West Lake Shore Unit

Illinois Retired Teachers Association

Membership Meeting Minutes

September 12, 2013

Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park

Call to order at by President Sucansky 10:00 a.m.

Speaker: Gary Elmen

Announcements:

  1. President

Introductory comments

  1. Recording Secretary
  2. Motion to accept minutes (Vespo, Elmen)
  3. TreasurerLouise Sterett

Check book balance = $13,461.03

Total Assets = $23,961.03

Motion to accept report (Elmen, Vespo) passed

$318.30 was collected for the IRTA fund for needy teachers

The meeting was recessed so the program could proceed. IRTA Gary Elmen spoke about pensions and TRIP.

The meeting resumed at 11:15.

  1. Vice PresidentS. KmanNo Report
  2. Associate Vice President Marie Trankina

Although the Willowbrook Holiday Inn is under new management, our agreement for the December 3 luncheon will be honored.

  1. Corresponding Secretary Moira DowellNo Report

II.Committee Reports:

  1. LegislativeAl Popowits, Bill Paarlberg, and Kate Singletary

Al Popowits reported that Representative Chris Welch has been very supportive. Members from his district were urged to sign petitions for him to run in the primary election. Working for politicians also makes them aware of teacher concerns.

Phone calls and letters no longer work. Our pensions are at risk. As retired teachers with WLSU, IRTA, make phone calls, stuff mailers, talk to legislators, attend town meetings. We need to get people on our side.

Kate Singletary continues to train teams.

  1. MembershipTom Szot, Co-chair Darlene McNamara

WLSU membership is 1150. There are 149 recent retirees including 23 from Cicero and 14 from Oak Park. Individual contacts remain very important. Convention delegates will vote on dues increases: $35 to $40, $150 to $175, $2.00 to $2.50 for deduct. WLSU will not raise dues.

  1. Member BenefitsJulie JeterNo Report
  2. Newsletter Marjorie Sucansky, TemporaryNo Report
  3. FYI Barb Grabowski, Maureen LyonsNo Report
  4. Foundation ServicesFran PettersenNo Report
  5. Public RelationsBill Karlblom No Report
  6. Data BaseVictor Corder

240 members have no email access. Those with email should inform Vic. A few more phone tree volunteers would be appreciated.

  1. Web MasterJames KurthNo Report

III.New Business:

News letters will be mailed at the end of October.

Julie Jeter will has been nominated for the Area 3 Representative position. One other candidate is

running. The election will be at the Convention on October 21.

On Tuesday, October 22, transportation will be provided from the hotel to the Capitol so individuals

can meet with legislators.

Officers to be elected at the December luncheon: president, treasurer, recording secretary

“The West Lake Shore Unit commends President Marjorie Sucansky for her leadership. The members

are grateful for her dedication and hard work on behalf of the members.” Motion (Vespo, Szot)

passed.

Adjourn

Hearing no other business-Moved by Corder, ?) passed at 11:45 a. m.

Ten members remained after the meeting to view the Frontline documentary about the 40lK debacle.

Respectfully submitted,

Rosemary Pietrzak, Recording Secretary, temporary