Making Cents: 2024 Q2 newsletter

Early-bird registration discount for NTS ends April 30

Time is running out for Transportation Division local leaders and members to take advantage of reduced registration fees for the 2024 National Training Seminar (NTS). The registration fee for the NTS, scheduled from July 9 to July 11, 2024, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown in Cleveland, Ohio, will increase from the “early bird” rate of $200 per person to $250 per person on May 1.

A welcome reception is planned for the evening of Monday, July 8, followed by full-day training on Tuesday, July 9, through Wednesday, July 10. The event will conclude with a half-day of training on Thursday, July 11. A group event is scheduled at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for all registered attendees on the evening of Wednesday, July 10th. Note: The Local Secretary & Treasurer training will conclude on the afternoon of Friday, July 12.

To register online, visit NTS – Cleveland Registration. For inquiries, call the Transportation Division at 216-228-9400 or email Nick Torres at ntorres@smart-union.org.

More details are available on the SMART website.

IRS adds layer of security
to account logins

IRS now offers sign-in options with Login.gov and ID.me. Both offer access to IRS online services with a secure account that protects users’ privacy. Login.gov is an account created, maintained, and secured by the U.S. government while ID.me is an account created, maintained, and secured by a technology provider. With a Login.gov or ID.me account, you can access other government partners who also use these sign-in options. Visit this link to create an account.

IRS only accepting Form 990 series electronically

Organizations such as SMART-TD must file an annual information return or notice with the IRS, unless an exception applies. Annual information returns include Form 990, Form 990-EZ and Form 990-PF while Form 990-N (e-Postcard) is an annual notice. Form 990 is the IRS’s primary tool for gathering information about tax-exempt organizations, educating organizations about tax law requirements and promoting compliance. Going forward, the IRS no longer accepts paper forms. For instructions on how to eFile these forms, due May 15, visit this link.

Starting from Square 1: The new membership application

It’s important to have all new hires complete the SMART-TD membership applications and authorization of dues deductions within the first week of hiring. This is our first opportunity to welcome our new members and build a connection, including accurate address and contact information — cellphone number and email addresses are important to have so that we can serve the membership. If you are unavailable to meet with the new hires, please make sure to provide the applications to an officer who can.

• TD membership application (fillable PDF)
• TD dues authorization (fillable PDF)

These documents are also available in Spanish upon request. Completed documents should be sent to: updating_TD@smart-union.org

Be ready for what’s coming up

The summer brings a busy period for our union. Not only do we have the National Training Seminar detailed above, but there are special preparations Locals must go through in order to send their delegates to attend the SMART-TD Convention Aug. 11 and the SMART General Convention Aug. 12-16 in Las Vegas.

The following communications have been issued regarding the convention:

• Convention alert from SMART General Secretary/Treasurer  Joseph Powell (3/11/2024).
• Email from TD President Jeremy Ferguson (3/12/2024).
• Courtesy email from the SMART-TD Field Support Department (4/3/2024).

The latest training opportunities for officers, as always, are available on the Local Toolbox page or view the Training catalog to see what’s available.

Keeping track of local meeting minutes matters!

The Local Secretary ls tasked with the job of tracking what happens at the Local’s monthly meeting and the minutes serve as the official record of all the Local’s business. A knowledge of this and of parliamentary procedure helps to get things done.

• A guide to Local meeting basics (PDF)
• A guide to Local meeting minutes (PDF)
• Template for Local meeting minutes (PDF)
• Example of meeting minutes (PDF)

As always, there’s a wealth of resources in the Local Toolbox under the “Guidance for the New S&T” heading.