NWSEO Looks to Diversify Representation on National Teams -
Requests Members to Get Involved in Areas and Share What They Know
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(June 8, 2010) NWSEO is looking to expand representation on National Teams. The intent is to increase member involvement and diversify our areas of expertise on these teams. Oftentimes, the same people volunteer as the union’s representative on these teams. We are extremely appreciative of their efforts and dedication. The union is hoping to include more members on issues that apply to specific knowledge and skill sets. A wide variety of experience and expertise can lead to quality products, decisions and choices.
Here are a few examples of teams NWSEO is currently involved in:
AWIPS2 System
Weather Radio
Weather.gov Redesign
Emerging Technologies Team
You may have an idea for a team that you would like to join or see established. Please submit your name and those ideas to: NWSEO Vice President Bill Hopkins at execvice@nwseo.org and Director of Communications Lisa Luciani at mediarelations@nwseo.org.
If you’ve already requested to be on a team, please resubmit your name so that NWSEO has a complete list.
NWSEO Priorities: Your Union is Listening to Your Ideas
NWSEO’s focus is to work with issues affecting members and the union as a whole. A discussion board is now active on the union’s Facebook page for members to suggest future priorities of the NWSEO. If you are not already a member of the Facebook group for NWSEO, you can join at www.facebook.com. Search “Groups” on the left side of your Facebook Home Page. Then Search “National Weather Service Employees Organization” and join the group. The Discussion Board tab is where this discussion will take place.
Comments will be brought to the National Convention for discussion in early October. Each year, priorities of the union are discussed and set at the National Convention. Here is a brief background on how NWSEO sets its priorities and agenda:
The governing bodies of NWSEO are the National Convention and the National Council. The National Convention takes place annually in October. At the convention, issues are addressed. These issues are raised by members at the Convention and decisions are presented to our legal counsel for his expert advice. NWSEO then works to tackle the issues over the next year. The National Climate Service and the Intern issue were discussed at the 2009 convention and addressed this year.
The National Council is composed of the National President, Executive Vice President, National Secretary-Treasurer, Regional Chairs, plus the Chairs for the NOAA Attorneys Guild, and Wallops Island. The National Council serves as the governing body of the NWSEO when the National Convention is not in session. The National Council honors the priorities set by the convention. From time to time, an opportunity arises that may be lower on the priority scale but of great benefit to our members. NWSEO also works to take advantage of those opportunities as they occur.
If you’d like NWSEO to focus on a particular issue, you can have your ideas heard by contacting your steward, regional chair, or participating on the Facebook Priorities discussion board.
This year, the National Convention is at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami on October 9 and 10. All members are invited to the convention and attendance is encouraged. In an effort to help, the union will pay the travel and hotel room expenses for any member who recruits at least two new members between the dates October 5, 2009 and August 1, 2010. In order to be eligible for the offer, new members must sign up by SF 1187 and identify you on the form as the person who recruited them.
Election Letter
(June 8, 2010) The NWSEO Elections Letter will be arriving at your home address soon. The NWSEO Elections Letter includes information on nominations procedures and timelines for Regional Chair and Vice Chair, as well as, Branch Steward, Vice Steward, Delegate and Alternate Delegate. It also includes timelines, voting procedures and campaign rules.
You can also access a pdf copy of the Elections Letter here.
NWSEO Medical Leave Donations
(June 8, 2010) NWSEO Members have always been generous with leave donations for co-workers in need. At this time,one of ourmembers, Eileen Yoshino is facing a medical emergency and has used up all of her medical leave time. Lori Jackson is also in need of leave donations. Both women are from the Pacific Region.
If you are able to donate leave time, please complete the Donor Leave Transfer Application located on the Home page of www.nwseo.org and submit it to your ASA. If you would like to learn more about the Leave Transfer Program, including a full list of participants, visit: http://www.wfm.noaa.gov/policies/leavedonor_info.html.
NWSEO thanks you for your generosity and care!