May 2021 Newsletter
Visit our website: OgleLeeRTAonline.weebly.com
Contact us: [email protected] or Jean Whipple, Membership at 815-222-2681
A Message from the Ogle-Lee RTA President:
Spring has arrived! The Ogle-Lee Executive board has continued working. The minutes from our last board meeting are included in this newsletter. In addition, we would like to address, per our unit’s constitution, the nomination of officers for 2021-2023. Nominations will take place in May and be voted on in September. The board is also looking for committee members to serve on the legislative committee, necrology/benevolent, and website committees. If you are interested on serving on the executive board or on a committee, please contact me ( [email protected] or 815-732-2845) . Our organization is only as strong as its members and we need you.
The board is also working on some positive changes to our constitution. We would like to change the number of regular meetings from three times a year to two times a year in May and September, and change the executive board meetings to March, July, and November. Another proposed change is to grant members who are no longer able to attend meetings and/or pay dues honorary membership and waive their dues. We ask for your input and will vote on these changes in September. Yes, we do hope to be able to meet in person in September, but we are waiting for health/safety guidelines before finalizing plans. An email and/or phone call will spread the news about a meeting.
Congratulations to all educators that will be retiring at the end of this school year. If you know anyone that is retiring, please encourage them to join IRTA and the Ogle-Lee RTA. Local dues are $5.00 per year or $50 for lifetime membership, and state dues are $38 per year or a one time $400 lifetime membership. Membership provides pension and healthcare protection and access to benefits for dental, vision, long term healthcare insurance, … plus discounts on electronics, hotels, car rental, flowers and so much more. Ask someone to join today. Contact Jean Whipple, Membership at 815-222-2681.
May brings planting season, a time to honor our mothers, celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Asian Pacific Heritage, Mental Health Awareness, Teacher Appreciation Week, and to remember and honor those who serve and have served our country on Memorial Day. Sadly we remember our recently deceased members: Robert Ortmann, Patricia Burke, and Ida Belle Gray. See our website for links to obituaries . May you be well!
Kim McKenna, President Ogle-Lee RTA
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September Officer Election and Constitution Vote by Members: (Format and Date TBA)
Election of 2021-2023 Officers: Current officers: President – Kim McKenna, Vice President – Carole Sutton, Treasurer – Linda Kenney, Secretary – Elke Grennan. Contact Kim McKenna at [email protected] or 815-732-2845 if you wish to be a candidate.
Constitution Changes recommended by Board:
1. Add honorary member with local dues waived.
2. Change membership meetings from 3 a year to 2 in May and September.
3. Change Board Meetings to March, July, and November. Check our website OgleLeeRTAonline.weebly.com for the complete Constitution and updates.
Minutes: Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board Email Meetings, April - May, 2021
President Kim McKenna surveyed the Ogle-Lee RTA Executive Board via email as to April 13, 2021 meeting preference of either in-person, via Zoom, or email. It was decided by consensus to conduct an email meeting with agenda announced by April 13 and Board Members responding via email by April 15, 2021. Board members receiving emails were Kim McKenna, Carole Sutton, Linda Kenney, Jean Whipple, Becky Cheek, Michele Glen, Phil Bratta, Gene Chaplin, and Elke Grennan. The following is a summary of the items discussed and either agreed upon unless noted by consensus or motions that were voted upon by email from April 29 to May 3, 2021.
The minutes from the last board meeting covering email discussions of the agenda from October 2020 - January 2021 were previously approved by email vote on January 21, 2021.
The motion by Carole Sutton and seconded by Jean Whipple was approved to accept the Treasurer’s report dated April 10, 2021. The checking account balance was $9134.97, the Memorial Fund balance was $435.81, and the Life Account balance was $7955.68. Total assets were $17,526.46.
Legislative Chairperson Kim McKenna presented the following Legislative and IRTA updates:
- The Governor has called for full funding of the TRS and TRIP/TRAIL.
- IRTA is working with the Governor’s office to correct a disagreement with CMS over legislation that was previously passed to refund to an annuitant any overpayment of TRIP/TRAIL insurance premiums.
- IRTA is working with IEA and IFT to update current language in retirees return to work because of teacher shortages. (currently 120 days allowed)
- IRTA leased the third floor of the office building to Illinois Network for Independent Living($35,721 annually) IRTAF will provide $73000 of $90000 to remodel which will be paid back by INCIL
- Vision and dental plans are up for renewal. The vision plan will remain the same. Dental plans will be Ameritas. Out of network costs drops from 80% to 70% and major insurance drops from 50 – 40%. In-network coinsurance remains the same 100/80/50. Implant coverage has been added to the plan.
- AMBA will market the new plan in May or June. The new plan has lower maximum coverage but includes dental implants.
- IRTA hired a firm to assess leadership structure
IRTA has 39,122 members.
- Online recurring membership to IRTA will no longer be available via credit card(the cost for credit card usage was $1.40 per transaction) IRTA will use Automated Checking which cuts the processing fee in half.
