Northern Hills Retired Teachers' Association Records

The Northern Hills Retired Teachers was organized June 16, 1976. Esther Cone served as chairman and meetings were held in the hospitality room of the Spearfish First National Bank through May 1977. Lyle Pearson was the first president, A. H. Mortimer, V. President; Elsie Haddock, Secretary; and Lo Kiel Keeler, Treasurer. There were 32 charter members.

The group formed following the consolidation of all state-wide retirement systems into one state system, the South Dakota Retirement System. The Teacher Retirement System had been established in 1959, the same year as the National Retired Teachers Association. The initial South Dakota Retired Teachers Association worked to establish an equity within the system and develop a well-managed system.

It was decided that the dues period should run from October 1 to September 30. The new year would begin in September, no meeting in December and recess June, July, and August. We met for a picnic in the Spearfish Park in September 1977. Meetings were held in the Spearfish Masonic Temple from October 1977 through May 1979. The towns participating in the Northern Hills Retired Teachers were: Lead, Deadwood, Spearfish, Sturgis, and Belle Fourche. Over the years, Newell and Piedmont were added.

The meetings were held on the third Monday of the month. September and May meetings were preceded with a member potluck. The host city was responsible for that month's program and refreshments. Informational programs were held in conjunction with the business meeting at each month's gathering. The two goals of the organization have been to keep the health care concerns of retired teachers in the focus, and to maintain connection with the political and governmental leaders of the state legislature. Yearly, members recorded their volunteer time and reported it to the state.

In 2015, the organizational name was changed to the Northern Hills Retired School Personnel in an order to be more inclusive for membership.