OSEA Chapter 54 Meeting
September 16, 2008

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Bear Ross, Ellen Ames, Jennifer Ross. Linda Hale, Linda Larson, Tille Ocker, Julie Mitchell, Gena Pla, Dorothy Watkins, Guy Chittenden, Tiffany Mitchell, Marsha Schulz, Bob Bradetich

The meeting convened at Abby’s Pizza at 5:44 pm, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes of the May 20 meeting will be reviewed at the October chapter meeting, in order to expedite the progress of this month’s meeting.

Executive Board Report: The e-board met August 19th. The calendar of 0809 chapter meetings was discussed, and it was suggested that we make the January meeting a social event (instead of the December event because December gets too busy) with a location to be determined later. Site reps were appointed, but were still lacking a rep from Transportation for the Negotiations Committee. The chapter budget that Karen Koolhaas had prepared was reviewed. BER and Steward trainings were planned, with the BER Training scheduled for Nov. 18th, right after the chapter meeting, and the Steward Training date and location still in discussion. Bear Ross presented the action plan that he and Byron Bilteau worked on at MOSI last July; it will be presented for discussion at the October chapter meeting. Karen suggested we put out a survey to the chapter membership for feedback on a variety of issues, especially regarding chapter leadership. The Madras Elks asked the chapter for a donation to a new Blue Collar Scholarship they are developing, with the donation purchasing an advertisement for the chapter to be displayed at a hole on the golf course at the fundraising tournament. A donation of $50 was approved.

Treasurer’s Report: June opening balance $6100.11, closing balance $4683.16. July opening balance $4683.16, closing balance $4327.42. August opening balance $4327.42, closing balance $4535.84. We sent more people to state conference this year, which lessened the June balance, plus six people retired this year, and gifts had been purchased for them.

Field Rep Report: Bob Bradetich, OSEA Field Rep, talked about the Employee Free Choice Act, which increases penalties for corporate discouragement of union forming. It also establishes that if you have 50% plus 1 person in a group interested in forming a union, you don’t have to vote for it, management must recognize it. The AFL-CIO website has more information. Bob also handed out election/referendum recommendations and information from OSEA’s standpoint.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: Andrea Marcotte was the Ch. 54 Scholarship winner; a thank-you note from Andrea was passed around. Seven members attended state conference in June. Several members marched in the 4th of July parade. A new chapter banner was recently developed and Nikki brought it to the Labor Day picnic in Bend, and it was shown on the television newscast that evening. Bear Ross and Byron Bilteau attended the Member Summer Organizing Institute (MOSI) in July. COCAP has a trifold brochure they’re ready to distribute. Mention was made of the Northwest Coalition (my notes are skimpy on this one).

Committee Reports:
Sunshine: Karen Koolhaas and Dorothy Watkins had deaths in the family. Linda Hale announced that she was ready to turn the Sunshine Committee over to someone else. Jennifer Ross volunteered to take it over. Thanks to Linda for her years heading the Sunshine Committee, and thanks to Jennifer for stepping in to fill the position.
Membership: Numbers are still sketchy, but looks like so far 168 members and 13 nonmembers. A bulletin board was put up at MHS Annex, the newest site in the district.
Scholarship: A total of $225 was donated. A meeting will be held Wednesday, May 21, at Linda Hale’s to choose a recipient from the applicants.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: The 0809 budget was presented to the members, and was approved.

Good of the Order: None.

Door Prizes & “Cash Drawing”: Shonagh Preston and Chele Paye were the winners of the cash prize ($34.84 each); Shonagh was in attendance and collected her money, but Chele wasn’t so her money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attendee next month (October pot is $39.84 x 2). Marsha Schulz and Dorothy Watkins won the door prizes, which were plush blankets.

The meeting was then adjourned and those present dove into the waiting pizzas.

The next chapter meeting will be
October 21, 2008 at 5:30 pm in the
Metolius Elementary Library.
We hope to see you there!

December 18, 2007

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Bear Ross,Dora Harris, Hilda Stephens, Molly Mitchell, Erica Crossan, Linda Larson, Dorothy Watkins, Bill Garbarino, Linda Hale, Georgia Sosa, Pat Williams, Ellen Ames, Guy Chittenden, Tiffany White, Wanda Calica, Gena Pla, Rick Urbach, Tonya avis, Marsha Schulz, Connie Medina, Tony Bard, Trina Herman, Peter Gevers, Bob Bradetich.

The meeting convened at Abby’s Pizza and was called to order at 5:40 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. After introductions all around, the minutes of the 10/16/2007 chapter meeting were corrected and approved.

Executive Board Report: The e-board had nothing to report.

Treasurer’s Report: Opening balance of $5945.56, closing balance of $5688.13 for October; opening balance of $5688.13, closing balance of $6107.13 for November; approved as read.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: Tonya Davis (JCMS) and Karen Koolhaas (Buff) are now stewards after going through the OSEA steward training. Byron Bilteau is now a co-rep at Westside Elementary with Kay Richardson. Martin Anderson graciously assumed the task of designing an ad for the MHS Hi-Sage Yearbook, as well as a banner for the chapter. Thanks were extended to them all, as well as to Kyle Smith who maintains our website (www.osea.org/pages/chaper_websites/54/index.htm).

