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Section 1600 – Retiree Program (ROSE)

1601 - In accordance with Article VI of the OSEA Constitution, ROSE shall be the retiree unit of OSEA and a chartered retiree organization (6732R) of the AFT (AFL-CIO).

1605 -  Definitions (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)

  1. Active Membership:
    1. Any retirees as defined in Article VI, Section 4, of the OSEA Constitution, formerly employed in any OSEA-represented bargaining unit and who was an active member in good standing at any time while employed; or
    2. Any spouses of an active ROSE member who themselves did not retire from an OSEA-represented bargaining unit, who was a ROSE member in good standing as of June 30, 2009; or
    3. Any retired OSEA staff members and/or their spouses who were ROSE members in good standing as of June 30, 2009.
  2. Dual Membership: Any active ROSE member in good standing who returns to employment in a bargaining unit represented by OSEA and becomes both an active OSEA and chapter member and maintains active ROSE membership while reemployed.
  3. Auxiliary Membership: Any spouse of an active ROSE member in good standing and who was not otherwise eligible for active ROSE membership as of June 30, 2009.

1606 - Membership Rights and Benefits (2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014; 2018 Conference-Board Meeting, May 2019)

  1. Active ROSE members shall be afforded the right of voice and vote in the affairs of both ROSE and the Association, when applicable. To be eligible for election or appointment to any office or position within ROSE or the Association, an active ROSE member must meet the criteria as outlined in the OSEA Constitution, OSEA Board Policy or chapter’s local operating procedures.
  2. Auxiliary members shall be eligible for participation in such special services, insurance, or other membership benefit programs as may be made available to active ROSE members, and shall receive the Association’s official publication. Auxiliary members shall not have voting rights or the right to hold any elected or appointed office or position in ROSE or the Association at any level.

1610 - Membership Status and Fees (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)

  1. Active ROSE membership in good standing and auxiliary membership in good standing shall become effective upon the submission of a membership application and advanced payment of the required annual fees directly to OSEA.
  2. Active and auxiliary ROSE membership fees, pursuant to Article VI, Section 12, of the OSEA Constitution, shall only be amended by a resolution approved by a two-thirds secret ballot vote of the eligible delegates at any OSEA Annual Conference.

1615 - Membership Meetings

  1. The ROSE Executive Committee shall hold not less than one membership meeting each quarter of the fiscal year, which shall be open to all ROSE members.
  2. When possible, meeting locations shall be rotated to provide members the best opportunity to attend.
  3. The meeting agenda, including the date, time and location, shall be sent to all ROSE members and the Board of Directors not less than 15 days prior to the scheduled meeting.
  4. Copies of the minutes from the quarterly meeting shall be sent to all ROSE members and the OSEA Board of Directors not less than 30 days prior to the next quarterly meeting.

1620 - Executive Committee Officers

The officers of the Retiree Unit (ROSE) shall be the chair, vice chair and secretary/treasurer, all who shall be nominated and elected from and by active ROSE members on a statewide basis for two-year terms or until their successors are elected. The chair and secretary/treasurer shall be elected in even-numbered years and the vice chair shall be elected in odd-numbered years. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011; Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)

1625 - Officer Elections

  1. To be eligible for election, a ROSE member must have been an active OSEA member in good standing at any time prior to retirement and an active ROSE member in good standing at least one year prior to the date of the election, which shall be held no later than May 1. (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
  2. A notice of nomination, eligibility criteria and election shall be sent to all active ROSE members via U.S. mail no later than March 1 of each year. All eligible members must submit their letter of nomination to the OSEA State Office no later than the deadline prescribed in the notice. Nominations postmarked or hand-delivered after the deadline shall not be considered. (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
  3. Upon verifying the eligibility of all nominated candidates, a mail ballot with each candidate listed in alphabetical order and with a space for write-in candidates, along with a secrecy envelope and a postage-paid envelope, shall be mailed to all active ROSE members eligible to vote. The member must sign the return envelope for verification purposes. Members shall only cast one vote for each office listed on the ballot. (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
  4. All ballots must be returned via U.S. mail and postmarked no later than the deadline stated in the election notice. Ballots shall not be accepted in person.
  5. All returned ballots received in a timely manner shall be verified and tabulated by OSEA under the direct supervision of the OSEA executive director or designee. Any candidate on the ballot for election shall have the right to have an official observer of their choosing at the time and place where the ballots are verified and tabulated. Such observer must be an active ROSE or OSEA member in good standing. (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
  6. All contested/challenged ballots shall be set aside and sequestered unless they will affect the outcome of the election. If the contested/challenged ballot(s) affect the outcome of the election, the OSEA executive director shall rule on the eligibility of the contested/challenged ballot(s). Any ruling of the executive director may be appealed by the candidate in writing to the OSEA Board of Directors not less than five days after the ballots are tabulated. The Board shall render a decision at its next regular meeting and such decision shall be final. The officers declared elected shall take office during any appeal process as described herein.
  7. Election shall be by plurality vote. No proxy votes shall be allowed. Upon completion of the ballot tabulations, the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared elected. In the event of tie votes, determination shall be by lot. No candidate shall be elected to more than one office.
  8. The results of the elections shall be published in the next issue of the OSEA Journal following the elections. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011)
  9. The OSEA president, or designee, shall install the newly elected officers at either the ensuing OSEA Conference or the next ROSE membership meeting following the election.
  10. The elected officers shall take office and assume their duties effective July 1 regardless of the date of the installation ceremony.
  11. All nomination forms, ballots, tabulations and other election-related materials for officer elections shall be kept on file for at least one year.

