MLPNA/AFSCME Local #105 Pre-Convention Board Meeting

April 24, 2006 Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Red Wing

MLPNA/AFSCME Local #105 Pre-Convention Board Meeting

Approved at July 18, 2006 Board meeting

The meeting called to order by President Deb Tauer at 9:10am. Roll call was done by Secretary, Carolyn Beitlich. Present were Deb Tauer, Kathy Beckman, Carolyn Beitlich, Mary Jo Buermann, Mary Maki, Maxine Davis. Carolyn asked for any corrections or changes in the January 17, 2006 meeting minutes. A change in wording was made. Mary Maki motioned to accept January’s minutes with changes. Seconded by Kathy Beckman. Passed.

Treasurer’s report – Mary Jo had moved our Credit Union CD to a 4.45% rate for nine months due to the end of previous rate. The AFSCME International was called about our questions on per diums. From that call, we still need to have further discussions on per diums. The trustees are to meet today to go over the financial books of Local #105 before the convention. When Mary Jo called Carolyn Lockett to set up meeting, she told Mary Jo that she is resigning her trustee position – two more years remain of this position. Brenda Melquist also was called and she said she isn’t able to attend a trustee meeting before the convention and was not going to run for another trustee term. Brenda was asked if she was okay with a substitute to do the financial books. Agreed. Linda Michaelis and Laura Eisenshank from Paynesville and Molly Fields from Mankato will be doing the audit after this meeting. A two year term and a three year term trustee will need to be elected at convention starting tomorrow.

The surety bond still needs to be paid, but the bill has not been sent as of this meeting. Kathy Beckman motioned to accept the financial reports presented. Seconded by Mary Maki. Passed.

Past President’s report by Maxine Davis. Just returned from a UNA meeting in Washington DC in March. There is a committee on all nurses in AFL-CIO getting together. Max said AFSCME will be joining this committee if they include the LPN. The other groups came back and said no, as they don’t work with LPN’s. These groups didn’t want to lose AFSCME on this committee and UNA (AFSCME) finally gave in and joined, but not pleased with it. The ratio of RN to LPN in AFSCME is two LPNs to one RN. There was a round table discussion at the UNA meeting in March and much of the information was from Mercy hospital’s situation in Coon Rapids. UNA’s board is half RN’s and half LPN’s, but they are going to do a survey used at Mercy hospital as a national survey. The International is funding money for the LPNs to do this, but it’s a small amount. MLPNA has a similar survey too. These surveys will be sent to all LPNs in Minnesota and LPNs attending tomorrow’s convention will fill their survey out then.

Convention – Board members went through the convention schedule. Then the packets and gift bags were put together.

After lunch break, board members met with Casino convention organizer for a tour of the convention rooms.

3:00 pm back in meeting room with Shelly Seeburg. Presented the LPNs survey to be filled out. She will explain it and hand them out to LPNs at tomorrow’s convention. She will also talk about the 21st Century campaign and Mercy LPN’s as an example. We had 1200 LPNs in Local #105 and now 1100 – we are losing LPN positions in facilities.

Motioned by Kathy Beckman to give two $25 door prizes from MLPNA at the convention. Seconded by Carolyn Beitlich. Passed. Motioned by Mary Maki to adjourn meeting. Seconded by Carolyn Beitlich. Passed. Meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm by President Deb Tauer.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Beitlich

Recording Secretary

Tuesday, April 25, 2006 Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Red Wing

MLPNA/AFSCME Local #105 Convention

The 59th Annual Convention was called to order by President, Deb Tauer at 9:30 am. Deb introduced Shelly Seeburg from AFSCME. She explained the LPN surveys that were developed for all LPNs to fill out throughout the state. Also talked about the situation at Mercy hospital and the meetings we had with them and the Campaign that was planned, as there will be no more LPNs at Mercy as of June 2006. All are urged to promote the LPN.

After the pledge of allegiance, President Tauer introduced the MLPNA board of directors as Vice President Kathy Beckman, Secretary Carolyn Beitlich, Treasurer Mary Jo Buermann, Director Mary Maki, Past President Maxine Davis, Marianne Herald and Yvonne Gag. Also present were Executive Director of Council #65 Steve Preble, Assistant Director Cheryl Jones and other Council #65 personnel.

