Volume 21 Issue 2

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Winter 2014-2015

The Official Publication of the Illinois Association of Educational Office Professionals Donna Steckling, Editor

Message from Ruth Burgess, CEOE IAEOP President, on Page 4 in memory of IAEOp PAST PRESIDENTS ELLEN FLYNN & CATHERINE STEvensoN

Ellen J. Flynn passed away on September 30, 2014. She was a long-time member and served IAEOP as its president from 1995 to 1997. Her theme during that term was “Partners in Education.” Ellen also served IAEOP as co-chairman of the Community Service and Fellowship Committee for many years. Her obituary reads: “Ellen was the beloved wife of the late Terence "Ted"; dear, sweet, kind, wonderful mother of Michael (Mary), Terry (Terry), Tom (Anna), Sharon (Robert) Corley, Danny and Diane (Arnie) Bjorkland; devoted grandmother of Cory (Joanna), Christina (Gus), Adam, Elizabeth, Erin, Christopher, Ryan, Megan, Sean, Jennifer, Tyler, Kaitlyn and Brooke; caring great-grandmother of Brianna, Blake, Alexis and Liam; dear sister of the late Don Swinkle, Dorothy Zasadny, Nancy Durkin, Gerald Swinkle and Jack Swinkle; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews. She was a member of the St. Christopher Rosary Altar Society.” A valued member of her local and state associations, as well as the National AEOP, Ellen’s vibrant style, sense of humor, and caring attitude will be long remembered.

Catherine Aurelia Kinney (Wittevrongel) Stevenson, 99, formerly of East Moline, Illinois, passed away on September 2, 2014, in Green Valley, Arizona. She was born on May 18 in East Moline, the first of nine children. Catherine married Marcel Wittevrongel in East Moline in 1937. They raised their four children in East Moline, Springfield, and Granite City. Catherine was widowed in 1976 and lived in Granite City until retirement in 1980. Catherine worked as an educational secretary for Granite City School District and was an active member of the Illinois Association of Educational Secretaries (IAES), serving as president in 1974 and 1975. She moved to Green Valley, Arizona, where she met and married Wallace Stevenson in the BEACON

1983, and continued to serve NAEOP as a board director from her area. She was a mentor to many. Catherine was also involved in many of her church’s activities. Sadly, only weeks after Catherine passed away, her daughter, Cathleen Wittevrongel Hall, also passed away. Catherine is survived by three sisters, three children, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

June Rowley, Thelma Webber, Catherine, Martha Carson, Donna Steckling, and Jackie Voorhees posed for picture in Colorado 2008 NAEOP.

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Winter 2014-2015

ILLINOIS FUTURE EVENTS & BOARD REPORTS By Paula Bender 2015 Spring Conference – April 17-19 (three day format) The Chateau Hotel & Conference Center, Bloomington ***EASTER – April 5 August Board Meeting 2015 – August 8. The meeting will be held at a Peoria/East Peoria area restaurant (to be announced Fall Conference – October 16-17 (two day format) Stoney Creek Inn, East Peoria 2016 Spring Conference – April 15-17 (three day format) TBA ***EASTER – March 27 August Board Meeting 2016 – August 6 The meeting will be held at a Bloomington area restaurant

BOARD REPORTS Paula Bender Yahoo Groups; IAEOP LIST SERV: There are now 182 members on the list. 10 messages were sent during August - October Jill Kharibian, Director South I sent out 5 IAEOP brochures to different school districts within my region. I also sent a personal invitation, along with the IAEOP advertising materials, to secretaries that I personally know in the Waterloo & Columbia School Districts. Cathy Orseske, CEOE, Affiliations To date, only one Affiliate membership from Macon County has been received.   Would appreciate other Affiliates sending in renewals a soon as possible. Martha Carson, Bylaws Updated Bylaws/Constitution Several changes were made to the Standing Rules. Central Area is now North Central. The suspension has been removed the BEACON

