Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board Meeting- November 14, 2023
The Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board meeting was held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in the Art Gallery at the Oregon Public Library in Oregon, IL. President Kim McKenna called the meeting to order at 9:25 AM. The following current Board Members attended: Kim McKenna, Carole Sutton, Linda Kenney, Elke Grennan, Jean Whipple, and Phil Bratta. Newly elected or appointed Board Members attending were: Mary Gardner, Carol Richardson, Belinda Luxton, and Charles Kinsella.
Secretary Elke Grennan distributed approved copies of the last Board Meetings held via email from May to July 2023 that had been previously approved via email vote on July 7, 2023 and the draft copy of the September 13, 2023 Membership Luncheon Meeting to be voted upon by the membership at their next Membership Meeting in May, 2024.
Treasurer Linda Kenney presented the November 12, 2023 Treasurer's Report, the proposed two-year budget for 2024-25, and the income/expenses for 2022-23 report as required by Board Policy for the Annual Review of the Treasurer's books. Linda explained that the Life Account funds are in three certificates of deposit at the First State Bank in Rochelle, the balance of funds in a checking account at the First State Bank, and that in recent years expenses have exceeded income due to increased costs for facilities rental and luncheon meals. A discussion and review of the treasurer's reports and records followed. The motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Carole Sutton to approve the November 12, 2023 Treasurer's Report was approved. As of 11/12/23, the checking account balance was $5464.36, the Memorial Fund balance was $545.81, and the Life Account balance was $8081.91. Total assets were $14,091.28. The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Carol Richardson to verify that the treasurer's books and reports were reviewed and accepted as accurate was approved. The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Jean Whipple to adopt the proposed Budget for 2024-25 and continue using Linda Kenney and Elke Grennan on the Ogle-Lee RTA accounts at the First State Bank was approved. The 2024-25 Budget includes an estimated starting asset balance of $16,116.00, estimated income of $1090.00, estimated expenses of $2850.00, with an estimated ending asset balance of $14,356.00.
Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple reported that Ogle-Lee RTA currently has 293 members including one new member after the September Membership Meeting. Currently 25 members still need to renew their annual $5.00 membership. Jean will send email reminders. Jean reported that some members wanted a new membership directory distributed to the membership. It was decided by consensus that due to privacy concerns, only Board Members will have access to a current membership directory. When Jean sends mass emails to members, she uses blind carbon copy. Both Jean and Charles Kinsella (retired school technology director) recommends the Board do the same as there have been some spam mail issues reported by Board Members. Outgoing President Km McKenna will send IRTA and Board Members the updated officer and committee chairperson list including contact information.
Former Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna welcomed the recently appointed new chairperson Charles Kinsella. Charles will be inviting local Ogle and Lee County political candidates to our traditional Candidates Forum held at the fall membership meeting in election years.
So far in 2023, Ogle-Lee RTA has been notified of seven deceased members and remembered on the Ogle-Lee RTA website. Board members were reminded to forward any death notices to Jean Hoff.
Foundation/Scholarship Chairperson Phil Bratta reported that all scholarship recipients are very grateful for being awarded Ogle-Lee RTA scholarships. Incoming Co-President Mary Gardner stated student teaching is difficult as most cannot work part-time jobs and have additional expenses while student teaching. Ogle-Lee RTA needs at least $1000 before it will offer another round of scholarships. Phil Bratta will prepare an article stressing the need to support potential teachers and asking for donations to fund scholarships. Jean Whipple will email it to our membership.
Jean Whipple and Mary Gardner thanked the Board for the opportunity to represent Ogle-Lee RTA at the IRTA State Convention held on October 16-17, 2023 in Springfield, IL. Their convention expenses were paid for by Ogle-Lee RTA. They prepared a convention report that was presented to the Board and will be emailed to the membership. Members will also be reminded of the IRTA philosophy/mission statement.
