TOP STORY
Run for SEA Board: Filing period now open
Members can also propose resolutions and amendments
Are you ready to run? The filing period is currently open for candidates for positions on the SEA/SEIU Local 1984 Board of Directors. Elections will be held at the Annual Convention on Saturday, Oct. 19, at Merrill Place Conference Center in Plymouth. Members in good standing can now file self-nomination forms for positions on the Board of Directors as well as proposed amendments and resolutions to be considered by delegates.
This one-day convention will include annual awards, and we are also seeking nominations for the John B. Parker Award for Outstanding Member. You can find all necessary forms on the Convention 2019 page on our website.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
Organizer and author speaks on leadership
In an event co-hosted by SEA/SEIU Local 1984 and the NH Faith and Labor Coalition on Friday, Jonathan Rosenblum spoke to a packed room about his successful efforts to organize Seattle airport workers and his thoughts on union contracts and leadership. As the coalition fights to raise the minimum wage here in New Hampshire, Rosenblum’s experience was instructive. You can get a snapshot of the event through a series of videos on our website.
If you are interested in learning about upcoming events or to be part of the NH Faith and Labor Coalition, you can email dholt@seiu1984.org.
REMEMBERING KEN ROOS
Donors, volunteers needed for blood drive
Mark your calendars and reserve your spot: the Ken Roos Memorial Blood Drive will return for a second year on Thursday, Sept. 5. Our first blood drive last year exceeded expectations and we’re hoping for an even better year this year. In addition to blood donations, we’ll need volunteers as well as contributions of food and door prize items. Read more on our website.
Dozens attend dedication of memorial bench
When Ken Roos’ family began looking for ways to honor the late SEA/SEIU Local 1984 leader, the idea of a memorial bench came up. In the eyes of Ken’s wife, Jodi, there was only one place this bench could go: outside the SEA office.
And so it was that on Saturday – which would have been Ken’s 65th birthday – Ken’s family was joined by friends, fellow union members and political leaders to dedicate the bench. “I can tell you that these are all of Ken’s favorite people,” Jodi Roos said, surveying the crowd. “And he would love knowing that you are all here for this, supporting this. He loved you all.” Read more on our website.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
Member plays in Battle of the Badges game
On Aug. 2, Glenn Keyes of the Belknap County Dept. of Corrections played in his first Battle of the Badges game. Glenn raised a whopping $3,045 to help push this year’s fundraising total for CHaD past $135,000. Great work, Glenn, and thank you to everyone involved in this cool event. You can read more about the Battle of the Badges here.
BUILDING POWER
Chapter recruitment challenge continues
Earlier this summer, SEA/SEIU Local 1984 is kicking off a chapter-based competition to see how many new members we can get to join our movement. When we grow as a union, we gain additional voices and build strength at the bargaining table. We should always be working to build our movement, but the competition adds a bit of fun to it – the chapter that signs up the most new members wins a pizza party. Here are the details:
Who: All chapter members are welcomed and encouraged to participate
What: Pizza party for the chapter that garners the most members co-hosted by SEA President Rich Gulla in conjunction with the winning chapter president
Why: Janus wanted to weaken us. Let’s show that we’re growing stronger.
When: Contest runs through Sept. 20. The winning chapter will be announced then.
Members can sign up online using our Become a Member page. Important: To ensure your chapter receives credit, please be sure to write your name in the recruiter section at the top right-hand corner of the membership cards. If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Morrill at jmorrill@seiu1984.org or at 603-271-3411, extension 102.
RETIREMENT
Meet the new and improved RetireWise
For many years, members have benefited from the RetireWise program the SEA ran in partnership with MetLife. Our RetireWise representative has moved on to Prudential, which has a retirement education program that we believe will be even more beneficial for our members.
Our first session of Prudential’s Pathways program will kick off in a little more than a month, and we’re pretty excited. The program offers all of what RetireWise did, plus more features including a customized portal on their website with a ton of financial education tools. There’s no sales pitch involved: just good, free retirement education.
We’ll be reaching out to members about this new offering next week. In the meantime, if you’re interested or have questions, you can send an email to Joe Cicirelli at jcicirelli@seiu1984.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Backpack drive ending, food drive beginning
SEA/SEIU Local 1984 office members are planning the following events in the coming days and months:
Backpack drive: The Department of Education is collecting new backpacks for children through this Friday and bags can be dropped off at the SEA office at 207 N. Main St. in Concord. The backpacks will then be given to school nurses around the state for distribution. We’re thankful the staff at DOE is once again taking on this important project.
End 68 Hours of Hunger: During September and October, SEA/SEIU Local 1984 and the state Liquor Commission are teaming up to support End 68 Hours of Hunger. For children suffering from food insecurity, free lunch and breakfast provided at school can be their only food source. That leaves a 68-hour gap between lunch on Friday and breakfast on Monday. End 68 Hours of Hunger provides food staples to children in need and you can help by donating specific food items at any state liquor store during September and October:
– Peanut butter (plastic, 10–18oz. jars)
– Canned tuna (5 oz. cans)
– Canned fruit (14–16oz. cans)
– Canned soup (15–19oz. cans)
Mohegan Sun bus trip: You’re invited to join us for an all-day excursion to Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 28. The trip, which is sponsored by the Social Activities Committee, is a great deal at $35 per person. That covers round-trip transportation (with six hours on site), plus a $15 meal voucher and a $15 betting voucher. This trip is a benefit for SEA/SEIU Local 1984 members, but you can bring guests with you. You can get your tickets here.