Nikki reminded the membership that the deadline to join as an OSEA member in order to be eligible to vote regarding the proposed affiliation with AFT was 12/17/2007. Information packets with more etails about the affiliation were due to be mailed to members in the very near future. Rick asked about how the proposal to affiliate with AFT went at Conference last June, and Nikki replied that the delegates decided that this was an important enough decision that they wanted a membership vote taken, and not just a delegate vote. Rick asked if the affiliation went through, would membership dues go up, and Bob Bradetich said only if the delegates were to vote to raise them. Nikki reminded the members that if OSEA decides to undo the affiliation with AFT, we can simply not pay the dues and bow out. Bob talked about the negative mailings that NEA had been sending out to OSEA members to try to persuade them to vote against the AFT affiliation. Nikki said that she and Bear Ross would likely do some site visits in January to talk to members about the proposed affiliation with AFT.

Nikki said there were no new updates regarding COCAP. MOSI has been spreading the word about the affiliation. MOSI’s annual training is scheduled for July.

Committee Reports:

Sunshine Committee: Lark Earnest’s husband had surgery. Darla McConnell had surgery as well. Jackie Hawkins’s father passed away.

Membership Committee: 192 classified employees, 178 of whom are members (16 new, 2 retired, 1 resigned).

Negotiations Committee: The surveys have been returned, and were given to Bob Bradetich who compiled them. The committee members will undergo a contract negotiations training in January.

Reclassification Committee: Met with Melinda Boyle 11/29/2007. Admin had put together a lengthy packet containing a job analysis as a way to evaluate a reclassification request, and wanted to present it to the board, but Nikki asked them to hold off on it. We had requested that a classified rep be on the review board for reclass requests, but only admin reps were on the review board that Boyle proposed. Karen indicated that the chapter president should be the classified rep. Nikki said that after the Reclassification Committee went through the job analysis packet to try to condense it a bit, they were only able to suggest a trimming down that eliminated one of the twenty-four original pages. Nikki says that admin declared they would like to review all job positions in the district.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: Nikki called for a vote on who the classified rep should be on admin’s reclass review board, and after a motion and a second, a vote declared that the chapter president should be the rep.

Good of the Order: Nikki wished the membership a merry Christmas.

Door Prize and Cash Drawing: Connie Medina and Trina Herman won the doorprizes, which were musical wall clocks. Marie Mahn and Kathy Dunton would have been the recipients of cash prizes of $69.37 each had they only been present. Seeing as they weren’t the money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attender next month (two cash prizes of $74.37 for January).

The meeting was then adjourned and pizza was consumed.

The next meeting will be in January 15, 2008 at

Metolius Elementary, 5:30 pm.

Check out the chapter website at

www.osea.org and go to Chapter Websites, or

http://osea.org/pages/Chapter_Websites/54/index.htm

October 16, 2007

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Linda Hale, Bear Ross, Rick Urbach, Tonya Davis, Dora Harris, Ellen Ames, Hilda Stevens, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was called to order at 5:36 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. After a round of introductions, the minutes of the 9/18/2007 chapter meeting were corrected (treasurer’s report specifically) and approved.

Executive Board Report: The e-board had nothing to report.

Treasurer’s Report: Opening balance of $5978.52, closing balance of $5945.56, approved as read.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: Steward Training will be 11/2/2007 6:00 to 9:00 pm and 11/3/2007 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, at Crook County High School. If anyone is interested in attending, please contact Nikki. A town hall type meeting of local OSEA chapter e-boards (although general membership is welcome) will be on 10/23/2007 at the Redmond Transportation Center 6:30 pm. The proposed affiliation with AFT will be discussed. There will be no November chapter meeting, since the third Tuesday in November is right before Thanksgiving.

Committee Reports:

Sunshine Committee: new guidelines for sending cards were presented to the committee. Karen Koolhaas’s father had surgery. Myrna Clark’s brother died. Phyllis Ruhl had surgery.

Reclassification Committee: The superintendent was scheduled to present a reclassification process to the school board 10/22/2007, but Nikki asked her to hold off on that till the next board meeting since more review and input are needed.

Negotiations committees: In preparation for bargaining, Bob Bradetich sent a letter to Superintendent Baker 10/3/2007 asking for some information pertaining to the current contract.

Membership Committee: Nikki announced the count of chapter members is at 194.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: Amber Paplia and Felipe Guzman approached the chapter about again buying an ad in the Madras High School Hi-Sage Yearbook. After some discussion it was moved that the chapter again buy a 1/8-page ad for $50, and also be a golden sponsor, meaning our $50 sponsorship would buy a yearbook for a student who otherwise couldn’t afford it. The motion to spend $100 was approved, with the caveat that the yearbook staff spiff up the ad a little bit. Nikki then brought up the subject of getting a banner for our chapter that could be used at Conference and in parades, etc. She will talk to Martin Anderson who does silkscreening about doing a banner.

Nikki then had the honor of installing Bear Ross as Vice President of Chapter 54, and there was applause all around.

