History of the Clearwater Unit of TRIF (RTC)

by Grace W.

In 1985, shortly after I retired, I received a notice from NYSUT that they were attempting to form a new chapter of TRIF on the west coast of Florida. They had very good chapters on the east coast. Belle S. was going to be the coordinator. Rosalie G. was working with Belle and, therefore, became the first president.

We met in the Fortune Bank on Belcher (now Am South Bank) for coffee and doughnuts. I believe it was October. Every month until April we ate doughnuts and coffee and the attendance dwindled. I believe the total in April was six. Belle said it was obvious that the interest was not there so we would disband.

Three of us were not ready to quit. Mary C., John (Jack) C. and I went outside in the parking lot and talked about what could be done. Rosalie said she did not want to continue and do the work necessary. I volunteered to try and get it going. Mary was willing to be a recording secretary and Jack the treasurer. We thought that maybe luncheon meetings with speakers would stimulate teachers to attend.

I contacted Belle and she was not happy about trying this method since they didn't do it on the east coast. However, she would give me all the necessary lists to start contacting teachers.

I spent many weeks contacting restaurants, speakers and mailing many, many notices of our first meeting. We were pleasantly surprised when we received about twenty-seven positive responses.

That year was challenging. We decided that invitations to spouses should be extended. Belle said it was fine but they should be associate members and pay dues. I was not in favor of that because they were not voting members, just escorts. They could not hold office. I did not enforce the ruling. We ended the year with a good feeling and elected a president to follow me. (I was too tired to continue.) Unfortunately, I cannot remember who it was. I remained as active as I could -- I was treasurer for awhile after Jack.