NWSEO Honors NWS Southern Region Director Bill Proenza
(December 5, 2012) NWSEO honors Bill Proenza with a Proclamation of Appreciation. The award is in recognition of Mr. Proenza’s longtime dedication and tireless efforts to protect and secure resources for the agency’s critical life-saving mission and to support the nation’s economic well-being. As NWS Southern Region Director, Mr. Proenza continues to influence the National Weather Service’s current and future policies.
NWSEO President Dan Sobien presented the Proclamation of Appreciation at the 37th annual NWSEO Convention in November. Mr. Proenza gave a presentation on the NWS Weather Ready Nation program at the convention.
Mr. Proenza’s career with the National Weather Service spans close to 50 years. He demonstrates outstanding valor, integrity, dedication, sensitivity, sacrifice and perseverance in the face of difficult circumstances and forces.
The NWSEO Proclamation of Appreciation is presented to United States National Weather Service leaders who earn national admiration from their colleagues.
NWSEO President presents NWS Southern Region Director Bill Proenza with
A Proclamation of Appreciation
November 13, 2012
Congratulations to Shannon White
Recipient of the 2012 NWSEO Kip Robinson Award
(November 28, 2012) NWSEO congratulates Shannon White, the 2012 recipient of the Kip Robinson Award. This annual NWSEO award is given in recognition of members who volunteer their time and talents to make NWSEO a stronger union.
Shannon is a NWS AWIPS instructor at the Forecast Decision Training Branch. She is recognized for her work in representing the NWSEO on various AWIPS II teams and updating NWSEO members on issues regarding the NWS implementation of AWIPS II.
“Shannon has been a great source of information and an integral team member as NWSEO works to ensure that the implementation of AWIPS II proceeds when the system is ready to work as it is designed,” said Dan Sobien, NWSEO President.
The Kip Robinson Award is named after a late lobbyist who worked diligently for NWSEO. Past winners include Steve Pritchett, Chris Sisko, Delyne Kirkham, Lisa Frantz, Bill Proenza, Bill Hirt, John Stansfield, and Barry Hirshorn.
NWSEO National Convention News
And $100 New Member Rebate
(November 20, 2012) NWSEO would like to thank all of the members who attended the 37th annual National NWSEO Convention in Las Vegas on November 13 and 14. It was an informative and productive convention with presentations from NWSEO President Dan Sobien, NWSEO Vice President Bill Hopkins, Counsel Richard Hirn, Constitution Committee member JoAnn Becker, NOAA Attorney Guild Chair Mitch MacDonald, NESDIS Chair Hugh Sharkey, and NWSEO Communications Director Lisa Luciani, NWS Southern Region Director Bill Proenza and NWSEO member Shannon White provided an update on AWIPS II.
Convention delegates and attendees voted on three amendments to the constitution and by-laws. The changes focused on aligning the leadership terms in order to create a consistency of terms in the NWSEO constitution and to provide flexibility to manage future NWSEO costs. Two of the amendments failed, including an amendment designed to extend the term of branch steward to two years (from the current one year term) to match the term of regional chairs, and a second amendment that would have aligned the term of regional chairs to the term of national officers. A third amendment to synchronize the number of terms of national officers passed with a 2/3 majority vote.
The delegates also passed a recruitment incentive for any new member who joins NWSEO by 1187 for payroll deduction to receive a $100 dollar dues rebate. The offer is available from November 14, 2012 to March 1, 2013.
Additionally, for any member who recruits two new members to join NWSEO using the 1187 for payroll deduction between November 14th 2012 through July 31, 2013, NWSEO will provide airfare, lodging, and group meals for the 2013 convention. The name of the recruiter must be on the SF1187. Peter Nuhn may accept email or phone call if a recruiter forgets to write his/her name on the SF1187.
Elections for NWSEO Regional Chair and Vice Chair were completed at the convention. We welcome JoAnn Becker, Mitch MacDonald and Steve Pritchett on the new national council. Below is a list of the 2012-2013 Regional Chairs and Vice Chairs:
Alaska Region
Chairperson – Jim Brader
Vice Chair-Phil Dutton
Central Region
Chairperson – Martin Lee
Vice Chair- Jim Sieveking
Eastern Region
Regional Chairperson - David Solano
Vice Chairperson - Matt Steinbugl
NWS Headquarters Region
Chairperson - Steven Pritchett
Vice Chairperson- Mike Dion
NOAA Attorney's Guild
Chairperson – Mitch MacDonald
Vice Chairperson - Lauren Smoker
NCEP Region
Chairperson - JoAnn Becker
Vice Chairperson - Bill Hirt
Pacific Region
Chairperson – Barry Hirshorn
Vice Chairperson - Pete Donaldson
Southern Region
Chairperson – John Werner
Vice Chairperson - Mark Wilson
Western Region
Chairperson – Robert Baruffaldi
Vice Chair- Joe Solomon
The Tuesday evening NWSEO Banquet was a time to honor outstanding NWSEO members and to network with other NWS professionals at the convention. Congratulations to Shannon White, this year’s honored recipient of the NWSEO Kip Robinson Award. This annual NWSEO award is given in recognition of members volunteering their time and talents to make NWSEO a stronger union. The Kip Robinson Award is named after a late lobbyist who worked diligently for NWSEO. Past winners include Bill Proenza, Bill Hirt, John Stansfield, Barry Hirshorn, Chris Sisko and Steve Pritchett.
