Board Meeting Minutes October 4-5, 2013 Call to Order Chairperson Mead called the regular meeting of the WEA Board of Directors to order at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2013 at the WEA Headquarters office in Federal Way Washington. Roll Call The following board directors were present for this meeting: Kim Mead, Stephen Miller, Kathie Axtell, Jennie Beltramini, Patricia Benavidez, Jeb Binns, Logan Birgenheier, Lisa Brackin, Tracie Cannon, Debby Chandler, Mark Cole, Cathy Comar, Sharon Dolan, Jamie Downing, Courtney Eyer, Antoinette Felder, Justin Fox-Bailey, Christine Fraser, Amy Frost, Barbara Gapper, Dan Gossett, Eric Grant, Bill Green, Paul Hope, Bob Ingraham, Myra Johnson, Marguerite Jones, Julie Kastien, Karen Laase, Norma Jean LaChine, Sonya Langford, Steve Lembeck, Roxanne Luchini, Ted Mack, Patricia Marcum, Steve Mayer, Joyce McDonald, Steve McKenna, Karen McNamara, Jeri Morrow, Mark Morrow, Angel Morton, Carla Naccarato-Sinclair, Patrick Nicholson, Andi Nofziger-Meadows, Jan Olmstead, Linda Overlie, Christyna Paris, Martha Patterson, Cindy Prescott, Ted Raihl, Kit Raney, Robert Reynolds, Jenny Rose (Fri. only), Bev Schaefer (Sat. only), Gloria Smith, John Solberg, Teri Staudinger, LaDonna Sterling, Deborah Strayer, Fern Tresvan, Terry VanMeter, Arden Watson, Bradford Williams, and Susan Yaw. The following board directors were excused from this meeting: Jaylani Evans, Jonathan Knapp, Scott Knowles, Bill Lyne, Debbie Passi, Janice Petrin, Shannon Rasmussen, Phyllis Runyon, Bev Schaefer, and Ted Schelvan. Chairperson Mead declared a quorum present. The following WEA staff members were present for this meeting: John Okamoto, Aimee 1 / 15
Iverson, Manny Bosser, Lisa Kodama, Rod Regan, Linda Mullen, Jim Fotter, Glenn Bafia, Margaret Knight, John Donaghy, AJ Hoyla (Sat. only), Christina Martinez (Fri. only), and Cindy Bonnell. Ex officio observer Maryziel Galarpe was present. WEASO representatives Lori Fleck was present on Friday evening and Doug Petro on Saturday. New Board Director Seating It was Moved by Debby Chandler and Seconded by Jan Olmstead that the WEA Board of Directors approve the seating of Michele Miller (Bellevue) as the new board director for WEA-Sammamish, replacing Phyllis Runyon; approve the seating of Ted Schelvan (Battle Ground) as the new board director for WEA-Riverside; approve the seating of Cindie Webb (Davenport) as the new board director for WEA Eastern Washington, replacing Scott Knowles; approve the seating of Phyllis Campano (Seattle) as the new board director for Seattle UniServ Council, replacing Debbie Passi. Board Alternate Seating It was Moved by Debby Chandler and Seconded by Jan Olmstead that the WEA Board of Directors approve the seating of Michele Robertson (Evergreen) as an alternate for Ted Schelvan (Battle Ground); approve the seating of Lynette Spilker (Spokane) as an alternate for Janice Petrin (Spokane); approve the seating of Janet Heiser (Kent Association of Paraeducators) as an alternate for Shannon Rasmussen (Federal Way). Mr. Miller s motion Carried Unanimously (100413-1). 2 / 15
Approval of Agenda It was Moved by Stephen Miller and Seconded by Arden Watson that the WEA Board adopt the agenda dated October 3, 2013. Mr. Miller s motion Carried Unanimously (100413-2). Approval of Minutes It was Moved by Stephen Miller and Seconded by Arden Watson that the WEA Board approve the minutes from the meeting on August 1, 2013 with the changes found under Board Alternate Seating. Mr. Miller s motion Carried Unanimously (100413-3). Nominations & Elections John Fleming, Chairperson for the Nominations and Elections Work Team, explained the differences between having online voting and paper ballot voting due to WEA having an early Representative Assembly this year. 3 / 15