1627 - Filling of Vacancies (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011)

  1. In the event the office of chair becomes vacant, the vice chair shall assume the duties of the chair and a special election shall be conducted to fill the chair vacancy in accordance with procedures set forth in Section 1625.
  2. In the event the offices of vice chair or secretary/treasurer become vacant, special elections to fill those offices shall also be conducted in accordance with procedures set forth in Section 1625.
  3. A special election, pursuant to this section, shall not be required if such vacancies occur with forty-five (45) days or less remaining in the second year of any two-year term.

1630 - Duties of Officers

  1. Chair - The chair shall:
    1. Preside at all membership meetings or meetings of the ROSE Executive Committee.
    2. Prepare and send the agenda of the quarterly membership meetings as required herein.
    3. Attend all regular meetings of the Board of Directors in order to present ROSE issues to the Board necessary for consideration and/or action.
    4. Make quarterly reports to the Board of Directors outlining all ROSE activities during the quarter. Such reports shall be made available to all ROSE members upon request.
    5. Serve as a link to all OSEA and AFT resources and services for all ROSE members.
    6. Represent ROSE as an automatic delegate to the OSEA Annual Conference.
    7. Represent ROSE as an automatic delegate to the AFT National Convention.
    8. Perform such other duties pertaining to the office of chair.
  2. Vice Chair - The vice chair shall:
    1. Possess all the powers and perform the duties of the chair in the absence or inability of the chair to serve.
    2. Assist the chair in the performance of the chair’s duties and perform such other duties as directed by the chair.
    3. Represent ROSE as an automatic delegate to the OSEA Annual Conference.
    4. Perform such other duties pertaining to the office of vice chair.
  3. Secretary/Treasurer - The secretary/treasurer shall:
    1. Record and publish minutes of ROSE membership meetings as required herein.
    2. Keep and maintain a file of all official proceedings, correspondence, reports and notices to the membership.
    3. Keep and maintain accurate up-to-date financial records, including current checking/savings accounts, fund-raising activities and membership lists.
    4. Assist in the preparation of reports and other documents pertaining to the OSEA annual budgeting process as it relates to the Retiree Unit (ROSE).
      Cause to have the books and financial records audited each fiscal year and provide copies of such audit to the OSEA Board of Directors and ROSE members upon request.
    5. Represent ROSE as an automatic delegate to the OSEA Annual Conference.
    6. Perform such other duties pertaining to the office of secretary/treasurer.

1635 - Officer Rules of Conduct

OSEA Board Policy Section 130 (Board of Directors Code of Conduct/Ethics), Section 131 (Conflict of Interest Policy) and Section 132 (Protocols of Contact) shall apply with full force and effect to Retiree Unit (ROSE) elected officers.

