Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board Meeting - March 5, 2024
The spring meeting of the Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board was held on Tuesday March 5, 2024 at the Oregon Public Library. Co-President Jean Whipple called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. In attendance were Jean Whipple, Mary Gardner, Carol Richardson, Linda Kenney, Jean Hoff, Charles Kinsella, Kim McKenna, and Elke Grennan.
The motion by Kim McKenna and seconded by Carol Richardson to accept the minutes from the November 14, 2023 Executive Board Meeting as presented by Secretary Elke Grennan was approved.
The motion by Mary Gardner and seconded by Kim McKenna to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented by Treasurer Linda Kenney was approved. As of March 5, 2024, the checking account balance was $5,338.20, the Memorial Fund balance was $845.81, and the Life Account balance was $8,081.91. Total assets were $14,265.92.
Even though IRTA has nonprofit status and the necessary paperwork, Ogle-Lee RTA Unit of IRTA does not have the nonprofit status paperwork that many vendors are requesting in order to be tax exempt or receive discount for supplies, services, and venue rentals. Per Treasurer Linda Kenney this has not been an issue in the past, but recently is becoming an issue. It was agreed upon by consensus that this issue should be addressed. Since Jean Whipple has attempted to receive clarification, she will continue to pursue it by consulting with the state comptroller and IRTA for further information.
According to Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple, Ogle-Lee RTA currently has 291 members. Ten members still owe dues. Jean Whipple will send letters to potential new members/recent retirees with IRTA/Ogle-Lee RTA information. Jean Whipple also attends the countywide TRS retirement meetings distributing IRTA/Ogle-Lee RTA information. A representative is not allowed to speak at these meetings, but just have a table with literature and answer individual questions.
Legislative Chairperson Charles Kinsella participated in the IRTA 2024 Member Outreach Summit held on February 28, 2024 via Zoom. He informed the Executive Board that IRTA membership is slowly increasing, Governor Pritzker's budget goals include moving towards fully funding all state pension plans by 2048, Trip and TRAIL were sound, and that IRTA supports Tier 2 pension reform as it is currently out of compliance to meet the requirements of a Social Security replacement plan. It is anticipated that it will be a few more years before IRTA will have Tier 2 retirees. In the meantime, IRTA will monitor Tier 2 issues.
Historian Jean Hoff will memorialize the eight Ogle-Lee RTA members who passed away in 2023 at the May 14, 2024 membership luncheon meeting. Obituaries can be found on the Ogle-Lee RTA website.
The $250 Ogle-Lee RTA received for being a 2023 Unit of Distinction was deposited in the Memorial Fund to be used for scholarships.
Co-Vice President Carol Richardson and Jean Whipple presented recommendations for the two 2024 membership luncheon meetings and the Executive Board approved them by consensus. Carol Richardson will finalize the arrangements. Members will be informed via newsletter(electronic or print per member preference), via FaceBook, and on the Ogle-Lee RTA website in mid April.
Spring Meeting: Tuesday May 14 2024 , at Jarrett Prairie Center at the Byron Forest Preserve, with facilities available 11:00- 2:00 for set-up and luncheon meeting. Sandwich, fruit, and pasta salad lunch will be purchased from Felker's Grocery Store in Byron. Ogle-Lee RTA will need to provide beverages, condiments, plates, cups, napkins,and silverware. Coffee, decaf coffee, ice tea and/or lemonade, and water was suggested. Program will include Trish Patterson from CASA speaking about the volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests for abused and neglected children with the Juvenile Courts and Jean Hoff memorializing 2023 deceased Ogle-Lee RTA members. Member luncheon fee will be $10.00 per consensus for the May luncheon. Members will be informed in mid-April and reservations will be due May 1, 2024.
Fall Meeting: Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center on Rt.2 in Oregon, with facilities available 11:00-2:00. A plated lunch will be provided by LOMC with menu to be determined later. Program will be Legislative Forum and AMBA representative will be available. Member luncheon fee will probably be $15.00. Details to be finalized at the July 9, 2024 Executive Board Meeting.
Jean Whipple is storing and will bring the Ogle-Lee RTA sign to Membership Luncheon Meetings. The portable PA system will be stored by the Co-presidents and available as needed. Secretary Elke Grennan will prepare nametags and member packets including the agenda and treasurer's report for each attendee. It was agreed on by consensus, that since the website has all minutes of meetings, only one copy per table of the minutes from the last Membership Meeting will be provided.
Jean Whipple and Mary Gardner will prepare a President's Report and Charles Kinsella will prepare a Legislative Report for the April 2024 newsletter. Secretary Elke Grennan will compile the newsletter and mail out paper copies by mid-April. Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple will forward electronic copies to members. Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple will continue to post the FaceBook and email announcements. Webmaster Elke Grennan will continue to update the Ogle-Lee RTA website.
There was no other new business.
The next Executive Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, July 9 2024 at 9:30 AM at the Village Bakery in Oregon. Plans for the September 10, 2024 Membership Luncheon Meeting will be finalized, the May 10, 2024 Membership Luncheon Meeting will be reviewed, and an update on nonprofit status will be discussed.
The motion by Linda Kenney and seconded by Jean Hoff to adjourn at 10:16 AM was approved.