It was Moved by Debby Chandler and Seconded by Jan Olmstead that the WEA Board approve the 2013-2014 Nominations and Elections Packet using online voting with Shumaker Technology Group for the 2013-2014 Election of the WEA Board and NEA Delegates. With objection, a roll call vote was conducted. No Votes (7): Steve McKenna, Steve Lembeck, Robert Reynolds, Martha Patterson, Christine Fraser, Debbie Strayer, Jeb Binns. Abstentions (1): Andi Nofziger-Meadows Ms. Chandler s motion Carried (100413-4). Introduction of Executive Director Search Chairperson Mead gave some background regarding the Executive Director search and said that a letter regarding this will be going out soon to local presidents. Manny Bosser, Director of Human Resources, reviewed the Executive Director hiring timeline and explained some of the details. Budget Presentation Vice President Stephen Miller explained the role of the members of the Budget & Finance Committee in the budget process. John Okamoto, WEA Executive Director, and Margaret Knight, WEA CFO, presented information regarding the 2013 Proposed Budget. 4 / 15
Stephen Miller said that the Budget & Finance Committee met today with the auditors from Tremper. They will start their yearly audit in October 2013. Margaret Knight explained some information for the preliminary and unaudited Budget Status Report for the twelve months ending August 31, 2013. Reports - Jenny Rose, Chairperson for the Minority Affairs Human Rights Work Team, talked about their annual awards and said they are getting their nomination forms out to everyone soon and will be due December 11, 2013. - Kit Raney, President, WEA-Retired, talked about the WA State School Retirees Association. - NEA Board Directors Report: Stephen Miller, Ted Raihl, Marguerite Jones, Antoinette Felder, and Patrick Nicholson reported on the activities of the recent NEA Super Week. The written report will be sent to the board next week. - Debby Chandler, ESP ACT President, reported that they recently had their first professional ESP issues conference and had over 400 ESP members were in attendance. She reported that the Lake Washington ESPs are having a very difficult time with their bargain. - Logan Birgenheier, Student WEA President, said they have three main chapters and there is great interest in St. Martins. They have an NEA conference for student connections in November. - Carla Naccarato-Sinclair, AHE Chair, they are getting started and the biggest news for them right now is Bellingham Technical College. They are still asking for donations for the BEST support personnel who honored the picket lines and lost four days of pay. Executive Director s Reports John Okamoto highlighted a couple of the items in the Executive Director s Report under Agenda Item No. 8-A. He introduced the newest member of the management team, John Donaghy, the new Executive Director for Seattle UniServ Council. 5 / 15
President s Report Chairperson Mead reviewed the documents in her President s Information Packet. She said that her travel report will be distributed tomorrow. She also reminded the committee chairs that they will be meeting on Saturday during lunch. Vice President s Report Vice President Stephen Miller said his Visitation and Travel Report is under tab number 7. He highlighted some of the meetings he attended. Board Small Group Discussions Chairperson Mead asked the Board Directors to break into their small groups to discuss the following questions: 1. Given what you currently know about the WEA and its external and internal challenges, what are the three critical competencies the next WEA Executive Director should possess? 2. Briefly describe the ideal employment experience the preferred candidate should possess. 3. What are the types of personal qualities that will make the next WEA Executive Director successful? Efforts to Integrate AOC and LEPC Jim Fotter, Director of Advocacy and Organizing, and Lisa Kodama, Director of Professional Practice, shared the work they ve been doing since the last board meeting. 6 / 15
Budget Q&A and Action Chairperson Mead explained the process for the Q&A on the 2013 proposed budget. It was Moved by Ted Mack and Seconded by Antoinette Felder that the WEA Board of Directors approve the following: 1. That the 2013-2014 Budget be approved. 2. That WEA be authorized to negotiate one time interest-free payment plans to councils, funded from reserves, who demonstrate cash flow needs and commit to repay within a reasonable period of time. 3. That the WEA Executive Committee be tasked with a long term plan to address the structural deficit of the WEA operations for implementation in the 2013-2014 Budget. It was Moved by Julie Kastien and Seconded by Jeb Binns to amend bullet #3 to be eliminated from the Budget and Finance Committee recommendations. Without objection a roll call votes was conducted. Ms. Kastien s motion Failed (100513-1). It was Moved by Myra Johnson and Seconded by Kit Raney to close debate, and the motion F ailed (100513-2). Without objection a roll call vote was conducted on the main motion. No Votes (7): Jeb Binns, Steve McKenna, Steve Lembeck, Mark Cole, Gloria Smith, Michele Robertson, Norma LaChine. 7 / 15
