BEACON

Volume 22 Issue 2 Winter 2015

Photos by Martha Carson and Jackie Voorhees

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

Message from Dena Henricks, CEOE IAEOP President, 2015-2017

The holidays are fast approaching. I hope each of you will be able to enjoy time with family and friends. We had another great conference in the fall. Dr. Evens showed us some ways to keep calm while dealing with parents and students. If we remain calm, it will deescalate the situation. We had our banquet on Friday night and were entertained by Carrie Conton from Peoria High School. Carrie is a State of Illinois violin soloist winner. It was an honor to present the Distinguished Service Award to Paula Bender. Paula has been an IAEOP member for over 35 years. Paula is a past president and is our conference planner. During her presidency, she set up the IAEOP listserv to help keep our members informed of the activities of the association and its members. She is very deserving of this special award. Erick Baer, our IAEOP Administrator of the Year recipient, presented a technology workshop on Saturday morning. He showed us some Google email and calendar tasks. He also shared some websites that enable you to edit clips of video and store all of your bookmarks. Please mark you calendars for our Spring Conference on April 8-10, 2016 at the Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington, Illinois. We will have the installation of our newly elected board members at our Saturday evening banquet. You should all be receiving ballots for elections by late January or early February. Our North Central Area Professional Development Days is in Rochester, Minnesota on April 22-23, 2016. They will be offering 15 hours of workshops along with other fun activities. Let me know if you plan to attend, we can arrange to ride together. Our National conference is in St. Louis, Missouri on July 13-16, 2016. Please try to attend if possible. If you have never been to a National conference, you will enjoy all of the networking and professional development available. It is an awesome experience. Please continue to share the benefits of membership to IAEOP with your co-workers. We are continuing to improve our professional development opportunities at each conference. If we could encourage them to attend a conference, they most likely will want to come back. I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas. I look forward to seeing you at our spring conference in April. I am here to help in any way possible, feel free to contact me at any time. Thanks for all you do and continue to do for IAEOP. PROFESSIONALISM, ACHIEVEMENTS, RESULS Through IAEOP the BEACON

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I L L I N O I S

From Paula Bender 2016 -Spring Conference – April 8-10 (three day format) Dates were changed due to hotel personnel changing. The Chateau Hotel & Conference Center, Bloomington August Board Meeting – August 6 - Meeting place TBA 2016 Fall Conference - October 28-29 (2-day) at Stoney Creek Inn, East Peoria 2017- Spring Conference - April 21-23 (3-day) Same as Spring 2016 August Board Meeting – August 5 Meeting place TBA Fall Conference - October 20-21 (2-day) at Stoney Creek Inn, East Peoria

NAEOP - www.naeop.org 2016 - St. Louis - Wednesday, July 13 to Saturday, July 16 St. Louis Union Station, 1820 Market Street 314‐621‐5261

MESSAGE TO NAEOP MEMBERSHIP FROM PRESIDENT PAT STELMACH I believe it is very important to establish communication with the members of NAEOP on a regular basis. It is my intent to send out something once a month to share with the members much like what I send out to the board of directors once a month as a step to offer more communication to the membership. While I realize not all members have email I feel this would be the best way to reach a large population of our members. The last week of October I traveled back to New York for their state conference. This time to Corning where the fall foliage was spectacular. I delivered their keynote address and conducted the reaffirmation of officers’ ceremony. During the course of the conference four new members were recruited for NAEOP. This week I will travel to Arkansas where I will again deliver a keynote and install their officers for the upcoming year. I look forward to being able to report on recruiting new members there as well. There are several changes that have been made to the conference schedule for 2016 based on the evaluations from this year’s conference. Other concerns will be addressed as needed as we continue to work on our four-day conference schedule and make it the best it can be for our members. The webinars are going well and have been very successful so far. The Fall Issue of the NES Connector is now in the hands of the printer and should be available soon. The Winter Issue, which will be available sometime in January or February, will contain all the information regarding the 2016 Conference and Institute to be held in St. Louis. Work will soon begin on the second issue of Keeping Affiliates Active. It is always nice when affiliates send in articles for publication. Let the rest of us know about your affiliate and what you are doing in your area. The Winter Board Meeting for the NAEOP Board of Directors will be held January 15-18, 2016, in New Orleans. If you live in that area, please know you that you are most welcome to attend any or all of the board meetings. The board has been very busy so far this year working on directives given to us at the 2015 conference. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and for me it will be a day of gathering with family. My first stop that morning, however, will be church to thank God for all the blessings I have. I do hope you have the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with your family and enjoy this special time. From the Stelmach Family to you and all of your families, Happy Thanksgiving!

