Ogle-Lee Retired Teachers' Association Meeting – May 10, 2023
The spring meeting of the Ogle-Lee RTA was held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at the Post House in Dixon, Illinois with registration beginning at 11:00 AM, lunch served at Noon, Program at 1:00 PM, and adjournment at 1:35 PM. Twenty-six members and five guests of Ogle-Lee RTA attended. One AMBA Lunch & Learn Program guest attended. There were two early cancellations and two no- shows.
The motion by Richard Longfellow and seconded by Diane Kenny to accept the September 14, 2022 Membership Meeting Minutes was approved.
The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Jean Whipple to accept the Treasurer's Report was approved. As of 5/6/2023, the checking account balance was $6,458.19, the Memorial Fund balance was $365.81, and the Life Account balance was $8081.11, resulting in total assets of $14,905.11.
Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple announced that Ogle-Lee RTA has 300 members . AMBA is sponsoring a Lunch & Learn Program inviting local nonmember TRS retirees to attend local IRTA meetings and encouraging them to join IRTA and the local unit.
Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna reported that none of the some outstanding 500 bills in the current session of the Illinois Legislature pertains to IRTA concerns. Governor Pritzker continues to support funding teacher pensions.
Members were asked to complete a brief survey on future meeting ideas.
Foundation/Scholarship Chairperson Phil Bratta reported that there were not enough funds in the Memorial Fund to award a scholarship in 2023. Members were encouraged to donate in honor of favorite teacher or death of a teacher. Phil introduced one of the 2022 $1000 scholarship recipients, Judy Kohler from Davis Junction who is elementary education major with an emphasis in reading at Northern Illinois University. Judy thanked us for the funds to take extra class and pay for textbooks to help her finish her degree sooner.
Gary Devito from AMBA (Association Member Benefits Advisors) highlighted benefits available to IRTA members and how these benefits exceed the cost of membership. He encouraged members to check the AMBA website for travel discounts and annuities. AMBA benefits are used as a recruiting tool to attract new IRTA members. AMBA Advisor Kevin Ridley was also available to informally talk to members and distributed benefits information.
President Kim McKenna thanked :
Carole Sutton for the booking the site, making luncheon arrangements, and table decorations and veggie with dip tray on each table
Lee County Council on Aging for providing extra services in the facilities rental
Mama Cimino's for the catered lunch of chicken strips, mostaccioli, pizza, breadsticks, salad, cinnabites, and assorted hot/cold beverages
The business meeting was recessed at 11:50 for buffet lunch catered by Mama Cimino's and social time.
President Kim McKenna called the business meeting back to order at 1:00 PM.
The program was presented by Polly McGann from Happy Leaf LLC located in Oregon, IL with the assistance of Devin McElhinney on the topic of indoor gardening using LED grow lights and passive hydroponics.
The Nominating Committee recommended the following slate of candidates for the 2024-2025 term of office: Co- Presidents: Mary Gardner & Jean Whipple, Co-Vice Presidents: Carol Richardson & Belinda Luxton, Secretary: Elke Grennan, Treasurer: Linda Kenny. There were no other nominations from the floor. The election will be at the September 13, 2023 Membership Meeting.
There was no other new business.
The next Executive Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 9:30 AM at the Village Bakery in Oregon, IL. In Oregon, IL.
The next Membership Luncheon Meeting will be on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at the Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center near Oregon, IL.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 PM.
Elke Grennan, Secretary
5/19/2023: President Kim McKenna emailed the results of the survey to the Executive Board and requested their input. The results were slightly in favor of a summer activity and several members suggested we participate in some sort of volunteer program. Since the number of responses was small, she suggested emailing all members with email addresses to access their interest in a summer activity such as “Take and Bake”. An email survey was sent out to members.
6/7/2023- Interested members were informed via email that the Board will not be offering the “Take and Bake” program due to the cost of he program and the low response of interest.
6/17/2023: Volunteer Opportunity- Jean Whipple mass emailed members. Five volunteers are needed per shift on Tuesday, July 25 and Thursday, July 27 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Kitchen Table in Rochelle (a charitable organization providing a restaurant experience regardless of ability to pay). Duties include waiting on tables, drink serving, and dish washing.