Mr. Mack s motion Carried (100513-3). Legislative Agenda Rod Regan, Director of Public Policy, said the legislative session begins in January 2014 and explained the details regarding the upcoming session and election year. He gave some background regarding the development of the legislative agenda. It was Moved by Justin Fox-Bailey and Seconded by Angel Morton that the WEA Board adopt the 2014 Legislative Agenda as recommended: 1. Restore the COLA and fully fund education. 2. Reduce class size and provide necessary staff to support students. 3. Trust and empower educators to define quality and improve the profession. Mr. Fox-Bailey s motion Carried Unanimously 100513-4) Legislative Update Rod Regan talked about the upcoming initiative coming out of the City of SeaTac to raise their minimum wage. It was Moved by Jeb Binns and Seconded by Deborah Strayer that the WEA Board support the City of SeaTac Proposition No. 1 through a donation of $5,000.00. 8 / 15
No Votes (1): Cindie Webb Mr. Binn s motion Carried (100513-5). Sustainability Next Steps and Action It was Moved by Arden Watson and Seconded by Kit Raney to develop a plan to transition to a smaller board, subject to Board input and approval, which includes defining board member and council president roles, as well as how and when the transition takes place. Discussion ensued. It was Moved by Deborah Strayer and Seconded by Jebb Binns to close debate, and the motion Failed (100513-6). It was Moved by Chris Fraser and Seconded by Logan Birgenheier that the motion be amended to change smaller Board to more efficient and engaged Board. It was Moved by Bev Schaefer and Seconded to close debate. Without objection, a roll call vote was conducted on the motion to amend. Yes votes (12): Paul Hope, Eric Grant, Patrick Nicholson, Barbara Gapper, Chris Fraser, Amy Frost, Linda Overlie, Marguerite Jones, Dan Gossett, Mark Morrow, Ted Raihl, Logan Birgenheier. 9 / 15
Ms. Fraser s motion to amend Failed (100513-7). Without objection, a roll call vote was conducted on the main motion. Yes votes (30): Bob Ingraham, Justin Fox-Bailey, Kit Raney, Kathie Axtell, Arden Watson, Christyna Paris, Tracie Cannon, Terry VanMeter, Michele Miller, Mark Morrow, Cindie Webb, Bev Schaefer, Roxanne Luchini, Courtney Eyer, Angel Morton, Myra Johnson, Sonya Langford, Michele Robertson, Gloria Smith, Susan Yaw, Paul Hope, Eric Grant, Jennie Beltramini, Steve Lembeck, Steve McKenna, Patrick Nicholson, Chris Fraser, Barbara Gapper, Martha Patterson, Phyllis Campano. Ms. Watson s motion Failed (100513-8). It was Moved by Sonya Langford and Seconded by Terry VanMeter that we have a committee explore the impact of a transition to a smaller board, the financial impact of such a decision and define board member and council president roles, as well as how a transition might take place. Ms. Langford s motion was ruled out of order by the Chair. It was Moved by Kathie Axtell and Seconded by Terry VanMeter that the WEA Board approve the creation of multi-council collaboration around strategic needs. Including the establishment of quarterly multi-council all presidents meetings as organizing, learning, and strategizing opportunities to strengthen communication, facilitate timely input into WEA strategies and programs, and share peer-to-peer best practices. It was Moved by Logan Birgenheier and Seconded by Julie Kastien to close debate, and the motion Carried (100513-9) 10 / 15