The 2024 Executive Board Meeting dates will be on the following Tuesdays per Ogle-Lee RTA Constitution and agreed upon by consensus: March 12, July 9, and November 12. Time and place TBA.
The 2024 membership luncheon meetings are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 and Tuesday, September 10. Co-Vice Presidents Belinda Luxton and Carol Richardson will make the luncheon arrangements. Efforts will be made to keep facilities rental and speaker costs down. By consensus, a Rochelle facility and a speaker from Nachusa Grasslands or Master Gardeners was suggested for the May meeting. In September, it will be the traditional local political candidates forum with Lutheran Outdoors Ministries Camp suggested as the meeting site because of positive past service featuring valet parking and a plated meal available at a reasonable cost. A motion by Phil Bratta and Mary Gardner to authorize speaker fees/expenses up to $200 without additional Board action was approved. Ogle-Lee RTA has its own microphone available and Charles Kinsella will furnish a projector and screen upon request for use at meetings. Jean Whipple has the Ogle-RTA sign.
The incoming Co-Presidents will prepare a new Welcome Letter for the Ogle-Lee RTA website. Webmaster Elke Grennan will update the website as needed and work on reformatting to make it easier to read on cellphones and tablets.
Ogle-Lee RTA has recently received requests concerning availability of substitute teachers and tutors. Ogle-Lee RTA will explore creating a database of members interested in tutoring and their preferred ages and subjects. Meanwhile Jean Whipple will continue to forward such requests via email to members.
Jean Whipple thanked outgoing President Kim McKenna and Vice President Carole Sutton for their exceptional service and presented them with gift certificates from Ogle-Lee RTA. Carole Sutton thanked Jean Whipple for her service as membership chairperson, former Co-President, and incoming Co-President resulting in being honored as the Ogle-Lee Unit representative for the 2023 IRTA State Honorees.
The motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Phil Bratta to adjourn at 11:15 AM was approved.
(unapproved draft)
Elke Grennan, Secretary
The Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board meeting was held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in the Art Gallery at the Oregon Public Library in Oregon, IL. President Kim McKenna called the meeting to order at 9:25 AM. The following current Board Members attended: Kim McKenna, Carole Sutton, Linda Kenney, Elke Grennan, Jean Whipple, and Phil Bratta. Newly elected or appointed Board Members attending were: Mary Gardner, Carol Richardson, Belinda Luxton, and Charles Kinsella.
Secretary Elke Grennan distributed approved copies of the last Board Meetings held via email from May to July 2023 that had been previously approved via email vote on July 7, 2023 and the draft copy of the September 13, 2023 Membership Luncheon Meeting to be voted upon by the membership at their next Membership Meeting in May, 2024.
Treasurer Linda Kenney presented the November 12, 2023 Treasurer's Report, the proposed two-year budget for 2024-25, and the income/expenses for 2022-23 report as required by Board Policy for the Annual Review of the Treasurer's books. Linda explained that the Life Account funds are in three certificates of deposit at the First State Bank in Rochelle, the balance of funds in a checking account at the First State Bank, and that in recent years expenses have exceeded income due to increased costs for facilities rental and luncheon meals. A discussion and review of the treasurer's reports and records followed. The motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Carole Sutton to approve the November 12, 2023 Treasurer's Report was approved. As of 11/12/23, the checking account balance was $5464.36, the Memorial Fund balance was $545.81, and the Life Account balance was $8081.91. Total assets were $14,091.28. The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Carol Richardson to verify that the treasurer's books and reports were reviewed and accepted as accurate was approved. The motion by Phil Bratta and seconded by Jean Whipple to adopt the proposed Budget for 2024-25 and continue using Linda Kenney and Elke Grennan on the Ogle-Lee RTA accounts at the First State Bank was approved. The 2024-25 Budget includes an estimated starting asset balance of $16,116.00, estimated income of $1090.00, estimated expenses of $2850.00, with an estimated ending asset balance of $14,356.00.
Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple reported that Ogle-Lee RTA currently has 293 members including one new member after the September Membership Meeting. Currently 25 members still need to renew their annual $5.00 membership. Jean will send email reminders. Jean reported that some members wanted a new membership directory distributed to the membership. It was decided by consensus that due to privacy concerns, only Board Members will have access to a current membership directory. When Jean sends mass emails to members, she uses blind carbon copy. Both Jean and Charles Kinsella (retired school technology director) recommends the Board do the same as there have been some spam mail issues reported by Board Members. Outgoing President Km McKenna will send IRTA and Board Members the updated officer and committee chairperson list including contact information.
Former Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna welcomed the recently appointed new chairperson Charles Kinsella. Charles will be inviting local Ogle and Lee County political candidates to our traditional Candidates Forum held at the fall membership meeting in election years.
So far in 2023, Ogle-Lee RTA has been notified of seven deceased members and remembered on the Ogle-Lee RTA website. Board members were reminded to forward any death notices to Jean Hoff.
Foundation/Scholarship Chairperson Phil Bratta reported that all scholarship recipients are very grateful for being awarded Ogle-Lee RTA scholarships. Incoming Co-President Mary Gardner stated student teaching is difficult as most cannot work part-time jobs and have additional expenses while student teaching. Ogle-Lee RTA needs at least $1000 before it will offer another round of scholarships. Phil Bratta will prepare an article stressing the need to support potential teachers and asking for donations to fund scholarships. Jean Whipple will email it to our membership.
Jean Whipple and Mary Gardner thanked the Board for the opportunity to represent Ogle-Lee RTA at the IRTA State Convention held on October 16-17, 2023 in Springfield, IL. Their convention expenses were paid for by Ogle-Lee RTA. They prepared a convention report that was presented to the Board and will be emailed to the membership. Members will also be reminded of the IRTA philosophy/mission statement.
The 2024 Executive Board Meeting dates will be on the following Tuesdays per Ogle-Lee RTA Constitution and agreed upon by consensus: March 12, July 9, and November 12. Time and place TBA.
The 2024 membership luncheon meetings are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 and Tuesday, September 10. Co-Vice Presidents Belinda Luxton and Carol Richardson will make the luncheon arrangements. Efforts will be made to keep facilities rental and speaker costs down. By consensus, a Rochelle facility and a speaker from Nachusa Grasslands or Master Gardeners was suggested for the May meeting. In September, it will be the traditional local political candidates forum with Lutheran Outdoors Ministries Camp suggested as the meeting site because of positive past service featuring valet parking and a plated meal available at a reasonable cost. A motion by Phil Bratta and Mary Gardner to authorize speaker fees/expenses up to $200 without additional Board action was approved. Ogle-Lee RTA has its own microphone available and Charles Kinsella will furnish a projector and screen upon request for use at meetings. Jean Whipple has the Ogle-RTA sign.
The incoming Co-Presidents will prepare a new Welcome Letter for the Ogle-Lee RTA website. Webmaster Elke Grennan will update the website as needed and work on reformatting to make it easier to read on cellphones and tablets.
Ogle-Lee RTA has recently received requests concerning availability of substitute teachers and tutors. Ogle-Lee RTA will explore creating a database of members interested in tutoring and their preferred ages and subjects. Meanwhile Jean Whipple will continue to forward such requests via email to members.
Jean Whipple thanked outgoing President Kim McKenna and Vice President Carole Sutton for their exceptional service and presented them with gift certificates from Ogle-Lee RTA. Carole Sutton thanked Jean Whipple for her service as membership chairperson, former Co-President, and incoming Co-President resulting in being honored as the Ogle-Lee Unit representative for the 2023 IRTA State Honorees.
The motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Phil Bratta to adjourn at 11:15 AM was approved.
(unapproved draft)
Elke Grennan, Secretary