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.
Where am I now? The Retiree’s Report
I can’t believe I have been retired for 8 years. I have 4 grandchildren. I baby sit a 4 month old and a 4 year old 2 to 3 days a week. I still do handyman jobs for a few close friends. I am 62 and should probably start slowing down. My wife and I celebrated our 39th anniversary in October. I like taking pictures and posting stuff on Facebook and I like going out to eat with friends too. I still continue to sing for preschools and community festivals. Trying to keep busy and enjoy my grandkids.
ATTENTION ACCESS MEMBERS
We have a number of open positions and will need to fill upcoming openings in the spring. Currently we need members to fill the Grievance Chair position and the Legislative Chair position.
In May we’ll hold elections for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and three At-Large Reps. We will also have vacancies for the FCPE Chair, Constitution & Bylaws Chair, Labor- Management Committee members that will need to be filled.
NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED!
Training is provided by ACCESS, NEOEA and OEA
Interested members are encouraged to contact Gloria Stansberry at 216-635-3502 or via email at stansberry.gloria@gmail.com
Where am I now? The Retiree’s Report
I am loving retirement!! The best part is not having to set an alarm clock! On Monday morning, I volunteer at The Gathering Place, an organization that helps people who have been diagnosed with cancer. I went through a bout with endometrial cancer in 2010 and I am happy to say I’ve been free and clear since. My other volunteering is at Playhouse Square as a Redcoat, seating people for performances. It’s a great way to see shows for free!
My favorite past time is traveling. I have been fortunate enough to travel to Italy in 2011 and 2012. In 2011, I lived in Florence for over a month with Debbie Bratt and her sister. We also stayed a week in Paris. Last year I cruised Italy with my sister and her best friend. I’m so lucky!
Of course, winter in Cleveland sends me straight to my sisters in Deerfield Beach, Florida. I usually stay about two months. My sister and I are starting to plan our next adventure for summer 2014. We are thinking maybe an Alaskan cruise or Barcelona, Spain. Any suggestions?
I still enjoy flea markets, rummage and garage sales but I don’t go very often since I’m not buying toys for school anymore. I still get a little crafty now and then. I made a lot of yard art which consists of gluing old vases and plates together to make a statue. I also have been embellishing T-Shirts.
Best of all – I lie in my hammock and read a book. LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Sent from my iPad, Sally Barbour.
2013-2014 Schedule: Monthly ACCESS Meetings & Bi-Annual Off-Site ACCESS Meetings
The 2013-2014 Monthly ACCESS Meetings will be held the third Wednesday of the month at the William Pat Day Services Center, in Conference Room A, from 4:15 to 6:15 pm. Please note the dates below. Monthly ACCESS Meetings are always open to all members.
- September 18, 2013 February 19, 2014
- October 9, 2013* March 19, 2014
- November 20, 2013 April 16, 2014
- December 18, 2013 May 21, 2014*
- January 15, 2014 June 18, 2013
Two of the monthly meetings are held off-site per year, one in May and one in October. The meeting will be held at the Edgewater Yacht Club on October 9th at 4:15pm. The October meeting will be the second Wednesday of October instead of the usual third Wednesday.
Vacancy: ACCESS Grievance Chair
Have you ever wondered what to do if your supervisor denied your request for Professional Leave? Or, if rules in your department seem to be different than the rules everyone else has to follow? Have you ever looked up information in your contract to learn more about your benefits? Have you ever questioned whether management can require you to work late nights or weekends? If you answered “Yes!” to any of these questions, you might be the right member to be our new Grievance Chair. Contact Gloria Stansberry if you have questions or might be interested. Training is available through both NEOEA and OEA and ACCESS leadership will be there to help you learn the ropes of processing grievances. Most grievances are resolved through maintaining open lines of communication between the Association and management. When issues cannot be resolved, additional help is provided by OEA.
ACCESS needs a new Grievance Chair. After years of serving as the ACCESS Grievance Chair, Marian Graham has decided it’s time to step down. Thank you, Marian, for your years of service.
Who Knows Where You Are? And, Where is CCBDD Property?
Many ACCESS members have flexible schedules and work at multiple work sites and locations in the community. Sometimes we’re on the clock and off the clock multiple times per day. However we have to work our schedules, we’re responsible for keeping our timesheets up-to-date.
These days, GPS features are available on many devices. GPS devices installed in CCBDD vehicles and GPS-enabled mobile devices issued to staff members enable the CCBDD to track the location of the device. This may be a good thing should a CCBDD vehicle, iPad, smart phone, or cell phone be stolen or lost because it could aid in the recovery of the property. Staff members should be aware that, being CCBDD property, the equipment (and possibly, you) could also be tracked at any time.
Driving Privileges
As a result of our recent negotiations, there are many very important changes in our contract which you must be aware of. These changes will be detailed in articles on the web site on a regular basis. It is your responsibility to read, know and ask questions about this information.
Article 63, Driving Regulations, applies to all ACCESS staff except administrative assistants. Your on-the-job driving privileges will be suspended if you become uninsurable with the CCBDD insurance. You become uninsurable and excluded from coverage if your Motor Vehicle Report contains the following:
1. DUI/DWI conviction
2. Reckless operation conviction
3. Three convictions for any violations in a rolling three year period
4. Accumulation of 6 points in a rolling 3 year period
5. Loss of physical control conviction
You can be considered uninsurable if your Motor Vehicle Report contains the following:
1. A combination of 2 or more convictions and 1 at fault accident in a rolling 3 year period
2. Two or more at fault accidents in a rolling 3 year period
If driving privileges are suspended for less than 30 work days, CCBDD will try to accommodate you by permitting flexible arrangements in getting the work done. If driving privileges are suspended for more than 30 days, you may be permitted to obtain business use insurance. This insurance is obtained at your expense. If you are convicted of a major violation or have two at-fault accidents in a three year period you may be terminated or placed on unpaid leave of absence.
You are required to report in writing driving convictions for minor violations (2 points or less) within 5 business days. Major violations must be reported on your next work day. The reporting form is on Infonet.