1640 - Zone Coordinators

  1. Appointment
    1. The zone coordinator is a two-year position appointed by the OSEA president, with the advice and consent of the OSEA Board of Directors. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011)
    2. Coordinators for Zones II, IV, and VI shall be appointed in even-numbered years and coordinators for Zones I, III, V and VII shall be appointed in odd-numbered years. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011)
    3. The active ROSE member in good standing appointed to this position must be assigned to the specific zone for which the appointment is made. (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
    4. Term of service shall be from appointment through the completion of the two-year term or until their successors are appointed. Nothing shall preclude reappointment. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011)
    5. In the event a coordinator position becomes vacant, the OSEA president, with the advice and consent of the OSEA Board of Directors, shall attempt to fill the vacancy with an active ROSE member from the specific zone where the vacancy exists. If there are no active ROSE members assigned to that zone willing to serve, that specific zone coordinator position shall remain vacant. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011; Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
  2. Duties
    1. The zone coordinator’s primary duty is to be the contact person for all ROSE members within their specific zone.
    2. The zone coordinator reports to the ROSE chair and works closely with the OSEA zone director in their specific zone in promoting the goals and objectives of the Retiree Unit (ROSE).
    3. The zone coordinator is responsible for coordinating all ROSE activities within their zone.
    4. Zone coordinators are responsible for submitting quarterly reports to the ROSE executive committee outlining all contacts, meetings and communications with ROSE members in their specific zones.
    5. Zone coordinators are required to attend the quarterly ROSE membership meetings.
    6. Zone coordinators may hold periodic information meetings for ROSE members in their specific zones.
    7. Such other duties as may be assigned by the ROSE Executive Committee or chair.

1645 - Election of OSEA Conference Zone Delegates/Alternates

  1. In addition to the elected ROSE officers, ROSE shall be allowed a maximum of seven elected delegates to the OSEA Annual Conference; one delegate from each zone.
  2. A secret mail ballot election shall be conducted in each zone prior to May 1 of each year. To be eligible for election, a ROSE member must have been an active OSEA member in good standing at any time prior to retirement and an active ROSE member in good standing from the zone in which they are assigned. (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
  3. A notice of nomination and pending election shall be sent via U.S. mail to all eligible ROSE members not less than 30 days prior to the date of the election. ROSE members must submit their letter of nomination to the OSEA State Office no later than the deadline prescribed in the notice. Nominations postmarked or hand-delivered after the deadline shall not appear on the ballot. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011)
  4. Upon verifying the eligibility of all nominated candidates, a mail ballot with each candidate listed in alphabetical order, if any, and with a space for write-in candidates, along with a secrecy envelope and a postage-paid return envelope, shall be mailed to all active ROSE members in each applicable zone eligible to vote. The member must sign the return envelope for verification purposes. Members shall only cast one vote on the ballot. Members shall not be allowed to vote for any member not assigned to their specific zone. (Revised 2011 Conference-Board Meeting, October 2011; Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)
  5. All ballots must be returned via U.S. mail and postmarked no later than the deadline stated in the election notice. Ballots shall not be accepted in person.
  6. OSEA Board Policy Section 1625.5 (ballot tabulation) and Section 1625.6 (contested/challenged ballots) shall apply with full force and effect for zone delegate/alternate elections.
  7. It shall require a plurality vote of each specific zone to elect. In the event of a tie vote, determination shall be by lot.
  8. Members not elected as the delegate in their zone shall be designated as alternates and ranked in descending order based on the number of votes received. Alternates will be called upon to fill vacant delegate positions based on their ranking in their zone.
  9. In the event no delegate is elected or no alternate is elected or available to fill a vacancy in any specific zone, the delegate position shall remain vacant and shall not be filled by an alternate from another zone.
  10. Upon completion of the election, a notification letter shall be sent to those candidates who have been duly elected as delegates, along with a Conference delegate registration form, which the delegate shall complete and return to the OSEA State Office.
  11. All ballots, tabulations and other materials related to ROSE delegate/alternate elections shall be kept on file for at least one year.

1650 - Conference Resolutions (Revised 2014 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2014)

All resolutions submitted by the Retiree Unit (ROSE) for action at the OSEA Annual Conference must have prior majority vote approval of active ROSE members voting at a quarterly meeting of the retiree unit.
1655 Budgetary Control

