CLEVELAND, January 5 — The BLET’s Education and Training Department is hosting two Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshops in February and March.
The first is in Atlanta, Ga., from February 27-March 2, 2011, and the second is in Vancouver, Wash., from March 13-16, 2011.
All Secretary-Treasurers for Divisions, State Legislative Boards and General Committees of Adjustment are invited to attend. Those who are interested should register as soon as possible. Class size is limited to 24.
BLET National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert, Director of the BLET Education & Training Department, said the workshops will help Secretary-Treasurers prepare to properly file their annual Department of Labor reports, which are due on March 31, 2011.
He also said some changes have been implemented since last year regarding the filing of LM reports, and that these changes will be explained in class.
Additionally, Secretary-Treasurers will be trained in how to use the BLET National Division’s web-based reporting system. STs use the online system for membership reporting and tax compliance.
During the three-day session, members will learn proper record keeping techniques and minute-taking. They will also learn methods for filing various Department of Labor, and Railroad Retirement reports, as well as Internal Revenue Service Federal tax returns. A representative from the Department of Labor will be on hand to answer questions and provide tips regarding the preparation of LM reports.
Presenters will include Bill Walpert, BLET National Secretary-Treasurer; Ken Kroeger, Special Representative and Coordinator of the BLET Education & Training Department; Dr. Elaine Reese, Director of Compliance; and Walt Schmidt, Director of Online Services.
The BLET National Division pays the costs of books and equipment, while Secretary-Treasurers who attend are responsible for their transportation costs as well as their room and board.
Upon successful completion of the course, attendees will qualify for a $123 per day stipend from the North American Railway Foundation. The stipends will be paid directly to the Division.
The North American Railway Foundation (NARF) is a non-profit operating foundation formed by the Brotherhood’s Relief and Compensation Fund (BR&CF) to support rail history, education, safety and technology in the United States and Canada. With initial funding and continued Board of Directors stewardship coming from the BR&CF, NARF has supported many varied non-political projects throughout the United States and Canada over the past ten years. The primary focus of these efforts has been in support of organized rail labor … giving back to all of the men and women of the railroad community across North America.
Secretary-Treasurers must register for the workshop online through the BLET website at: https://www.ble-t.org/st.
After registering for the workshop, workshop attendees will receive an e-mail confirmation that will include hotel registration information. Attendees are responsible for their transportation costs, along with the cost of room and board.
The Atlanta and Vancouver workshops are in addition to two other BLET Education & Training Department workshops already announced for 2011, including one for Legislative Representatives in Washington, D.C., from February 13-17, and one for Secretary-Treasurers in San Diego, Calif., from January 9-12. Members should continue to monitor www.ble-t.org for announcements regarding future workshops throughout 2011.
For more information, please contact Ken Kroeger of the BLET Education & Training Dept. at (216) 272-0986 or kroeger@ble-t.org.