|
The
Trust
In
addition to these FAQs, please review other sections of the Trust web site
for detailed information on each subject:
Organization of the Trust
Q. What is
the Retirement Trust Foundation (The
Trust)?
A.
The Trust 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 Trust now owns and operates
Vista Grande Retirement Center.
The
Trust’s vision has expanded and today offers financial assistance to those
living in other retirement centers and provides information on preparing for
retirement and healthy living.
Q.
How is the Trust organized?
A.
The Trust is overseen by the Retirement Trust
Foundation Board of Trustees. The Board consists of a Chairman, Vice
Chairman, Secretary, RTFC Liaison, the IAAP International President, and the
IAAP International Treasurer. With the exception of the International
President the Treasurer, who are Trustees by virtue of their offices on the
IAAP Board, Trustees are elected by delegates at the International
Convention to serve two‑year terms; a maximum of two consecutive terms is
allowed.
RTF
Trustees are elected officials. To serve as a member of the Board of
Trustees, one must have served at least one year as:
-
A member of the IAAP
International or Division RTF Committee; or
-
An IAAP Division or
International Officer; or
-
A member of an IAAP
International Department or International Standing Committee
Support of the Trust and Donations
Q. How is the
Trust supported?
A.
The Trust receives monetary support from the generosity of IAAP
members. There are a number of ways to help support the Trust.
Q. Is the
Trust a 501(c)(3) organization under U.S. IRS guidelines?
A.
Yes. The Trust 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 Trust.
Q. Does the
Trust receive funding from other organizations?
A.
No. Funding of the Trust comes solely from IAAP members, families, and
friends.
Q. May
donations be restricted for specific purposes?
A.
Yes, contributions for a specific purpose may be made to the Trust.
However, the Trust and Vista Grande are appreciative of contributions that
do not have specific instructions for how the funds are to be used. Such
funds can be used in the manner most beneficial to the Trust and the
investment of IAAP.
Q. Why should
I donate to the Trust?
A.
The Trust has grown with small donations contributed by IAAP members, with
memorial contributions and bequests from special IAAP members, and with
proceeds from IAAP fundraising events. As a member of IAAP, you are invested
in the Trust and its success.
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.
Q. Can
individuals make donations or must they come from a chapter or division?
A.
Donations may come from individuals, chapters, 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, Headquarters sends an acknowledgement letter to
the person designated on the donation form. When the donation is a memorial
or honorarium, a special certificate may be requested. Members who have
joined the Family of Givers
program receive recognition in accordance with that program.
Chapters and divisions are recognized at the International Convention based
on total contributions made during the year. The deadline for these
contributions is June 30, or the last working day of June if June 30 is on a
weekend.
Q. What is
not considered as a donation?
A.
Anything for which you receive something; i.e., the annual holiday cards
and/or RTF pins.
Q: How to
individuals receive recognition?
A: Individuals, as well and chapters and division, will receive
recognition through the Family of
Givers program launched in November 2007.
Financial Assistance Program
Q. Who
qualifies for the Financial Assistance Program?
A.
Financial assistance is limited to those individuals/members living in a
retirement center in the U.S. or Canada.
Q. Can you
live at Vista Grande and apply for financial assistance?
A.
Residents at Vista Grande can apply for assistance through our Financial
Assistance 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.
Q: If I’m
accepted, do I need to reapply each year?
A:
Yes; financial assistance needs must be assessed each year.
Q: What does
the assistance help with?
A:
The program applies only to rental assistance. Monthly payments are paid
directly to the retirement facility.
Vista Grande Retirement Center
Q: Where is
Vista Grande?
A:
Vista Grande is located in Rio Rancho, New
Mexico, a picturesque mesa northwest of Albuquerque. The land consists of
approximately 11 acres and was built it three phases completed between 1972
and 1983.
Q: How large
is Vista Grande?
A:
The Center comprises 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? Do they have kitchens?
A:
Vista Grande offers 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
administered?
A:
Vista Grande is administered by a management firm contracted with by the
Board of Trustees. The management firm hires the community manager and
other maintenance and service personnel and oversees rentals and on‑site
details. Monthly financial statements and quarterly reports and provided to
the Trustees. The Board of Trustees makes all policy decisions.
Q: Who may
live at Vista Grande?
A:
The Trust 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; i.e., to provide a residence for needy and
elderly (62 and older) administrative professionals.
Preference for retirement living at Vista Grande is given as follows:
Active IAAP members and their spouses; former IAAP members and their
spouses; administrative professionals who have not been members of IAAP and
their spouses; and 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 ifs fully occupied, but we would like 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 25% of current residents are current or former IAAP members.
Q: Is there a
medical staff on‑site?
A:
There is a resident nurse living on‑site.
Q: Is the
site ADA friendly?
A:
Yes. Most living units are on ground level and walkways connect all
buildings.
Q: Is it a
requirement to be ambulatory?
A:
Yes.
Q: What does
it cost of live at Vista Grande?
A:
Rent will vary with the size of the unit occupied and utilities provided.