Abstentions (3): Jeb Binns, Carla Naccarato-Sinclair, Antoinette Felder. Ms. Axtell s motion Carried Unanimously (100513-10). It was Moved by Angel Morton and Seconded by Kathie Axtell that the WEA implement the single employer/efficient employment system consistent with the WEA/WEASO contract, which includes providing a definition and timeline for implementation, subject to Board approval. It was Moved to amend by Terry VanMeter and Seconded by Kathie Axtell to remove the word implement in line one be replaced by the word explore. Without objection, a roll call vote was conducted on the amendment to the main motion. No votes (19): Teri Staudinger, Jeri Morrow, Ted Raihl, Bev Schaefer, Cindie Webb, Cathy Comar, Myra Johnson, Kit Raney, Paul Hope, Steve Lembeck, Debbie Strayer, Angel Morton, Linda Overlie, Marguerite Jones, Amy Frost, Andi Nofziger-Meadows, Antoinette Felder, Joyce McDonald, Phyllis Campano. Abstentions (4): Courtney Eyer, Patricia Benavidez, Mark Cole, Logan Birgenheier. Mr. VanMeter s motion Carried (100513-11). The main motion now reads: It was Moved by Angel Morton and Seconded by Kathie Axtell that the WEA implement explore the single employer/efficient employment system consistent with the WEA/WEASO contract, which includes providing a definition and timeline for implementation, subject to Board approval. 11 / 15
Without objection, a roll call vote was conducted on the main motion as amended. Abstentions (2): Jeb Binns, Debbie Strayer. Ms. Morton s motion as amended Carried (100513-12). It was Moved by Kathie Axtell and Seconded by Myra Johnson the creation of a collaborative and performance based culture focused on the goals and objectives of the organization through: - Councils creating intentional time for collaborative meetings, team planning and goal alignment amongst staff, and between staff and governance. - Staff is deployed by WEA to meet the needs of locals and councils. - Increase cross-center collaboration and apply power building and sustainability lens to all aspects of HQ including Legal, IT, and GR. Yes votes (24): Christyna Paris, Angel Morton, Dan Gossett, Amy Frost, Barbara Gapper, Christine Fraser, Patrick Nicholson, Steve McKenna, Steve Lembeck, Jennie Beltramini, Arden Watson, Justin Fox-Bailey, Ted Raihl, Michele Miller, Mark Morrow, Myra Johnson, Sonya Langford, Kit Raney, Terry VanMeter, Tracie Cannon, Kathie Axtell, Lynette Spilker, Gloria Smith, Michele Robertson. Abstentions (4): Martha Patterson, John Solberg, Fern Tresvan, Sharon Dolan. Ms. Axtell s motion Failed (100513-13). 12 / 15
Boundary Dispute Committee Process Action It was Moved by Dan Gossett and Seconded by Kit Raney that the WEA Board approve the Boundary Dispute Process as outlined in Agenda Item 2-G. No votes (3): Steve McKenna, Steve Lembeck, Bev Schaefer Mr. Gossett s motion Carried (100513-14). Boundary Dispute Committee-Dues Policy Revision Action It was Moved by Dan Gossett and Seconded by Kit Raney that the WEA Board approve the revisions to Local Dues Policy as outlined in Agenda Item 2-H. No votes (2): Steve McKenna, Steve Lembeck. Mr. Gossett s motion Carried (100513-15). Common Core Presentations 13 / 15
Linda Mullen, Director of Communications, presented polling information on the Common Core State Standards. Lisa Kodama presented follow-up information from Summer University on the Common Core State Standards. SIG School Visits Chairperson Mead talked about the success of the SIG Schools in Washington State. She said the WEA President and Vice President will be traveling to each SIG School to present them with a banner and booklets called Improving Student Achievement in High-Poverty Schools, Lessons from Washington State. Center Reports Aimee Iverson, WEA General Counsel, gave an update regarding current litigation issues. Jim Fotter congratulated a number of locals for their successful bargaining efforts. Manny Bosser, Director of Human Resources, recognized Blaine Boyle and the entire IT staff for updating the A/V equipment in the conference room. Lisa Kodama updated the Board with some attendance numbers from Summer University and said they hired a new person for the Special Ed position. Linda Mullen said there are two reports in the packet. The WEA website is in development and she will keep the Board posted on the work. 14 / 15
Announcements Chairperson Mead asked for any announcements. Karen McNamara talked about her work with NEA NCUEA. Adjournment Chairperson Mead adjourned the regular meeting of the WEA Board of Directors at 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at WEA Headquarters office in Federal Way Washington. Submitted by: Cindy Bonnell Approved by the WEA Board of Directors November 22, 2013 15 / 15