The Beaufort County Unit of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel (NCRSP) held its quarterly meeting recently. Carolyn Ambrose, regional co-president and local unit treasurer, provided an update on regional and state activities and also announced that the Beaufort County Unit had received special designation as a Gold Star Unit. A Brag Board of unit activities, created by Christine Davis, was displayed throughout the meeting.

Beverly Holt, unit vice president, presented an overview of the items collected for the School Supply and Luggage Drives in which members donated 255 assorted school supply items. Earlier in the school year, members delivered more than 120 cinch, tote and duffle bags to Shirley Williams, director of foster care for the Department of Social Services. Holt reported that immediately following the meeting, members will deliver 10 boxes of assorted school supplies to Nicole Howard, director of student services, for distribution to students attending Beaufort County Schools.
After delivering school supplies, members travelled to several school sites to deliver gifts and express appreciation to staff members who had been identified as veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Visits were made to Col. Mark Remick and Sgt. Charlie Woolard, Northside High School, Col. Tom Meeks and 1^st Sgt. Robert Beattie, Steve Flowers, Ben Deck and David Dixon, Washington High School, and Barry Boyd and Robert Foster, P.S. Jones Middle School. James Burbage, identified as the only NCRSP member who is also a veteran of U.S. Armed Forces, was visited and received a personalized card, mini-poster, magnet and silicone bracelet, as did the other veterans.

A lottery of members of the local NCAE unit was conducted during which the names of three NCAE members will receive a monetary gift to be used at their discretion in observance of American Education Week. Members chosen were Paula Hopper, P.S. Jones Middle School, Marty Meeks, Washington High School, and Dubose Sanford, Eastern Elementary. Gifts were delivered during American Education Week, which was observed during the week of Nov. 16, 2014.
The guest presenter for the meeting was Carolyn Everette, director of the Harwell Senior Center, who presented an interactive and very informative overview of the services offered by the Center and elaborated on services as needed.
The meeting was held at the Harwell Senior Center, in Washington, with Cynthia M. Heath presiding. A musical prelude was presented by Chris Doughtery with an inspirational devotional offered by Hattie Johnson. Delores Moore, Hattie Johnson and Emma Howard served as greeters for the meeting. Minutes and financial reports were presented by Margaret Ann Woolard and Carolyn Ambrose, respectively. Committee reports were presented by Delores Moore, community participation, Chris Davis, health & wellness chair, and Chris Doughtery, membership chair.
The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2015, at the Harwell Center. Membership is available to any retired school personnel.
NCRSP is a division of the North Carolina Association of Educators, Inc., and the National Education Association, which encourages members of the retired division to engage in community participation services. Remaining active, though retired, is aligned with the state goal of maintaining health as well as generating recognition in the community through activities that support children and public education and increase public visibility of the division.