Convention Minutes Greenville, SC
5/1/09
Opening Remarks and Welcome by Emily Lane.
Welcome from the Mayor.
Gary McGouglin for the Greenville Police Dept. Welcome remarks.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call of officers: all are present and accounted for.
Roll call of branches: Aiken, Anderson, Beaufort, Cayce-W.Columbia, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Gaffney, Greenville, Greer, Myrtle Beach, Orangeburg, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Sumter, Walterboro were the branches that answered present at the time of roll call.
Emily asks for officer’s report. Officers stated reports are in the convention book, except, John Stancil, Juan Ramirez, and Debbie Clarkson, spoke about their district and gave their reports.
Emily states that when you nominate the CDL’s that they have to live and vote in that district.
Credentials Committee preliminary report: Bob Frazier, Brandon Lewis, and Debbie Melton. The report is 113 delegates registered and 16 branches reporting.
Juan Ramirez gave some remarks on his good friend. A fantastic story by Gregg and his life story of being diagnosis with MDA. Emily asks for SC to reach out and put SC on the map for MDA.
Emily introduces Katie Sullivan the Rep. MDA for the Greenville area. Emily informed carriers of her information for help to reach out for MDA causes.
Emily introduces Kay Barrett for the Better Business Bureau. She informed carriers of what they do and what they can do for you.
Emily introduces Brian Hellman the National Officer for Safety and Health.
Emily introduces the Officers, NBA Judy Willoughby, RAA Nancy Quick, and RAA Jeff Sicuinas and welcomed them.
Break for lunch.
Emily is waiting for the rest of the delegates to return; in the meantime Emily welcomed the Carolina Foothills Credit Union to talk to us about money and services offered at their business. For example budgets and savings.
John Monta from Branch 439 made a motion to delay nominations until the presentation from the Credit Union. Ed Martin from Branch 233 2nd the motion. The motion was passed by the delegation members.
Credit union had a drawing and Anthony Scott from Branch 1782 won the $50 visa gift card.
Nominations of Officers have been brought to the table.
Buddy Ferguson asked for nominations from the floor about 1:40 p.m.
Nominations for President: Cosmo Baccomo branch 233 nominated Emily Lane. Emily won by acclamation.
Nominations for V. President: Bill Davis branch 1416 nominated Buddy Ferguson branch 1871 Curtis Hilton branch 233 nominated Ed Martin from branch 233 and Cosmo Baccomo nominated John Monta from branch 439.
Nominations for Secretary: Don Jackson branch 1569 nominated Donna Jackson Bennett from branch 1569. Donna won by acclamation.
Nominations for Treasurer: Raul Rodriguez branch 3262 nominated David Kopp from branch 439. David won by acclamation.
Nominations for Director of Education: David Kopp branch 439 nominated Cosmo Baccomo from branch 233. Cosmo won by acclamation.
Nominations for Director of Retirees: Cosmo Baccomo branch 233 nominated Don Jackson from branch 1569. Don won by acclamation.
Nominations for Death Benefits: Tom Ackerman branch 1871 nominated Pam Chapman from branch 1871. Pam won by acclamation.
Nominations for District 1: Mike Hamilton branch 3902 nominated Jimmy Swinton branch 3902. Jimmy won by acclamation.
Nominations for District 2: Herb Garvin branch 233 nominated Anthony Scott from branch 1782. John Everitt branch 4616 nominated Dick Jones from branch 4616.
Nominations for District 3: Donna Jackson Bennett branch 1569 nominated Tom Ackerman from branch 1871. Tom declined. Tom Ackerman branch 1871 nominated Rick Isom from branch 1871. Rick accepted.
Nominations for District 4: Bob Frazier branch 439 nominated Juan Ramirez from branch 439. Juan won by acclamation.
Nominations for District 5: Jose Ramirez branch 1003 nominated Mike Koon from branch 1003. Mike declined. Brian Gentry from branch 1003 nominated Debbie Clarkson from branch 1003. Debbie won by acclamation.
Nominations for District 6: Bill Davis branch 1416 nominated Doug Williams from branch 1416. Cathy Heirs branch 6123 nominated John Stancil. Curtis Hilton branch 233 nominated Larry Johnson from branch 1782.
Cosmo reminded delegates he had raffle tickets on sale after the meeting,
Emily went of the committee’s that were appointed and read each of them out.
Gregg Freeman, Paul Huggins, and Pat Dees gave their financial report. Paul explained the procedure for Secretary duties and everything checked out. Death Benefits records were shown to be in good order. All records between Donna and David matched up per deposits. Paul went over the visa card receipts and just asked that if there are no payments/charges/nothing to please indicate that in a 0 balances each month. Paul Huggins stated Donna, Pam and David did a great job. He asked if there were any questions.
