Mary Mullen

1963-1965

When Mary Mullen became president of CalRTA, she had been well trained for the position, as she had served committee chairmanships under Guy Jaggard, and then as administrative vice-president under President Jolly.  Here her real contribution became apparent.  She had been assigned the task of planning a division president’s breakfast for each state meeting.   This put her in contact with the local divisions.   She developed this so well, that in her presidency there was provided a special session for division presidents in the State Council meeting.  A change in the Standing Rules was made to give the chairman of the division presidents a seat on the Board of Directors.

Mary’s second major contribution was area meetings–Northern, Central, and Southern – Vice-Presidents would hold a number of meetings for three or more divisions in their area.  These meetings would be attended by state officers or committee chairmen, thus bringing the work of the state organization out to the grass roots. This resulted in greater interest and better support in all fields and a larger attendance at State Council Meetings.

Mary’s third contribution was the CRTA Handbook with instructions for state and local officers.  This brought order and continuity to the work the organization is attempting to do.  The revision of this handbook is an ever recurring task but it holds us together as nothing else can.

Mary also developed the Thursday morning session of the State Council into a better knowledge of NRTA.  With the backing of past presidents from C. W. Preston on down, and with the inspirational visits of Dr. Andrus, we were brought to view NRTA as our organization.  Mary has served as vice-president of Area IX, NRTA, and later in the Long Beach office of Dr. Andrus.  She is now First Vice-President of the national organization (1972) as vice-president of Area IX, NRTA, and later in the Long Beach office of Dr. Andrus is now First Vice-President of the national organization (1972)