CLEVELAND, December 15 — On February 25-28, 2007, the BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file an LM-2 Report for their General Committee of Adjustment. The workshop will be held at the School for Workers, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Pyle Center, Madison, Wisc.
The class will start at 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, and conclude at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28.
During the four-day session, GCA S-Ts will review LM-2 reporting, membership reporting, and filing reporting requirements, bond requirements, computer applications, and changes for 2007. A representative from the Department of Labor will be on hand to answer questions and to help with the electronic signature that is now required.
Included in the training will be a session called “Tips, Tricks and Traps.” It will feature examples of problem areas on the LM-2 to help filers avoid mistakes and misunderstandings. Instructors will guide attendees through the LM-2, item-by-item and schedule-by-schedule, to help them understand and avoid the pitfalls of the LM-2.
A special segment of this workshop will focus on the records that must be kept to comply with the new LM-2 form, including itemization of certain expenses as well as estimates of time spent by officers and employees in five “functional activity” categories.
Attendees will also spend time in the computer lab for a hands-on session using a popular commercial off-the-shelf software called Quick Books Pro. In this segment of they workshop, attendees will learn how to enter data so that reports can be generated to provide the information needed for the LM-2 and will spend time entering their own data. On the last day of class, attendees will work with their actual information and will be working on their own LM-2 report for 2006.
Presenters will include Bill Walpert, BLET National Secretary-Treasurer; Ken Kroeger, BLET Special Rep & Coordinator of the Education & Training Department; Dr. Elaine Reese, BLET Director of Compliance; Bob Broka, BLET Director of Records; Walt Schmidt, BLET Director of Online Services; and John Lund, Ph.D, Professor, School for Workers University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Upon successful completion of the course, attendees will qualify for a $99 per day stipend from the North American Railway Foundation (NARF). The stipends will be paid directly to the General Committee.
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 non-political projects throughout the United States and Canada over the past 10 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.
Register for the class at https://www.ble-t.org/gcast
Once you register for the class you will be send a confirmation E-mail that will tell you how to sign up for your room.
Secretary-Treasurers who attend are responsible for their transportation costs as well as their room and board.
The BLET pays the costs of books, equipment, and tuition. BLET members who attend are responsible for the cost of room and board. Attendees will stay on campus at the Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St., Madison, WI 53703. Cost of room and board (dinners not included) is $405 per person for a single room and $265 per person for a double room. The fees include four nights’ lodging.
If you have any questions, please contact Ken Kroeger of the BLET Education & Training Dept. at (216) 272-0986 or kroeger@ble-t.org.