BLET to host Secretary-Treasurer class in March 2019

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, January 9 — The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a training class for Secretary-Treasurers from March 10-14, 2019, at the BLET National Division headquarters in Independence, Ohio. 

Registration for the class will be filled by Division Secretary-Treasurers who sign up on a first come, first served basis. Available slots are limited, so those who are interested should register as soon as possible. You must register for this ST Class online through the BLET website at: https://www.ble-t.org/registration .

The session will begin with an orientation class on Sunday evening, March 10, followed by full day classes from March 11-14 (Monday-Thursday). Class begins each morning at 8:30 a.m. Hotel check-out and travel day home will be March 15 (Friday). The training will take place in the Training Center at the BLET National Division headquarters (7061 East Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, Ohio 44131).

Secretary-Treasurers will receive training in a number of areas, including how to use the BLET National Division’s UnionTrack reporting system for membership reporting, OLMS tax compliance tips, Division Trustee reporting, and computer skills (Word, Excel, Search Engines, etc.). During the four-day session, members will also learn proper record keeping techniques, minute-taking, and methods for filing various Department of Labor and Railroad Retirement reports. The class will also focus on filing Internal Revenue Service Federal tax reports such as CT-1, 941, W-2, W-3, and W-4, and a focus on essential items such as 990 authorizations, bonding, check registers, banking, and other related items. A goal for our instructors is to do everything they can to make the S-T’s job as easy as it can be.

Class instructors and guest speakers will include: Dennis R. Pierce, BLET National President; James P. Louis, Vice President and Department Head of Education and Training; Megan Mead, Director of the Compliance Department; Jason Wright: Special Representative and Director of the Education & Training Department; Louise Reich, Director of the Record Department; Walt Schmidt, Director of Online Services; and Matt Kronyak, Special Representative and Director of Mobilization–Eastern Region.

Upon successful completion, attendees will qualify for a $94 per day stipend from the North American Railway Foundation (www.narfoundation.org). Depending on the class, the stipends will be paid directly to the Division President or the Secretary-Treasurer of the Division, General Committee of Adjustment, or State Legislative Board.

The North American Railway Foundation (NARF) is a non-profit 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. 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.

Attendees must register for this ST Class no later than February 21, 2019, through the BLET website at: https://www.ble-t.org/registration . It is expected that the class will fill quickly as there is already a significant waiting list from the registration process for the previous class.

After registering online, attendees will receive an e-mail confirmation that will include hotel registration information. The BLET National Division pays the costs of books and equipment, while Secretary-Treasurers who attend are responsible for their own transportation costs as well as their room and board.

For more information, please contact Jason Wright, Special Representative and Director of the BLET Education and Training Department, at (216) 241-2630, ext. 247, or email wright@ble-t.org.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019
bentley@ble-t.org