Linda Bradetich then gave an OSEA-AFT Affiliation Education presentation. She talked at length and in detail about the long “courtship” between OSEA and AFT (informally going on since 1998) and the details about the proposed affiliation with AFT. The chapter e-board is recommending a “yes” vote for affiliation with AFT.

More on Upcoming Events: COCAP’s next meeting has been postedponed; they’re in the process of developing a brochure and powerpoint presentation about the ills of privatization in school districts, to be able to present it to school boards and community groups. Also, nothing to report on from MOSI.

Good of the Order: Nikki wanted to know if the membership wanted to have the December meeting as normal or have it as a combination meeting and social gathering. Linda suggested we do it like the September meeting at Abby’s. It was moved and approved to hold the Tuesday, Dec. 18 meeting at Abby’s, with business first, and dining on pizza and pop afterwards. There will be no November meeting because the third Tuesday is right before Thanksgiving and has been historically poorly attended.

Door Prize and Cash Drawing: Shonagh Preston and Linda Hale won the doorprizes, which were jack o’lantern lamps. Linda DuPont and Renae Pichette-Dubisar would have been the recipients of cash prizes of $59.37 each had they only been present. Seeing as they weren’t the money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attender next month (two cash prizes of $64.37 for November).

The meeting was adjourned ad 7:03 pm.

The next meeting will be in December 18, 2007 at

Abby’s Pizza.

Check out the chapter website at

www.osea.org and go to Chapter Websites, or

http://osea.org/pages/Chapter_Websites/54/index.htm

September 18, 2007

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Linda Hale, Bear Ross, Judy Gregg, Terrill Gooding, Tille Ocker, Jennifer Ross, Dee Jaca, Jill Surface, Guy Chittenden, Marsha Schulz, Rick Urbach, Diana Felix, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was called to order at 5:39 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. After a round of introductions, the minutes of the 5/17/2007 chapter meeting were corrected (treasurer’s report specifically) and approved.

Executive Board Report: The e-board met on 8/23/2007 to divvy up duties and generally prepare for the upcoming year. Nikki alerted members to the fast-approaching PERS informational presentation scheduled for 9/26/2007 in Redmond.

Treasurer’s Report: Opening balance of $6073.41, closing balance of $5978.52, approved as read.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: None (except for the afore-mentioned PERS presentation).

Committee Reports:

Sunshine Committee: Della Russo’s father and mother-in-law both passed away within a short time of each other.

Reclassification, Sick Leave, and Negotiations committees: In stand-by mode. Contract surveys should be put out by the Negotiations Committee in October.

Scholarship Committee: Nick Hamilton was the recipient of the Ch. 54 Scholarship. He will be attending OSU.

Membership Committee: Nikki announced that Angie Madden of SSB joined the chapter as a member. Nikki has been trying to get a list of new employees from HR, but has been unsuccessful.

There will be a full report on the committees at the October chapter meeting.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: Bear Ross volunteered to serve as the Chapter’s vice president, seeing as the position became vacant and remained vacant for months. As part of the formality of electing officers, Nikki asked for nominations for vice president from the floor, but there were none. Nikki then asked the members to approve the e-board’s recommendation of Bear Ross as Chapter vice president, which they unanimously did. Congratulations to our new VP, Bear Ross!

The e-board then presented a budget for the 0708 year, which was discussed and approved.

Nikki commented that the September Chapter Chatter looked good. Rick Urbach asked for some information on the upcoming vote to affiliate, or not, with the American Federation of Teachers union, which is in turn affiliated with AFL-CIO. The membership vote on the matter has been moved up to possibly as early as February. When asked about the advantages of joining AFT, Nikki said she hasn’t found any negatives. More trainings would be offered (via AFL-CIO), we could stay independent without worrying about being raided by another union like NEA, which has a no-raid agreement with AFT. The OSEA board recommends affiliation. Bob referred members to the website, www.osea.org, to get more information. Linda Bradetich, a member of the Affiliation Investigation Committee, was slated to speak to our chapter in January, but in light of vote being moved up a month earlier, Nikki will ask her if she could address our chapter at the October meeting instead. Also, there will be a town hall meeting on the affiliation on 10/23/2007 in Redmond. Nikki said she went to an AFT classified training in Las Vegas and she was impressed. She feels that being part of AFT will give us more of a voice at the national level. We would remain autonomous during negotiations. Our good relationship with our own teachers, who are part of NEA, shouldn’t change. More information can be found at www.aft.org.

Brief mention was made of the Oregon Educators’ Benefit Board, the health insurance pool that school districts will need to participate in as of October 1. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Good of the Order: Tille Ocker volunteered for the Negotiations Committee.

Door Prize and Cash Drawing: Bear Ross and Karen Koolhaas won the doorprizes, which were goodie bags. Pat Williams and Ellen Ames would have been the recipients of cash prizes of $54.37 each had they only been present. Seeing as they weren’t the money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attender next month (two cash prizes of $59.37 for September).

The meeting was adjourned and pizza was then consumed.

The next meeting will be in October 16, 2007 at

Metolius Elementary Library.

