Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board Meeting- Tuesday, March 14, 2023
The Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board met in person on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at the Village Bakery's meeting room in Oregon. President Kim McKenna called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM with the following members present: Kim McKenna, Carole Sutton, Linda Kenney, Jean Hoff, Phil Bratta, and Elke Grennan.
The minutes from the 11/09/2022 Executive Board Meeting had been approved via email vote on 11/18/2022 per motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Jean Hoff. The minutes from the 9/14/2022 Membership Luncheon Meeting were reviewed and will be presented for membership vote at their next meeting on 5/10/2023.
The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Jean Hoff to accept the Treasurer's Report as of 3/10/2023 was approved. As of 3/10/2023, the checking account balance was $6,773.17, the Memorial Fund balance was $115.81, and the Life Account balance was $8,062.75. Total assets were $14,951.73.
After a discussion of dues, anticipated expenses, and account balances, it was agreed upon by consensus that no dues increase was warranted. Luncheon expenses will likely exceed luncheon income due to increases in room rental fees and food, but the budget has adequate funds.
Ogle-Lee RTA was awarded a 2022 Unit of Distinction Award by IRTA for meeting all the criteria of being an exemplary unit. The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Carole Sutton to transfer the $250 Unit of Distinction monetary reward to the Memorial Fund for scholarships was approved.
President Kim McKenna contacted Erica Pinkley, the IRTA comptroller for clarification on Ogle-Lee RTA nonprofit status and liability insurance as status was requested by a vendor:
IRTA local units are nonprofit organizations, but tax exempt nonprofit status depends on if the local applied for tax exempt status. Ogle-Lee RTA is not listed on the IRS tax exempt site. If the Unit files for tax exempt status, the 990 form for nonprofits must be file each year, unless gross receipts (meaning income before any expenses) is under $5,000 a year the Unit is automatically exempt from filing an annual 990.
IRTA holds an insurance policy that protects locals when they have meetings. Units must send the IRTA Comptroller the date, time, and location of the Unit meeting and IRTA will get a certificate from the IRTA insurance company that shows that the Unit covered during the event.
President Kim McKenna will request liability insurance policy details from IRTA. It was agreed upon by consensus that the President will notify IRTA of meetings to activate the liability insurance. No action was taken on filing for tax-exempt status.
Jean Hoff presented the Membership report per request of Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple: Ogle-Lee RTA currently has 300 members, 11 annual members have not yet paid 2023 dues, and
Jean Whipple will send emails to new retirees inviting them to join Ogle-Lee RTA using the list of 2023 retirees provided by TRS to IRTA.
Historian-Memorials Chairperson Jean Hoff will honor the 5 members who passed away in 2022 at the September Membership Meeting.
Foundation Chairperson Phil Bratta will contact this year's Ogle-Lee RTA Scholarship recipients and invite them to speak at the next Membership Luncheon Meeting. The next round of Ogle-Lee RTA Scholarships will be when enough funding is available in the Memorial Fund. Phil Bratta will briefly speak on the Memorial Fund providing student teacher scholarships.
A Memorial Funds donation basket will be available at the next membership meeting and members will be reminded that they can donate in honor of any teacher.
Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna will prepare an article for the next newsletter including highlights from the Virtual Area 1 Conference and the Legislative Reports in the IRTA “Good Dog” email newsletters.
Kim McKenna reported that she has booked AMBA's Lunch & Learn program for the May Membership Luncheon Meeting. AMBA will send postcard invitations to nonmember local retirees inviting them to attend our meeting. The goal is to encourage nonmembers to join IRTA/Ogle-Lee RTA and learn about AMBA benefits. AMBA will pay the luncheon fee of all nonmembers accepting the invitation. AMBA will do a brief presentation of member benefits during the business meeting. Kim McKenna will contact AMBA to get names of nonmembers RSVPing. The treasurer will receive a check from the AMBA rep at the luncheon meeting for nonmember guests.
Carole Sutton with the assistance of Kim McKenna explored several options for 2023 luncheon meeting locations with facility rental costs, easy access, good parking, and at least one Lee County venue being deciding factors. Carole Sutton was previously authorized by the Board to book venues.
The next Membership Luncheon Meeting will be on Wednesday, 5/10/2023 from 11:00- 2:00 at the Post House, 100 W. Second St, Dixon. Parking and entrance ramp are at the back of the building. Room rental of $300 was paid ($100 per hour). Venue will work with us on refund if we need to cancel. Mama Cimino's will cater a buffet lunch with chicken strips, pizza, mostaccioli, bread sticks, salad, Cinnabites, beverages, plates, napkins, and silverware for $11.99 per person. About 10 days advance notice is needed for meal count. The program will include Ogle-Lee RTA scholarship winners, AMBA Rep. Gary DeVito Lunch & Learn, and “Grow Lettuce in your Living Room-Indoor Hydroponic Gardening” by Polly and Vic McGann from Happy Leaf. It was agreed by consensus that Happy Leaf may offer grow lights for sale, as there will be no charge for the program.