from the Member Educational

Reimbursement Program Chairman.—Program Organizer was put in the Standing Rules. After Discussion: Motion #15 Lorna Vinson made the motion and Mitzy Widebeck seconded it that we reinstate the title/ position of “Professional Development” to the Board of Directors instead of “Program Organizer.” Motion carried. Motion #16: Paula Bender made the motion and Cathy Orseske seconded it that we accept the standing committees as presented with the change of “Program Organizer” to “Professional Development.” Motion carried. Nancy Harrington, Community Service/Fellowship At the spring conference in Urbana we collected $116.00 at the general meeting. A check was sent to the school in Washington, IL to help rebuild from the tornado last November. Page 2

We will do Make-A-Wish Foundation and The Ronald McDonald Houses at the spring conferences and at the fall conferences Special Olympics and National Childhood Cancer Foundation. Thinking-of -You cards were sent to Betty DicksonBrenton, Martha Carson, Ellen Flynn, Elaine Papp, and Marilee Potter. Sympathy cards were sent to Carol Fink (loss of brother-in law). family of Ellen Flynn, member and Past President (1995-1997). Jill Kharibian (loss of her mother) Catherine Stevenson, member & past president (1975-1977). Thelma Webber (loss of her brother) Bea Williams ( loss of her husband). A Retirement card was sent to Cathy Orseske for her retirement on June 27. Regarding Handbook item ten, it states that when a member is deceased that IAEOP send a contribution to the family’s favorite charity or to the NAEOP Educational Foundation, Inc., in memory of the deceased member. (Amount of contribution to be determined

Winter 2014-2015

BOARD REPORTS (cont.) by the Executive Board and included in the annual budget.) The Board needs to review the wording in the Handbook and decide if we will do this for all deceased members or just Board members. We have not been contributing to non-board members, just board members. We have some new information on a new charity. The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation that helps bring toys to children with cancer. Mitzy Widebeck mentioned a service project for the “Matthew Project for Homeless Children” in the Springfield area. Please call Nancy Harrington or email when cards need to be sent.

consisted of information about IAEOP, the website, and an invitation to join the organization as well as inviting them to attend the conference. Cathy Orseske CEOE, Membership Chair " As of October the IAEOP membership for 2014-2015 is 179. Possibly there will be more renewals after this report is submitted. We did add a new member from Springfield Public Schools, Julie Hammers. WELCOME! Active Annual 64 Active Retired 30 Honorary 10 Active Life 10 Retired Life 65

Dena Henricks, Professional Standards Program Chair Dena Henricks, CEOE – I have submitted our Administrator of the Year Award conference program to the The Administrator of the National Office for PSP credit. Year award application has Please be sure to get a been updated and will be certificate for the workshops that placed on the IAEOP website. I you attend so you can put that encourage everyone to submit toward your PSP points. an administrator candidate from Contact me if you are your district for this award. It is interested in applying for your a great honor to have one of PSP Certification. I can guide your administrators honored. you through the process. I have enjoyed the process and feel I Barbara Hutcherson, Higher have grown personally and professionally along the way. Education There were 28 packets sent to colleges and universities Naomi Fettes, Program Organizer in the surrounding area of " Thanks to the Bloomington. Bloomington-Normal Area I extended the area to Convention and Visitors Bureau include more than the usual for donating the bags for area surrounding the conference and assisting with conference site. The letter the BEACON

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finding a tour and speakers that will best fit IAEOP needs. For 2015 Spring Conference, several members have submitted various topics for possible workshops, which are being reviewed by the President. Dena Henricks, CEOE Technology With all the trouble accessing the recent website. A new IAEOP website has been built using Google sites. You can access the new site at www.iaeop.com. If you have trouble accessing the new site, please refresh your browser. Also, if you see any corrections that need to be made, let me know. You can email your corrections and/or suggestions to [email protected] Donna Steckling, Newsletter Since I took on this position 18 years ago, I have edited many newsletters for IAEOP, had them printed, and mailed each one, starting with close to 500 copies. With the Internet, we are down to mailing out 58 newsletters. Copies are still returned with address changes. Members who joined as Life Members do not renew each year and information is not asked for updates. It’s important for Membership to have the most current information. The form on page 11 fills the need for Life Members to update info. Please take time to let us know by mail, phone call, or email so your information is current. Thanks.