Check out the chapter website at

www.osea.org and go to Chapter Websites, or

http://osea.org/pages/Chapter_Websites/54/index.htm

OSEA Chapter 54 Meeting Minutes

May 15, 2007

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Linda Hale, Bear Ross, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was called to order at 5:35 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes of the 4/17/2007 chapter meeting were read, corrected, and approved.

Executive Board Report: Discussed the possibility of again marching in the town Fourth of July parade. Bob Bradetich and Nikki met with Melinda, will meet again with her and the Negotiations Committee and Sick Leave Committee, probably May 22. Nikki wants to broach the subject of being informed of hires and leaves. Teacher Appreciation Week was May 7-11. COCAP met on 4/12/2007. Nikki talked about the Bend Transit employees organizing under Amalgamated Transit Union and recently negotiating a contract. MOSI training is coming up July 20-22; anyone interested in going, please contact Nikki. Steward Training was April 27-28, attended by Bear Ross, Nikki Carson, and Shonagh Preston. Nikki attended the school board candidate forum.

Treasurer's Report: Opening balance of $6130.91, closing balance of $6073.41, approved as read.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: Nikki reminded members to vote in the special election. Auction items will be needed to take to conference. Regarding Senate Bill 246 (insurance pool), Victor Musial of OSEA will be on the oversight committee, which is good as he has some experience in this. Nikki reminded the conference delegates from our chapter to read up on OSEA's budget proposal as well as the five resolutions before attending conference. For the Scholarship Awards night at the high school, we need someone from the chapter to present the OSEA Ch. 54 Scholarship, and Nikki would prefer it be someone from the Scholarship Committee. MHS Hi-Sage Yearbook sent a thank-you note to the chapter for purchasing an ad in this year's yearbook.

Committee Reports:

Sunshine Committee: Linda Hale sent a card to Tom Norton's family, and to Candace Coons, who had eye surgery, and to Susan Messenger, whose husband is seriously ill. Tamera Nye remarried recently and is now Tamera Scroggs. It was decided to save stamps and send cards whenever feasible through interdistrict mail.

Reclassification, Sick Leave, and Negotiations committees: will meet with Melinda May 21 or 22.

Scholarship Committee: The committee met 5/14/2007 and selected a recipient for the $600 scholarship. According to Payroll, $330 had already been donated through payroll deduction.

Membership Committee: Nikki announced that no new members joined. Current figures: 196 members, of which 17 are active, 3 are nonmembers, and 19 are not interested. Nikki reminded building reps to clean off the OSEA bulletin boards before summer.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: A motion was made to march in the Fourth of July parade bearing the Chapter banner and throwing candy, and this was approved. Nikki asked the chapter to support other tiny chapters that don't have enough money in their treasuries to send delegates to conference. A motion as made to donate $100 to the OSEA fund to subsidize small chapters so they can send a delegate to conference, an the motion was approved. Nikki then reminded the chapter that delegates are supposed to bring doorprizes and auction items to conference. A motion was made to spend $15 each on two doorprizes and to spend $25 each on two auction items to donate to conference. Both motions were approved. Nikki then asked the membership to buy two books for chapter members to be able to check out and read: The Union Members Guide by Michael Mauer and The Legal Rights of Union Stewards by Robert Schwartz. The motion was made to purchase the books, and was approved. Nikki suggested that we hold the September meeting at Abby's like we did this year, and a motion was made to pay for pizza and pop at the upcoming September meeting, which was approved.

Good of the Order: Nikki thanked Karen and Shonagh, the stewards and site reps, Amber Paplia for providing babysitting, and all members. Next year's meetings will be held at Madras Elementary. Karen thanked Nikki for stepping in as president.

Door Prize and Cash Drawing: Nikki Carson and Shonagh Preston won the doorprizes, which were $10 gift cards to Bi-Mart. Ruth Smith and Bill McChesney would have been the recipients of cash prizes of $49.37 each had they only been present. Seeing as they weren't the money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attender next month (two cash prizes of $54.37 for September).

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 pm.

The next meeting will be in September at Abby's.

Check out the chapter website at

www.osea.org and go to Chapter Websites, or

OSEA Chapter 54 Meeting Minutes

April 17, 2007

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Rick Urbach, Linda Hale, Ellen Ames, Carol Cates, Tonya Davis, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was called to order at 5:34 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes of the 3/20/2007 chapter meeting were read, corrected, and approved.

Executive Board Report: Nothing to report.

Treasurer's Report: Opening balance of $5955.41, closing balance of $6130.91, approved as read.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: Nikki thanked Rick Urbach for his participation in the school board meeting on 4/9/2007, which she also attended. Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up, May 7-11. The next COCAP meeting is scheduled for May 12 in Redmond. The Redmond classified recently settled their contract with their district. MOSI's Paths in Organizing newsletter should be out soon. MOSI training is July 20-22 in Salem. New Steward training is Friday 4/27 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm an Saturday 4/28 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in Redmond. Nikki encouraged people to attend, and to also carpool. Nikki has contacted members of and updated the current committees, but was waiting to get some dates from Melinda Boyle before scheduling meetings..

