The UIC Chapter of SUAA Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting July 8, 2011

Members Present: Marsha Borders, Merrill Gassman, Michael Harms, Gloria Henderson, Richard Johnson, James Jones, Rose Kirk, Donna Knutson, Irv Miller, Leonard Ramirez, Sue Sindelar, Chuck Stanislao

Members Absent: Judy Curry, Lawrence Poston, William Troyer

The meeting was called to order by President Merrill Gassman at 10:30am in Room B16, Physical Plant Building, 1140 S. Morgan.

1. Approval of Minutes: The Minutes of the May 18, 2011 Board meeting were approved.

2. President's Report: The dues deduction program for UI employees has been established through the cooperation of the SUAA central office and the UI Payroll.  In addition, the new dues rate will be $33 per year ($2.75 per month) for all three UI campuses.  The UIC and UIUC chapter presidents agreed to this figure.  Merrill believes that establishing a LISTSERV for LCPs is possible, using the University website.  Dick Johnson asked if one could be established to contact State legislators.  Merrill has concerns about using University computer resources for political purposes so he has asked the ACCC about alternatives.  A SUAA membership workshop will be held on July 19 in Normal.  Merrill said that chapter member Barbara French sought to set up a UIC UNITED recruiting table in the lobby of the University Hospital but was denied permission.  The APAC petition on SB 512 had over 6,200 signatures.  The bill did not pass in the Spring legislative session.

3. Treasurer's Report (Chuck Stanislao): Current cash balances are $3,558 in the savings account, $1,568 in the checking account, and $10,189 in the CD.  Total assets are $3,800 less than in May 2011.

4. SUAA Annual Meeting Report: Merrill, Chuck, Dick, Marsha, and Bill attended the meeting in Springfield.  Marsha reported on the meeting of the SUAA Foundation Board of Directors.  This Board is more active than in prior years, and more chapters have sent representatives.  The Foundation has total assets of $85,000.  Two areas of Foundation support will be the survivor’s assistance program and a legal defense fund to protect retiree benefits.  Merrill, Chuck, and Bill attended the SUAAction meeting.  2011 contributions are well below the year’s goal, and contributions from UIC members represent almost ½ of the total received to date.  The solicitation of Urbana members is still in progress.  John Peters, NIU President, spoke at the meeting and provided strong support for SUAA goals, such as maintaining current pension and benefit funding.  Eric Madair, legislative counsel to the Illinois Senate Democrats, discussed the legal protection of employee retirement programs.  He believes that they are constitutionally protected, and he disputed the Sidley and Austin opinion prepared on behalf of the Civic Committee.  SURS Executive Director Bill Mabe reported on the fiscal status of SURS.  Current rates of return are very good, and the State has made its current required contribution.  He noted that the number of annuitants is increasing faster than projected, and this will have an adverse effect on SURS fund balances.

5. Membership Report (Sue Sindelar): Sue distributed the proposed criteria for a recognition award to a current UIC employee.  The award will be presented at the annual employee recognition luncheon and will be included in the program.  Marsha Borders noted that the criteria should include membership in UIC UNITED.  Dick Johnson suggested that the award name be “Citizen of the Year”.  The criteria, as revised in discussion, were approved unanimously.  Sue believes that an isolated recruitment table in the UIH lobby would probably not be as effective as other options to attract new members.  Given the UIH administration’s objection, the Board agreed that this approach should be tabled.

6. Program Report (Donna Knutson): Dick Johnson stated that the Fall Forum will be held on September 20, and the topic is “Charting the Course Toward Illinois Solvency”.  Senator John Cullerton, a Republican State senator to be named, and CTBA Executive Director Ralph Martire will comprise the panel.  Prof. Paul Green of Roosevelt University will be the moderator.  Dick hopes that State legislators who represent UIC districts will attend and participate in the reception after the forum.  The format will include 15-minute presentations by each panelist followed by responses of five minutes each.  Thirty minutes will be allotted for Q and A, making a total time of 90 minutes.  Co-sponsors will be sought.  For the October membership meeting, the Chancellor has indicated that President Hogan is the University’s spokesperson on pension issues.  BOT chair Christopher Kennedy was suggested as a speaker.  Merrill will contact the BOT office regarding his availability.  If that fails, he will try to schedule President Hogan.  Donna presented the Brown Bag committee report.  The committee believes that the presentations should be conducive to discussion and member participation.  Use of UIC expertise is preferred.   Use of UI Hospital space or other no-cost campus venues should be sought.

7. Newsletter (Dick Johnson): Dick continues to seek input from the Board regarding future Newsletters.  Mike felt that the Newsletter’s primary goal should be communication with the general membership.  He also believes that the newsletter should move to electronic distribution to save publication and mailing costs.  Donna commented that some members do not have email addresses, and the mailed newsletter is their only way to stay in touch and is greatly appreciated.

8. Legislation/SUAAction Report: No report.

9. Old Business: On the dues deduct issue, the Board concurred with Merrill’s decision to set the dues level at $33/year in order to get parity with the other UI campuses and establish a standard deduction amount.

10. New Business: none

11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 12:35am.

Respectfully submitted by Michael Harms, Secretary

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