Chapter leaders elected at biennial convention

November 18, 2003

Chapter 31'S 9th Biennial Convention, held Oct. 29-30 in Springfield, was the stage for retiree activists to choose their leaders for the next two years and discuss the direction they believe the organization should be heading.The convention serves as a wonderful opportunity to inform our members about the issues that are so vital to their everyday lives," retiree director Joanna Webb- Gauvin said. "In addition, the convention also serves as great motivation for our members as speakers fire them up and encourage them to get involved in the fight for those issues."

The new slate of officers and executive board members will set priorities for Chapter 31's activities, manage the group's funds and represent it in public forums.

Officers elected by convention delegates: President Doris Clark, Sub-chapter 82; Executive Vice-President Virginia Yates, Sub-chapter 85; Northern Vice-President Shirley Byrd, Sub-chapter 57; Southern Vice-President Dorothy Asbury, Sub-chapter 59; Recording Secretary Barbara Franklin, Sub-chapter 88, Secretary Treasurer Robert Copple, Sub-chapter 60 and Trustees Florence Blimling, Sub-chapter 82; Marion Elliott, Sub-chapter 60, and Arlou Waller, Sub-chapter 59.

The number of executive board members allowed per region is calculated based upon the percentage of members residing in the region.

Delegates vote on executive board members from their region only. Those elected: Rose Bordoshuk, Sub-chapter 60; Louise Bates-Spencer, Sub-chapter 60; Delores Wasmund, Sub- chapter 60; Marion Crammond, Sub-chapter 69; Dorothy Rowland, Sub-chapter 74; Don Fitch, Sub-chapter 73; Rosie Lee Mason, Sub-chapter 57; Hal Gullett, Sub-chapter 79; Joyce King, Sub-chapter 78; Margaret Stewart, Sub-chapter 86; Dick Graden, Sub-chapter 87; Emma Lou Sullivan, Sub-chapter 59; Dick Dawdy, Sub-chapter 59; Veneda Knolhoff, Sub-chapter 85; Lotrell Hileman, Sub-chapter 90, Dale Rednour, Sub-chapter 56; Beatrice Stratton, Sub-chapter 88.

Gaining new members remains top priority

At the convention retirees adopted resolutions setting their agenda for the next two years. Recruitment and education of new members remain the chapter's most important activities.

Delegates recognized that the continued involvement of union retirees allows Chapter 31 to win significant gains for retirees and helps forestall attacks on senior citizens' standard of living. Education of retiree members allows the creation of a base of informed and influential voters.

Convention delegates pledged to increase outreach to union retirees through improving relationships with current AFSCME locals, further promotion of the chapter's half and half program (participating locals and sub-chapters each reimburse half of the first year's Retirees Chapter dues to new members who join on retirement), and increased workshops and training sessions for chapter and sub-chapter leaders.

Push PEOPLE for political action

Delegates agreed that retirees have a lot to gain by maintaining political activity, since the quality of life for Chapter 31 and Council 31 members greatly depends on who serves in both the U.S. Congress and the Illinois General Assembly.

To ensure that the best people are elected to those bodies, delegates approved resolutions vowing to continue support of the PEOPLE program both through financial means and through the promotion of PEOPLE-sponsored events.

Pension improvements a key goal

Keeping up with the rise of inflation can be difficult while retired. Chapter 31 renewed its commitment to securing respect and dignity in retirement when delegates approved resolutions for the following improvements:

• Increasing the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund's 13th check, which is issued every July;
• Eliminating the state's Social Security offset on State Employee Retirement System survivors;
• Creating a subsidized health insurance program for IMRF retirees;
• Securing an ad hoc increase for State and University retirees; and
• Providing a compounded cost of living adjustment for IMRF retirees.

 

Health care leads targeted federal issues

Many issues impacting retirees are dealt with on the national level. Delegates realize they must have a presence not only at the state level, but must also get involved in the following federal fights:

• Securing a voluntary, comprehensive, affordable prescription drug benefit under Medicare;
• Blocking any effort to privatize, in part or in whole, the Social Security program; and
• Killing any bill that would endanger retirees' employer-sponsored drug coverage, fail to truly help seniors with drug costs, or attempt to privatize or means-test Medicare in any form.

 

Six named to Retiree Hall of Fame

Six retirees who have shown an outstanding commitment to Chapter 31, above and beyond the call of duty, have been inducted into the chapter's Hall of Fame.

They join 65 other activists whose work on behalf of the group's 22,500 members has put them into the honored hall. Hall of Famers have their name prominently displayed on a plaque in Council 31's Springfield office. Here's what the people who nominated them said about those inducted into the Hall of Fame this year:

Dorothy Asbury , president of sub-chapter 59, has also been elected as Southern Vice-President by the chapter convention. In nominating her, Arlou Waller said, "She participates in every event possible and provides the opportunity for others to participate as well. Dorothy was on the Senior Team 2002 as well as the ‘truth squad' that toured Southern Illinois on behalf of pro-working-family candidates. She has helped grow her sub-chapter and can always be counted on to help recruit members to attend various Chapter 31 functions."

Alfred Becker, sub-chapter 57, "serves as an inspiration to members in his sub-chapter," said Elvia Lee Steward who nominated him. "Mr. Becker has served as Treasurer of his sub-chapter for 15 years. He has demonstrated an undying commitment to improving the lives of public retirees. He is always a source of sound advice and encouragement for other members."