  1. The Retiree Unit (ROSE) officers and zone coordinators shall maintain the highest degree of fiduciary responsibility to the ROSE and OSEA membership in the conduct of Retiree Unit (ROSE) business.
  2. The Retiree Unit (ROSE) fiscal year shall extend from June 1 through May 31.
  3. A line item account for the operation of the Retiree Unit (ROSE) shall be maintained in the OSEA annual budget.
  4. Revenue shall be obtained through membership fees, donations, sales, fundraising and other approved activities as determined by the ROSE Executive Committee.
  5. All receipts, checks and approved disbursements shall be properly recorded and accounted for in the Retiree Unit (ROSE) financial records.
  6. The chair shall sign and the secretary/treasurer shall countersign checks covering authorized expenditures. In the absence of the chair or secretary/treasurer, the vice chair may sign in place of the absent officer.
  7. In the absence of any two of the above officers, the OSEA chief financial officer, or designee, may also countersign. In no event shall checks be issued without two signatures.
  8. At all times the books, records and financial accounts shall be open to the inspection of the OSEA president and the OSEA chief financial officer.
  9. An up-to-date financial report, including income from any source and any authorized expenditures, shall be rendered in writing at each quarterly Retiree Unit (ROSE) membership meeting and a copy of such report shall be forwarded to the OSEA president and OSEA chief financial officer.
  10.  A copy of such report shall also be made available to any Retiree Unit (ROSE) member upon request.
  11. The OSEA Director of Fiscal Operations and the OSEA Executive Director shall maintain their authority to receive and disburse all funds necessary to the operation of the Retiree Unit (ROSE) in accordance with OSEA Board Policy Sections 220 and 222. (Revised 2016 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2016)

1655 - Budgetary Control

  1. The Retiree Unit (ROSE) officers and zone coordinators shall maintain the highest degree of fiduciary responsibility to the ROSE and OSEA membership in the conduct of Retiree Unit (ROSE) business.
  2. The Retiree Unit (ROSE) fiscal year shall extend from June 1 through May 31.
  3. A line item account for the operation of the Retiree Unit (ROSE) shall be maintained in the OSEA annual budget.
  4. Revenue shall be obtained through membership fees, donations, sales, fundraising and other approved activities as determined by the ROSE Executive Committee.
  5. All receipts, checks and approved disbursements shall be properly recorded and accounted for in the Retiree Unit (ROSE) financial records.
  6. The chair shall sign and the secretary/treasurer shall countersign checks covering authorized expenditures. In the absence of the chair or secretary/treasurer, the vice chair may sign in place of the absent officer.
  7. In the absence of any two of the above officers, the OSEA chief financial officer, or designee, may also countersign. In no event shall checks be issued without two signatures.
  8. At all times the books, records and financial accounts shall be open to the inspection of the OSEA president and the OSEA chief financial officer.
  9. An up-to-date financial report, including income from any source and any authorized expenditures, shall be rendered in writing at each quarterly Retiree Unit (ROSE) membership meeting and a copy of such report shall be forwarded to the OSEA president and OSEA chief financial officer.
  10. A copy of such report shall also be made available to any Retiree Unit (ROSE) member upon request.
  11. The OSEA Director of Fiscal Operations and the OSEA Executive Director shall maintain their authority to receive and disburse all funds necessary to the operation of the Retiree Unit (ROSE) in accordance with OSEA Board Policy Sections 220 and 222. (Revised 2016 Conference-Board Meeting, December 2016)

1660 - Expense Claims

  1. Any claims for actual and/or necessary expenses incurred on behalf of or authorized by the Retiree Unit (ROSE) officers in conducting the duties prescribed and/or required by provisions set forth herein or by provisions of the OSEA Constitution shall be reimbursed in accordance with OSEA Board Policy Section 905.
  2. Payment of such expense claims shall only be disbursed from available funds contained in the approved Retiree Unit (ROSE) annual budget.
  3. Any proposed expenditures for such claims which have not been incorporated in the Retiree Unit (ROSE) budget must be submitted to the OSEA chief financial officer for prior approval.

1665 Retiree Unit (ROSE) Activities - The Retiree Unit (ROSE) shall:

  1. Work with and assist active OSEA members who are preparing for retirement.
  2. Enable retirees to become more aware of PERS activities and legislation affecting PERS.
  3. Assist the OSEA Government Relations Committee in the passage of any legislation that will assist OSEA members, both active and retired, and to provide opposition to proposed legislation that will have an adverse effect when called upon to do so.
  4. Work with local chapters to provide volunteers for preparing mail outs; participating in voter registration drives, school board and other political campaigns and telephoning and other assistance in representational elections and labor disputes when called upon to do so.
  5. Maintain a table at the OSEA Annual Conference in order to promote the activities and services provided to members of the Retiree Unit (ROSE).

(Board Meeting, October 2005; Revised Board Meeting, April 2007; Replaced Board Meeting, June 2010)