Winter 2014-2015

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT RUTH BURGESS, CEOE Growing Professionally Through IAEOP "

The Trunk of the tree represents the Strength of IAEOP. The Branches are

the Illinois Office Professional to whom we reach out. The Fruit represents the Services that we provide the Illinois Office Professionals. As we leave the warm weather and brace ourselves for the colder months, I realize just how fast 2014 has gone. I have only seven months left of my presidency; and so many Illinois Office Professionals yet to reach. I know that I have “Grown Professionally Through IAEOP.” I hope the IAEOP members feel the same. Time does fly when you “are having fun.” My experience as your president is very rewarding. I will always try to reach as many Illinois Office Professionals as I can even after my presidency. I want to encourage everyone to attend our Spring Conference in April 17-19, 2015. Details about the conference will be posted on our website at www.iaeop.com in early Spring. Please join us and “Grow Professionally Through IAEOP.”

IAEOP FALL 2014 CONFERENCE - Bloomington Tour—Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts At 10:45 a.m. on Friday, a group left to tour the center. The fascinating history of the BCPA comes to life in the “behind the curtain tour”, seeing the beautiful neoclassical interior design of the BCPA and learning about the updates achieved in the recent renovation. BCPA is the centerpiece of the city’s Cultural District, which also includes a festival park and a forthcoming creativity center for arts education. The BCPA features a 1200 seat auditorium and a multipurpose ballroom. More than 400 performances and events take place at the center each year.

First Timers - Julie Hammers, Springfield Public Schools #186 and Tara Kanoski, Kankakee S.D. #111 role playing during our keynote workshop

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Winter 2014-2015

IAEOP FALL 2014 CONFERENCE - Continued Saturday Keynote Speaker: Cindy Burd

In this insightful and interactive presentation, Cindy instructed participants to develop their “C” legs by learning how to communicate with conviction, congruence, conciseness, consciousness, and consideration. She stated that in any type of organization there can be rough waters when it comes to communicating effectively, because everything we do sends a message. It’s critical to plan communication strategy, understand the subtleties of communication, and handle negative reactions in order to communicate with confidence, credibility, and influence. Cindy Byrd uses her background in business, education, and the performing arts; her passion for quality of life; and her imagination to create fun and unique learning opportunities that inspire people to high levels of self-awareness, creative thinking, and continuous success.

FRIDAY EVENING BANQUET String Quartet from Bloomington SD #87

Miriam O'Bryan,Nancy Harrington,Paula Bender, Ruth Burgess, Cathy Orseske, and Naomi Thelma Webber proudly poses with a poster made by Nancy Harrington of Thelma being honored as Grand Marshall at the Labor Day Parade in Herscher.

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Winter 2014-2015

IAEOP FALL 2014 CONFERENCE - Continued SATURDAY MORNING Workshop: “Consumer’s Fraud Protection” Caitlyn Smith Caitlyn is the Outreach Liaison for Central Illinois, through the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. She recently completed her Master’s in Social Work. Participants learned that fraud and identity theft are on the rise currently. They were given tips and ideas for how to prevent some of the most prevalent scams and to protect your identity, as well as how to be a smart consumer. Consumer Fraud presentation is an important part of the Division’s work which gives Illinois citizens the information necessary to avoid becoming victims of consumer fraud and to aid in making wise purchases. Their website contains a number of fact sheets, news releases , and links to other consumer-related sites at http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/index.html

I-Kan group - Tara Kanowski, Lorna Vinson, and Thelma Webber It was good to see Lorna Vinson join the group again and we hope she enjoyed the whole conference. Many old friends had a chance to chat with her.

