December 13 - CSEA Holiday social

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Dear Members,

Please see flyer below re our upcoming holiday gathering.
Thank you to Laura Gonzalez for designing the festive flyer!

Catastrophic Sick Leave Donation Opportunity

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Hello CSEA Chapter Members,

Periodically, a member will run out of sick time when facing a catastrophic illness.  Currently, there is no one in our chapter in that position, thank goodness!   However, it’s best to be prepared for such an occurrence.  Our contract speaks to Leaves of Absences in Article 8 and specifically Catastrophic Leave in sections 8.15.1 through 8.15.11.

I am creating a list of those who are willing to donate sick leave hours to a member in need, which of course, could be any one of us.  If you would like to contribute a portion of your sick leave – 8 hours, 6 hours, or any number of your choice – please send back an e-mail (vascher @ marinschools) with your name and the number of hours you would like to donate.  No hours will be deducted from your sick leave bank unless there is a need, in which case you will be contacted to confirm that you are still able to do so. 

In order to participate in the Catastrophic Illness Leave Program as a donor, probationary/permanent unit members must retain 160 hours or the equivalent of 20 work days in their sick leave bank.


Thank you for considering!

November 15 Chapter Meeting - WHAT'S IN YOUR WALLET?

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Dear CSEA members,

Have you ever been perplexed by all those line items on your pay stub?  Come to our next Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, November 15, at 3:30 in the Board Room at MCOE and learn to read your pay stub like an expert.  Chapter Vice President Terri Nadell and Treasurer Nancy Duns – both from Payroll/Business - will explain the breakdown and answer any questions you may have.  Be sure to bring a pay stub with you!

Click here for the AGENDA and MINUTES from our last meeting.

Hope to see you there…

OCTOBER 25 Chapter Meeting - Member Benefits Presentation

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Dear CSEA Chapter Members,

Join us at our next chapter meeting, Wednesday, October 25 to hear a Member Benefits presentation by Beth Mattson, the Member Benefits Coordinator from CSEA headquarters in San Jose.  She will provide information regarding how you can use your CSEA membership to save $.

Also, we will entertain nominations for leadership positions for 2018.

Click here for the AGENDA and MINUTES from our last chapter meeting.

Hope to see you there!

Union Steward Training

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:

Hi all,

Please click HERE for the flyer for upcoming Union Steward trainings – Level 1 on October 21, Level 2 on December 2.  This is a great opportunity to learn about employee rights, conflict resolution and much more in a small group with lively discussion in a relaxed environment.  Become involved in your union – we need you!

Registration is required, there is no cost and lunch will be provided.    

CSEA working to help members impacted by wildfires

From CSEA Newslink:

10/10/17

CSEA sends our deepest concern to our members and families being affected by the North Bay Wildfires (Tubbs, Atlas Peak, Nuns and Partrick fires) in the Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake County communities.

“It’s heartbreaking to see people lose so much, so quickly,” Association President Ben Valdepeña said. “Our CSEA family takes care of one another, and we are reaching out to help those affected by the fires.”

CSEA member leaders and staff are actively working with members impacted by the fires. CSEA provides emergency assistance to members in good standing whose primary residence is deemed uninhabitable and partially or temporarily condemned by an official agency.

The Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund provides financial relief to members in need. The fund subsists solely on the generous donations of CSEA members and is disbursed through two different programs: The Emergency Assistance Program and the Humanitarian Assistance Program. CSEA members who have been impacted can apply for up to $1,000 in emergency assistance. Visit csea.com/bjork for applications and forms.

Support for the Dorothy Bjork Fund doesn’t come from union dues—it relies solely on donations from our CSEA family. If you’ve already made a donation, thank you for your generosity. If not, please consider how much your contribution will be appreciated by those members in need. To make a donation, call CSEA Member Benefits at 866-ITS-CSEA (866-487-2732) or click HERE for additional options. 

Assistance for members who lost their homes during the fires

From Vicki Ascher, Chapter 327 President:

Hello everyone,

The past two days have been extremely difficult to say the least.  My heart goes out to all who have been effected by the recent fires. I wanted you to be aware that CSEA is participating in dedicated efforts to support our Classified members who have been affected by this tragic fire . 

