Date: | 03/31/2021 |
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Referenced Sources: | PERAC Website |
PERAC Memo #14, 2020
Date: | 03/31/2021 |
---|---|
Referenced Sources: | PERAC Website |
PERAC Memo #14, 2020
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
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M E M O R A N D U M
TO: All Retirement Boards
FROM: John W. Parsons, Esq., Executive Director
RE: Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training – 2nd Quarter 2021
DATE: March 31, 2021
Chapter 32 mandates retirement board members to complete training during each year of service on the retirement board. This requirement has two elements: 18 credits over the course of the member’s term and at least 3 credits in each year of the term. Failure to meet either of these statutory standards will prohibit the member from serving beyond the conclusion of the term for which the training requirement was not met. We urge board members to utilize the full array of training choices in order to remain eligible to serve. All classes, webinars, seminars, and conferences listed will earn three credits each, unless otherwise noted.
Due to ongoing social distancing guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to prioritize your safety, we will continue to provide all offerings virtually this quarter.
Ways to receive your credits:
The Commission would be remiss if we did not thank all the members of the retirement boards who, in spite of other pressing duties, and especially during such unprecedented circumstances, are making a good faith effort to fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
I. Training Schedule Dates (pre-registration is required)
Date |
Topic/Organization |
Location / Registration Information |
April 6 |
SFI Online Submission |
Webinar |
10:00 a.m. |
PERAC |
mass.gov/perac-education |
April 15 |
Open Meeting Law |
Webinar |
9:30 a.m. |
Office of the MA Attorney General |
https://tinyurl.com/AGO-OML-0415 |
April 20 |
2021 Legislative Webcast |
Free for NCPERS Members |
12:00 p.m. |
NCPERS |
ncpers.org/legislative-conference |
April 21 |
Fraud Awareness Training |
Webinar, Cost: $29 |
10:30 a.m. |
MCPPO |
https://tinyurl.com/mcppo-0421 |
April 29 |
How to Detect Fraud in Financial Statements |
Webinar, Cost: $29 |
10:30 a.m. |
MCPPO |
https://tinyurl.com/mcppo-0429 |
May 4 |
Preparing for the Pandemic's Impact on Your Pension Plan - Year 2 |
Webinar |
1:00 p.m. |
NCPERS |
https://tinyurl.com/NCPERS-0504 |
May 18-20 |
FINRA Annual Conference |
Virtual Conference, Cost: $199-$399 |
10:00 a.m. |
FINRA |
https://tinyurl.com/finra21 |
June 3 |
Conflict of Interest Law Training* |
Webinar |
10:00 a.m. |
State Ethics Commission |
https://tinyurl.com/0603-ethics
|
June 7-8 |
MACRS Conference |
Virtual Conference |
|
PERAC/MACRS |
mass.gov/perac-education |
June 8-9 |
Trustee Educational Seminar (TEDS) |
Virtual Conference, $300 |
|
NCPERS |
https://www.ncpers.org/teds |
June 17 |
Liability in Certain Situations/Dual Membership** |
Webinar |
10:00 a.m. |
PERAC |
mass.gov/perac-education |
*Board members must complete the Conflict of Interest Law training at least once every two years, however, the live session may be taken for credit every year. A certificate of completion is required to receive credit for the Conflict of Interest training.
** Indicates live event will be recorded and available to view on demand at a later date
II. Recently Added PERAC Produced Online Training (available on demand)
Topics |
Legislative Update |
SFI Online Submission |
Annual Statement and Cash Books |
Administrator Roundtable |
Additional recorded webinars presented by PERAC are available on the website
III. Other Recently Added or Recurring Pre-Approved Online Training
(available on demand)
Organization |
Topic |
How to find webinar: |
National Council on Public Employee Retirement Systems |
NCPERS 2021 State & Federal Legislation Webcast |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyZhQEK9lZw
|
State Ethics Commission |
Conflict of Interest Law* select either State and County or Municipal links |
https://go.usa.gov/xpPxD and view appropriate webinar |
Office of the Inspector General |
Inspector General Videos |
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/inspector-general-educational-videos |
Office of the Attorney General |
Open Meeting Law Training |
https://go.usa.gov/xpPx5 |
MA Association of Contributory Retirement Systems |
MACRS Cybersecurity Webinar |
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/macrs-cybersecurity-webinar |
National Council on Teacher Retirement (NCTR) |
Four new webinars added:
|
See our website for the links: |
Links to all of the above webinars can be found on PERAC’s Education page at https://www.mass.gov/perac-education.
* Board members must complete the Conflict of Interest Law training once every two years.
A certificate of completion is required to receive credit for the Conflict of Interest training. Credit for the recorded session may only be awarded once every two years. IV. Other Opportunities to Obtain Educational Credit
As has been the case in the past, PERAC, in conjunction with MACRS, will provide board members the opportunity to earn up to six educational credits at the June MACRS Conference.
This year’s conference will be virtual. Registration information will be posted on our website once it is available. The breakout will be as follows:
The Commission is willing to approve other educational credits for a variety of events sponsored by “…local, state, regional and national organizations recognized by the Commission as having expertise in retirement issues of importance to retirement board members or other entities…”
Additionally, the Commission has approved education credit for participating in webinars. In 2021, we will again entertain requests for credit in relation to relevant webinars provided that such a request is made well in advance of the session.
Approval for credit must take place well in advance of the date of the event or webinar. This will enable the Commission to analyze the program and provide a general notice to other retirement board members to maximize participation. Once approved, you must complete the Training Affidavit in PROSPER to ensure proper credit. Board members experiencing Extenuating Circumstances in meeting educational requirements should review Memo 15 of 2019 and contact PERAC with any questions.
The following list of local and national organizations provide additional educational opportunities that may be relevant for retirement board members:
Philip Y Brown, Esq., Chairman
Auditor Suzanne M. Bump
Kathleen M. Fallon
Kate Fitzpatrick
James M. Machado
Richard MacKinnon, Jr.
Jennifer F. Sullivan
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
For deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired
Call to report suspected pension fraud