President Ruth Burgess at the Saturday Brunch looks forward to the basket raffle.

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On Saturday morning, there was a Business Meeting, presentation and then Brunch. Everyone has a chance to purchase Pot of Gold tickets, tickets for the raffle items. Both of these ventures help raise money for IAEOP. In spring, plan to attend and join in the fun of maybe taking home money or a great prize donated by our members. Page 6

Winter 2014-2015

Legislation

by Mitzy WidebecK,

The Illinois Legislature does not return for the fall veto session until November. Below are some bills that have become law since they last met in the spring. TSB3081 (Bliss, D-Skokie) Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that (i) no renewal of a previously certified contract is effective unless and until the State Board certifies that the renewal is consistent with the Law and (ii) a material revision to a previously certified contract may go into effect immediately upon approval of both the local school board and the governing body of the charter school, unless either party requests certification by the State Board (instead of providing that no material revision to a previously certified contract or a renewal shall be effective unless and until certification is made by the State Board). Provides that the first day of the fiscal year of a charter school shall be July 1 (instead of no earlier than August 15 and no later than September 15 of a calendar year). Effective July 1, 2014. Signed by the Governor on August 28, 2014 now Public Act 98-1048. Effective immediately. SB3274 (Holmes, D-Aurora) Amends the School Code. Allows a teacher who teaches physical education or health education in the public schools to meet the requirements for highly qualified status that apply to teachers who teach in core academic subjects pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Signed by the Governor on August 4, 2014. Now Public Act 98-0860. Effective January 1, 2015. HB2513 (Phelps, D-Harrisburg) Amends the School Code. Provides that, after the effective date of the amendatory Act, all new school building construction governed by the "Health/Life Safety Code for Public Schools" must include in its design and construction a storm shelter that meets the minimum

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requirements of the ICC/NSSA Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters (ICC-500), published jointly by the International Code Council and the National Storm Shelter Association. Provides that nothing in this language precludes the design engineers, architects, or school district from applying a higher life safety standard than the ICC-500 for storm shelters. Signed by Governor on August 15, 2014 and now Public Act 98-0883. Effective January 1, 2015. HB4207 (Fine, D-Glenview) Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, prohibits a student from being subjected to bullying through the transmission of information from a computer that is accessed at a non schoolrelated location, activity, function, or program or from the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school if the bullying causes a substantial disruption to the educational process or orderly operation of a school. Provides that the definition of bullying includes cyber-bullying; defines "cyber-bullying". Provides that a school district's or non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school's policy or implementing procedure on bullying shall include a process to investigate whether a reported act of bullying is within the permissible scope of the district's or school's jurisdiction and shall require that the district or school provide the victim with information regarding services that are available within the district and community, such as counseling, support services, and other programs. Signed by the Governor August 1, 2014 and now Public Act 98-0801. Effective January 1, 2015.

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Winter 2014-2015

North Central Area

by Theresa Cote, Director

North Central Area Professional Development Days "Discover Us" is the theme for the Annual North Central Area PDD, to be held April 24-25, 2015 at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Lincoln, Nebraska. The North Central Area PDD is being held in conjunction with the NEOPA Spring Conference. Tentative session topics on Friday include: · Building Relationships/Trust · Shared Leadership = Association Trust · Running an Effective Meeting · Introduction to Strategic Planning The NEOPA business meeting will be held Saturday afternoon. Additional information will be sent out later this fall. PSP Congratulations to the following members who earned PSP certification and recertification as of September 15, 2014: Kansas: Charlotte Zeller, Advanced III, Option I (recertified) Nebraska: Amy Chandler, Advanced II, Option I Jaime Cunningham, Bachelor Degree, Option II (recertified) Nancy Harter, Advanced III, Option I (recertified) Margaret Profitt, Advanced III, Option I (recertified) Heather Richey, Bachelor Degree, Option II & CEOE Nancy Summers, Advanced III, Option I (recertified)