Click here for the Emergency Relief Assistance Announcement and click here for the Emergency Assistance Application that explains how affected CSEA members can apply for funds. CSEA offers Emergency Relief Assistance by providing emergency funds to subsidize losses experienced by evacuation or loss of home. The maximum assistance under the program is $1,000 per applicant. Please contact CSEA Member Benefits Director, Karin Buckner at (800) 632- 2128 x 1234 or kbuckner @ csea.com to see if you qualify for emergency assistance.

Please contact me if you have any questions. 

Assistance for members who lost their home to the fires

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:

Dear CSEA Chapter 327,

I am reaching out to everyone to check in to see if anyone has been affected by the fires. If you know of any of our CSEA brothers or sisters please have them contact me. Click here for the Dorothy Bjork emergency assistance form. The Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund provides financial relief to members in need. The Assistance Fund, which subsists solely on the generous donations of CSEA members, is disbursed through two different programs: the Emergency Assistance Program and the Humanitarian Assistance Program.

§  For details: Read CSEA policy 1010.4

§  For assistance: Contact CSEA Member Benefits

§  To apply: Download Emergency AssistanceApplication

§   

Humanitarian Assistance Program

When a member incurs significant financial hardship due to circumstances beyond their control, that member can apply for up to $500 of financial relief through the Humanitarian Assistance Program. Applications and corroborating documentation must be submitted to CSEA Member Benefits within 30 days of the financial emergency. If approved, payments will be made directly to appropriate vendors (utility company, landlord, mortgage lender, etc.).

§  For details: Read CSEA policy 1010.3

§  For assistance: Contact CSEA Member Benefits

§  To apply: Download HumanitarianAssistance Application

§   

Eligibility

To be eligible for any of the programs in the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund, you must be a CSEA member in good standing or a CSEA staff employee in paid status. Full details and eligibility requirements are detailed in CSEA Policy 1010.

Fund relies on donations

Support for the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund doesn’t come from union dues—it relies solely on donations from our CSEA family. If you’ve already made a donation, thank you for your generosity. If not, please consider how much your contribution will be appreciated by those members in need.

Some chapter members vote to take a certain amount out of their general fund. Others hold fundraisers like bake sales or bingo tournaments. Even passing a hat at chapter meetings can help the fund. And you can always make an individual donation.

Donate by check

Please send your donation to:
Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund
2045 Lundy Avenue
San Jose, CA 95131

Donate by credit card

Call CSEA Member Benefits
866-ITS-CSEA (866-487-2732)

Donate by payroll deduction

Download the Assistance FundPayroll Deduction Form (PDF)

We are Family

Dorothy Bjork, Association President from 1984 to 1986, adopted the theme “We are Family” and led the union’s first disaster relief effort, which helped scores of members recover from devastating floods in Northern California. Today, her legacy lives on, as CSEA members’ donations and volunteer efforts help hundreds of other members recover from natural disasters and personal crises.

October 25 - mark your calendars!

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:

Hello CSEA Members,

Be sure to attend our next chapter meeting on Wednesday, October 25.   The CSEA Member Benefits department will provide a presentation outlining the many benefits you receive through your CSEA membership.   

There will be a raffle for movie tickets, too.

Also, Click here for a Classified Professional/Personal Growth application for 2017-18.  I’ve received a few completed applications but there is a good-sized fund available - $5,025.24 as of today – and I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to be reimbursed for the things that feed your mind and body outside of your work hours.  If you have questions after reviewing the guidelines for reimbursement, please feel free to contact me. 

Happy Friday :)  

CSEA raffle winners

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Thanks to all of you who attended the MCOE/CSEA Benefits Fair yesterday – we had a great turnout!  I hope you received valuable information from our vendors.

Here are the three raffle winners from the CSEA drawing and the prizes for each:


Celeste Blau Joki      Six Flags Discovery Kingdom tickets

Sachiko Suhara        $50 Shell Gas gift card

Luz Maria Lopez        Two Instant Fast Cash Lottery cards


Be sure to mark your calendars for October 25 to attend our next chapter meeting where we’ll have a Member Benefits presentation – there will be more raffle prize opportunities 

More info. to come.

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:

Dear CSEA Chapter Members,

I hope the new year is starting out well for you!

