PERAC Memo #34 - 2012: Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training - NCPERS (PATS)

Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training - NCPERS (PATS)

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Summary

This memo reminds boards that under Chapter 176 of 2011, each retirement board member must complete 18 hours of training annually (effective for 2012), with completed statements due to PERAC by January 31, 2013; failure to meet this requirement bars the member from continuing to serve beyond the current term. It also announces PERAC's approval of the NCPERS PATS program (July 30–Aug 1, 2012, Harvard Law School) for 4 hours of training credit, with registration due by May 18, 2012.

Action required: Boards should ensure members are aware of and pursuing the 18-hour training requirement, distribute PERAC's completion forms to members when issued, and inform members of the PATS opportunity if interested in registering before the deadline.

Full Text

MEMORANDUM #34, 2012 Gregory R. Mennis M E M O R A N D U M TO: All Retirement Boards FROM: Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director RE: Mandatory Retirement Board Member Training - NCPERS (PATS) DATE: May 9, 2012 Chapter 176 of the Acts of 2011, An Act Providing for Pension Reform and Benefit Modernization, includes provisions mandating that retirement board members complete training during each year of service on the retirement board. During each member’s term on the retirement board, the member must complete 18 hours of training. This requirement, contained in the new Subdivision 7 of Section 20 of Chapter 32, takes effect for calendar year 2012. PERAC will provide board members with appropriate forms to file as statements of completion of education. These will be provided before December 31, 2012. Retirement boards must provide these forms to board members who must submit completed forms regarding training programs completed in 2012 to PERAC by January 31, 2013. The Commission will then provide the board member with a summary status report by March 1, 2013. Failure to meet this mandatory requirement will prohibit the member from serving beyond the conclusion of the term for which the training requirement was not met. Education – NCPERS (PATS) (Four Hours Credit) The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) is hosting the 2012 Program for Advance Trustee Studies (PATS) at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA. PERAC has approved PATS for four (4) hours of education credit to retirement board members for their participation. These sessions will be conducted July 30, 2012-August 1, 2012.
Please visit http://www.ncpers.org/Conferences/AdvTrusteeStudies.php for more information. The registration deadline is May 18, 2012 and there is high demand for the 50 seats in the 2012 class. PATS will seek a diverse group of trustee participants.
Thank You A number of individuals at PERAC and other organizations have been recognized for their efforts to make Chapter 176 of the Acts of 2012 work in this Memorandum. The Commission would be remiss if we did not also thank all the rank and file members of the retirement boards who, in spite of other pressing duties, are making a good faith effort to fulfill their duties and responsibilities under the new law.