Deb Tauer presented the President’s update, mentioning the Mercy LPN’s Campaign and that we need to contact the Board of Nursing when our facilities tell us we can no longer do a task. We need to write letters to our own administrators and our local newspapers when LPN’s roles are changing. Then AFSCME can and will support us with a campaign. The trouble is the union itself cannot protect our jobs alone. We need to fight for our jobs as well. We have continued to press AFSCME’s UNA organization as to what they are doing to help keep LPNs a viable part of the health care team, as AFSCME represents twice as many LPNs as they do RNs. We are asking for support on the national level also. We need to remain committed to continue to fight for our jobs and the right to practice and be proud to say we are LPNs.

A list of convention rules is in each folder and all are urged to read them and follow them. The timekeeper will be Kathy Beckman. The minutes committee appointed by President Deb Tauer is Deb Tauer, Mary Jo Buermann and Mary Maki.

Nominations are for open positions on board of directors, delegates to the International Convention. The board positions are for Vice President, one Director and one trustee position. Also, Carolyn Lockett has sent a letter of resignation from her trustee position, due to personal commitments. She has two remaining years on her term. Also will be electing delegates to go to the AFSCME Council #65 Duluth convention in October 2006. There is a sign up sheet at registration desk each morning if you are interested in attending. Local #105 will also be electing two members to send to the International AFSCME convention in Chicago in August 2006 with a stipend of $1500.00 to cover expenses. You must show receipts for expenses upon return and any money not used will be paid back to the local. Members are expected to attend all meetings and will report back at our next convention.

Nominations open for Vice President. Motioned by Margaret Metzer to nominate Kathy Beckman. Kathy accepted nomination. No further nominations – closed. Unanimous ballot was motioned by Margaret Metzer and seconded from the floor. Passed.

Nominations for Director open. Motioned by Sharon Bibeau to nominate Molly Fields. Molly accepted. No further nominations – closed. Unanimous ballot motioned by Kathy Beckman. Seconded from floor. Passed.

Nominations for the remaining two years term for a trustee open. Motioned by Donna Stanke to nominate Cindy Jensen. Cindy accepted. No further nominations – closed. Unanimous ballot motioned by Laura Eisenshank and seconded form floor. Passed.

Nominations for three year trustee term open. Motioned by Kitty Rolloff to nominate Linda Wills. Linda accepted. No further nominations – closed. A unanimous ballot was motioned by Kathy Beckman and seconded from floor. Passed.

Nominations for delegates to Council #65 convention open. If interested, sign up on sheet at registration desk.

Nominations for delegates to AFSCME International convention open. Mary Jo Buermann was elected as delegate at AFSCME’s Mankato convention in October 2005 and Maxine Davis also is selected by Council #65 as member of Executive Board. Local #105 board members selected Deb Tauer and Kathy Beckman as delegates to attend. Also two more members need to be nominated to attend with the $1500 stipend. Nominations will be open tomorrow at convention.

Mary Jo Buermann presented the financial report of Local #105 and the proposed budget of 2006. She explained to the membership that all members were paying full time, part time and casual on call dues to a big “pot” and then Council #65 would take from this “pot” full time dues on all members. This made the amount returned to Local #105 smaller than supposed to be. Also explained that much investigating was done on this and all those involved in the merger in 2001 were contacted and questioned about this. It has all been corrected and members are now paying the correct amounts and the correct amount is being returned to Local #105. Mary Jo presented the by-law change proposals.

Article IV – Dues

Section 1. (a.) Delete the entire paragraph and replace with the attached schedule of dues from AFSCME Council #65.

Article IX – Annual Convention

Section 2. (b.) Representation: Delete the entire section and replace with “Any member of MLPNA-AFSCME Local #105 attending the annual convention shall be a full voting member on all voting issues presented at the convention.” Invited guests may take part in discussion but may not vote.

Executive Director, Steve Preble gave an update on AFSCME activities. Steve Jorge was made a political action representative for Council #65. We have been with AFSCME for five years. Bill Marchand sends his greetings for a successful convention as President of Council #65’s executive board. Steve talked about “The Day on the Hill” held in March 2006. Told us that Deb Tauer talked to the crowd at the Capital about healthcare.