Committee Reports:

Sunshine Committee: Linda Hale sent cards to Randy and Phillys Ruhl after the loss of Phillys's grandmother, to Ellen Courtney whose mother was ill and then passed, and to Al Martinez who had surgery.

Membership Committee: Nikki announced that no new members joined. Current figures: 197 members, of which 175 are active, 3 are nonmembers, and 19 are not interested.

Unfinished Business: None.

New Business: Regarding funding the scholarship, Nikki recounted that fundraising has been too difficult, so she suggested that the chapter designate $600 to be set aside to fund one scholarship for this year, and then budget for it for future years. A proposal to that effect was made, seconded, and approved. Regarding the upcoming New Steward training, Nikki asked the chapter to reimburse the gas costs of the attenders. Rick suggested that we use a mileage form to keep track of such reimbursements. The motion to reimburse gas costs at the IRS rate for members attending the training was approved.

Ellen Ames note that she has been fielding questions from other classified employees about what happens in case the teachers strike. Nikki and Bob replied that classified employees must report for duty, but outside their work hours, such as before or after their shifts or during their lunches, they may support teachers by walking picket lines with them.

Election of Conference delegates followed, Carol Cates counted ballots. Karen Koolhaas (7 votes), Ellen Ames (2 votes), Linda Hale (3 votes). Karen and Linda accepted, but Ellen has a wedding to attend the weekend of Conference.

Good of the Order: Nikki encouraged the chapter to support the teachers in any an all ways, since we share fates.

Door Prize and Cash Drawing: Rick Urbach and Carol Cates won the doorprizes, which were $10 gift cards to Dollar Tree. David Olson (Sr.? Jr.?) and Sandra Schaff would have been the recipients of cash prizes of $44.37 each had they only been present. Seeing as they weren't the money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attender next month (two cash prizes of $49.37 for April).

The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 pm.

The next and last meeting of this school year will be May 15, 2007 at 5:30 pm at Madras High School Library.

Check out the chapter website at

www.osea.org and go to Chapter Websites, or

http://osea.org/pages/Chapter_Websites/54/index.htm

OSEA Chapter 54 Meeting Minutes

March 20, 2007

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Rick Urbach, Linda Hale, Julie Mitchell, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was called to order at 5:32 pm following the Pledge of Allegiance. John Guakroger, organizer from the Salem office, cancelled his scheduled appearance at our chapter meeting. Since our chapter regularly discusses MOSI, he felt his efforts were needed more in other chapters. The minutes of the 2/27/2007 chapter meeting were read and approved.

Executive Board Report: Nikki and Bob Bradetich met with Melinda today (3/20/2007). Discussion involved: the letter Bob had sent informing her of the chapter's intention to reopen salary negotiations per the current contract; and reopening Reclassification and Sick Leave Bank letters of memorandum for the current contract. Nikki will wait to meet with Melinda on these issues until the associated committees (Negotiations, Reclassification, and Sick Leave Bank) can be convened.

Bob mentioned that, regarding the Big Muddy personnel issue referenced in last month's e-board meeting, the issue is now a non-issue since the employee in question has resigned and moved out of state.

Nikki recapped recent and upcoming events. The 3/12/2007 school board meeting was cancelled. The next school board meeting is 3/26/2007. COCAP meeting 3/21/2007, which was also a Zone meeting, was attended by Nikki and Karen, and the next one is 3/21/2007 at Sisters High School. The MOSI newsletter isn't out yet; training is scheduled for July 20-22. Classified Employees Week was 3/5-9, Nikki hoped everyone got the posters up at their buildings. Nikki attended the Legislative Education Day in Salem, and met up with Mary Bosch, formerly of our chapter and currently Retired Oregon School Employee (ROSE) Coordinator for Zone VI. They spent some quality time with Rep. John Dallum, and generally hobnobbed and networked and learned a great deal about the current state government. LERC training on Labor History 2 and carrying the union message to nonunion people will be April 20-21. The New Steward/Site Rep training will be held in April in Redmond Friday evening 4/27 and Saturday 4/28; carpooling is available. Let Nikki know if you'd like to go.

Treasurer's Report: Opening balance of $5692.26, closing balance of $5955.41, approved as read.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: Nikki had received a letter from the Executive Director of OSEA explaining that OSEA declined the advances of Oregon Educators Association (OEA) and National Educators Association (NEA) to affiliate with them. Currently there is an Affiliation Investigation Committee that is looking into affiliating with American Federation of Teachers (AFT), as per last year's resolution at Conference. At this year's conference delegates will vote whether or not to continue the courtship with AFT; more information is upcoming in the OSEA Journal. Talk of affiliating with teachers' unions led to discussion of our district teachers and their current bargaining situation.

Committee Reports:

Sunshine Committee: Rick Urbach's uncle passed away, as did Marlys Algers's mother. Ellen Ames had surgery.

Membership Committee: Nikki announced that no new members joined. Thanks for Bear and Jennifer Ross and Shonagh Preston. Current figures: 197 members, 23 nonmembers. Thanks to Doyle Rhodes for temporarily storing the chapter's filing cabinet. Nikki reminded stewards and building reps to keep chapter bulletin boards cleaned up and current.

