Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) RPEA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Transcription

1 Retired Public Employees Association (RPEA) Board of Directors Meeting MINUTES Wednesday, October 7, 2009 Thursday, October 8, 2009 LAKE NATOMA INN 702 Gold Lake Drive Folsom, CA Phone: (916) Fax: (916) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2009 AGENDA ITEM 5 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice President Darby led the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ITEM 4 - ROLL CALL Secretary/Treasurer Reed conducted the roll call. Present: Ann L. McWherter, President; Al Darby, Vice President; Marie Reed, Secretary/Treasurer; Harvey Robinson, Director of Health Benefits; Dennis Cassella, Director of Membership; George Linn, Director of Communications; Bill Duclus, Director of Legislation; Milt Dobkin, Area Director I; Ernest Sandoval, Area Director II; Bob Van Etten, Area Director III; Helen Segletes, Area Director IV; Bob Seigler, Area Director V; Margret Thompson, Area Director VI; Ted Thatcher, Area Director VII; Jim Spaulding, Acting Area Director VIII; Cleave Govan, Vice President of Chapter 099 sat in for current Area Director IX, Newby Ellington 1

2 Also Present: Excused: Joe Umiker, Office Manager; Tanya Rakestraw, Assistant Office Manager Ted Rose, Immediate Past President; Bill Donoghue, Area Director VIII; Newby Ellington, Area Director IX AGENDA ITEM 7 A MESSAGE FROM CALPERS BY CEO, ANNE STAUSBOLL President McWherter welcomed special guest, Anne Stausboll, CEO of CalPERS. President McWherter asked the Board and audience to introduce themselves before Ms. Stausboll s presentation. AGENDA ITEM 3 CALL TO ORDER President McWherter called the October meeting of the Retired Public Employees Association Board of Directors to order on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 1:40 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 7 A MESSAGE FROM CALPERS BY CEO, ANNE STAUSBOLL (cont d.) Ms. Stausboll gave a comprehensive overview of the current state CalPERS, which included the following: (ATTACHMENT ) How CalPERS is managing the investment portfolio during the market downturn. The impact of employer pension costs. Health care and the initiatives CalPERS is working on to reduce health care costs. CalPERS Board and staff changes and furloughs. (President McWherter called a recess at the end of Ms. Stausboll s presentation. The meeting reconvened at 2:35 p.m.) AGENDA ITEM 12 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Director of Legislation, Bill Duclus, introduced RPEA s Legislative Advocates, Aaron Read and Pat Moran of Aaron Read & Associates, who presented the legislative update. Pat Moran then updated the Board on current legislation. 2

3 AGENDA ITEM 9 ADOPTION OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR President McWherter called for items to be pulled from the consent calendar. The following items were pulled: 32E ad hoc Committee for Public Information Officer (PIO) Report 32S Personnel Related Benefits Committee Report 32U Strategic Planning Committee Report M-1 Secretary/Treasurer, Marie Reed, moved to adopt the Consent Calendar as amended. Area Director II, Ernest Sandoval, seconded the motion. AGENDA ITEM 10 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA M-2 Area Director VIII, Ted Thatcher, moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Director of Communications, George Linn, seconded the motion. AGENDA ITEM 20 MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE UPDATE Member Services Committee Chair, Mil Pribble, requested that the following item be added to the agenda under AGENDA ITEM 20 MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE UPDATE: A) Activation of Atriba Program AGENDA ITEM 11 APPROVAL OF MINUTES M-3 Area Director IV, Helen Segletes, moved to adopt the June 2009 minutes as presented. Acting Area Director VIII, Jim Spaulding, seconded the motion. 3

4 AGENDA ITEM 13 HOW TO REIMBURSE AREA WORKSHOP ATTENDEES Area Director VII, Ted Thatcher, reported that the Area Directors reviewed the Area Director Manual for compliance and determined that with prudence and given budgeted funds availability, participants could be reimbursed from the existing Workshop budget. AGENDA ITEM 14 ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO DIRECTORS OF ODD AREAS President McWherter administered the Oath of Office to the following Area Directors: Milt Dobkin, Area Director I Bob Van Etten, Area Director III Bob Seigler, Area Director V Ted Thatcher, Area Director VII Cleave Govan, Area Director IX AGENDA ITEM 15 - CORRESPONDENCE Secretary/Treasurer, Marie Reed, read the following pieces of correspondence. A. Thank You Note from Pat Macht, CalPERS Director of External Affairs, thanking RPEA for the congratulatory fruit arrangement. B. Thank you note from Ann McWherter to RPEA Board & staff. AGENDA ITEM 16 FINANCIAL REPORTS (ATTACHMENT ) Secretary/Treasurer Reed asked Office Manager Umiker to present the financial report. M-4 Area Director Sandoval moved to accept the FY 2009/2010 budget as presented. Director of Membership, Dennis Cassella, seconded the motion. Past President Paulson reported that in June 2009 the Board gave the Strategic Planning Committee the charge to change the term, Legislative Alert because they believed it is no longer appropriate. The Committee gave two recommendations: (1) That the item be dropped from the budget since this fund is funded by member dues money which cannot be used for political action. 4

