Spring 2020 Quarterly Update – A Message from NCTR President Brian Guthrie
Dear NCTR Members,
The NCTR team has begun the new year with strength and commitment to you—the grassroots of the organization—our members. The team is busy working to provide an exceptional year of educational opportunities and events, and we are looking forward to what this year will bring.
First, let us provide you a brief update in regard to the organization’s recent leadership changes. As most of you may already know, we announced the selection of Rob Wylie as interim executive director to begin on the first of the new year. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Rob is unable to fulfill the role full time. Therefore, NCTR has begun the search for a new executive director (click here to view the open position). Although this transitional period for the organization presents a unique set of challenges, the NCTR team is taking it in stride, remaining committed to our mission of being THE resource for fostering partnerships, providing training and pension advocacy for the educational community.
The executive committee, NCTR staff and planning committees are working diligently to develop an exceptional lineup of program events this year. The Joint Legislative and Regulatory Workshop, held in Washington, D.C., earlier this month in conjunction with NASRA, was a great way to begin the year. To give you an idea of what is to come, we have provided a brief snapshot of this year’s events and preliminary details:
JUNE
The Administrative Assistant and Customer Service Network workshops (June 22-24), as well as the System Directors’ Meeting (June 24-26) will be held in Madison, Wisconsin. Thank you to Bob Conlin and the Wisconsin Retirement System for agreeing to be our 2020 co-host. The workshops will include engaging sessions, developed to guide and help equip attendees within their respective fields.
The System Directors’ Meeting provides a unique opportunity for pension fund chief executives to have a candid exchange and insightful discussions regarding pension challenges, objectives and procedures of attendees’ systems, as well information that will bring attendees up-to-date on legislation, investments, management, and more.
All groups will also have an opportunity to visit the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, as well. Registration for all June events will open in April. Be sure to mark your calendars and be on the lookout for a “Registration Open” email from the NCTR team.
JULY
The 19th Annual Trustee Workshop will be held July 19-22 in Berkeley, California. Presented in affiliation with the UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education at the Hass School of Business, this year’s program will include the highly requested New Trustee Forum and we have already confirmed that Betty Yee, California State Controller, will speak on Tuesday, July 21. Registration for the Trustee workshop will open in May; you can reserve your room at the Claremont Spa & Hotel here.
For further information regarding workshop dates, registration and hotel rates, please visit NCTR’s upcoming events page.
OCTOBER
This year’s 98th Annual Conference will take place at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California, October 10-13. Themed “Driving for Success,” this year’s conference will feature the highly regarded “Ask the CIOs!” panel, as well as a similar consultants panel discussion. In addition, we are excited to announce Sunday’s keynote speaker, political journalist and national editor of the non-partisan Cook Political Report, Amy Walter. Walter has more than 20 years of experience building a reputation as an accurate, objective and insightful political analyst. With 2020 being a pivotal election year, you will definitely want to be in attendance at this year’s event. For further details regarding the conference, visit this year’s conference page.
In addition to our educational events, we will continue to offer our monthly webinars on hot, trending topics, as well as our “Back to Basics” series. Be sure to check the NCTR event calendar, as well as be on the lookout for communications from the NCTR staff regarding upcoming educational opportunities.
Thank you for your continued support of NCTR. We look forward to another year of excellent programming and educational events. The NCTR team is strong and is dedicated to continuing the significant work of advocating a strong and secure retirement future for all teachers and educational employees.
Sincerely,
Brian Guthrie
President, NCTR