Pat

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NORTH CENTRAL AREA North Central Area and NAEOP – Reported by Mary Guest, CEOR North Central Area Director Response to Member Survey Last spring, NAEOP members were surveyed regarding possible realignment of the areas, NAEOP Institute participation, webinars and general questions. From this survey, the NAEOP board determined that it would not benefit NAEOP or the members to realign the areas. Comments regarding Institute participation demonstrated that members attend NAEOP Institutes if they are affordable, have relevant content and are close in geographical location. In addition, the members who responded to the survey provided comments on a wide range of subjects. The NAEOP board decided these comments should be considered and a response provided to the members. I had the opportunity to chair the ad hoc committee to develop the response to the members. In a recent email from Debbie Geib, members were notified that this response is posted on the NAEOP website in the “Members Only” section. This response includes recommendations that the board will address at the January board meeting. Please take some time to review this document. For ease of access, the report is attached. I applaud the NAEOP board for their willingness to share this report with the members and to directly respond to members’ comments and concerns. This is now your opportunity to be an engaged and effective member by reviewing the document, holding the board accountable to respond to the recommendations, and for you to be a part of the solution. Please share your thoughts with the NAEOP board if you have suggestions or ideas that will strengthen NAEOP and make our organization viable and relevant to our members. NAEOP Elections The NAEOP Office recently sent postcards to all members regarding the 2015 NAEOP Election. If you did not receive this card with voting instructions, please contact the NAEOP office at [email protected] or call 316-942-4822. Complete voting instructions and candidate bios will be found in the Members Only section of the NAEOP website beginning November 6. Voting will be open for voting on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m. CST through Dec. 1, midnight. Paper ballots may be requested by contacting the NAEOP office. Exercise your rights as a NAEOP member and be sure to vote! 2016 North Central Area Professional Development Days – April 22-23, Rochester, MN SAVE THE DATE to attend our NCAPDD! Hotel: Apache Kahler Hotel, room rate $89, call 800-533-1655 and let them know you are attending the NAEOP Professional Development Day. Registration: $100 for NAEOP members, $80 for retirees Questions: Contact Sharon Griffiths, [email protected] More information will be provided soon!!! 2016 NAEOP AnnualConference& Institute “Meet NAEOP in St. Louis” -July 13-16, St. Louis - St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a Double Tree by Hilton Hotel I hope to see many of you at the NAEOP Conference next July in St. Louis! The Missouri group is working hard to bring you a quality conference experience. The conference will be in our area, so let’s plan to have a great turnout! If you have earned your PSP certification, but have not yet been recognized, make plans to attend the PSP and Awards Banquet so we may celebrate your achievement. PSP Certification Program - Filing deadlines: Jan. 15 and May 15, 2016 NAEOP offers the Professional Standards Program to its members who are interested in growing their professional skills and abilities through education, briefings, conferences, and institutes. There are nine levels of certification based on your educational achievements. In addition, each level of certification requires association involvement, years of experience and professional activity. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please feel free to contact me ([email protected]), your state president, or Lois Jordan, our NAEOP PSP Registrar ([email protected] or 316-942-4822) and we will be happy to visit

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NAEOP North Central Area Professional Development Day April 22 and 23, 2016 Rochester, Minnesota Take a sneak peek... Information for your planning calendar: * Kahler Apache Hotel, room rate is $89 per person. Reservations must be made by March 21, 2016. Call 800-533-1655 and remember to let them know you are attending the NAEOP Professional Development Day. Complimentary breakfast in the hotel. * NAEOP President-Elect, Wendy Heslink, will be the keynote speaker and is also presenting a workshop on Saturday. * Six workshops are being planned for Saturday. * Friday evening, be sure to be there Friday evening – fun, fellowship, games, getting to touch base with old friends and meet new ones! * Mary Guest, NAEOP North Central Director, is putting together an all-day Friday program, especially for PSP education credit. * More information will be coming – watch your email! * Registration fee is $100 for members and $80 for retirees. Do you have questions? Please email Sharon Griffiths at [email protected] and put NAEOP NCPDD Question in the subject line. FROM ALL THE IAEOP FRIENDS..... Our association sends wishes for a very happy, friendly, and heart warming holiday! To Retirees who have been unable to join us for meetings. Bea Williams, June Rowley, Betty Dickson-Brenton, Kay Cahill, Sandy Wiseman, Mary Christofferson, Helen Vopenka, Doris Baittie, CherylMay, Myrna Wheeler, Joan Chapman,, Val Hevrdejs, Andy Szuck,, JIill Duft, Marie Grandame, Elaine Licking, Deb VanLanduit, Marge Zaring, Joyce Hadley, Lorraine Martinson, Marian Rada, Vinnie Roberts, Gloria Sparrow, Leenae Todden, Chris Ramsey, and many more.

