Local Presidents’ Mailing

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LOCAL PRESIDENTS’ MAILING
An OEA Publication
Dear Local Leader,To help you understand how to use the materials enclosed in this mailing, they have been organized into two categories: Presidents Only and Share With Members. Within each of these categories, either or both of the following icons will accompany some items.

We are sending the OEA Local Presidents’ Mailings in electronic format only with links so documents can be downloaded and printed as needed. There may be some exceptions where items must be printed and mailed to you.

Everyone may not have access to a non-work email address or home computer. If this is the case, contact Darlene Hebert athebertd@ohea.org or call 614-227-3199.


This item is time-sensitive and has a deadline that must be acted upon.

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Don’t forget that the mailings are archived on the OEA website. You can also access frequently used documents under the OEA Local Leaders tab.

If you have any questions regarding the enclosed materials, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,
Becky Higgins
Becky Higgins
President

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ESPECIALLY FOR PRESIDENTS

ELECTION INFORMATION

 

 

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OEA Delegate Election Deadlines

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Official Notice of Candidate Nominations and Election


news icontime icon 2015-2016 Local President’s Meeting Schedule
news icontime icon 2015-2016 Affiliate Grant Program
(Deadline: January 20, 2016)
 

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ACCESS Elects New Leadership Team

On June 18, 2014, our newly elected team of ACCESS officers will be sworn into their offices.
Christine Whitmore will step up as our new President. Chris is a Developmental Specialist out of the Green Road Services Center. As an ACCESS member for 30 years, she has a belief in maintaining a strong Association.
Paula Hackley, who was appointed as Vice-President in April and then voted into office in May, will continue her efforts to reach out to members for increased Association involvement and leadership training opportunities. Paula is an OT in the Early Intervention Department and has made recruiting both “seasoned” and new members a priority.
Dave Selent, a CCBDD electrician and ACCESS member for just one year, will mind the dollars and cents as our new Treasurer. Dave is a long-time union supporter, maintaining his membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) as well as his ACCESS membership.
Marian Graham is a familiar face among ACCESS leaders and will be our new Secretary. Marian has served as an SLP Rep for years, did a stint as our Grievance Chair, Negotiations Team member, and has attended a variety of NEOEA and OADDP events.
Besides the officers, the three At-Large Association Reps will be Paula Clark, Lynnette Harris, and Jeanni Zeal. Gloria Stansberry will serve as ACCESS Past President.

Procedure for becoming an ACCESS Rep

Dear Members,
As you know, we have elections coming up at our May 14th meeting for ACCESS Officers and At-Large Reps. Some people who are ready to step up and get involved don’t feel ready for one of those positions but are interested in becoming a Rep or Alternate for their group. Here’s the process for becoming a Rep:

Each “position title group” is entitled to one Rep and one Alternate for every ten ACCESS members or fraction thereof. For example, we have 5 ECIS members, so that group is entitled to one Rep and one Alternate. We have 20 Developmental Specialist members, so they get 2 Reps and 2 Alternates, etc. Even position title groups as small as one or two members are entitled to Reps.

Nominations and election of Reps and Alternates should be held within each group of members holding that same position title prior to the September monthly ACCESS meeting, where they officially take on the role. Usually this is done informally: a member volunteers to be a Rep for their group and lets everyone in their group know (at a meeting or via email), everyone thanks them for volunteering, and the member becomes the Rep unopposed. This is fine. If a group is entitled to only 1 Rep and two people are interested, usually they agree between themselves who will be the Rep and who will be the Alternate. If both want to be the Rep or if there are more volunteers than there are positions for your group, you’ll need to hold an election within your group. Someone in your group should contact Nominations & Elections Chair Jeanni Zeal (zeal.jean@cuyahogabdd.org) for help with conducting the election.
If your group does not have their full allotment of Reps and Alternates, it’s fine to step up at any time during the year and follow the procedure above. It’s better to fill a vacancy than to leave a position open until September.

(A little clarification about Reps vs. Alternates: if the Rep is unable to attend an ACCESS monthly meeting, the Alternate is to substitute; if both are present and a vote is held on some matter, only the Rep gets to vote – both are always welcome at meetings.)

If your group does have its full allotment and you want to take on a more involved role with the Association, what about joining an ACCESS committee? More information on that to follow!

What if You are Assaulted at Work?

There are times being a service provider to individuals with developmental disabilities, their family, and staff has its disadvantages. One of these times is when an assault occurs. A staff member may be assaulted while in one of our centers, while in a family home, or in the community. If you are the victim of an assault at work or on a work-related activity, the following procedures are recommended.
1. Contact the proper CCBDD authorities.
2. Contact ACCESS President, Gloria Stansberry.
3. File all appropriate police reports. Press Charges against the assaulting individual.
4. Go to a doctor. Get a doctor’s statement if there is even a remote possibility of personal injury.
5. Take pictures, if relevant, and possible, of injuries or property damage.
6. Review Article 36, Assault Leave, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA):
• follow the timelines for reporting to your supervisor and obtaining medical treatment;
• you may qualify for up to five days of paid assault leave;
• complete and submit the ACCESS-CCBDD Leave Form (Appendix D of the CBA) and the required physician’s statement; and
• complete and submit the Work-Related Injuries (Assault) Form (Appendix G of the CBA).
7. Avoid talking to anyone representing the assaulting individual without prior counsel.
8. Inquire from the HR Department which papers and forms are necessary for possible Workers Compensation Claim.
9. Write down as soon as possible after the assault incident all particulars of the situation, including names, witnesses, date, time(s), location, and general conditions.
10. Contact an attorney to consider a civil claim. Any person who has been willfully and maliciously assaulted by a minor may recover up to $10,000 in compensatory damages from the parents having custody of an unmarried child under the age of 18.
11. Remember, OEA members are covered by the OEA/NEA Legal Services Program (LSP) if charges are filed against you.