Carole Sutton has also made the arrangements for the 9/13/2023 Membership Luncheon Meeting in the Geneva Hall at Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center, 1922 IL-2 North, Oregon, Il from 11:30 to 3:00. Cost is $350 for room rental, optional microphone rental at $75, and meal at about $13 per person. Payments will be made in three installments per Stronghold policy. Lunch will be served at 12:30 with the business meeting before lunch. Menu will be finalized in August and will include a protein, veggie, potatoes, salad bar, dessert, coffee, iced tea, lemonade, and water. The program will include Memorials by Jean Hoff and Dr. Danny Pierce, director of Stronghold Center.
It was agreed upon by consensus to keep the luncheon fee for members at $15.00 for this year to encourage attendance and for ease in collecting fees. Guest speakers will not be charged if they eat lunch. Name tags will continue to be provided.
Carole Sutton will check into availability of PA system for membership meeting venues and report back if Ogle-Lee RTA needs to consider purchasing a portable PA system as not all venues include it.
A potential social membership meeting for July at the Rochelle REC with Lynn Kauffman presenting a “Make & Take Meal” program was tabled until after the May membership meeting where interest will be evaluated. Costs are estimated to be about $90 for room rental, $75 for program plus cost of food.
An alternative program was suggested and will be explored: Carolyn at the Kitchen Table.
Nominations will be accepted at the May Membership Meeting for officers for the two-year term beginning in 2024 for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The election will be at the September Membership Meeting. Other Board positions are appointed by the President.
The Ogle-Lee RTA website will continue to be updated by secretary Elke Grennan and the Facebook page by Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple with President Kim McKenna approving all additions. Secretary Elke Grennan will compile the April newsletter with information about the May Membership Luncheon Meeting, election of officers article by President Kim McKenna, Legislative Report by Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna, and membership article by Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple.
Kim McKenna and Elke Grennan participated in the 2/22/2023 IRTA Virtual Area 1 Conference via Zoom. Highlights from this conference was shared with the Board and will be included in the President's Message in the April Ogle-Lee RTA newsletter.
The IRTA State Conference will be held 10/16-17/2023 at the Crown Plaza in Springfield, IL. Ogle-Lee RTA has included this conference in its budget. Details to be announced later.
Executive Board Meetings for 2023 will all be held at the Village Bakery meeting room in Oregon, IL beginning at 9:30 AM on the following Tuesdays: July 11, and November 14.
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:30.
Elke Grennan, Secretary
The Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board met in person on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at the Village Bakery's meeting room in Oregon. President Kim McKenna called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM with the following members present: Kim McKenna, Carole Sutton, Linda Kenney, Jean Hoff, Phil Bratta, and Elke Grennan.
The minutes from the 11/09/2022 Executive Board Meeting had been approved via email vote on 11/18/2022 per motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Jean Hoff. The minutes from the 9/14/2022 Membership Luncheon Meeting were reviewed and will be presented for membership vote at their next meeting on 5/10/2023.
The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Jean Hoff to accept the Treasurer's Report as of 3/10/2023 was approved. As of 3/10/2023, the checking account balance was $6,773.17, the Memorial Fund balance was $115.81, and the Life Account balance was $8,062.75. Total assets were $14,951.73.
After a discussion of dues, anticipated expenses, and account balances, it was agreed upon by consensus that no dues increase was warranted. Luncheon expenses will likely exceed luncheon income due to increases in room rental fees and food, but the budget has adequate funds.
Ogle-Lee RTA was awarded a 2022 Unit of Distinction Award by IRTA for meeting all the criteria of being an exemplary unit. The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Carole Sutton to transfer the $250 Unit of Distinction monetary reward to the Memorial Fund for scholarships was approved.
President Kim McKenna contacted Erica Pinkley, the IRTA comptroller for clarification on Ogle-Lee RTA nonprofit status and liability insurance as status was requested by a vendor:
IRTA local units are nonprofit organizations, but tax exempt nonprofit status depends on if the local applied for tax exempt status. Ogle-Lee RTA is not listed on the IRS tax exempt site. If the Unit files for tax exempt status, the 990 form for nonprofits must be file each year, unless gross receipts (meaning income before any expenses) is under $5,000 a year the Unit is automatically exempt from filing an annual 990.
IRTA holds an insurance policy that protects locals when they have meetings. Units must send the IRTA Comptroller the date, time, and location of the Unit meeting and IRTA will get a certificate from the IRTA insurance company that shows that the Unit covered during the event.
President Kim McKenna will request liability insurance policy details from IRTA. It was agreed upon by consensus that the President will notify IRTA of meetings to activate the liability insurance. No action was taken on filing for tax-exempt status.
Jean Hoff presented the Membership report per request of Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple: Ogle-Lee RTA currently has 300 members, 11 annual members have not yet paid 2023 dues, and
Jean Whipple will send emails to new retirees inviting them to join Ogle-Lee RTA using the list of 2023 retirees provided by TRS to IRTA.
