West Lake Shore Unit

WEST LAKE SHORE UNIT Illinois Retired Teachers Association Executive Board Meeting Minutes March 16, 2016 Plymouth Place, La Grange Park, IL

In Attendance: M. Sucansky, A. Popowitz, J. Kurth, S. Kman, F. Pettersen, M. Trankina, V. Corder, J. Jeter, M. Lyons, T. Szot, L. Sterett, B. Grabowski, K. Singletary, B. Karlbloom, V. LaPaglia Absent: M. Dowell, J. Vespo, D. McNamara, Bill Paarlberg

Call to Order: 9:34 by President M. Sucansky Announcements:  Judy Mengel has resigned from her position as Recording Secretary. We thank Judy for having filled this important role and send our appreciation. We also need to find someone to fill this position on a permanent basis.  Members Joanne McCann and Margaret Gorman continue their relationship with Rep. Michael Zalewski, (D-Riverside) 23rd district and share that he would welcome a visit from our legislative team.  Vince LaPaglia was introduced to the Board stating, “the best way to say thanks (for the work the WLSU has done) is to join the group.” We welcome his involvement.

Officer Reports

Secretary Motion to approve minutes as published. Moved by Jeter, second by Kman- motion carried

Treasurer L. Sterret

Checking account balance $16725.62. Total assets 27225.62 Motion to accept report moved by

Jeter, seconded by Kman.

Vice President Kman

Discussion regarding upcoming events ensued. Issues that surfaced were finding suitable venues that fit

our needs in terms of parking and price. Also consideration should be given to holding our public meeting

in Cook County as that is where our Unit is located. S. Kman is researching a variety of location for future

use such as libraries and other public venues.

March 29, 2016, membership meeting will have a speaker regarding genealogy. This will take place at Ashton Place. May meeting will host a speaker about Van Gogh and will tie into the Art Institue’s Van Gogh Exhibit which is currently on display.

Motion to increase allotted spending on entertainment and venues not to exceed $1000.00 was made by

K. Singletary, seconded by V. LaPaglia…motion passed.

Associate Vice President Trankina Discussion of upcoming luncheons. Marie noted that it is easier negotiating when booking three luncheons at once. Motion to set prices at $25. for members and $30. For non-members was made by T. Szot and

seconded by A. Popwits…motion passed.

Corresponding Secretary Dowell

No report

Legislative Singletary, Popowits,

Discussed cancellation of legislative forum. Issues that impacted this were our inability to assure

200 people in attendance, number of uncontested races and venue location.

Members should be encouraged to become involved in November General Election.

Springfield issues involving retired educators are currently not moving out of committee, just

conversations proposing various options.

Popowits discussed issues presented by buy out plans that have had discussion. He agreed to write an

Article that could be distributed to members about this.

Corder discussed recent IRTA legislative committee meeting he attended. IRTA is looking for more

local Unit involvement. Changes are taking place in endorsement process which will involve more

than questionnaire information on the part of candidates. Increase in use of social media would be

helpful to improve communication. Units need to encourage members to utilize deduction to IRTA-PAC.

Membership Szot

WLSU current membership at 1227. Calls have been made to members who have not renewed. As of

3/16/2016, 61 members still owed dues. Superintendents will be getting WLSU letter regarding 2016

Retirees, in hopes of getting them as members. Discussion of recent IRTA survey to 200 non-members

Results were inconclusive as to why the recipients did not join.

Member Benefits Jeter No report

Newsletter Sucansky Newsletter will be out by March 31. We need to continue to encourage members to get newsletter by Email as it saves postage costs.

FYI Grabowski, Lyons Information regarding prank calls being made under guise of IRS. Members should not give any information to these callers. Lyons will be putting together a list of reliable on line resources for our members. When complete it will be published in newsletter.

Foundation Services Pettersen As of 2/1/2016, Foundation has discontinued funding for I CARE

Public Relations Karlbloom No Report

Data Base Corder Phone tree volunteer list is being updated. We will be in need of new volunteers. Looking for way to recognize service of members who are stepping down from this group. Many have served a long time.

Webmaster Kurth Reminder that WLSU Newsletter can be accessed on website. By plan, it is one month behind in terms of publication date.

Continuing Business Collection can proceeds will be given alternately to Legal Defense and Needy Teachers. The collection on March 29 will go to legal defense. Vespo will gather committee to work on by law update

New Business Area 3 Conference is coming up April 27. Please let Sucansky know if you are attending. Jeter will begin the process for adopting a school for 2016. Kman will check availability of Plymouth Place for future dates.

Adjourn 11:51 Moved Jeter, seconded Sterret…motion passed

Respectfully submitted, Julie Jeter