Each year, PASR holds a Leadership Development Conference in honor of Ruth Abigail Boyer. Ruth became a lifetime member of the Northampton Chapter of PASR and a lifetime member of the State Association of PASR in 1960.  She was also affiliated with the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) Division of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Ruth, a retired teacher who taught in both Hay Elementary in Northampton County (1 year) and third grade at Fairview School in Wilson Borough (40 years), passed away at the age of 92, leaving an estate in excess of three hundred thousand dollars. She specified in her will that the estate be evenly divided between three organizations, including the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees.

The 1989 PASR Board of Directors considered several different uses for her generous bequest and decided on a plan that would both honor Miss Boyer’s memory and provide a lasting benefit to our members.  The plan adopted invests the bequest in a separate fund and allocates 75% of the annual interest earnings to be used for the orientation and training of elected and appointed volunteer leaders at the Region and Chapter levels.  The first “Ruth Abigail Boyer Leadership Conference” was held in 1990.

PASR and all its members are grateful to Ruth for providing the donation that makes holding our annual Leadership Development Conferences possible.

 

This year’s Leadership Development Conferences will take place as a series of scheduled meetings via Zoom. The meetings, presenters, and topics are as follows:

Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 10:00 am: Committee Operations & Staff Introduction

PASR Leaders Sherry O. Morris, Carol Rieder and PASR President, Mary K. Davis, will review forms, timelines, who to reach out to, and more.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm: Finance Training for Region and Chapter Treasurers

PASR President-Elect, Jack Werner, and PASR Treasurer, Diane Motter, will review financial practices, 401c4, 990 and audit information.

Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 10:00 am: Presidents’ Handbook

Leadership Development Chair, Polly Shaw, and Region 6 Director, Kathy O’Rourke, will review the Chapter President Handbook.

 

Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 1:00 pm: How to Best Run A Meeting

Christine Blevins, Region 4 Secretary and York Chapter Past President, shares her best tips on getting more people involved at a local level.