CLEVELAND, January 26 — The BLET Education & Training Department’s Secretary-Treasurer Compliance Workshop in Kansas City is now full, making Denver the only remaining class with available space.
BLET National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert reports that the workshop in Chicago, scheduled for February 18-21, filled up in early January. The Kansas City workshop, set for March 12-15, filled up yesterday. He advised interested parties to act quickly to reserve a space for the workshop in Denver, to be held April 9-12, because only 12 spots remain. Workshops are filled on a first come, first served basis. Each class is limited to 30 participants.
Secretary-Treasurers must register for the workshop online through the BLET website at: https://www.ble-t.org/st.
The workshop in Denver will take place at the Four Points Denver Cherry Creek.
“The fact that these workshops have reached maximum occupancy so quickly is unprecedented,” NST Walpert said. “It’s a sign that the Secretary-Treasurer job is an important one, which requires the training and hands-on learning experiences we offer in our workshops.”
Members will be given hotel contact information and special room rate information when they receive their confirmation after registering online at: https://www.ble-t.org/st.
During the four-day session, members will learn proper recordkeeping techniques, computer applications, and recording of minutes. They will also learn methods for filing various Department of Labor and Railroad Retirement reports, as well as Federal tax returns. A representative from the Department of Labor should be on hand to answer Secretary-Treasurer questions and have tips regarding the preparation of LM reports.
Presenters will include Bill Walpert, BLET National Secretary-Treasurer; Ken Kroeger, BLET Special Representative & Coordinator of the Education & Training Department; Dr. Elaine Reese, Director of Compliance; Bob Broka, Director of Records; and Walt Schmidt, BLET Webmaster.
The BLET National Division will pay 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 $99 per day stipend from the North American Railway Foundation (NARF). The stipends will be paid directly to the Division.
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.
For more information, please contact Ken Kroeger of the BLET Education & Training Dept. at (216) 272-0986 or kroeger@ble-t.org.