Gregg Freeman spoke about a few comments about the mileage and per diem committee. Gregg stated that the executive board was entitled to 2 ½ days of per diem, mileage, 2 days lodging and 3 days of LWOP. He stated Tom Ackerman was entitled to 4 days of LWOP due to the golf tournament. He stated we spent $3170.88 just on committees last Convention.
Emily wanted to explain some of the proposed by laws that we will be talking about. She explained we are financially doing great. Larry Johnson Br. 1782 explained that he was in agreement with Emily that the state should pick up some of the costs for lobby trips.
John Everitt Branch 4616 that we accept the audit report as presented by the audit committee. Don Jackson 2nd the motion. The motion passed by the delegates.
David Kopp went over the budget as presented to the delegates by a sheet that was passed out. This budget that he presented was approved by the E-Board. Are there any questions? No.
Bob Frazier branch 439 made a motion to accept the proposed budget as presented to the delegates. Pat Dees branch 3902 2nd the motion. The motion passed by the delegates. There were a few no’s, however, the “I’s” have it.
Emily has asked for the bylaw committee to take the floor. Emily passed out a resolution presented to Emily signed by 5 Presidents to be presented to floor.
Herb Rector Branch 1569 presented the bylaw changes to the delegation floor.
Pg 2 Article 3, section 1: Meetings; the committee did not approve this bylaw change. Reason they did not feel branches would be informed and trained properly. Wayne Harlow branch 439 feels that the monies saved by the state would help locals save money by having the convention every other year. He feels that the National training sessions are more informative and better training. Also he feels this would save on the annual leave. He feels it’s a hardship on branches to have state and national conventions within the same year. Kim Brunyansky branch 628 asks would this eliminate training. Judy states yes. She states we have already lost our fall training. She feels it’s up to each branch how much money each should spend and delegates to send. Ed Martin branch 233 states he is for the recommendation of the committee because he enjoys seeing everyone. Bob Frazier branch 439 states when he was in Florida that with a biennially convention that they still got more training than SC and was very informed of everything. He reminded it puts a large burden on the branches and the training would not disappear. He reminds that membership could diminish. Dick Jones branch 4616 states it’s hard to get people to come to union meetings so if we went too biennially he feels the members would get even less involved. Call for the question.
Emily asks for the members to vote on for the disapproval by the committee on this recommendation by the committee. We are having to get the tellers to count the members standing since it is close when Emily asked for the motion to pass.
Pg. 6 Article 7, section 4: Nominations and Elections: Bob Frazier branch 439 explained this would give the chair a little more flexibility. The delegation voted with the committee of one of approval. This was approved by the committee.
Article 7, section 6: this was one of approval by the committee and was approved by the delegation. Bob Frazier branch 439 pointed out the rest of the article would remain the same.
Pg. 7 Article 8, section 1: Duties of Officers; This bylaw was one of disapproval by the committee. Buddy Ferguson, branch 1871; stated that some of the officers are retired therefore there is no 3971 for those particular officers. Mike Hamilton, branch 3902, states the language should reflect if someone if retired or not. Elizabeth O’Connor branch 628 feels that due to audit reasons that the paper trail would be better with the 3971. Nancy Quick branch 904 states it would be a cleaner paper trail for audit reasons to keep the 3971 in the current language. David Kopp branch 439 spoke against the committee due to he spoke to Jane Broendel and states that you can take AL and LWOP for union business. Also we have vouches that must be approved as part of the paper trail. He reminds that retirees do not have 3971’s .Tommy Davidson branch 628 branch asks why retirees get paid since they do not loose pay anyways. Don Jackson branch 1569 called for the question. Passed by the delegation. This motion by Buddy Ferguson branch 1871 was that we accept the proposed changes. This was 2nd by Bob Frazier branch 439 was voted on by the delegation and the bylaw change was approved by the floor.
Cosmo Baccomo withdrew his resolution that he proposed to the floor. He states the VP needs to start doing his job. Emily notified the members he withdrew his resolution.
John Monta branch 439 made a motion that all 3971’s proposed bylaw changes be voted on in block since the committee is disapproving all bylaws involving these changes. 2nd by Don Jackson. Motion Passed. Buddy Ferguson branch 1871 made a motion that since the delegation passed the proposed changes of by for all bylaws pertaining the 3971’s. 2nd by Bob Frazier. Motion passed the proposed by law regarding the 3971’s. This motion was voted on in block and was passed by the delegation floor for the following Articles: Article 8, section 2; section 3; section 4; section 5; section 7; & section 8. This bylaw change for the above sections in Article 8 only applies to the 3971’s change as outlined in the convention booklet.
Pg 8, Article 8, section 2: Duties of Officers; The committee voted to approve this proposed bylaw change. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation and accept the new language. This involves both bylaws regarding the newspaper. The motion passed.
Pg 9 Article 8, section 3: Duties of Officers; The committee recommended to approve this bylaw change regarding the newspaper. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation to approve this bylaw change.
