The
RTF
In
addition to these FAQs, please review other sections of the RTF web site
for detailed information on each subject. The FAQs cover the following areas:
Organization of the RTF
Support of the RTF and Donations
Housing Subsidy for Admins in Need
Family of Givers Program
Vista Grande Retirement Center
Organization of the RTF
Q. What is the Retirement Trust Foundation (The RTF)?
A. The RTF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1947. Della Herring asked at a meeting of Secretaries International why there was no retirement home for secretaries and contributed the first dollar toward the cause. Her dream was realized and the RTF now owns and operates Vista Grande Retirement Center. Learn more about the RTF.
The RTF’s vision has expanded and today its mission is to provide assistance for housing to administrative professionals, age 55 and over, who are in need.
Q. What is the relationship between the RTF, the International Association of Administrative Professionals and the IAAP headquarters staff?
A. The RTF is a separate nonprofit corporation as defined in the Articles of Incorporation of Retirement RTF Foundation and registered in the State of Missouri. All Trustees are members of IAAP and elected by IAAP voting delegates at the yearly Education Forum and Annual Meeting. The trustees are a separate and independent board from the IAAP International Board of Directors. All decisions made on behalf of the RTF are the responsibility of the Retirement Trust Foundation Board of Trustees, which also has sole fiduciary responsibilities. The IAAP Headquarters staff assists the board of trustees with donation collection, accounting and marketing, but makes no decisions for the RTF.
Q. What's the future direction of the RTF? Where should we, as volunteers, be focusing our efforts?
A. Each year the Retirement Trust Foundation Trustees conduct a strategic planning session. As we reported in the RTF Annual report at EFAM in Montreal, all programs are continuously evaluated by the RTF Trustees. At this year’s strategic session we re-evaluated the HSAN program. Through your volunteer efforts this application period, we received 9 applications. Only a few qualified for assistance, and they will be evaluated in November.
Since the inception of the HSAN Program three years ago, RTF Trustees have received 42 applications, 31 of which were from Vista Grande residents. The Trustees recognize the number of volunteer hours that go into promoting this program. However, we want to use the volunteer resources in the most effective manner. During this period of evaluation by the RTF, we are focused on our mission. As such, until we've had a chance to review the RTF's programs further, we would like you to focus on educating members on our mission by using the resources available to you on the RTF website.
The RTF has consistently demonstrated care for IAAP members. Nothing better exemplifies this than helping our own – admin to admin.
Support of the RTF and Donations
Q. How is the RTF supported?
A. The RTF receives monetary support from the generosity of IAAP members. There are a number of ways to help support the RTF: The Family of Givers program; giving in honor of another; in memoriam, as a legacy by individual members through estate planning and through employer matching gifts.
Q. Is the RTF a 501(c)(3) organization under U.S. IRS guidelines?
A. Yes. The RTF is a publicly supported organization and not a private foundation and donations are tax-deductible as long as no consideration is received. For example, you cannot declare a deduction for purchase of any item sold by the RTF.
Q. May donations be restricted?
A. Yes, contributions for a specific purpose may be made to the RTF. However, the RTF is appreciative of contributions that do not have specific instructions on how the funds are to be used. Such funds can be used in the manner most beneficial to the RTF and its investments.
Q. Where should donations be sent?
A. All donations should be sent to the controller at IAAP Headquarters and should be accompanied by the proper donation form downloaded from this site. Donations may also be made online. Headquarters processes your donations. It is the RTF’s Board of Trustees that has fiduciary responsibility for all monies donated.
Q. Can individuals make donations or must they come from a chapter or division?
A. Donations may come from individuals through the Family of Givers program, a chapter, division, matching donations from businesses, bequests, etc. Typically, monies raised from a fundraiser are donated in the name of a chapter or division.
Q. How are donations/donors recognized?
A. Upon receipt of a donation of $25 or more, headquarters sends an acknowledgement letter via e-mail to the person designated on the donation form. When the donation is a memorial or honorarium, a special certificate may be requested. Individuals, as well and chapters and divisions, will receive recognition through the Family of Givers program launched in November 2007. Find out more about donor recognition through the Family of Givers program.