North Central Area Member Dependent Scholarship Our area scholarship of $300 is an undergraduate program scholarship available for children or grandchildren of active, life, or retired members of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals residing or working in the North Central Area. Applicants for this scholarship must be either a graduating high school senior with plans to enroll full-time in a college or university or be currently enrolled full-time in a college or university. To receive the funds, the recipient must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be enrolled in an accredited college or university. Application forms for the scholarship are available from the North Central Area Director, North Central Area State Association Presidents, or North Central Area Member Dependent Scholarship Chair. Application must be postmarked no later than April 1. 2014-2015 North Central Area Scholarship Committee: · Martha Carson (IL), Chairman · Charla Callahan (SD) · Lindsay Deahn (NE) · Sharon Griffiths, CEOE (MN) · Debora Jensen (KS) · Iris Maxwell (MO) · Lola Young, CEOE (NE)

Deadlines • •

April 24-25, 2015 — North Central Area PDD/NEOPA, Lincoln, NE July 20-25, 2015 – NAEOP Annual Conference/Institute, Buffalo, NY

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Winter 2014-2015

NATIONAL OFFICE NEWS From Jackie Voorhees

ILLINOIS currently has 83 members

2015 NAEOP Conference – Buffalo, New York – July 22-25 – 4 day conference - Gathering Information for Tomorrow (GIFT) - Hyatt Regency – Convention Center – single $144, double $149, Quad $154 2016 NAEOP Conference – St. Louis, MO - July 13-16, 2016 at the St. Louis Union Station. Kim Brannon, CEOE, is the Conference Chair.

Just a few reminders We no longer have our PO Box. Please send all correspondence to: NAEOP 1841 S. Eisenhower Ct. Wichita, KS 67209 All credit cards, debit cards, P-cards, or check cards will be subject to a $5.00 convenience fee when used for payment. If you have questions on your membership please contact Jenny Jackson, Membership and Affiliates Coordinator at [email protected] or 316-942-4822 ext. 130. We are gearing up for the 2014-2015 election of officers and voting on the proposed

bylaw changes. Voting will begin on November 10 and go through December 1. Beginning October 9, you will be able to review the proposed bylaw changes to be voted on during this election. The proposed bylaw changes can be found on the Members Only section of the website at www.naeop.org. On November 1, you will be able to review the information on the candidates for the 2014-15 election on the Members Only section of the website. Voting instructions will also be sent to all members via email, or if no email address is available, a postcard with the information on voting will be sent. If you need a paper ballot please contact the office for one.

If you have questions please feel free to contact us.

Membership Information for NAEOP Providing professional growth opportunities, leadership, and service for employees in education.

NAEOP Membership Brochure

Subpages (1): Forms

TipS .... Believe it or Not! Eating celery is technically exercise. When you eat celery, you burn more calories digesting it than you consume. Do not use chemicals to kill ants. Instead, get a spray bottle, fill with 75% water and 25% salt, shake well and spray .. boom, dead. Running bacon under cold water before cooking will reduce shrinkage by up to 50%. Instead of scraping ice off your car, try spraying it with 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water. The ice will melt right off. the BEACON

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Putting a small amount of 7-Up in a flower vase will preserve the flowers for a much longer time. Eat more marshmallows! They relieve tooth aches, asthma, sore throats, and arthritis. Never feed bread to ducks. They can’t digest it properly and it could kill them. According to a study, smelling rubbing alcohol can relieve nausea almost instantly.

Winter 2014-2015

Retired North Suburban and West Suburban Luncheon November 5 was the day the retirees from the two areas of Illinois met for an afternoon of fun and fellowship. Everyone enjoyed the food and seeing each other. Cheers!