Pg 12, Article 8, section 6; Director of Retirees; The committee recommended the approval of this proposed bylaw change. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation of approval.
Pg. 14 Article 9, section 1: Committees; the committee voted to disapprove this bylaw change. David Kopp branch 439 spoke against stating that the money we spend for the committees is too much. He stated that last year we spent about $3000 just on the committees. He felt that roughly the amounts with lodging, per diem, and mileage was just too much for a few hours of work on these committees. Also David pointed out that some members may “double dip” meaning getting paid twice by the state and local branches. Bob Frazier branch 439 was for the committee stated that he was on a committee and his branch is not paying for the extra night that he had to come down for. He feels that $50 did not cover his expenses. He went on to say that many delegates have to be here possibly the night before therefore the money in the proposed change did not fit what they would spend. Pat Dees branch 3902 states that she does not double dip. She is also on a committee for this convention and her branch is not going to reimburse her for her lodging. She stresses she does not double dip and if carriers do they are not being honest. The question was called for by Bob Frazier branch 439 and was passed by the floor. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation of disapproval of this proposed bylaw change.
Pg. 14 Article 9, section 2: Sergeant at Arms; The committee recommended the disapproval of this proposed bylaw change. The delegation voted to overrule the committee’s recommendation of disapproval.
This Bylaw change was approved and passed.
Pg. 14 Article 9, section 3: Committee on Audits; The committee recommended the disapproval of this proposed bylaw change. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation of disapproval.
Pg. 15 Article 9, section 4: Resolutions and By-Laws Committee; The committee recommended the disapproval of this proposed bylaw change. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation of disapproval.
Buddy Ferguson branch 1871 states that the NALC Committee of Laws states the Mileage and Per Diem Committee has to exist per the National Constitution. The members voted to pass to rename Article 9, Section 5 to Section 6 as other. Also rename Article 9, section 6 changes to section 5 for the mileage and per diem. This change is to put all committees in the bylaws together.
Pg. 15 Article 9, section 6: Committees; The committee recommended the disapproval of this proposed bylaw change. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation of disapproval.
Pg. 19 Article 10, section 2: Funds; The committee recommended the approval of this proposed bylaw change. The delegation voted to accept the committee’s recommendation of approval.
Judy went over a few memorandums and fielded questions.
Adjourned for the day.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Convention Minutes
Prayer by Herb Garvin from branch 233
Pledge of Allegiance
Bob Frazier branch 439 took voting choice (single/block) from each branch registered for branches that were here for elections.
Bob Frazier branch 439 gave the credentials report update: 98 delegates, 12 E-board, 4 guests, 114 total members. There were 17 branches registered.
Emily thanked everyone involved for what they did for 2009 convention.
Presentation by National RFC for Region 9 Joe Kabourek.
Steve Koerner from branch 4645 gave an update on the 2010 Convention in Myrtle Beach. It will be held on April 21-24, 2010. The golf tournament will be held on Wed. April 21. The dinner banquet will be $21.95. The phone numbers and other information will be posted on the website as more details are released.
Larry Johnson from branch 1782 declined the nomination for District 6.
Anthony Scott from branch 1782 declined the nomination for District 2.
At 11:00a.m announced for Presidents/Representatives for each branch to go vote for the election. All 17 branches are voting by block.
Emily named the 2008 deaths in each branch. Members spoke about our brothers and sisters that passed within their branches. Deaths: Branch 233; Ben Harney, Wally Martin, Lee Hass, Dane Ammons, Norwood Marlow, Edward Treski. Branch 439; Robert Thomas, Charles McCarson, George Steele, Daniel McCraney, Grady Bridwell, Don Waldrop. Branch 1871; Marion Davis. Branch 4616; George Ralph Mills. May God be with each of our brothers and sisters.
Juan Ramirez led in a word of prayer.
Cosmo held his drawing for prizes to be given to MDA.
Bob Frazier branch 439 thanked the other credentials committee. The results for the newly elected officers are as follows: Vice President: Ed Martin with 1214 votes, Buddy Ferguson with 500 votes, and John Monta with 323 votes. The new Vice President is Ed Martin. District 6 new officer is Doug Williams. Dick Jones from District 2 accepted the position in his district.
Judy Willoughby spoke a few moments and introduced Brain Hellman for the installation of the new officers. Which are as follows:
President: Emily Lane, VP: Ed Martin, Sec: Donna Jackson Bennett, Treas: David Kopp, Director of Ed: Cosmo Baccomo, Director of Ret: Don Jackson, Director of DB: Pam Chapman, Dist 1: Jimmy Swinton, Dist 2: Richard Jones, Dist 3: Rick Isom, Dist 4: Juan Ramirez, Dist 5: Debbie Clarkson, and Dist 6: Doug Williams.
Juan Ramirez gave out certificates for dancing at the banquet.
Motion made to adjourn made by Terry Racer branch 904, 2nd by Buddy Ferguson branch 1871.