5 (2) That the fund be renamed to Member Information Alert to be used by the proposed Public Information Officer to inform the membership of time-critical issues. M-5 FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO M-4 VOTE ON M-4 Director Linn moved that the current Legislative Alert fund be renamed Member Information Alert fund. Vice President Darby seconded the motion. [CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY] AGENDA ITEM 17 AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (PIO) Joanne Hollender, Chair of the ad hoc Committee for Public Information Officer (PIO) presented the report. (ATTACHMENT ) M-6 M-7 Area Director I, Milt Dobkin, moved to accept the report of the ad hoc Committee for Public Information Officer (PIO) as presented. Area Director Segletes seconded the motion. Area Director Thatcher moved that the Board approve the description for the RPEA Public Information Officer (PIO) assignment, the timeline and proposed action items as described in Joanne Hollender s report. Director of Membership, Dennis Cassella, seconded the motion. 5

6 AGENDA ITEM 32S PERSONNEL RELATED BENEFITS COMMITTEE REPORT Joanne Hollender, Chair, presented the report. M-8 Area Director Thatcher moved that the Board accept the recommendations made by the Personnel Related Benefits Committee in yesterday s Closed Workshop. CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION The Board of Directors presented Certificates of Appreciation to Newby Ellington, former Area Director IX; and RPEA Photographer, Susan Ellington. Newly-installed Area Director IX, Cleave Govan, will deliver the certificates. AGENDA ITEM 12 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (cont d.) M-9 M-10 The Health Benefits Committee recommends, the Legislative Committee concurs and Director Duclus moves that RPEA support AB 542 (Feurer-D) with an S3 position. This proposed bill relates to hospital-acquired conditions, adverse events, their reporting methods, supervision, control and policing. Director Duclus moved that we support legislation that would lead to the elimination of spiking of pensions by all California public employee retirement systems. Area Director Thatcher seconded the motion. AGENDA ITEM 27 POLICY FILE UPDATE Bylaws Committee Chair, Clarice French, presented the report. M-11 Area Director Sandoval moved that the Board accept the Policy File updates as presented. Area Director Segletes seconded the motion. AGENDA ITEM 29 HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE 6

7 After discussion the Board decided to schedule the RPEA Holiday Open House for Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at a location still to be determined. AGENDA ITEM 30 OLD BUSINESS There was none. (President McWherter recessed the meeting at 4:43 p.m. The meeting will reconvene on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2009 AGENDA ITEM 20 MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE UPDATE (ATTACHMENT ) Mil Pribble, Chair of the Member Services Committee, reported the following: We have over 1,000 members enrolled in our various dental plans. There are 2,200 members enrolled in the Hartford travel/accident program. We have 363 members enrolled in the John Hancock long term care program. There have been numerous prescriptions filled using the Outlook Rx prescription drug discount program. Activation of the Humana plan, which the Board voted in a year ago, is still pending until we know what Congress is planning to do regarding health care. M-12 Vice President Darby moved that the Board approve activation of the Atriba plan and advertise it to our members on the RPEA website. Director Linn seconded the motion. AGENDA ITEM 21 HEALTH BENEFITS UPDATE Director of Health Benefits, Harvey Robinson, reported. He presented handouts from a CalPERS Health Benefit Constituents meeting. (ATTACHMENT ) 7

8 The Board asked President McWherter to draft a letter to CalPERS regarding possible upcoming premium increases to the Long Term Care Plan and the impact this increase would have on our members. She will also inquire about why negotiations about these increases have been conducted behind closed doors without the involvement of the Long Term Care Advisory Committee. (President McWherter called a recess in the proceedings at 10:20 a.m. The meeting will reconvene at 10:30 a.m.) AGENDA ITEM 24 CLOSED WORKSHOP REPORT President McWherter reported that the Board addressed the following topics in the Closed Workshop: RPEA Committee meeting locations: More committee meetings need to be held in the Sacramento area. The Board discussed a reduced rate for spouse membership. It was decided that this item would be referred back to General Assembly. Dates for 2010 Board meetings: January 25-27; March 29-31; June (General Assembly); October Reimbursement to chapters for Card Insert mailing and supply costs. CalPERS Board endorsements: How much RPEA involvement is too much? 2009 Holiday Open House Whether or not RPEA should join the California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) AGENDA ITEM 22 GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2010 UPDATE General Assembly 2010 Committee Chair, Clarice French, presented the update. She asked the Board to submit ideas for workshops and presented sample giveaways. There will be an article in the November/December issue of the bimonthly newsletter. The decision has been made that all breakfasts and lunches will be buffets in the Hospitality Room and that no claims for these meals will be allowed. A discussion followed. AGENDA ITEM 23 CHAPTER HANDBOOK Clarice French, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, asked the Board to approve the updated Chapter Handbook included in the meeting packet. (ATTACHMENT ) 8

