Chittenden Chapter Meeting Notes 12/9/09
Moment of silence for troops being deployed.
Terry Lefebvre appointed as Sergeant at Arms.
Minutes from the 8/19/09 meeting were read. Terry Lefebvre made motion to approve
minutes as read, Wanda Cosman seconded. Motion was approved.
President’s Report:
- Legislators and retirees here tonight for retirement discussion, please welcome
them as our guests.
- There will be a meeting at the Hampton Inn on 12/14 from 6 to 8 to discuss the
contract ratification vote.
- Chapter officer activities since August:
o RIF Meeting at Zachary’s for those recently RIF’d.
o Attended Chapter Officer Training
o Attended President’s meetings
o Been doing outreach to less active members.
- Sick Leave Bank Challenge for all chapters. We will give $50 to the chapter
whose members donate the most hours to the bank.
o Leave bank discussion with Jessanne Wyman from the Leave Bank.
 Money is given to employees with brain injuries, car accidents, and
cancers. Most are out for more than 30 days. Donations have
decreased at the same time that requests are increasing. People are
very grateful for the assistance.
o Email Bob when you make a donation. Will be on the honor system.
Bob272@hotmail.com
- Chapter Special Events Committee – Need volunteers to be on committee. The
Chapter has some money in the bank to support fun events.
- Next Chapter Meeting? Open to ideas for special topics for the meeting.
- Monetary donations to non-profits – Clarification from VSEA Headquarters, we
can now make donations. Will further address this in New Business.
- Volunteers needed for recruitment activities.
Treasurer’s Report:
- Total in account: $5228.75
- Rebate from Headquarters was increased by $400 due to our membership
increase.
- Expenses:
o Fair Booth, over $500 was raised, stamps, annual meeting, RIF meeting,
glasses (for member recruitment, expense shared by Addison County).
- Expenses needing approval:
o RIF Meeting cost, mailing expenses for Chapter Meeting, Sick Leave
Bank Challenge.
Motion to accept Treasurer’s Report made by Terry Lefebvre, seconded by Chris
Boyd. Discussion, motion passed.
Motion made by Wanda Cosman, seconded by Terry Lefebvre to approve the
expenditure of $125.27 for the RIF meeting. Motion passed.
Chapter Meeting Mailing, to reimburse VSEA Headquarters – No motion made to
approve the cost of postcards for the meeting.
Motion made by Terry Lefebvre, seconded by Tanya Beaudoin, to approve $50 for
the Sick Leave Bank Challenge. Motion passed.
Trustee’s Report, Terry Lefebvre:
- Important issues are related to staffing. Protecting our rights in bargaining and in
retirement. Robin Maguire and Erica will assist in political organizing. An
attorney has been retained to present opposition to the retirement commission’s
report to legislature.
- VSEA Staff has renegotiated their contract; they offered to give up their COLA’s.
- Trustees are trying to re-start the political activism committee.
- The Legislative Reception at VSEA is Jan 26th, please come!
- At the November Trustee’s meeting the “Working Vermont Party” presented.
- Trustees are watching the budget very closely in light of RIF’s and member
losses.
Non-Management Unit, Executive Committee:
- New newsletter on the site. Updates on mileage and overtime.
Field Rep’s Report:
- Main issues are retirement and contract issues.
- Surrendered time to retirement presentation.
Old Business:
- Annual meeting, no discussion.
- Kathy Henry needs to resign her council seat as she is now an agency rep.
o Terry Lefebvre made a motion to accept Kathy’s resignation, seconded by
John ________. Motion passed.
New Business:
- Warn council seat for next meeting.
- Motion made by Terry Lefebvre, seconded by Wanda Cosman, to donate $100
each to Burlington’s Committee On Temporary Shelter (COTS) and the
Burlington Food Shelf. Discussion. Motion amended by Terry to give $200 to
Burlington Food Shelf. No second to amended motion, motion withdrawn by
Terry.
- Motion made by Tanya Beaudoin to donate $100 to the Chittenden County Food
Bank, seconded by Terry Lefebvre. Motion passed.
-
Motion made by Terry Lefebvre to donate $100 to the Vermont National Guard
Support Fund, seconded by Tanya Beaudoin. Motion passed.
Motion made by Terry Lefebvre for Chittenden Chapter to buy $50 gas card to
raffle off at next council meeting, seconded by Julie McDonald. Motion passed.
Transferring monies to a CD account given the anticipated rebate in the next 30 to
60 days.
o Motion made by Terry Lefebvre to place $2500 in one year CD with the
chapter rebate funds in 2010, seconded by Monty Mason. Discussion.
Motion failed.
Annual Meeting: September 10th and 11th at Stratton Mountain Resort. Meeting will be
in the afternoon. Mark your calendars.
Recess for Dinner and fellowship. Will reconvene at 6:45 for Retirement discussion.
Thanks to Terry McCaig and Jes Kraus for being here and to Robin McGuire for her
assistance in planning. Motion to recess until 6:45 made by Terry Lefebvre and seconded
by Kathy Henry. Motion passed.
Returned to order at 6:45 pm. Floor was given to Jes Krause, VSEA Exectutive Director.
- Thanks to Reps. McCaig and Johnson and Senator Snelling for coming tonight.
- In the last Legislative Session, the retirement commission was formed. VSEA
does not have a seat on the commission.
- Committee has not made its final recommendations yet. Recommendations will
apply to everyone more than 5 years away from retirement.
- Reviewed handout.
- Discussion and statements.
-
Terry Lefebvre moved to extend the meeting for 15 minutes, seconded by Julie
McDonald. Motion approved.
-
More statements were given.
Motion made by Terry Lefebvre to adjourn, seconded by Tanya Beaudoin. Motion
passed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:14pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kara Haynes, Secretary