Elke Grennan, Secretary
The spring meeting of the Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board was held on Tuesday March 5, 2024 at the Oregon Public Library. Co-President Jean Whipple called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. In attendance were Jean Whipple, Mary Gardner, Carol Richardson, Linda Kenney, Jean Hoff, Charles Kinsella, Kim McKenna, and Elke Grennan.
The motion by Kim McKenna and seconded by Carol Richardson to accept the minutes from the November 14, 2023 Executive Board Meeting as presented by Secretary Elke Grennan was approved.
The motion by Mary Gardner and seconded by Kim McKenna to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented by Treasurer Linda Kenney was approved. As of March 5, 2024, the checking account balance was $5,338.20, the Memorial Fund balance was $845.81, and the Life Account balance was $8,081.91. Total assets were $14,265.92.
Even though IRTA has nonprofit status and the necessary paperwork, Ogle-Lee RTA Unit of IRTA does not have the nonprofit status paperwork that many vendors are requesting in order to be tax exempt or receive discount for supplies, services, and venue rentals. Per Treasurer Linda Kenney this has not been an issue in the past, but recently is becoming an issue. It was agreed upon by consensus that this issue should be addressed. Since Jean Whipple has attempted to receive clarification, she will continue to pursue it by consulting with the state comptroller and IRTA for further information.
According to Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple, Ogle-Lee RTA currently has 291 members. Ten members still owe dues. Jean Whipple will send letters to potential new members/recent retirees with IRTA/Ogle-Lee RTA information. Jean Whipple also attends the countywide TRS retirement meetings distributing IRTA/Ogle-Lee RTA information. A representative is not allowed to speak at these meetings, but just have a table with literature and answer individual questions.
Legislative Chairperson Charles Kinsella participated in the IRTA 2024 Member Outreach Summit held on February 28, 2024 via Zoom. He informed the Executive Board that IRTA membership is slowly increasing, Governor Pritzker's budget goals include moving towards fully funding all state pension plans by 2048, Trip and TRAIL were sound, and that IRTA supports Tier 2 pension reform as it is currently out of compliance to meet the requirements of a Social Security replacement plan. It is anticipated that it will be a few more years before IRTA will have Tier 2 retirees. In the meantime, IRTA will monitor Tier 2 issues.
Historian Jean Hoff will memorialize the eight Ogle-Lee RTA members who passed away in 2023 at the May 14, 2024 membership luncheon meeting. Obituaries can be found on the Ogle-Lee RTA website.
The $250 Ogle-Lee RTA received for being a 2023 Unit of Distinction was deposited in the Memorial Fund to be used for scholarships.
Co-Vice President Carol Richardson and Jean Whipple presented recommendations for the two 2024 membership luncheon meetings and the Executive Board approved them by consensus. Carol Richardson will finalize the arrangements. Members will be informed via newsletter(electronic or print per member preference), via FaceBook, and on the Ogle-Lee RTA website in mid April.
Spring Meeting: Tuesday May 14 2024 , at Jarrett Prairie Center at the Byron Forest Preserve, with facilities available 11:00- 2:00 for set-up and luncheon meeting. Sandwich, fruit, and pasta salad lunch will be purchased from Felker's Grocery Store in Byron. Ogle-Lee RTA will need to provide beverages, condiments, plates, cups, napkins,and silverware. Coffee, decaf coffee, ice tea and/or lemonade, and water was suggested. Program will include Trish Patterson from CASA speaking about the volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests for abused and neglected children with the Juvenile Courts and Jean Hoff memorializing 2023 deceased Ogle-Lee RTA members. Member luncheon fee will be $10.00 per consensus for the May luncheon. Members will be informed in mid-April and reservations will be due May 1, 2024.
Fall Meeting: Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Center on Rt.2 in Oregon, with facilities available 11:00-2:00. A plated lunch will be provided by LOMC with menu to be determined later. Program will be Legislative Forum and AMBA representative will be available. Member luncheon fee will probably be $15.00. Details to be finalized at the July 9, 2024 Executive Board Meeting.
Jean Whipple is storing and will bring the Ogle-Lee RTA sign to Membership Luncheon Meetings. The portable PA system will be stored by the Co-presidents and available as needed. Secretary Elke Grennan will prepare nametags and member packets including the agenda and treasurer's report for each attendee. It was agreed on by consensus, that since the website has all minutes of meetings, only one copy per table of the minutes from the last Membership Meeting will be provided.
Jean Whipple and Mary Gardner will prepare a President's Report and Charles Kinsella will prepare a Legislative Report for the April 2024 newsletter. Secretary Elke Grennan will compile the newsletter and mail out paper copies by mid-April. Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple will forward electronic copies to members. Membership Chairperson Jean Whipple will continue to post the FaceBook and email announcements. Webmaster Elke Grennan will continue to update the Ogle-Lee RTA website.
There was no other new business.
The next Executive Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, July 9 2024 at 9:30 AM at the Village Bakery in Oregon. Plans for the September 10, 2024 Membership Luncheon Meeting will be finalized, the May 10, 2024 Membership Luncheon Meeting will be reviewed, and an update on nonprofit status will be discussed.
The motion by Linda Kenney and seconded by Jean Hoff to adjourn at 10:16 AM was approved.
Elke Grennan, Secretary