Date: | 06/30/2022 |
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Referenced Sources: | PERAC Website |
PERAC Memo #17, 2022
Date: | 06/30/2022 |
---|---|
Referenced Sources: | PERAC Website |
PERAC Memo #17, 2022
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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 – 3rd Quarter, 2022
DATE: June 30, 2022
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.
Ways to receive your credits:
The Commission appreciates the good faith effort retirement board members are making to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Since the beginning of the pandemic and our pivot to online offerings, attendance has held at a steady rate. We are slowly beginning to reintroduce in person sessions this quarter, including the return of the Emerging Issues Forum. We will continue to follow all public health guidelines and will make adjustments to our programming if necessary.
Date |
Topic/Organization |
Location / Registration Information |
July 13 |
Open Meeting Law |
Webinar |
12:00 p.m. |
AGO |
|
July 21 |
Fiduciary Duty for Board Members | Fraud Prevention & Awareness |
Webinar |
|
IGO |
|
July 24-27 |
NCTR Trustee Workshop |
Workshop – Berkeley, CA |
|
National Conference on Teacher Retirement |
|
July 28 |
Conflict of Interest Training* |
Webinar |
9:30 a.m. |
State Ethics Commission |
|
August 3 |
Whistleblowing: Knowing your rights and setting your expectations |
Webinar |
2:00 p.m. |
MCPPO ($15) |
|
August 9th |
Open Meeting Law |
Webinar |
9:30 a.m. |
AGO |
|
August 18 |
Contract Administration Overview |
Webinar |
10:00 a.m. |
MCPPO ($29.00) |
|
August 24 |
Administrator Training |
Training – Northampton, MA |
8:00 a.m. |
PERAC |
|
September 15 |
Emerging Issues Forum |
Forum – Worcester, MA |
9:00 a.m. |
PERAC |
|
September 22 |
Conflict of Interest Training* |
Webinar |
10:00 a.m. |
State Ethics Commission |
|
October 2 – 5 |
Fall MACRS Conference |
Conference - Springfield, MA |
|
MA Association of Contributory Retirement Systems |
Registration opens later this year |
October 8 – 11 |
NCTR 100th Conference |
Conference – Tuscon, AZ |
|
National Conference on Teacher Retirement |
|
October 22 – 26 |
NPEA Annual Conference |
Conference – Seattle, WA |
|
National Pension Education Assoc. |
*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.
Organization |
Topic |
How to find webinar: |
State Ethics Commission |
Conflict of Interest Law* select either State and County or Municipal links |
mass.gov/complete-conflict-of-interest-law-education-requirements |
Office of the Inspector General |
Inspector General Videos |
|
Office of the Attorney General |
Open Meeting Law Training |
|
National Council on Teacher Retirement |
New webinar added:
|
Links to all of the above resources can be found on PERAC’s Education page at
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.
We will be hosting two in-person administrator trainings this year, one on August 24th in Northampton and the second in November at another location. This all-day training is designed for newer administrators and board staff with less than five years of experience, however, board members are welcome to attend. Board members attending will earn three educational credits.
The training will be held at the Hotel Northampton, 36 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Registration for this session will be through PROSPER.
PERAC’s Emerging Issues Forum will be returning to an in-person event September 15, 2022, at the College of the Holy Cross. We will distribute the full agenda later this summer. We are looking forward to hosting everyone again in Worcester! Board members who attend the Forum will receive three educational credits.
To register, go to https://2022-emerging-issues-forum.eventbrite.com and reserve your spot today! You can also find this link on our website. Online registration will be available until August 30th or until we reach capacity, whichever comes first.
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 2022, 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 local and national organizations provide additional educational opportunities that may be relevant for retirement board members:
Philip Y Brown, Esq., Chair
Auditor Suzanne M. Bump, Vice Chair
Kathleen M. Fallon
Kate Fitzpatrick
James J. Guido
Richard MacKinnon, Jr.
Jennifer F. Sullivan, Esq.
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