Company matching gifts are also credited to the member through the Family of Givers program.
Chapters and divisions are recognized at the International Education Forum and Annual Meeting based on total contributions made during the year. The deadline for these contributions is the last working day of June.
Q. What is not considered as a donation?
A. Anything for which you receive something, such as the RTF pins or patio pavers.
Housing Subsidy for Admins in Need (HSAN) Program
Q. Who qualifies for the HSAN Program?
A. Financial assistance is available for housing to administrative professionals, age 55 and older, who are in need and meet stipulations in accordance with the IRS requirements. The assistance is only available for housing needs at this time. Monthly payments are paid directly to the housing facility.
Q. Do I have to be a current or former member of IAAP to receive financial assistance?
A. No. However preference will be given to IAAP members, former IAAP members and retired administrative professions, in this order, but anyone is welcome to request assistance.
Q. Can you live at Vista Grande and apply for financial assistance?
A. Residents at Vista Grande may apply for assistance through our HSAN Program.
Q. How do I apply?
A. All requests for financial assistance are mailed to the controller at IAAP headquarters. The controller will compile the information, assign a number to the application and forward to the board of trustees for approval/disapproval. The board of trustees does not receive the names of the applicants. IAAP headquarters notifies applicants of approval or disapproval. The form is not on the website. We are working on updating it and getting it online. When we do, we’ll put a link here.
Q. Is there a deadline to apply for financial assistance?
A. During the fall RTF board meeting, trustees review applications and distribute grants. To ensure there is sufficient time to process applications, the applications need to be received by headquarters no later than November 15.
Q. If I’m accepted, do I need to reapply each year?
A. Yes. Financial assistance needs must be assessed each year.
Q. Do you have to be a current IAAP member on your retirement date to qualify for benefits?
A. No, but you will lose your number one preference status and move to the secondary level.
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Family of Givers Program
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Vista Grande Retirement Center
Q. What is Vista Grande?
A. Vista Grande is a retirement center built for administrative professionals located in Rio Rancho, N.M., a picturesque mesa northwest of Albuquerque. The land consists of approximately 11 acres and was built in three phases between 1972 and 1983. It has 168 apartments, a community building, lounge, library, crafts room, laundry center, all faiths meditation chapel, a resident nurse, exercise room and management offices.
Q. How large are the apartments?
A. Vista Grande offers one and two bedroom apartments with a wide variety of floor plans. There are both one and two bedroom apartments, ranging from 456 to 807 square feet, with one or two bathrooms. All apartments have kitchens.
Q. How is it managed?
A. Vista Grande is administered by a management firm contracted by the board of trustees. The management firm hires the community manager, maintenance and service personnel and oversees rentals and on-site details. The board of trustees makes all policy decisions.
Q. Who is eligible to live at Vista Grande?
A. The RTF complies with all nondiscrimination laws of the U.S. federal government with respect to its requirements for residents. The center is operated for charitable purposes and to provide assistance for housing to administrative professionals, age 55 and older, who are in need.
Preference for retirement living at Vista Grande is given as follows:
1. Active IAAP members and their spouses;
2. Former IAAP members and their spouses;
3. Administrative professionals who have not been members of IAAP and their spouses;
4. Persons who are not administrative professionals.
Vacancies are filled from the list of applicants to Vista Grande in the same order listed above.
Q. Is Vista Grande fully occupied?
A. Yes, the center is fully occupied, but the RTF’s desire is to see it fully occupied with IAAP members or previous members.
Q. Is there a waiting list?
A. Yes. IAAP members are given first priority and can usually be accommodated within one year.
Q. How many current and former IAAP members reside at Vista Grande?
A. Approximately 15 percent of current residents are current or former IAAP members.
Q. Is the site ADA friendly?
A. Yes. Most apartments are on ground level and walkways connect all buildings. As a resident at Vista Grande, it is a requirement to be ambulatory.
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