hold any in-person events since the General Membership luncheon in November of 2019. Beginning in June 2020 the Executive Board began meeting virtually using Zoom to continue the work of the organization. Specifically, the Educational Support Committee has awarded grants to two local school districts to help support students. The Community Service Committee challenged members to donate to our Lancaster County Food Hub fund drive; LCSR matched $1000.00 of the funds collected allowing us to donate $2600.00 to provide food and other essential items to those in need in Lancaster County. The Social Services Memorial Honor Fund Committee while unable to visit our shut-in members has reached out with a special fall greeting card mailing and a holiday postcard mailing. It is wonderful to see the dedication of our officers and members even in the face of a pandemic!

 

As your incoming president I am focused on the future. Until it is safe for us to gather for meetings or social events the Executive Board will continue to try and fulfill our mission. We will discuss tentative plans for future events to prepare us for that day when we can gather again. I am also focused on ways to increase our membership and motivate members to become more engaged in the work of LCSR. One specific area of need will be for members on the SSMHF Committee who would enjoy visiting some of our oldest members who reside in retirement homes or care facilities. There are also openings on Publicity and Member Benefits Committees. Ways and Means will need members to help with fundraisers. All committees welcome additional members to help in their work.
I have been a member of LCSR and PASR since my retirement from the School District of Lancaster in 2011. Jean Young, an LCSR Past President (and my former principal), invited me to a luncheon and I soon found myself on the Community Services Committee. From there I moved to Membership Chair and have served in that capacity since 2013. Then in 2017 I added Newsletter Editor to my resume. I am honored now to serve as President. I am counting on the support of all our members to help see us through the next months of isolation and emerge as the vital organization I have come to value.

Lauren Buchmann