Scholarship Committee: Linda Hale, chair, Georgia Sosa, and Karen Koolhaas graciously volunteered to serve. Scholarship applications are due May 1 and are available in the ASPIRE Room at MHS.

New Business: Rick Urbach nominated Karen Koolhaas as a chapter delegate to Conference in June. Nikki will already be there, but as a Zone Director, not a chapter delegate. Nikki then nominated Rick Urbach as a delegate.

Old Business: The second reading of the proposed revisions of the chapter by-laws ensued. Some corrections hadn't been finalized, and some corrections were needed. Following the corrections, the revised by-laws of the chapter were approved. You can see them on the chapter website.

More discussion of the reopening of salary negotiations and Reclass and Sick Leave letters of memorandum briefly followed.

Good of the Order: Classified Employees Week was celebrated throughout the district in differing ways.

Door Prize and Cash Drawing: Nikki Carson and Karen Koolhaas won the doorprizes, which were $10 gift cards to Dairy Queen. Ramiro Rico and Marie Mahn would have been the recipients of cash prizes of $39.37 each had they only been present. Seeing as they weren't the money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attender next month (two cash prizes of $44.37 for April).

The meeting was adjourned at 6:49 pm.

The next meeting will be April 17, 2007 at 5:30 pm

at Madras High School Library.

Check out the chapter website at

www.osea.org and go to Chapter Websites, or

OSEA Chapter 54 Meeting Minutes

February 27, 2007

Executive Board Meeting: Discussed Big Muddy personnel issue.

Present: Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Bear Ross, Rick Urbach, Linda Hale, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 following the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes of the 1/16/2007 chapter meeting were read and approved as corrected; the minutes of the 12/19/2006 meeting were approved.

Vice President's Report: Nikki reported that Tille Ocker resigned as chapter president January 21, 2007. Under current bylaws, the Vice President assumes the position of the President, and so Nikki has. The position of Vice President is now unfilled.

Executive Board Meeting: The three members of the Executive Board held a meeting 2/15/2007 to clarify the division of duties in light of Tille's resignation. In a nutshell:

Shall we keep posting the meeting minutes at each work site? Yes, we shall continue to post them.

Chapter Chatter: Shonagh will pick up that responsibility.

Chapter webpage: Karen will coordinate the updating of chapter webpage with webmaster Kyle Smith.

School board meetings: the executive board members will take turns attending. Other members are encourage to attend as well, especially to help out the e-board.

Legislative Ed Day: Nikki will be going using state time release. No one else in the chapter had expressed any interest in going to Salem for this weekend.

Meetings with Melinda Boyle: Nikki will continue monthly meetings.

Committees: By-Laws Committee finishing up; Reclassification and Sick Leave Committees need to get up and going again; Grievance Committee will be ready to move if so required; Scholarship Committee needs members; Membership Committee is usually the VP, but Nikki will just continue to run that “committee;” Elections Committee not active until chapter officer elections happen (next year); Negotiations Committee still extant as we need to bargain the economic part of the contract this year;

Cash drawing: revised so that you can only win once a year.

Treasurer's Report: December Report: opening balance of 5378.01, closing balance of 5441.26. January Report: opening balance of 5441.26, closing balance of 5692.26. Both reports were approved as read.

Announcements and Upcoming Events: COCAP on 3/3/2007. MOSI Training 7/20-7/22/2007. Classified Employees Week 3/5-3/9/2007. Meeting with Melinda Boyle 3/7/2007. Legislative Ed Day 3/11-3/12/2007.

Committee Reports:

Membership Committee: Nikki announced that four new members joined. Molly Mitchell (Madras Elementary), Dell Herschbach (Warm Springs Elementary), Kris Pepera (MHS), and Ron Musgrove (Transportation). Thanks for Bear and Jennifer Ross and Shonagh Preston. Now Madras El and Warm Springs El both have 100% membership. Nikki announced that since Georgia Sosa's new placement at JCMS, Westside was without a building rep, so Nikki asked Kay Richardson to be the new building rep, and she graciously agreed. Thanks, Kay!

Sunshine Committee: Julie Prevett's father passed away. Lloyd Edwards had heart surgery. Karen Koolhaas's dad had heart surgery, too. Kimberly Bowden was in a car accident. Patti Jobe's father and Jennifer Jobe's grandfather died.

Old Business: The first reading of the proposed revisions of the chapter by-laws ensued. Shonagh will clean up all the editing marks so the e-board can present the revised by-laws to the membership next month to be approved.

New Business: We need to reopen salary negotiations per Article 27.7 of the contract. We're waiting on the certified to settle their contract negotiations since we have a “me-too” clause for the insurance cap. Bob Bradetich will send a letter to administration informing them of our intent to reopen bargaining with regards to salary.

Good of the Order: None.

Door Prize and Cash Drawing: Linda Hale and Karen Koolhaas won the doorprizes, which were $10 gift cards to Starbucks. Georgia Sosa and Wendy Klopp would have been the recipients of cash prizes of $34.37 each had they only been present. Seeing as they weren't the money went back into the pot to grow by $5 and enrich some lucky attender next month (two cash prizes of $39.37 for March).

