Minutes 4-30-08 Special Bylaws Vote Meeting

The Special Representative Meeting to vote on ratifying the TSA Bylaws began at 12:30 pm April 30th.

Board Members Present: Kerby Rapp, Julie Hietter, Tom Hartman. Linda Saliani

In his opening remarks Kerby announced that Brian Hall was resigning from his position as President of the Tempe Officers Association effective May 1. Jeff McHenry will serve as President of the TOA.

Kerby opened the floor to discussion of the bylaws before a vote.

Article IX Section 2. Special Assessments

Is there a limit to the dollar amount of assessments? What is the criteria for a special assessment?
It was noted that special assessments must be approved by a majority vote of the membership. Possible scenarios that may result in a special assessment are legal defense of a member or if the association was in arrears on payments for legal or other professional services. Our goal is to build a reserve balance to protect against this happening. However, the TSA will be a low budget, low dues organization that must be viable and accountable to members to be effective.

Article IX Section 4: Board Member Compensation

Are the board members stipends paid in arrears after serving six consecutive months?
No, the stipend is paid after six months of service.

Is the $50 per month stipend for a cell phone and internet access for the President necessary? Can the union purchase a cell phone?
Asset ownership by the association is not desirable for a number of reasons. Considering the 24/7 commitment the President has to the members, the stipend ensures the means to communicate will be provided.

A comment was made that some members (may) view the $500/mo (+$50) stipend for the President is too much.
Kerby responded that in comparison to other organizations this was not the case. Considering the time involved, the personal risk involved, and the magnitude of the responsibility the amount is proper and fair.
A question was asked about what would SEIU or another organization pay. The answer was 1.25% of the salary of membership.
A comment was made that the stipend was more than fair in the context of the professional fees an attorney or consultant would charge for services.
Someone asked how the organization could meet expenses and afford stipends if only 20% of the members paid dues?
Kerby said that we can and will have to do better than 20%. With hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake Tempe supervisors can not afford to be apathetical or believe they aren't competing with city employees that are now represented by unions. It's important that Tempe supervisors understand what this association means to them.
He reiterated that the letter of agreement between the outgoing TSC and the new TSA boards will be amended with a 50% reduction in stipends for the 1st year. In addition, the bylaws stipulate a 6 month period before board members receive a stipend. This should alleviate budget pressures in the beginning.

Finally a member recommended we move forward. Stating this is new territory. The game has changed and we have been given a great opportunity.

A point was made that now is also the time to discuss options, before the bylaws are adopted.

After discussion Julie Hietter then collected paper ballots and noted that absentee voting would be open up until close of business on Monday, May 5th.

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 pm.