9 AGENDA ITEM 25 AREA DIRECTORS MEETING REPORT Area Director Thatcher reported on the Area Directors meeting held Wednesday, October 7. The Area Directors reviewed a new monthly membership summary developed to provide more information to the chapters. The revised Area Directors Manual was distributed. The Area Directors will review the manual and report back within the next two weeks. Director Cassella discussed the new RPEA DVD and how it will be used. Copies were distributed to each Area Director. Area Directors will ensure that the new Urgent Message newsletter will be distributed to all CalPERS Field Offices. A recommendation was made to the General Assembly 2010 Planning Committee to provide a workshop on chapter officer training and structure. Funding of area workshops was discussed. AGENDA ITEM 26 STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT Co-Chair, Jo Paulson, presented the report. See ATTACHMENT. (President McWherter called the lunch recess. The meeting will reconvene at 1:15 p.m.) MEMBERSHIP DVD The Board and audience watched the new informational RPEA DVD created by the Membership Committee. AGENDA ITEM 28 POSSIBLE AWARD FOR BEST CHAPTER NEWSLETTER M-13 Director Linn moved that the Communications Committee review existing chapter newsletters, develop internal criteria and select a recipient of an award for best chapter newsletter to be presented at General Assembly Area Director Govan seconded the motion. 9

10 AGENDA ITEM 30Q HEADQUARTERS REPORT To supplement his written report, Office Manager Umiker reported that he has received requests for additional information to be included in the monthly membership reports now disseminated to the chapters. He will report back to the Board at the January meeting. AGENDA ITEM 30 BOARD OF DIRECTORS & HEADQUARTERS WRITTEN REPORTS A. President, Ann L. McWherter ( B. Vice President, Al Darby (ATTACHMENT ) C. Secretary/Treasurer, Marie Reed (ATTACHMENT ) D. Immediate Past President Ted Rose ( E. Director of Health Benefits, Harvey Robinson (ATTACHMENT ) F. Director of Membership, Dennis Cassella (ATTACHMENT ) G. Director of Communications, George Linn (ATTACHMENT ) H Director of Legislation, Bill Duclus (ATTACHMENT ) I. Area I Director, Milt Dobkin ( J. Area II Director, Ernest Sandoval (ATTACHMENT ) K. Area III Director, Bob Van Etten (ATTACHMENT ) L. Area IV Director, Helen Segletes (ATTACHMENT ) M. Area V Director, Bob Seigler (ATTACHMENT ) N. Area VI Director, Margret Thompson (ATTACHMENT ) O. Area VII Director, Ted Thatcher (ATTACHMENT ) P. Area VIII Director, William Donoghue (ON LEAVE) Q. Area IX Director, Newby Ellington (ATTACHMENT ) Q. Headquarters Report, Joe Umiker ( 10

11 AGENDA ITEM 31 COMMITTEE WRITTEN REPORTS A. ad hoc Committee for Archives (VACANT) B. ad hoc Comm. for Chp. Revitalization, (INACTIVE) C. ad hoc Committee for Contract Agency Advocacy, Ted Rose (NO WRITTEN REPORT) D. Budget Committee, Marie Reed (SEE ATTACHMENT ) E. Bylaws Committee, Clarice French (ATTACHMENT ) F. California Seniors Coalition, John Radov ( G. CalPERS Long Term Care, Ann McWherter (NO WRITTEN REPORT) H. Communications Committee, George Linn ( I. Congress of California Seniors, John Canfield (NO WRITTEN REPORT) J. GA 2010 Planning Committee, Clarice French ( K. Health Benefits Committee, Harvey Robinson (ATTACHMENT ) L. Investment Committee, Ralph Bicker (NO WRITTEN REPORT) M. LAO/IEC, Bill Duclus (ATTACHMENT ) N. Legislative Committee, Bill Duclus ( O. Member Services Committee, Mil Pribble (ATTACHMENT ) P. Membership Committee, Dennis Cassella (SEE ATTACHMENT ) Q. Personnel Related Benefits, Joanne Hollender ( R. Real Property Management, Lynn Cook (NO WRITTEN REPORT) S. Strategic Planning Committee, Jo Paulson (ATTACHMENT ) *** Vice President Darby adjourned the meeting at 1:55 p.m. 11