Rents at Vista Grande are approximately 25% below surrounding retirement
centers.
Q: Is there a
restaurant or common dining area on site?
A:
There is a community center where special occasion meals are served.
There are restaurants, banks, a post office, a supermarket, the senior
center, and a variety of
shops within walking distance.
Q: Are pets
permitted? If so, is there an additional cost?
A:
Residents are allowed to own and maintain pets as long as they conform and
complete the “Pet or Assistive Animal Agreement.” This is an addendum to
the Rental Agreement and requires a deposit and possible additional fees.
Q: Are there
guest facilities on site?
A:
Two guest rooms, the Tina Rayl CPS Guest Rooms, are available for a rate in
conformity with normal rents in the complex. A prospective resident
awaiting an upcoming vacancy may occupy a guest room during that interval.
Other visitors may not remain at Vista Grande for more than two weeks.
Q: Are there
planned activities and social events on a regular basis?
A:
Yes. Some activities include “Coffee Breaks: with scheduled guest speakers,
monthly resident potluck dinners, organized craft activity sessions, and an
IAAP Chapter just for Vista Grande residents.
Other Trust Programs
Q: In
addition to the Financial Assistance Program and Vista Grande, what other
programs does the Trust support?
A:
The Trust’s biggest project is our quarterly publication,
RTF reVisions, mailed to all IAAP members,
which contains information on retirement, family, decorating, health, and
other items of interest to members of all ages.
In
addition, RTF reVisions 2.0, a monthly collection of solutions,
ideas, and notes for life is e‑mailed to all IAAP members. Also, annual
holiday cards and RTF pins are developed by the Trust for sale to support
the Trust.
Family of Givers Program
Q: What is
the Family of Givers program?
A:
This program was developed by the Trust to give value and recognition to the
donations made by individuals.
Q: How will
these donations be used?
A:
All funds contributed to the Trust will be used to support its overall
programs consistent with the mission and strategic plan of the Trust:
provide housing assistance grants to administrative professionals in need,
maintain Vista Grande Retirement Center, support the Trust’s publications,
maintain the Trust’s web site, and provide programs to our members at
targeted events.
Q: Are there
different levels of support and what are the benefits of donating through
this program?
A:
There are three levels of donors: Sustaining, Leadership, and Pacesetter.
-
Sustaining: $100 to
$499 per year; will receive an RTF pin and holiday cards.
-
Leadership: $500 to
$999 per year; will receive an RTF pin, paver at Vista Grande,
and holiday cards.
-
Pacesetter: $1,000
and up per year; will receive an RTF pin, paver at Vista Grande, holiday
cards, plaque and special recognition.
Q: What if my
donations are less than $100 each year? Will I still receive recognition?
A:
Yes, all donations are welcomed by the Trust and each donation is recognized
by a letter from Headquarters.
Q: Are my
lifetime donations cumulative:
A:
Yes, the Trust will recognize contributions whose lifetime cumulative giving
levels reach or exceed $5,000 by adding their names to a donor wall located
at IAAP Headquarters in Kansas City.
Q:
Do donations have
to be made by check only?
A:
No, you may charge your donation to Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American
Express.
Q. Will my
individual contribution be credited to my chapter and division?
A.
Any member who contributes to the Family of Givers campaign will
automatically have their gift credited to the respective chapter/division.
Thus Family of Givers contributions
will augment any local fundraising efforts that your chapter may engage in
throughout the year.
Retirement Trust Foundation Committee
Q: What is
the RTFC?
A:
This is an international committee whose members promote, develop, and
implement programs and projects of the Trust.
Q: Who serves
on the committee?
A:
The committee consists of six members, one representative from each of
IAAP’s six districts, and interacts with the Trustee serving as the RTFC
Liaison.
Q: How do
they get appointed and how long do they serve?
A:
Appointments are made from members who submit an Application for Appointment
to International Committees and Retirement Trust Foundation Committee. The
appointments are recommended to the Board of Trustees, by the IAAP
International President‑Elect and the RTF Chairman, at the Spring RTF Board
Meeting. Committee members serve for one year beginning at the close of the
International Convention and Education Forum. Committee members may seek
reappointment but must reapply each year.
Q: What do
committee members do?
A:
They are the liaison between the Trust and Chapter/Division RTF Committees.
They provide information and assistance to chapters/divisions and report
back to the Trustees information received from the chapters/division. All
committee work is done via mail, e‑mail, and other forms of communication;
there are no committee meetings.
Q.
Can I serve as an RTFC Committee member and also serve at the chapter and
division level?
A.
Members of the committee may accept other IAAP assignments at the chapter or
division level; however, in any conflict, the work of this committee must be
considered a priority commitment.
Q:
How can I get involved with the Trust?
A:
Ask your chapter and/or division leaders if they have an RTF Committee. If
they say yes, ask if there are positions available. If not, offer to form
one. While chapters and divisions support the Trust in various ways,
leadership positions often go unfilled each year.
Once you’ve gained experience at the chapter and/or division level, apply to
serve on the International RTFC.
|