After lunch break, Carolyn Beitlich introduced Loretta Boyer. She presented seminar on “Colostomy, Ileostomy, and Wound Care.”

4:00 pm – Deb Tauer reminded all to attend the hospitality get together starting at 6:30pm.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

8:00 am – Mary Maki introduced Shirley Brekken from the Minnesota Board of Nursing. Presented a seminar on the activities of the Board of Nursing.

9:00 am – Maxine Davis introduced Allen Kluever from the Mankato Department of Public Safety and Kristofer Keltgen, a hazardous material tech. Presented a seminar on “Methamphetamine Lab and Toxicity Awareness.”

1:30 pm – After lunch break, Deb called the meeting to order for business matters and nomination of offices. A unanimous ballot approved as Vice President- Kathy Beckman, Director- Molly Fields, Two year trustee term- Cindy Jensen, and three year trustee term- Linda Wills. Voted on ballot. Passed as stated above. Kathy Beckman motioned to send a total of five delegates to AFSCME’s International Convention in Chicago in August 2006. Seconded by Sharon Bibeau. Passed. Linda Michaelis nominated Mary Jo Buermann as a delegate, accepted. Sharon Bibeau nominated Molly Fields as a delegate, accepted. Kitty Rolloff nominated Deb Tauer as a delegate, accepted. Shirley Boeckers nominated Kathy Beckman as a delegate, accepted. Joan Larkin nominated Kathy Kapla as a delegate, accepted. Cindy Jensen nominated Maxine Davis as a delegate, accepted. Voted delegates to International. Passed. As six were nominated, Maxine volunteered to attend as an alternate. Four delegates will receive Local #105’s $1500 stipend and Mary Jo and Maxine will receive Council #65’s $1200 stipend. Motioned by Kathy Beckman to make up the difference of $300 for the two $1200 stipends, with the understanding that you must have receipts and if not total amount used, must return to local. Seconded by Kathy Rolloff, Passed. Delegates to Council #65 convention in Duluth in October 2006, using names from sign up sheet past two days at registration desk. Motioned and seconded from the floor to use sign up sheet as ballot for delegates to convention. Names read and all accepted nominations- closed. A unanimous ballot motioned by Kathy Beckman. Seconded by Julie Puchalski. Passed. Names on sheet elected as delegates.

By-laws – the first by-law change Article IV- dues. Motioned by Linda Michaelis to accept by-law change as written. Seconded by Julie Puchalski. Some discussion held. Voted- by-law passed. The second by-law change Article IX section 2. Motioned by Kathy Beckman to accept as written. Seconded from floor. Discussion held. Voted. Amendment failed.

2:30 pm – Kathy Beckman introduced Richard Obershaw for a seminar on “Stress.”

4:30 pm – Deb Tauer reminded all to attend the banquet this evening starting at 7:00 pm.

8:00 pm – Installation of newly elected officers done by Maxine Davis of Kathy Beckman as Vice President, Molly Fields as Director, Linda Wills and Cindy Jensen as trustees.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

9:00 am – Kathy Beckman introduced Richard Mulvain for a seminar on “Cardiomyopathy.”

11:00 am – Deb Tauer opened with unfinished business. Maxine informed group that Council #65’s executive board says that the staff representatives are to call all their Chapter Presidents every week to check in, so be aware of this. General discussion held. Thank you to all for attending. Motioned by Kathy Beckman to adjourn the convention. Seconded by Cindy Jensen. Passed. The 59th annual convention adjourned at 11:55 am by President, Deb Tauer.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Beitlich

Recording Secretary

Minutes Committee:

Deb Tauer ______

Mary Jo Buermann ______

Mary Maki ______

Thursday, April 27, 2006 Post Convention board meeting

Treasure Island Resort and Casino, Red Wing

Approved at July 18, 2006 meeting

Meeting called to order at 5:00 pm by President, Deb Tauer. A warm welcome to Molly Fields as director. Next year’s convention will be our 60th and want to make it as theme. Need to get the history of MLPNA committee started to compile information. Suggestions for entertainment were discussed and suggestions of Holiday Inn is St. Cloud. History committee sign up names were Maxine Davis, Marianne Herald, Linda Wills, Margaret Metzer, Lil Coranda, Crystal Gawareski, Carol Johnson, Jeanne Adamski and Jody Smith.