The next installment of our cost savings feature focuses on tips for make your meetings more affordable. Remember that these cost saving tips can make an impact, so please take them into consideration. You can make a difference!
*Share rides and/or use phone or Web-based conferencing when possible. This can save time and will cut down on mileage for those coming from out of town. If you aren’t comfortable with using iChat, Polycom, XMeeting, the ICN or Adobe Connect Pro for video conferencing, contact Tech Support for assistance.
*Save even more by using phone conferencing when video isn’t necessary. Audio conferencing uses less bandwidth than video conferencing. Bandwidth is expensive. Heartland’s cost for Internet and aggregation circuits for this year is $236,730. Contact your supervisor for the account code, PIN number and instructions for using ICN phone conferencing on demand.
*Go paperless at your meeting. Instead of printing the agenda and handouts for the meeting, post them on the Agency file server for participants to download prior to the meeting. If you’re having a small meeting and everyone has a laptop, ask participants to bring their computer to the meeting and pass around a flash drive so everyone can download the documents they need.
*Use a whiteboard or chalkboard instead of chart paper when possible, or use the Draw capabilities in Word and a projector. A box of 3M Post-It easel chart paper is $48 for 2 pads (30 sheets each) or $.80 per sheet. The lined Post-It chart paper is $55 for two pads or $.92 per sheet.
Monday, November 30, 2009
403(b) Provider Changes for 2010
As a reminder, Heartland joined the State of Iowa’s 403(b) program effective January 1, 2009. By law, the 403(b) program, commonly known as the Retirement Investors’ Club (RIC), was required to go out for bids on investment providers for the plan year beginning January 2010. The competitive bid process was completed and the winning providers and the proposed investment options are summarized on the RIC 403(b) provider summary. The investment options listed are not available until January 2010. Click here for the provider summary.
If you currently invest with Hartford, ING, TIAA-CREF or VALIC (formerly AIG Retirement), you will receive information from your provider about your new investment options. If your current fund options will not be offered in 2010, your provider will invest your new contributions in similar funds as of January 2010. If you currently invest with Security Benefit, you may need to make a change. If you contribute to the NEA Valuebuilder mutual fund product, you will need to open a new account with Security Benefit. Your advisor will contact you to open the account. If you contribute to the SFR mutual fund, you will not need to make any changes.
If you currently invest with Horace Mann, you must select a new provider and submit a Salary Reduction Form to your employer by December 31, 2009. Please contact one of the providers on the provider summary to open a new account to receive contributions in January. You may leave your existing funds at Horace Mann if you wish.
Check the RIC website at http://ric.iowa.gov/403b/providers/index.html for a list of providers that can help you set up a 403(b). Click on Active Providers and check out each company’s website and list of advisors. Scroll down the page to check the provider’s financial rating. More product information will be added to the RIC website over the next few months. Please check the Program Updates webpage periodically to review the most recent addition/changes.
If you have questions about the RIC program, please call your financial advisor or call RIC at (866) 460-4692, option 1.
Questions for your employer may be directed to Steve Jordan, payroll specialist, at sjordan@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14908 or Kathy Martin, benefits specialist at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext 14385.
If you currently invest with Hartford, ING, TIAA-CREF or VALIC (formerly AIG Retirement), you will receive information from your provider about your new investment options. If your current fund options will not be offered in 2010, your provider will invest your new contributions in similar funds as of January 2010. If you currently invest with Security Benefit, you may need to make a change. If you contribute to the NEA Valuebuilder mutual fund product, you will need to open a new account with Security Benefit. Your advisor will contact you to open the account. If you contribute to the SFR mutual fund, you will not need to make any changes.
If you currently invest with Horace Mann, you must select a new provider and submit a Salary Reduction Form to your employer by December 31, 2009. Please contact one of the providers on the provider summary to open a new account to receive contributions in January. You may leave your existing funds at Horace Mann if you wish.
Check the RIC website at http://ric.iowa.gov/403b/providers/index.html for a list of providers that can help you set up a 403(b). Click on Active Providers and check out each company’s website and list of advisors. Scroll down the page to check the provider’s financial rating. More product information will be added to the RIC website over the next few months. Please check the Program Updates webpage periodically to review the most recent addition/changes.
If you have questions about the RIC program, please call your financial advisor or call RIC at (866) 460-4692, option 1.
Questions for your employer may be directed to Steve Jordan, payroll specialist, at sjordan@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14908 or Kathy Martin, benefits specialist at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext 14385.
Chief Administrator Search Update
The Agency has officially posted the chief administrator position through the Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates search firm and applicants are now encouraged to apply. A description of the position and a link to apply for it is posted on the front page of Heartland’s website and will remain there until the end of December.
Screening of applications will begin in late December and/or early January, with the Board of Directors interviewing those candidates deemed most qualified in late January. The candidate chosen will be encouraged to begin employment as soon as possible and no later than July 1, 2010.
The Board of Directors is seeking an educational leader to be the Agency’s next chief administrator who possesses these attributes and skills:
• Can articulate and rally support for the organization's mission, vision and values.
• Knows how to maintain positive relationships with the Board, staff and member districts.
• Can lead a large complex agency.
• Understands special education and the special needs of students.
• Understands the service role of intermediate agencies.
• Is an excellent communicator and an effective team leader.
• Is committed to high standards for leadership behavior, operations and student learning.
• Is open, honest, caring and collaborative.
Screening of applications will begin in late December and/or early January, with the Board of Directors interviewing those candidates deemed most qualified in late January. The candidate chosen will be encouraged to begin employment as soon as possible and no later than July 1, 2010.
The Board of Directors is seeking an educational leader to be the Agency’s next chief administrator who possesses these attributes and skills:
• Can articulate and rally support for the organization's mission, vision and values.
• Knows how to maintain positive relationships with the Board, staff and member districts.
• Can lead a large complex agency.
• Understands special education and the special needs of students.
• Understands the service role of intermediate agencies.
• Is an excellent communicator and an effective team leader.
• Is committed to high standards for leadership behavior, operations and student learning.
• Is open, honest, caring and collaborative.
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