Image provided by: SEIU Local 503; Salem, OR
About The 503 voice. (Salem, OR) ????-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2003)
Elections at SEIU local 503, OPEU General Council is the decision-making body of the union that establishes SEIU Local 503, OPEU policy. General Council is held every two years in even-numbered years. The Board of Directors - made up of statewide officers, district directors, and assistant district directors - manages the union and oversees the strategic plan between General Councils. To be a delegate or vote on delegates to General Council, you must be a full member in SEIU Local 503, OPEU. Fair share payers do not have voting privileges. Statewide Officers Statewide officers are the union President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director. Nominations for statewide officers open on January 23, 2004 and close at 5 PM on August 20, 2004 - the second day of General Council. District Directors and Assistant Directors District Directors and Assistant Directors are elected on a representational basis according to Article VI of the SEIU Local 503, OPEU Constitution. Nominations open January 23, 2004 and close February 13, 2004 at 5PM. Nomination forms will be posted at worksites and on the website. General Council Delegates Delegates come to General Council as elected representa tives from either their District or Local. Alternate District and Local delegates are elected to fill any delegate vacancies that may arise. Members of the Board of Directors and past union presidents are automatic delegates. Every local of SEIU Local 503, OPEU has the right to a minimum of one delegate. Delegate strength is based on membership, with one delegate for each one hundred (100) members. District Delegate representation is based on one delegate for each five hundred (500) active members. District Di rector-elects and Assistant Director-elects who are not incumbents (they have been elected to those positions in the spring elections) are also entitled to be delegates to General Council and take the first District delegate positions. Remaining positions are filled with elected General Council delegates from that District. Alternates are also elected. Locals should elect their General Council delegates and alter nates in accordance with their bylaws and forward election results, General Council Delegate Report forms and Credentials forms to Salem Headquarters by June 15, 2004. If you have any questions about election guidelines, the resolution process, or General Council, contact your Local Officers, District Directors or any Statewide Officer. All Duties of Officers are listed in the SEIU Local 503, OPEU Bylaws under Article X - Duties of Officers (go to www.seiu.org, click on "Bylaws 503" under Regular Features.) Some of the required duties include: DIRECTORS / ASSISTANT DIRECTORS k_____________________________________ _____________;_______________________,____J President Presides at all meetings of the General Council, Board and Executive Committee • Sets the Board meeting agenda and acts as the Board administrator • Chief spokesperson for the union • Appoints Standing and Special Committee members, subject to Board approval • Serves as ex-officio member of all Standing and Special Committees • Renders a report of his/her administration with recommen dations, as he/she deems advisable to General Council • Attends and represents the union at all appropriate national and regional meetings • Serves as delegate to the SEIU Convention • Serves as delegate to the AFL-CIO and AFL-CIO COPE Conventions • Represents SEIU Local 503, OPEU on the SEIU Oregon State Council • Chairs the union's Grievance Appeals Committee • Coordinates the activities of the District Directors and Assistant District Directors • Represents the union at the Legislature and in ballot measure campaigns, in conjunction with the Executive Director and the Political staff. Vice President Performs the duties of the President in their absence • Replaces the President for the remainder of their term in the event of death, incapacity, resignation or removal of the President • Is a member of the Executive Committee, the union Finance Committee and other committees as designated in the Bylaws or to which appointed by the President • Serves as delegate to the SEIU Convention • Serves as delegate to the AFL-CIO and AFL-CIO COPE Conventions. Secretary-Treasurer Keeps a correct record of the meetings of the General Council, Board of Directors and Executive Committee • Custodian of the records of the union • Chairperson of the union Finance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee • Purchases contingent liability and property damage insurance for the Board of Directors members and employees of the union in the performance of their duties • Purchases a surety bond in accordance with the requirements of Bylaws Section 16, Article XVI - Financial • Establishes a bank account or accounts in the name of the union as designated by the Board of Directors • Collects the monies and keeps the accounts and books of the union and renders a statement after certified audits of the accounts and books of the financial condition of the union to General Council and as requested by the Board of Directors • Coordinates and keeps current a list of policies and procedures of the union • Responsible to the Board for annual review of the fiscal operation of the union and locals. Executive Director Serves as chief executive officer and has general supervision of and direction over the daily activities of the union, including employment and supervision of staff, expenditure of union funds, consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws and the policies and procedures of the union as determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the financial ability of the union to pay • In conjunction with the Secretary- Treasurer, maintains records of the meetings, bank accounts and financial transactions, purchase of insurance and bonds, collects moneys and maintains the books of the union • Prepares annual budget • Serves as member of the union's negotiating team • Oversees other daily activity of the union such as organizing, contract administration, political activity and training • Oversees program and policy development • Maintains an internal and external communications program throughout the union • Represents the union throughout the community and with the media, in con junction with the President who serves as chief spokesperson. District Director Administration of the union's geographical district • Serves on the union's Board of Directors • Communicates to the mem bership • Coordinates union campaigns in the district • Coordinates multi-local union worksite actions • Organizes and recruits members in the district • Trains or secures training for District officers and activists • Represents the union in public relations matters • Serves as one of the Board's delegates to General Council • Develops and implements the district's financial budget • Acts as a communication link between the Board of Directors and the membership to the General Council • Attends all meetings of the Board of Directors • Makes union policy decisions between General Councils • Arbitrates internal union matters • Enforces and interprets the union's Constitution and Bylaws • Determines union's position on political issues • Strategic planning for the union • Oversees the union's operation and affairs. Assistant District Director Assists District Directors in the administra tion of union districts • Serves as alternate member on the union's Board of Directors • Attends all meetings of the Board • May assist District Directors with any or all the District Director's responsibilities, as assigned by the District Director • Serves in the absence of the District Director(s), as requested • Performs all duties assigned by the district Constitution and Bylaws • Coordinates district communications (i.e. district calendars, newsletters and other general correspondence) • Chairs and serves on district committees as assigned • Serves as delegate to General Council • Upon appointment by the Board, succeeds to the office of District Director. GENERAL COUNCIL DELEGATES k___________________________________ :_______________________•_____________ SEIU Local 503, OPEU General Council delegates have the responsibility of attending all sessions of General Council, since important decisions are made at these sessions. Delegates appointed to serve on working committees are expected to attend all scheduled meetings of their committee and to expend their full energies in accomplishing committee objectives. Delegates representing locals or districts that are sponsoring resolutions are responsible for actively working for adoption of those resolutions. It is the delegate's responsibility to appear before working committees in support of his/her local or district resolution. In addition, it is his/her obligation to actively work for adoption of the resolution on the floor of the Council as long as he/she believes it is in the best interests of public service. j All delegates should be active in electing new Statewide Officers. They have the duty to actively support those candidates they believe will do the best job for SEIU Local 503, OPEU. Finally, it is the responsibility of every General Council delegate to adequately report Council events and decisions to the local or district he/she represents. Every member of the union deserves and needs to understand all of the actions taken by the General Council and the deliberations which prompted those actions. If a delegate is unable to serve, the alter nate with the highest number of votes will be the replacement delegate. If all alter nate delegates are unable to serve, the candidate with the next highest number of votes shall be the replacement delegate to General Council for the two-year term. Go to www.seiu503.org for full listings of position requirements and duties. From the home page click on "Bylaws 503" on the right hand side, under "Regular Features". PAGE 4 SEIU Local 503, OPEU - STRONGER TOGETHER NOVEMBER 2003
