Association of California State Employees with Disabilities

(Formerly Disabled In State Service, DISS)

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

June 12, 2008, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

1507 21^st St., Suite 210-2^nd fl

(At the corner of 21^st and “O” street)

I.  Call to Order and Welcome Pat McPartland, Vice-President

A.  Roll Call & Introductions -- The meeting was called to order at approximately 12:05 PM by Pat.  Those present were:

Pat McPartland, Vice-President

Lisa Brown, Corresponding Secretary

Carolyn Bonkowski, Treasurer

Sheri Merrill, Recording Secretary

Ralph Black, DOR Liasion

Chelle Ellis, Member

Curtis Walker, Board Members at Large

Laurie Hoirup, Board Members at Large

Jerry Gibbins, SPB LEAP mgr.

B.  Additions or Changes to Agenda -- None. 

C.   Approval of Minutes – 4/17/08 & 5/8/08 minutes approved.

D.  Future Meetings (Pat) – Board & General Membership

July 10^th, and August 7, 2008.  We will have our September meeting at McKinley Park on 9/13/08.

II. Focus Items

A.   DOR Update – Ralph Black, Asst. Director, Legislation, DOR

1)     Ralph gave a brief update.

B.   SPB Update –Jerry Gibbins, SPB LEAP Mgr.

1)     Jerry felt that the Let’s Make a Change event was a success.  There was an action planning meeting held on 6/2/08,  where specific members each took a couple of categories, and will sort them.  They will be having meetings approximately every two weeks to determine the who, what and when for possible implementation.

C.   ACSED Mid-Year Member Mtg – Lisa and Chelle 

1)     It was decided that we would tentatively have our meeting on Saturday 9/13/08, from 11am-2pm. at McKinley Park.  The cost will be $20 for 1-50 people, which Lisa will reserve.  Lisa will construct a flyer and email information to the members.

D.   CalPERS Disability Awareness Fair, 5-22 – Carolyn and Sheri

1)     Carolyn and Sheri felt that there was a smaller turn out than usual, but did hand out a lot of information and application packages.

E.    May 16 DOR/SPB Let’s Make a Change Event – Laurie & Curtis

1)     Laurie and Curtis thought that the event was very interesting with a lot of ideas generated.  There was a post event survey, and Jerry Gibbens will be getting all of the information together.   Curtis will follow up with Jerry for the next step.

lll. Reports of Officers, Committees and Activities

A.    President report-given by Pat

1)    DPA Registration-We were successful and are now a bona fide Association.

B.    Pat McPartland-Vice President

1)    Confirmation hearing. On May 21, Tony Sauer was confirmed as Director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Luciana Profaca was confirmed as Chief Deputy Director at a hearing before the Senate Rules committee of the Legislature. Pat attended as representative of ACSED and spoke in favor of the confirmation. The hearing went very well.

C.    Carolyn Bonkowski-Treasurer

1)    ACSED Financial Report: June  2008

a)     6/08-SCO deposited $143.61 into our account, CALPERS payroll deductions of $12.00, and $54.00 in annual dues received.  We have 67 on payroll deduction, and 6 retirees thru CALPERS.

b)    Total expenses of $748.76.

c)    Checking account balance-$1,067.30.

d)    Business checking balance-$14,339.92.

2)    ACSED Mail Receive

a)     Something from DOR.  Rest of mail is the same as always.

3)     United Way qualifications in order to become certified are extensive, including a designated meeting place, and clerical availability of 15 hours a week.  Carolyn will get more information.

D.     Sheri Merrill-Recording Secretary

1)     Nothing to report. 

E.    Lisa Brown-Corresponding Secretary

1)     Nothing to report. 

F.    Laurie Hoirup & Curtis Walker-Board Members at large.

1)     Curtis stated that there will be a new exam going online next week under open exams for Employment Program Representatives.  They are also close to parity on hiring of the disabled.

G.    Legislative Report-Pat McPartland

1)      Pat prepared and distributed an updated legislative report for June by e-mail before the meeting date. On June 11, Pat testified for ACSED in support of AB851, on the 250% Working Disabled program, at a hearing of the Senate Health committee. The bill successfully passed the committee.

IV. Other and Announcements

A.    Curtis will be in Denver 8/22-8/31/08 for the Democratic National Convention, so please contact him thru his home email account during this time.

B.    Adjourned meeting at 142pm.

Tony Sauer, the new Director of the California Department of Rehabilitation, was the keynote speaker at ACSED's Annual Membership Dinner Meeting held January 31st.  In his address Tony discussed a wide range of topics including current challenges facing the Department in light of the State's severe budget crisis, accomplishments and initiatives of the Department, and the important role organizations like ACSED could and should play in state government.

You can hear Tony's complete presentation by clicking the play button (the one that looks like a fat arrowhead) in the box below.  The keynote address begins with (1) an introduction of the immediate past Director of the Department, Catherine Campisi, by ACSED's President, Les Treece-Sinclair, followed by (2) Catherine's introduction of Tony.  The entire presentation lasts about 42 minutes.