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Winter 2015

FRIDAY WORKSHOPS Dealing With Parents and Students, Calming the Water: Wayne C. Evens, MSW.PhD. – Bradley University

Dr. Evens is the Chair of the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Bradley University. He has been at Bradley for 10 years. Wayne teaches human behavior in families, communities and organizations; practice with groups; practice with larger organizations, research; field seminar, and special topics in social work practice.

1. 2.

3.

4, 5.

Eye contact: it is best not to establish eye contact with an angry person. Look just below the chin. Remain calm: do not argue or try to defend the school. a. Keep your voice calm. b. Keep your body language open and calm. c. Allow a person to save face. Ask if you may take notes: Express this is important and you want to be sure you have the facts to share with the principal/teacher. a. I care about your issue. b. Focus on the facts. Do not challenge: remember you want to de-escalate, not escalate. Let the person talk.

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Above participants at the workshop were given the following informational handout.

6.

Ask questions to clarify and be sure you have understood. a. Open-ended questions are most effective. b. Ask and be silent. c. Listen to the answers. 7. Keep focused on the present moment. 8. Do not promise what you can’t deliver. 9. Pacing: somewhat match the others body language and voice, then slowly lower the level. 10. Assure them that you will share the issue with the appropriate person and that the school is concerned. 11. Personal safety: a. Know your back up. b. Know your escape routes. c. Keep the area free from potential weapons. d. You have an absolute right to be safe.

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FRIDAY WORKSHOPS (Cont.) Google Docs to Google Mail: Mr. Erick Baer, Principal of Highland Middle School Google Docs ... Why Google Docs? * Documents can be updated, modified and downloaded as MSWord or PDF * Cloud-based access to document from Wi-Fi or work “office” * Real-time collaboration - document-sharing * Saves work automatically in the cloud * Document history is available * Varying editing rights - Edit, Comment Only, View Only

Erick taught how to incorporate Google Calendar as well as other web 2.0 programs, to make life easier in the office. He is a member of the IPA, IASB, ISBE, Highland Area Community Foundation Board, and the Highland Business Education Alliance.

Google Forms ! !

* With Google, a person can create additional characters. * Creating and editing an event * Inviting people to an event

Why Google Forms?

Parents ! Student Needs ! Parent Contact Information ! Online Absence Note ! Teacher Request ! Field Trip Sign-Up ! Technology At-Home Survey

* Deleting an event Secretarial

1. 2. 3. 4!. 5. 6.

Creating an account here: http://bit.lv/iaeopgoogle

!

Order Forms

!

Fund Raising

Email account Save destinations in Google Maps Google Dive to work documents office Google photo storage Google Play - Apps Google Music

!

Volunteer Sign-Up

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Editor Note: These outlines will provide some idea on what was covered at the Conference. Hopefully more people will want to join in using Google. Thanks Erick.

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IAEOP FALL 2015 CONFERENCE - OCT. 16-17, East Peoria

Jane Hartter is not a new member, she just has not attended conference in a couple of years. She is from East Peoria and is retired from Peoria Public Schools.

Carrie Conton, Peoria High School violin soloist and winner of the Illinois State soloist, provided the entertainment for the Friday evening banquet.

Maggie Campos, First Timer, from School District 158.

IAEOP does S’More for You

IAEOP members Nancy Harrington and Martha Carson enjoy the company of their husbands, Harold Harrington and Roger Carson. (Having trouble opening the bottle, Harold?)

Jackie Voorhees recognizes Dena Henricks for the award Dena won at NAEOP for third place in the website competition at National.