Historian-Memorials Chairperson Jean Hoff will honor the 5 members who passed away in 2022 at the September Membership Meeting.
Foundation Chairperson Phil Bratta will contact this year's Ogle-Lee RTA Scholarship recipients and invite them to speak at the next Membership Luncheon Meeting. The next round of Ogle-Lee RTA Scholarships will be when enough funding is available in the Memorial Fund. Phil Bratta will briefly speak on the Memorial Fund providing student teacher scholarships.
A Memorial Funds donation basket will be available at the next membership meeting and members will be reminded that they can donate in honor of any teacher.
Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna will prepare an article for the next newsletter including highlights from the Virtual Area 1 Conference and the Legislative Reports in the IRTA “Good Dog” email newsletters.
Kim McKenna reported that she has booked AMBA's Lunch & Learn program for the May Membership Luncheon Meeting. AMBA will send postcard invitations to nonmember local retirees inviting them to attend our meeting. The goal is to encourage nonmembers to join IRTA/Ogle-Lee RTA and learn about AMBA benefits. AMBA will pay the luncheon fee of all nonmembers accepting the invitation. AMBA will do a brief presentation of member benefits during the business meeting. Kim McKenna will contact AMBA to get names of nonmembers RSVPing. The treasurer will receive a check from the AMBA rep at the luncheon meeting for nonmember guests.
Carole Sutton with the assistance of Kim McKenna explored several options for 2023 luncheon meeting locations with facility rental costs, easy access, good parking, and at least one Lee County venue being deciding factors. Carole Sutton was previously authorized by the Board to book venues.
The next Membership Luncheon Meeting will be on Wednesday, 5/10/2023 from 11:00- 2:00 at the Post House, 100 W. Second St, Dixon. Parking and entrance ramp are at the back of the building. Room rental of $300 was paid ($100 per hour). Venue will work with us on refund if we need to cancel. Mama Cimino's will cater a buffet lunch with chicken strips, pizza, mostaccioli, bread sticks, salad, Cinnabites, beverages, plates, napkins, and silverware for $11.99 per person. About 10 days advance notice is needed for meal count. The program will include Ogle-Lee RTA scholarship winners, AMBA Rep. Gary DeVito Lunch & Learn, and “Grow Lettuce in your Living Room-Indoor Hydroponic Gardening” by Polly and Vic McGann from Happy Leaf. It was agreed by consensus that Happy Leaf may offer grow lights for sale, as there will be no charge for the program.
Carole Sutton has also made the arrangements for the 9/13/2023 Membership Luncheon Meeting in the Geneva Hall at Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center, 1922 IL-2 North, Oregon, Il from 11:30 to 3:00. Cost is $350 for room rental, optional microphone rental at $75, and meal at about $13 per person. Payments will be made in three installments per Stronghold policy. Lunch will be served at 12:30 with the business meeting before lunch. Menu will be finalized in August and will include a protein, veggie, potatoes, salad bar, dessert, coffee, iced tea, lemonade, and water. The program will include Memorials by Jean Hoff and Dr. Danny Pierce, director of Stronghold Center.
It was agreed upon by consensus to keep the luncheon fee for members at $15.00 for this year to encourage attendance and for ease in collecting fees. Guest speakers will not be charged if they eat lunch. Name tags will continue to be provided.
Carole Sutton will check into availability of PA system for membership meeting venues and report back if Ogle-Lee RTA needs to consider purchasing a portable PA system as not all venues include it.
A potential social membership meeting for July at the Rochelle REC with Lynn Kauffman presenting a “Make & Take Meal” program was tabled until after the May membership meeting where interest will be evaluated. Costs are estimated to be about $90 for room rental, $75 for program plus cost of food.
An alternative program was suggested and will be explored: Carolyn at the Kitchen Table.
Nominations will be accepted at the May Membership Meeting for officers for the two-year term beginning in 2024 for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The election will be at the September Membership Meeting. Other Board positions are appointed by the President.
The Ogle-Lee RTA website will continue to be updated by secretary Elke Grennan and the Facebook page by Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple with President Kim McKenna approving all additions. Secretary Elke Grennan will compile the April newsletter with information about the May Membership Luncheon Meeting, election of officers article by President Kim McKenna, Legislative Report by Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna, and membership article by Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple.
Kim McKenna and Elke Grennan participated in the 2/22/2023 IRTA Virtual Area 1 Conference via Zoom. Highlights from this conference was shared with the Board and will be included in the President's Message in the April Ogle-Lee RTA newsletter.
The IRTA State Conference will be held 10/16-17/2023 at the Crown Plaza in Springfield, IL. Ogle-Lee RTA has included this conference in its budget. Details to be announced later.
Executive Board Meetings for 2023 will all be held at the Village Bakery meeting room in Oregon, IL beginning at 9:30 AM on the following Tuesdays: July 11, and November 14.
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 11:30.
Elke Grennan, Secretary