Thanks to those of you who have completed the Classified Employees Survey.  This is an important tool for your bargaining team as we begin planning for negotiations for the 2018-19 school year.  I’ve received 25% of the surveys which were given out at Back-to-School or mailed if not picked up.  I know there are a lot more opinions out there, so please get them in!  The deadline is this Friday, September 1.  You can scan and e-mail to me at vascher @ comcast.net, mail to MCOE, P.O. Box 4925, San Rafael, 94913 or drop it in the envelope by my desk in Education Support Services marked “CSEA Surveys.”  Click here for the survey

Also click here for a Professional/Personal  Growth reimbursement application for classes, workshops, health memberships, etc.    If you have questions about how to apply, or the specifics of the program, please contact me. 

Finally, there will be a MCOE/CSEA Benefits Fair next Wednesday, September 6, 1-4pm in the Marin Room at MCOE.  Watch for an announcement from Tracey Edmunds.  Please note:  this is different from the Member Benefit presentation we will have at our October 25 chapter meeting, which will pertain to CSEA benefits exclusively.  The September 6 event has more to do with open enrollment choices as it relates to health benefits and possibly some credit union and tax information as well.  Feel free to come to both if you can.  

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Hello Chapter Members,

Please see the agenda below for our April 19 chapter meeting 3-4pm in the Board Room at MCOE.

Superintendent Mary Jane Burke will be joining us promptly at 3:00 for a brief update.  Please try to arrive by then if at all possible.  Personnel Director Tracee Edmunds will also stop by to answer any questions you may have.

In addition, we will vote for our Area B Alternate Director at this meeting.  There are two candidates, whose names and candidate statements can be viewed by clicking HERE.

I hope to see you on the 19th!

Chapter Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

3:00-4:00pm, Board Room

Approval of agenda
Secretary’s report
Treasurer’s report

Chapter business
• Superintendent & Personnel Director visit
• Annual Conference Attendance
• Alternate Area B Director Election


Good of the Order
Adjournment


Next Chapter Meeting:  June 7 - Year End Celebration at Hopmunk, 4-6pm

CSEA/Recognition Picnic 5.6.17

Please join us for this special event in recognizing CSEA’s Classified Employees and the tireless union activists who volunteer each and every day helping others, who takes pride in protecting our human and workplace rights, who passionately believes in the livelihood of others and breathes the union’s mission, who are always bragging about what the union can to do for you and always encouraging everyone to participate in actions of the union…spread the word – all members welcome, this is a CSEA family affair!

CalPERS seminar - April 6

From Vickie Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Dear Members,

Please see the attached flyer (click HERE) I just received today regarding the retirement seminar on Thursday, hosted by San Rafael Chapter 304.  This is a great opportunity to receive important retirement-related information brought to you by CSEA Member Benefits.

Also, watch for upcoming info. related to our April 19 Chapter meeting, which Superintendent Mary Jane Burke and Personnel Director Tracee Edmunds will attend.
I will be sending out an e-mail soon.

Happy Tuesday!

Celebrate labor leader's legacy

Cesar Chavez still serves as inspiration to continue fighting for worker rights more than two decades after his death. We remember this great leader and celebrate his legacy during March, as we observe the anniversary of his birth.

Chavez was born near Yuma, Ariz. on March 31, 1927. He and his family worked the fields of California from Brawley to Oxnard, Atascadero, Gonzales, King City, Salinas, McFarland, Delano, Wasco, Selma, Kingsburg and Mendota. He studied civil disobedience and nonviolence, and eventually became an organizer for the Community Service Organization, where he worked on voter registration projects. In 1962, he founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW).

By 1970, the UFW got grape growers to accept union contracts and had effectively organized most of that industry. Chavez's tireless leadership and non-violent organizing actions included the Delano grape strike, numerous hunger strikes that focused national attention on the working conditions endured by farm workers, and the famous 340-mile march from Delano to Sacramento in 1966. The hunger strikes throughout his life took a toll on Chavez body and he died in his sleep on April 23, 1993 near Yuma at 65 years of age.

Chavez’s persistence, hard work, faith and willingness to sacrifice of himself helped the downtrodden farm workers of that era earn collective bargaining rights and are the reason why Chavez is still widely believed to be one of the labor movement’s greatest leaders. Join CSEA as we remember and celebrate what Chavez did for farm workers, and to advance the causes of the labor movement.

REMINDER: Chapter meeting tomorrow

From Vicki Ascher, Chapter 327 President:


Please be reminded of our CSEA Chapter meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb 15 from 3pm to 4pm in the Board Room.

Hope to see you there!