A special recognition was also given to Chris Robinson for his help with the Protect the National Weather Service Facebook Community. Vice President Hopkins was thanked for his hard work in organizing the convention and Bill Proenza was recognized for improving labor management relations throughout his career.
After the 37th annual NWSEO National Convention, your national council met to deal with a grievance filed against an officer for leaving an intimidating voice mail on another member’s phone. The council unanimously agreed to levy a $1,000 fine on the charged council member, created a plan of action for a change in behavior that was agreed to by the charged member, and tasked the NWSEO Constitution Committee to develop amendments to make elections less open to intimidation, to clarify the grievance procedures. Additionally, all council members will participate in diversity and sensitivity training.
Next year’s annual convention will be held at the Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Florida on Sunday and Monday, September 22 and 23, with steward training on Saturday, September 21. NWSEO obtained the government rate of $90 per night. The location was agreed to by a voice vote.
Vinoy Renaissance Resort @ Golf Club is a business friendly hotel close to Chihuly Collection, Renaissance Vinoy Golf Club, and Salvador Dali Museum including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Pier which includes a variety of restaurants and gift shops.
-NWSEO-
If you experience difficulty with the above link, please visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpasr-renaissance-vinoy-resort-and-golf-club
Scroll down the page for the list of Delegates and Nominations.
The 37th NWSEO Annual Convention Update
(November 13, 2012) NWSEO President Dan Sobien welcomed the group and thanked all veterans for their service. Executive Vice President Bill Hopkins presented a review of the union's work and accomplishments from October 2011 to present.
Joann Becker of the Credentials Committee gave a presentation on a proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws. The focus of these changes are:
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Align the Branch Steward term from current one year term to two years to match term of Regional Chairs
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Align the terms limits for the National Officers
The purpose of this change is as a cost saving measure in light of a high retirement rate of members and NWS employees. The group discussed the ideas presented and provided input and many ideas of their own. Changes to the constitution can be done by a mail out to all members with a simple majority OR a 2/3 majority vote at a National Convention.
Convention members will entertain motions to accept OR amend the proposals at hand. There will be a vote later in the convention.
NWSEO General Counsel Richard Hirn presented his annual report and highlights of the most important cases from October 2011 to present. For a recap of this work, visit the Member News page of this site and scroll down to see the accomplishments.
A motion was made and passed on a unanimous voice vote to make Ted Apley and John Stansfield lifetime members. Both gentlemen have been long-time members and worked hard for union on many issues over the years. We appreciate their work and dedication.
NWSEO Treasurer Dave Solano presented the 2013 NWSEO budget. The 2013 budget was approved unanimously. NWSEO Director of Communications Lisa Luciani provided a report on media relations, communications and recruitment.
NWSEO President Dan Sobien's presentation to the convention focused on the future of the NWS and the issues that need the agency's attention.
Shannon White updated the convention on AWIPS2. Raytheon has been working on A2 for 8 years. So far cost estimates are around ½ Billion Dollars! Only 8 WFOs and 4 RFCs are running A2. A2 is a much slower system and performance issues continue. NOAA and the NWS have no future plan in place for AWIPS2 OR AWIPS 1. Due to the lack of funding there has been reduced testing of AWIPS2 in HQ. Raytheon is doing all or most of the testing.
National Convention Agenda
National Weather Service Employees Organization
37th CONVENTION
Las Vegas, Nevada
November 13-14, 2012
AGENDA
Tuesday, November 13
Room: Tribeca
Morning:
7:15 – Registration
8:00 – Dan Sobien, President NWSEO, call meeting to order, appoint parliamentarian, call for reading
of 2011 Convention minutes.
8:15 – Bill Hopkins, Executive Vice President, NWSEO
8:45 – Constitution Changes, JoAnn Becker
9:15 – Richard Hirn, General Council, NWSEO
10:15 – Break
10:30 – Richard Hirn, General Council, NWSEO
PAC discussion, Dan
12:00 – Lunch – On your own, return promptly at 1pm.
Afternoon
1:00 – Credentials Committee Report
1:30 – Dave Solano, Secretary Treasurer NWSEO
2:00 – Director Media Relations, Lisa Luciani,
2:30 – Break
2:45 – Dan Sobien, President, NWSEO
3:30 – Future of NWS - Bill Proenza
4:15 – Report out on Grievance against Union, Bill Hirt
5:00 – Vote on Constitutional Changes
5:30 – Break for Day
6:30-9:00 Banquet Dinner at Park Terrace
Wednesday, November 14
Room: Tribeca
Morning
8:00 – Elections (PR, WR)
8:30 – Election Results/Director of Membership NWSEO Report, Peter Nuhn
9:00 – NAG Report, Matera/McDonald
9:15 – AOC/AOML Report,
9:30 – NESDIS Report, Sharkey
9:45 – 2013 Convention
10:00 – Break
10:15 – AWIPS II – Shannon White
11:00 – Appoint committee members
12:00 – Lunch on your own. Return promptly at 1pm.
1:00 – New Business
1:45 – Adjourn for Council Meeting
5:30 – National Council Dinner, Location n Fornaio, at NYNY
-NWSEO-
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