The spring meeting of the Ogle-Lee RTA was held on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at the Post House in Dixon, Illinois with registration beginning at 11:00 AM, lunch served at Noon, Program at 1:00 PM, and adjournment at 1:35 PM. Twenty-six members and five guests of Ogle-Lee RTA attended. One AMBA Lunch & Learn Program guest attended. There were two early cancellations and two no- shows.
The motion by Richard Longfellow and seconded by Diane Kenny to accept the September 14, 2022 Membership Meeting Minutes was approved.
The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Jean Whipple to accept the Treasurer's Report was approved. As of 5/6/2023, the checking account balance was $6,458.19, the Memorial Fund balance was $365.81, and the Life Account balance was $8081.11, resulting in total assets of $14,905.11.
Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple announced that Ogle-Lee RTA has 300 members . AMBA is sponsoring a Lunch & Learn Program inviting local nonmember TRS retirees to attend local IRTA meetings and encouraging them to join IRTA and the local unit.
Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna reported that none of the some outstanding 500 bills in the current session of the Illinois Legislature pertains to IRTA concerns. Governor Pritzker continues to support funding teacher pensions.
Members were asked to complete a brief survey on future meeting ideas.
Foundation/Scholarship Chairperson Phil Bratta reported that there were not enough funds in the Memorial Fund to award a scholarship in 2023. Members were encouraged to donate in honor of favorite teacher or death of a teacher. Phil introduced one of the 2022 $1000 scholarship recipients, Judy Kohler from Davis Junction who is elementary education major with an emphasis in reading at Northern Illinois University. Judy thanked us for the funds to take extra class and pay for textbooks to help her finish her degree sooner.
Gary Devito from AMBA (Association Member Benefits Advisors) highlighted benefits available to IRTA members and how these benefits exceed the cost of membership. He encouraged members to check the AMBA website for travel discounts and annuities. AMBA benefits are used as a recruiting tool to attract new IRTA members. AMBA Advisor Kevin Ridley was also available to informally talk to members and distributed benefits information.
President Kim McKenna thanked :
Carole Sutton for the booking the site, making luncheon arrangements, and table decorations and veggie with dip tray on each table
Lee County Council on Aging for providing extra services in the facilities rental
Mama Cimino's for the catered lunch of chicken strips, mostaccioli, pizza, breadsticks, salad, cinnabites, and assorted hot/cold beverages
The business meeting was recessed at 11:50 for buffet lunch catered by Mama Cimino's and social time.
President Kim McKenna called the business meeting back to order at 1:00 PM.
The program was presented by Polly McGann from Happy Leaf LLC located in Oregon, IL with the assistance of Devin McElhinney on the topic of indoor gardening using LED grow lights and passive hydroponics.
The Nominating Committee recommended the following slate of candidates for the 2024-2025 term of office: Co- Presidents: Mary Gardner & Jean Whipple, Co-Vice Presidents: Carol Richardson & Belinda Luxton, Secretary: Elke Grennan, Treasurer: Linda Kenny. There were no other nominations from the floor. The election will be at the September 13, 2023 Membership Meeting.
There was no other new business.
The next Executive Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 9:30 AM at the Village Bakery in Oregon, IL. In Oregon, IL.
The next Membership Luncheon Meeting will be on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at the Stronghold Camp and Retreat Center near Oregon, IL.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:35 PM.
Elke Grennan, Secretary
5/19/2023: President Kim McKenna emailed the results of the survey to the Executive Board and requested their input. The results were slightly in favor of a summer activity and several members suggested we participate in some sort of volunteer program. Since the number of responses was small, she suggested emailing all members with email addresses to access their interest in a summer activity such as “Take and Bake”. An email survey was sent out to members.
6/7/2023- Interested members were informed via email that the Board will not be offering the “Take and Bake” program due to the cost of he program and the low response of interest.
6/17/2023: Volunteer Opportunity- Jean Whipple mass emailed members. Five volunteers are needed per shift on Tuesday, July 25 and Thursday, July 27 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Kitchen Table in Rochelle (a charitable organization providing a restaurant experience regardless of ability to pay). Duties include waiting on tables, drink serving, and dish washing.