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm.

The next meeting will be March 20, 2007 at 5:30 pm

December 19, 2006

Executive Board Meeting: The e-board discussed: Legislative Education Day falls on a blackout day (3/11/07); Melinda Boyle and Bruce Bischoff did not approve the proposed contract language adjustment to allow classifieds to coach; not getting notified about hires and fires; transportation issue: Bob can't find any written policy, he'll ask Melinda at the next Labor/Management meeting; Tille to do ergonomics training for EAs after winter break.

Present: Tille Ocker, Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Dorothy Watkins, Ellen Ames, Rick Urbach, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was called to order at 5:37 at the Black Bear Diner. The reading of minutes of the 11/21/2006 meeting was approved as not read (out loud).

Communications: Tille received a nice card (my notes end there). Shonagh read a communication from OSEA about zone director elections coming up.

Treasurer's Report: Approved as read (opening balance of 5217.17, closing balance of 5378.01). After crediting the previously found voided check, the books are considered balanced now, thanks to the Audit Committee.

Committee Reports:

Membership Committee: Nikki welcomed three new members: Maritsa Salgado (Buff), Cecilio Galan (Buff), and Marie Mahn (MHS). Thanks to Karen Koolhaas for her help. Totals are: 197 members, of which 173 are active, 7 are nonactive, and 18 are not interested. Several permanent positions will be filled after winter break, so look for more names next month.

Sunshine Committee: Julie Previtt's father passed away. Dave Olson, Sr's wife Fran is having knee surgery.

Vice President's Report: Nikki attended the COCAAN Head Start (Neighborhood Impact) Chapter 602 celebration in Bend on 12/10. This particular chapter was three years in the making, so congrats to them! Nikki, Tille, and Bob Bradetich met with Melinda Boyle on 12/13 at Mazatlan; next meeting is scheduled for 1/18/2007. The next COCAP meeting is 1/20/2007 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in Redmond. MOSI's Paths in Organizing newsletter is due out in January. Also, look for a flyer advertising the chapter banner logo contest, coming out after winter break. The Zone VI meeting is scheduled for 2/24/2007 at 1:00 pm at Sisters High School. And finally, Nikki wished all chapter members a merry Christmas and happy New Year.

President's Report: Tille reported that, since monthly meetings with Melinda Boyle are now occurring regularly, she would like the membership to let her and Nikki know about any issues they'd like discussed. Nikki interjected that the chapter and Melinda will be taking turns paying for lunch. Tille talked about the school board meeting that was held at Metolius Elementary. She had, as a parent, brought up the fact that Chris Scranton's AP Biology class had invited all the School Board members to their presentation on their research on Willow Creek. None of the School Board accepted the invitation, the students were discouraged by their lack of interest, and Tille wanted to make sure the School Board knew it. Also at the board meeting were some parents venting frustration about their sons being cut from the varsity basketball team.

More Communications: Bob Bradetich brought up the approaching deadline for submitting resolutions for ratification at Conference in June (Feb. 1). He also reminded the membership that scholarship deadlines were approaching (Lo Gerber Scholarship for classified employees: Feb 1; Guy Davis Scholarship for high school seniors: March 1; Undergraduate Scholarship for college juniors and seniors: Nov. 6 [think ahead for next year]), as well as the deadline for submitting nominations for Employee of the Year. See www.osea.org for more information.

Old Business: The flyer advertising the competition to design a banner for the chapter will be distributed after winter break.

New Business: Since we had difficulties last year in securing and paying for a hotel room during conference, it was queried whether maybe the chapter should get a credit card. Brief discussion concluded with a firm “no.”

Good of the Order: More discussion ensued about permanent vs. temporary positions and how this district seems to use temporary positions differently than do some other districts. Nikki has begun experiencing difficulty in getting information about hires and fires.

In closing the meeting, Tille thanked the other eboard members for doing well and helping keep her in line.

Nikki Carson and Rick Urbach won the door prizes (gift bags of stationery, etc.). Carol Cates's and Shonagh Preston's names were drawn for the two cash prizes of $58.75 each. Shonagh gladly took her check, but Carol wasn't present, so her portion went back into the pot. Next month's pot will start at $68.75 to be split two ways. The meeting was then adjourned at 6:15 pm.

The next meeting will be in January 16, 2007 at 5:30 pm

at Madras High School Library.

Check out the chapter website at

www.osea.org and go to Chapter Websites, or

http://osea.org/pages/Chapter_Websites/54/index.htm

OSEA Chapter 54 Meeting Minutes September 19, 2006

Executive Board Meeting: The e-board discussed the formation of an audit committee, the transportation employees' concerns about overtime regs, and the building use permit for the chapter to meet in the high school library.