West Suburban: Seated: Doris Baittie, Sue Jandak, Martha Carson, Denise Struve, Sue Lems, Ellen Hitchcock, Barbara Kahn, Gloria Sparrow, Barbara LaChapelle, Kay Cahill, Helen Bielarczyk

A Personal Journey of Discovery with Parkinson's Disease and Spirituality by Robert Lyman Baittie North Suburban: Seated: Betty Dickson-Brenton Standing: Sandy Wiseman, Donna Steckling

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A powerful journal of personal healing, Tremors in the Universe is a smart and witty self-help narrative that candidly shares author Robert Baittie's inspirational journey with Parkinson’s disease and spirituality. Honest and insightful, it provides a unique glimpse into his life as it is now and as it will be as Parkinson's is expected to progress, while delivering a refreshingly positive and upbeat approach to living with a chronic disease. A must-read for patients, their family members, friends, caregivers and anyone who loves life. Doris Baittie, Past President of IAEOP, is very proud of her son for writing this very powerful book on Parkinson’s Disease and how it has affected his life. Part of the proceeds from the book are going to the National Parkinson Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for research in the hopes of finding a cure or at least slowing the progression of Parkinson’s. Bob has volunteered for research at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago through the NPF and MJFF and they are testing medicines on him. You can read more by going on the website www.tremorsintheuniverse.com Don’t miss buying and reading this inspiring informational message.

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Winter 2014-2015

Important to keep IAEOP Membership Up-to-Date IAEOP MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION JULY 1, 2014 ,through JUNE 30, 2015 _______________________________________________________________________________ Last Name First Middle Title (Ms. Mr. Mrs.) DIRECT MAIL TO (check one) _______________________________________________________________________________ Name of School Address City/Zip _______________________________________________________________________________ Home Address City/Zip School Phone Number: _____________________ Email (Optional) S or H:

_____________________

Home Phone Number: ________________ Recruited by: _______________________

I would like to receive the newsletter by email (Please check and include email address) Member of Local Association:

Yes

No If Yes, name of association: _________________

Member of NAEOP: Your Office: Check one

Yes No Administration ___High School ___ Regional Office ___ Elementary ___ Higher Education ___ State Dept. ___ Junior High ___ Special Ed.___ Other: Please Specify _____________________________ New Active Membership - Annual $25 Renewal Active Membership - Annual $25 Open to all educational office personnel in any educational system or organization related to education. Members are eligible to vote on association business, serve on committees, hold office, and receive a subscription to the IAEOP Beacon newsletter. Retired Membership - Annual $15 Open to educational office personnel who have retired but desire to retain their membership in the Association. Includes subscription to the IAEOP Beacon newsletter and all privileges of an active member. Associate Membership - Annual $25 Open to persons not eligible for active membership

(i.e., a member no longer engaged in educational office work but one who wishes to retain membership in the association, or those office personnel not in an educational setting). Associate members have all rights and privileges of active membership except those of voting and holding office. Paid Life Retired $00- Need information on address change, etc. PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO IAEOP and send with application to: Cathy Orseske, Membership Chairman Questions: Call 815-798-2796 or P.O. Box 395 Email: [email protected] Somonauk, IL 60552 Check one: New ____ Renewal ____

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Winter 2014-2015

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IAEOP BEACON











Donna Steckling, Editor 805 Essex Street Prospect Heights IL 60070-1157

PLEASE READ ABOUT KEEPING MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION CURRENT AND FILL OUT FORM, IF NEEDED. Mission Statement: The mission of IAEOP is to inspire and promote professional growth and leadership through educational opportunities, networking, service to others, and recognition for all educational professionals.

TASK FORCE MEMBERS Conference Planner – Paula Bender Decorations – Danville Area AEOP Evaluations – Nancy VanVickle First Timers – Martha Carson Hospitality – Barbara Hutcherson Inspirations – Martha Carson Programs – Naomi Fettes Registration – Nancy VanVickle Retirees – Thelma Webber Entertainment – as needed Special Projects – Liz Downs & Marcia Redman Thanks to all for being part of this group!.