Rose Bordoshuk, sub-chapter 60, was nominated by Georgean Simmons, who said she "has demonstrated her commitment to Chapter 31 in her role as Chapter 31 Executive Board member and as a leader in her sub-chapter. She was Vice-President of her sub-chapter for four years and recording secretary for two years. Ms. Bordoshuk was chosen as one of the persons that greeted President Bill Clinton when he visited Chicago. She works very hard in furthering the legislative agenda of the chapter. Chapter 31 members can count on her to express the concerns of public retirees and ensure that those who make public policy in Illinois know where we stand on the issues."

Clarice Bunton, sub-chapter 75, was nominated by Thelma Jensen who praised her contributions to her sub-chapter. "Clarice is president and has been on the executive board for 11 years. She has attended all political conventions for Chapter 31 over a 20 year period. Clarice attends pickets to assist union members in distress. She is willing to volunteer her services whenever the need arises."

Veneda Knolhoff, sub-chapter 85, was nominated by Virginia Yates, who said she, "really comes through for members of sub-chapter 85 and Chapter 31. Ms. Knolhoff has served as sub-chapter secretary and on the Chapter 31 Executive Board. Veneda has been very active in organizing members for various lobbying activities. She has worked very hard on elections. She is always looking for ways to assist members and Chapter 31 in its fight for retirees."

Dorothy Rednour, sub-chapter 56, was nominated by Dale Rednour, who said she "has worked extremely hard for her sub-chapter and Chapter 31 for many years. She has attended many meetings and Chapter 31 conventions over the years. Ms. Rednour has worked diligently in finding new members for the chapter. She has done many things, such as making lunch for every meeting, to greatly increase turnout at the monthly meetings. Whether it has been turning out for lobby days, increasing membership, or assisting anyone from the newest subchapter member to the president of Chapter 31 Dorothy has always been there working for retirees."

Chapter honors Elvia Lee Steward

Elvia Steward, stepping down after years of active involvement in the union and retiree chapter, was honored at the chapter convention. "We will miss her leadership as Sub-Chapter 57 president and Chapter 31 recording secretary," Chapter 31 Retiree director Joanna Webb- Gauvin said.

Steward didn't know the award ceremony was planned.

"I have belonged to AFSCME Chapter 31 since its inception," she said. "Yet, I was very surprised to be honored at the convention. It warmed me to know they cared that much."

Chapter 31 President Doris Clark poured on the accolades.

"Elvia has been a leader in Chapter 31 and other organizations for years," Clark said. "We really appreciate all the hard work and leadership she has brought to Chapter 31 over the years."

Steward's activities include: being a charter member and treasurer of the Pembroke Health Department; being president of Subchapter 57; being secretary of Chapter 31; belonging to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and Senior Services; being a three term Pembroke Township Clerk; being a Pembroke Township Committee member; and having been a member of the NAACP for more than 60 years.

Blagojevich pushes for prescription imports

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced in a press release that he is enlisting the help of American drug consumers in his effort to convince the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to change its policy prohibiting states and local governments from buying FDA-approved medications for a lower price from Canada. The governor is asking consumers to fill out an on-line petition in support of drug importation at www.affordabledrugs.il.gov.

"Let the FDA know they can't keep hiding behind the excuse of safety," Blagojevich said. "Let the FDA know you want your prescription drug costs reduced."

The web site has information about the discrepancy between American and Canadian drug prices, the impact of high prices on consumers — especially the elderly—and activity in Congress on the issue.

In addition to the on-line effort, the governor said petitions will be available in hard copy at senior citizen facilities throughout the state, or can be requested over the phone by calling toll-free (866) 296- 6322.

SERS seminars set for retirees

The State Employees Retirement System is hosting a workshop entitled "Myths & Realities of Retirement," for retirees, survivors, disability benefit recipients and their guests. This free one-day workshop lasts from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and covers such topics as financial and estate planning, senior fraud prevention and several other free services offered by the state of Illinois to retirees.

Also covered in the workshop are recent changes or reoccurring problems in benefits for state retirees. For example, it is important for SERS annuitants and their survivors to realize that the State Employees' and Retirees' Group Insurance plan is a supplemental policy to Medicare. There should be no remaining balance on physician charges after both Medicare and state insurance make payment, unless your HMO requires an office co-payment.

Workshops will be conducted state wide in 2004 beginning in January until December. The dates and locations still open for enrollment are as follows:

Jan. 22, Normal
Feb. 19, Paris
Feb. 24, Chicago
Mar. 4, Jacksonville
Mar. 11, Rock Falls
Mar. 25, Springfield
Mar. 31, Chicago
Apr. 1, Collinsville
Apr. 8, Joliet
Apr. 15, Mt. Vernon
Apr. 29, Moline
May 6, Lincoln
May 13, Utica
May 20, Marion
May 27, Bourbonnais
Jun. 3, Urbana
Jun. 17, Rend Lake
Jun. 30, Normal
Jul. 1, Springfield
Jul. 15, Carbondale
Jul. 22, Peoria
Jul. 29, Chicago
Aug. 5, Springfield
Aug. 19, Galesburg
Aug. 26, Rockford
Sep. 2, Schaumburg
Sep. 9, Effingham
Sep. 21, Macomb
Sep. 30, Rockford
Oct. 12, Taylorville
Oct. 21, Rend Lake
Oct. 27, Fairview Heights
Nov. 9, Chicago
Nov. 16, Peoria
Dec. 2, Springfield
Dec. 9, Tinley Park
Dec. 14, Joliet

For more information or to make a reservation please write to: State Employees' Retirement System, 2101 S. Veterans Parkway, PO Box 19255, Springfield, Ill. 62794-9255. You may also call in reservations at 217-785-6979.