Present: Arlene Abruzzo, Juanita McCool, Olivia Sanchez, Judy Gregg, Christina Haley, Linda Hale, Ellen Ames, Rick Urbach, Dora Harris, Carol Cates, Susan Talman, Tille Ocker, Nikki Carson, Karen Koolhaas, Shonagh Preston, Bob Bradetich

The meeting was held at Abby's at 5:31. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the minutes of the 5/16/2006 meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer's Report: Approved as read (opening balance of 5845.82, closing balance of 4878.19). Our new treasurer Karen Koolhaas was heartily welcomed. Tille announced that she would be calling together an audit committee to go over the chapter's books, as this has not been done in years.

Vice President's Report: Nikki announced the next COCAP meeting on September 2eJh, 68 pm in Redmond; they will be working on a constitution for the group. The Member Organizing Summer Institute (MOSI) added twelve new organizers in July; a newsletter should be coming out soon. Nikki attended the AFL-CIO summer school, adding more experiences to her already impressive list of trainings.

President's Report: During Conference this past June, Nikki Carson was elected Zone 6 Director! The first Zone Directors' meeting of the year will be October 28 at 12:00 in Bums. Chapter 54 has a new OSEA Field Rep, and he is Bob Bradetich ( bob@osea.org). He has served at all levels in OSEA, from building steward to chapter president, from zone director to state president, and now field rep. He had been serving chapters in Portland, but it worked out that he and Fernando Gapasin could switch, which brought Bob back to Central Oregon where he'd been for years. Welcome, Bob!

Committee Reports:

Sunshine Committee: Kathy Bishop (administration) lost her husband. Patti Jobe lost her niece. Debi Taylor had a baby girl.

By-Laws Committee: Will present new By-Laws to the membership at the October meeting for a first reading.

Negotiations Committee: Melinda Boyle asked Tille if we wanted to negotiate our economic package rather than waiting for the teachers to settle (we have a me-too clause). Tille asked the members of the Negotiations Committee, and they said, we're in no hurry, just wait.

Sick Leave and Reclassification Committees: The committee hammered out some things and

.. ····-p-re-seme-u themto-Melinda-Boyle;i)Ut~mnesponseyer.--Fernando-was-supposed-to-have-contacted·· her, but hadn't, so Bob said he'd look into it.

Scholarship Committee: MHS seniors Kathleen Erwin and Sara Marcotte were the recipients of two Chapter 54 scholarships given last May. Shonagh had copies of several OSEA scholarship applications which are geared not only at children and grandchildren of OSEA members, but members themselves who might like to go back to school. Contact Shonagh if you need more

information about those scholarships, or go to OSEA's website at www .osea.or~ and click on the Scholarship link.

Membership Committee: We welcomed Arlene Abruzzo, who is new to 509J and, as of signing

. her membership application at the meeting, a bona fide chapter member. Nikki is getting stuff to beef up the building OSEA bulletin boards. Tille talked about marching in last July's parade, and encouraged more people to march next year. She talked about business at conference, the biggest of which was the decision for OSEA to form a committee to look into the pros and cons of affiliating with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) versus remaining independent (see the front page of the OSEA Journal for more details). Although Chapter Chatter, the newsletter promulgated by Tille, was submitted for a Newsie Award, it did not win but did earn a certificate of appreciation.

Communications: Our chapter will be hosting an informational meeting about all things PERS, starring Bob Andrews as the man who can answer your PERS questions. Bring a friend to the October 2~ meeting in the MHS Library, 6:30-9:30 (please RSVP to Tille so we provide adequate coffee, cookies, and seating). Regular chapter meetings will be held the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm in the MHS Library.

Old Business: None.

New Business: A member expressed grave concern about the number of temporary positions that are cropping up in the district, especially as once permanent positions evolve into temporary positions. Several specific situations were mentioned. During negotiations we were promised that temporary positions would revert to permanent as soon as possible, but that does not seem to be happening. On the issue of classified employees coaching, Bob said he would be bringing contract language from a lawyer who has worked on this issue (overtime regulations get in the way) to address the district prohibition of classified coaches. A member brought up more overtime issues. She witnessed the punch clock in the bus barn being reset so that the new work week would be Sunday noon to Sunday noon. She was concerned not only because she thought she would be getting overtime and the change in the work week negated that, but also because no one had been informed by administration of the change, which probably should have been done at least at the inservice. Bob explained that new labor laws which used to define overtime as anything over 8 hours in the day or 40 hours in the week now define overtime only as over 40 hours in the week. He also wondered about the noon starting and ending time, and was curious as to why it wasn't midnight instead. Nikki brought up the list of blackout days for taking personal leave, and wants to talk with administration about why they think they should apply to twelve-month employees who aren't extending vacations since they have paid, scheduled vacations outside of the school calendar. There was more talk about overtime minutia involving sick leave and vacation leave during a week when you worked overtime.

Good of the Order: Tille mentioned that it was good to see Susan Talman's husband George walking around again.

Arlene- A-bru2;zoandShonagh-Pfest{}n-won-the~oor-prizes-($i-oceftif'reate-te-Eriek-soo ' s). Misty-Adams', and Shonagh Preston's names were drawn for the two cash prizes of $87.50 each. Since Shonagh was present, she took home some money; since Misty wasn't present, the money went back into the pot. Next month's pot will start at $97.50, and two names will be drawn to split the pot. The meeting was then adjourned at 6:15 pm.