Martha Carson and Linda Smith visiting the Special Projects table. the BEACON

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Distinguished Service Award

2009 winner Betty Dickson-Brenton

2015 Winner Paula Bender

2010 Winner Thelma Webber

The 2015 IAEOP Distinguished Service Award recipient has been a member of IAEOP for more than 35 years. She has performed many tasks to help IAEOP grow and be of importance to all members. She started out as a quiet and reserved person and gradually became one of the leaders of events. She has been involved in giving workshops to other educational personnel to help them keep organized. She has dedicated many hours of service to our association. During her presidency, she was instrumental in encouraging our members to access their information via the computer. With the Internet becoming an important tool in communication, she developed Yahoo Groups and the IAEOP listserv to keep members informed of latest happenings in the association. Thank you, Paula Bender, for making IAEOP better – you truly deserve to be recognized as recipient of the “Distinguished Service Award”. Congratulations.

2011 Winner Jackie Voorhees the BEACON

WINNERʼS GIFT FROM IAEOP 2012 Winner Donna Steckling Page 8

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Legislation

by Mitzy Widebeck, CEOE employee, the employer may be required to reimburse the fund for an amount up to the total of any annuity payments made to the annuitant after the date the annuity should have been suspended, less any amount actually repaid by the annuitant.

Two bills involving IMRF. Amends the IMRF Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Funds may begin enforcement action against employers who have failed to remit contributions to the fund when the contributions are 60 rather than 90 days overdue. Also amends IMRF article of the IL Pension Code. Provides that if an employer fails to notify the board to suspend the annuity of an annuitant who returns to service as a participating

SR0317 – The resolution urges the TRS and SURS to pursue an Internal Revenue Service ruling on the compliance of Tier 2 with safe harbor provisions under Section 3121(b)(7)(F) of the IRS Code of 1986. Passed.

Board Reports Ruth Burgess, Director of Central Area – Ruth plans to go to DACC and EIU to promote IAEOP as well as to the high schools in the Central Area

Barb Hutcherson, Higher Education – Barb and Paula Bender are working on an email group to reach college office staff.

Martha Carson, By-Laws, Constitution – The committee of Martha Carson, Chair; Paula Bender, Shelly McGill, Jackie Voorhees, Nancy Van Vickle, and Tara Kanoski will get the bylaws and standing rules updated by the fall conference in October. Tara Kanoski has agreed to work with Martha to learn more about the Bylaws and Standing Rules.

Cathy Orseske, Membership – As of this report, IAEOP membership is currently 174.

Nancy Harrington, Community Service/ Fellowship – At the spring conference in Bloomington, we collected $173 at the general meeting. The money was divided between Ronald McDonald House and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Due to alleged misuse of funds by Make-A-Wish, we will discontinue our contribution from spring conference. The Coal City/Wilmington area was hit by a tornado and contact was made with school secretaries and the superintendent. We will be sending the Fall Conference donation to their schools. Paula Bender and Cathy Orseske will make a visit to the school and encourage their secretaries to join IAEOP. A list of needed items is available. the BEACON

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Nancy Van Vickle, Nominations & Elections – A committee will be elected/appointed at the fall conference. A secretary and three directors will need to be elected in the spring. Mitzy Widebeck, PSP – After conference materials are ready, the workshops and schedule will be sent to the NAEOP office for for approval of PSP credit. Miriam O’Bryan, Student Scholarship received materials from Sherry Johnson. Letters of acceptance and/or schedules were received from scholarship recipients. Checks for the student scholarship winners will be sent to their colleges. Thelma Webber will do craft at the Spring Conference

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MEMBERSHIP Use the form on page 11 to renew your membership, make information changes and give to a prospective member.

Types of Membership: Active Membership - $25 per year 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 - $15 per year 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 - $25 per year Open to persons not eligible for active membership (i.e. a member no longer engaged in an 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. IAEOP ListServ: IAEOP now has an electronic membership for our members to join. The LISTSERV sends out messages and information to the members via e-mail. If you want to join the members LISTSERV, please e-mail Paula Bender at [email protected].

IAEOP Members who are also NAEOP members. Photo is of National Conference participation. Jackie Voorhees, Martha Carson, Dena Henricks, and Ruth Burgess. All except Martha have been presidents of IAEOP and Martha has been the NAREOP (National Retired) president in the past and a valuable chairwoman of many committees. Thank you all! the BEACON

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IAEOP BEACON











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

READ ABOUT LOCAL, STATE, NORTH CENTRAL AREA AND NATIONAL NEWS

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 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!.