KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
VIRTUAL – ZOOM
JUNE 8, 2021
Present: Jerry Henn, Dianne Sisk, Ernie Claudel, Perry McCabe, Mike Isom, Beccy Isom, Gil Bunning, Dee Schwinn, Tom Alstrom, Betsy Zadorozny, Pam Bristow, Jane Martin, Priscilla Taggart, Kay Sewell, Gary Slimmer, Karen Pulaski, and Nancy Sapp
Absent: Jay Brown, Elrea Mullen, and Gary Carson
Mike Isom, Vice President, opened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. and led the flag salute.
Jerry Henn, Executive Director, congratulated Ernie Claudel on his reelection to the KPERS Board.
Gil Bunning made and Ernie Claudel seconded a motion to accept the agenda with flexibilities. Motion carried.
Priscilla Taggart made and Karen Pulaski seconded a motion to accept the January 28, 2021, Board Meeting Minutes. Motion carried.
Tom Alstrom, Treasurer, gave the Treasurer’s Report. Expenses are down by using Zoom for meetings. This will change with the upcoming convention and meetings gradually resuming to in person. We did receive $5,000 from AMBA. We receive very little interest on our savings.
Dee Schwinn made and Beccy Isom seconded a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.
Jerry Henn, Executive Director, reported that he has been regularly meeting with Kell Smally from AMBA to discuss membership. KARSP sends out KARSP brochures to the Superintendents across the state. He is also researching how other states are handling dues and increases. Jerry will present his findings and suggestions at the Convention Board Meeting before presenting to convention participants. Each year paperwork for KARSP is filed with the state attorney general’s office. In this paperwork it was discovered that if there was a problem with the organization, the executive director was listed as the person to be sued. Jerry changed this so it states that KARSP should be sued.
Gil Bunning made and Ernie Claudel seconded a motion to accept the Executive Director’s Report. Motion carried.
Priscilla Taggart reported she and Bob Grover have been working on the Past President’s History. Bob would like to write a book on the people who have held past positions.
Perry McCabe, Membership Chair, reported there are 1,940 members in 2021.
Beccy Isom made and Betsy Zadorozny seconded a motion to accept the Membership Report. Motion carried.
Karen Pulaski, Convention Chair, presented September 29, 30, and October 1, as convention dates for 2021; June 15, 16, and 17 as convention dates in 2022. The site will be the Courtyard at the Marriott in Junction City. Karen orally presented the schedule and events for the 2021 convention. She complimented the Junction City unit for their offer to assist.
Gary Slimmer, Foundation Board, reported the Foundation presented four recipients with awards this year. These recipients will be presented at the banquet at convention. He reminds district directors to encourage all local units to submit items for the convention auction.
Ernie Claudel, Legislative Chair, reported lobbying was extremely difficult this year with the in person meeting restrictions. A COLA bill was not possible this year. He reminds us of the importance of knowing who your representatives and senators are and their standing on KPERS and education. It is important to get KPERS information out to currently working as well as retired members.
Dee Schwinn made and Nancy Sapp seconded a motion to accept the Legislative Report. Motion carried.
Dee Schwinn, Meadowlark Editor, wants district directors to submit articles along with pictures about their units to the Meadowlark. Dee also compliments Bob Grover for proofreading the Meadowlark.
Kay Sewell, Community Service Chair, will accept volunteer hours this year through the end of July. A volunteer hour is now worth $28.54. Collecting volunteer hours was difficult with COVID. Volunteer information will be published in the Meadowlark.
District Directors presented their reports. There was no report from District 4 or District 8. Most unit meetings were held virtually and district directors are looking forward to resume meeting in person.
Jerry Henn, Executive Director, raised the issue of raising KARSP yearly dues. The Executive Board is recommending an annual dues increase from $15 to $25 effective January 1, 2023. This information will be printed in the Meadowlark and this proposal presented to members at the 2021 convention.
Priscilla Taggart, Nominating Committee Chair, reported Gil Bunning for Vice President, Tom Alstrom for Treasurer, and there is a vacancy for District 2 Director. Someone will need to be found to present for District 2 at convention. All other district directors will be on the nominating slate at convention.
Future Board Meetings: September 29, 2021; January 13, 2022; June 15, 2023.
Jerry Henn encourages district directors to meet by Zoom if an in person meeting is not available.
Jerry Henn yearly files with the Secretary of State. He has changed the person being sued from an individual to the KARSP organization.
Mike Isom adjourned the meeting at 11:31 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Dianne Sisk, Secretary