WIU SUAA

The State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA)

  • 14,490 current and future retirees and others from Illinois public universities and community colleges.
  • A not-for-profit organization created in 1971.

General purpose

  • promote the interests and welfare of State Universities Retirement System (SURS) retirees, their spouses, and survivors.

Local WIU Chapter of SUAA

The Western Illinois University Chapter (WIU-SUAA) was established on October 9, 1971. The purpose of the chapter is to:

  • Promote the individual and collective interests and welfare of annuitants and prospective annuitants.
  • Promote discussion with and service to the university.
  • Improve communications between the university and its retirees.
  • Provide social events for its members.
  • Promote discussion and participation with other annuitant organizations in the State of Illinois.
  • Communicate with legislators, other public officials, and candidates for office on issues important to annuitants.

Goals

Continue monitoring:

  • State funding for the SURS pension program and the State Health Insurance Plan.
  • Appropriation of mandated State contributions.
  • Compounding of annual increases for both annuitants and survivors.
  • All other current benefits

Improve:

  • Benefits for low-income annuitants
  • Retirement benefits for current annuitants with appropriate funding.
  • Group health insurance for community college retirees, their dependents, and their survivors.

Organizational Structure

A Board of Directors, - representing local chapters, meets three times a year to address policies and concerns of the membership. Meetings are open to all members.

An Executive Committee of three officers and four at-large members initiates direction for SUAA and the Executive Director based, in part, on issues raised and preferences expressed by the Board of Directors.

Chapters are the foundation of SUAA. Each chapter elects local officers including representatives to the state organization. Chapters determine local dues (typically $2 to $10) and collect for both the chapter and SUAA ($21). The Association is funded almost entirely by membership dues.

The success of SUAA is attributable to volunteers from the membership who contribute time and energy to achieve SUAA's goals.

Operations 

A Board of Directors, representing local chapters, meets three times a year to address policies and concerns of the membership. Meetings are open to all members.

An Executive Committee of three officers and four at-large members initiates direction for SUAA and the Executive Director based, in part, on issues raised and preferences expressed by the Board of Directors.

Chapters are the foundation of SUAA. Each chapter elects local officers including representatives to the state organization. Chapters determine local dues (typically $2 to $10) and collect for both the chapter and SUAA ($21). The Association is funded almost entirely by membership dues.

The success of SUAA is attributable to volunteers from the membership who contribute time and energy to achieve SUAA's goals.

Day to day operations:

  • A professional Executive Director and Administrative Assistants.
  • A Central Office in Springfield
  • Prudent use of membership dues.

Communications:

  • Newsletters to members.
  • Reports of SUAA and SURS meetings.
  • Information exchanges.
  • Discussions with state officials.
  • Reports to chapters.
  • Website

Lobbying efforts:

  • Support grassroots lobbying by chapters.
  • Campaign cooperatively with other retiree groups.
  • Maintain close relationships with legislators.
  • Makes SUAA's positions clear.
  • Monitor significant pension bills

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