- IRTA dues: Automated checking - $36, 5year-$175, Life-$400, Dues deduction- $2.50/month
- IRTA is in the process of developing a welcome video for new member. As of April 12, 2021, Ogle-Lee RTA has 312 members. 3 members did not respond to notices about 2021 dues, so they were removed as of April 1st. (That is the date IRTA removes members who do not pay dues for the current year.)
- Jean Whipple proposed that when there are older members who are no longer able to attend our meetings and/or not able to pay the dues, that we make them Honorary Members. (This is something IRTA does.) Ogle-Lee RTA: Dues $5 yearly, Lifetime $50
Historian and Memorial Chairperson Gene Chaplin was notified of death of the following members to date in 2021: Robert Ortmann, Patricia Burke, and Ida Belle Gray. It was decided by consensus that Ogle-Lee RTA secretary will send a sympathy card to the family with a notation that Ogle-Lee RTA makes a $10 donation in each deceased member's honor to the IRTA Foundation from funds already included in the 2020-21 budget.
Gene Chaplin has resigned as Historian and Necrology Chairperson. Anyone interested or has recommendations for the position should contact Kim McKenna.
President Kim McKenna reported on IRTA area meeting and fall convention :
- Area meetings will be held virtually this year in June
- IRTA Convention is Monday October 18 – Tuesday October 19 at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield. Ogle-Lee RTA may send 12 delegates. The cost is $45. Registration is online and must be completed by September 15th. Hotel reservations must be made by the individual. Room price is $112 plus tax. Group code is R7E.
- Silent auction at the convention – units may donate auction items or give a monetary donation directly to IRTAPAC. If the unit is donating item(s) for the auction, contact Courtney Hayes by August 20th.
The motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Linda Kenney to make a cash donation in the amount of $200 to IRTAPAC in lieu of donating item(s) for the Silent Auction at the 2021 IRTA State Convention was approved.
The motion by Jean Whipple and seconded by Linda Kenney to have membership vote to on changing the Ogle-Lee RTA Constitution By-Laws By-Laws Article 1, Section 1 to general membership meetings dates to May and September and adjust any references in the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect two meeting schedule was approved. The proposed constitution changes to the meeting schedule will be presented to the membership prior to members voting in September.
The motion by Elke Grennan and seconded by Jean Whipple to have membership vote to on changing the Ogle-Lee RTA Constitution By-Laws Article 1, Section 2 to Executive Board Meeting dates to March, July, and November and adjust any references in the Constitution and Bylaws to reflect two meeting schedule was approved. The proposal will be voted upon by the membership in September.
Officer elections per our Constitution are scheduled for nominations in July and election in October. Dates have been adjusted to reflect to May and September newsletters and/or meetings due to Covid-related meeting date and format changes. President Kim McKenna encouraged current officers and Board Members to continue to serve in these uncertain times to provide continuity. The current officers that have agreed to serve again unless some other members wish to run for any the positions are: President – Kim McKenna, Vice President – Carole Sutton,Treasurer – Linda Kinney, and Secretary – Elke Grennan. The other positions available include Webmaster, Legislative chairperson, Historian/Necrology and board members. Contact Kim Mckenna if interested or have recommendations.
IRTA has announced the Council of Distinction Award- a voluntary program to recognize local councils that are the best in the state determined by a yes/no questionnaire. Units that receive the award will be recognized at the IRTA Biennial Convention, in the IRTA Action, and on the IRTA website besides receiving $250. Ogle-Lee RTA will complete the questionnaire in early fall to evaluate if the criteria have been completed.
It was decided by consensus to revisit membership meeting dates, location, format, and agenda this summer. Some locales previously used are scheduling meetings but at limited attendance that may not meet our needs. Alternate ideas from usual format will be sought and considered.
Format for the Executive Board meetings scheduled for Tuesday, August 10 and Tuesday, October 12 will be determined closer to meeting dates.
Members are encouraged to review the Ogle-Lee RTA website at OgleLeeRTAonline.weebly.com (capitalization does not matter) and make suggestions for improvements and additions.
An Ogle-Lee RTA newsletter will be published in May including a Message from President Kim McKenna , highlights from the April Board Meeting, and a reminder to check the Ogle-Lee and IRTA websites for updated information.
President Kim McKenna thanked everyone who has contributed to help strengthen Ogle-Lee RTA.
Minutes submitted by Elke Grennan, Ogle-Lee RTA Secretary
Reminders:
Check our website at OgleLeeRTAonline.weebly.com for the latest news, member deaths, archive of past minutes and other documents, and links to relevant websites.
Nomination are being accepted for 2021-2023 term for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and secretary. The board is also looking for committee members to serve on the legislative committee, necrology/benevolent, and website committees. Contact Kim McKenna at [email protected] or 815-732-2845.
The Board is seeking ideas for membership meeting formats, programming, and locations.
Encourage other retired educators to join Ogle-Lee RTA and IRTA. Contact Jean Whipple, Membership at 815-222-2681 or [email protected] .