2008 CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS OF APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER, APWU, AFL-CIO!

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER,
AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION, AFL-CIO


ARTICLE I
TITLE

The name of this organization shall be the APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER, AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION, AFL-CIO, hereinafter referred to as the STATE CHAPTER. The address of the State Chapter shall be the office of the APWU of Florida, American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO.

ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this State Chapter shall be to be aware of and protect the social and economic welfare of the Retiree member and his/her family, on a state and national level, to conduct the business of the State Chapter to that end, and through legislative and political efforts to maintain a healthy retirement climate and a better standard of living for APWU Retirees and their families, and to service retired members and their surviving spouses. Additional objectives of this State Chapter shall be to support the efforts of APWU of Florida Local Retiree Chapters with education and organizing programs sponsored by the State Chapter to benefit new and long-time retired members, and to carry out, on a state basis, the objectives of the National APWU Retiree Department, AFL-CIO.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

All active Florida Local APWU Retiree Chapters chartered by the National APWU are eligible for membership in this State Chapter. Retiree Chapter Locals joining the State Chapter must be affiliated with the APWU of Florida state organization. Any APWU member who retired or retires in good standing, and who resides outside the jurisdiction of an active Local Retiree Chapter, shall be eligible for membership, subject to the requirements of the National APWU and APWU of Florida State Constitutions and By-Laws.

ARTICLE IV
DUES AND REVENUES

Section 1. The monthly APWU Retiree membership dues shall be set by the National APWU Retiree Department. Retiree membership dues shall be payable in accordance with rules established by the National APWU Retiree Department. The President and the Secretary-Treasurer of the APWU of Florida shall be the Fiduciary Officers of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter. The IRS and Dept. of Labor Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) shall be the same as the APWU of Florida. The Fiduciary Officers, the State Chapter President, and the State Chapter Secretary-Treasurer shall be bonded under the National APWU bonding procedures.

Section 2. APWU Retirees shall pay $24.00 yearly, or $2.00 monthly by automatic deduction from their OPM annuity check, to the National APWU and the forty percent (40%) Retiree Dues Rebate money received by the APWU of Florida is to be used for the conduct of business of the State Chapter.


ARTICLE V
OFFICERS

Section 1. The elected officers of this State Chapter shall be President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Legislative Director, Health Plan Director, Benefits and Organizing Director, and up to three (3) Trustees, and shall comprise the Executive Board of the State Chapter.

Section 2. To be eligible for office, a member must be in good standing for three months of the previous calendar quarter immediately preceding the election, as certified by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 3. To be eligible to vote in an election of officers, a member must be in good standing for three months of the previous calendar quarter immediately preceding the election, as certified by the Secretary-Treasurer.

Section 4. No person shall be able to hold office unless his or her Local Retiree Chapter is a member in good standing of the State Chapter.

Section 5. Once a retired postal employee accepts re-employment with the Postal Service, he/she is ineligible to be a member in good standing of the National APWU Retiree Department or this State Chapter. Upon retiring again from the USPS, the retiree is again eligible to be a member of the National APWU Retiree Department and this State Chapter.

ARTICLE VI
ELECTIONS

Section 1. All regular elections shall be held in conjunction with the election of Officers of the APWU of Florida, AFL-CIO. All terms will coincide with the terms of office of the APWU of Florida. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot vote. The Chapter President shall appoint an election committee chairperson who will be responsible for the election, preparation of ballots, counting of ballots, and reporting of the election, assisted by members of the election committee.

Section 2. Notice of election shall be advertised in the Florida Postal Worker preceding the election. Nominations and election procedures shall be in accordance with the APWU of Florida Constitution and By-Laws. Appeals to the conduct of elections shall be made to the Election Committee and in accordance with the election appeals procedures of the APWU of Florida and National APWU Constitutions and By-Laws.

Section 3. The Chapter President shall fill all vacancies of Officers and Trustees, from any cause whatsoever, subject to majority approval of the Executive Board members of the State Chapter.

Section 4. Convention and Conference Delegates. {Adopted 5-08-2002}

The State Chapter Executive Board elected Officers, consisting of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Legislative Director, Health Plan Director, Benefits and Organizing Director, and the Trustees, shall be automatic elected delegates to all state, regional, and national Conventions and Conferences of affiliated organizations, including the Retiree Division, the American Postal Workers Union, the Postal Press Association, the Alliance for Retired Americans, and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO).

The State Chapter President shall be allowed vouched expenses paid. In the event the State Chapter President is unable to attend and be a voting delegate, another State Chapter elected Executive Board member shall be designated by the Chapter President to represent the State Chapter at the Convention or Conference with vouched expenses paid, subject to majority approval vote of the Executive Board members of the State Chapter.


ARTICLE VII
DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. All Officers shall act in accordance with the provisions of this State Chapter Constitution and By-Laws, the APWU of Florida Constitution and By-Laws, and the National APWU Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 2. President.

The President shall preside at all meetings of the State Chapter and shall be chairperson of the Executive Board. He/she shall appoint all committees and be a member of all committees. The President shall have the authority to appoint an editor if a retiree newsletter is published. A State Chapter newsletter shall belong to the National APWU Postal Press Association. He/she shall validate all expenditures and be responsible for all mailings of the organization. He/she shall attend all necessary meetings, seminars, and conventions of the State Chapter, the APWU of Florida, and the National APWU, funds permitting.

The President shall be paid at Level 5-O step per hour for required attendance representing the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter at all National, Regional, State, and Area Local/Local Seminars, Conferences, Conventions, and Executive Board meetings of the National APWU, APWU of Florida, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, National Alliance for Retired Americans, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, National AFL-CIO, Florida AFL-CIO, and Florida Central Labor Councils. {Adopted 5-10-2006}

The Chapter President shall be responsible to pay his/her own individual National APWU Retiree dues to the National APWU Retirees Department to continue as a member in good standing. He/she shall have full APWU area local/local, state, and national union dues paid by the State Chapter in order to enable him/her to perform the duties of the office of Chapter President. {Adopted 5-7-2008}

Section 3. Vice-President.

The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in case of his/her absence for whatever reason. In the event of the Retirement, Death, or Resignation of the President before the completion of his/her term of office, the Vice President shall assume the duties of the office of President until the next regular Chapter Convention election of officers. {Adopted 5-7-2008}

The Vice-President shall perform other duties as assigned by the President, and serve as liaison to other retiree organizations.

Section 4. Secretary-Treasurer.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for all monies received by this State Chapter. He/she shall render an account of the finances not less than annually, and shall assist the audit committee. He/she shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of this State Chapter, and shall keep accurate records of all monies received and disbursements. He/she shall be the custodian of the Chair and all records. The Secretary-Treasurer shall perform other duties as assigned by the President.

Section 5. Legislative Director. {Adopted 5-12-2004}

The Legislative Director shall be under the direction of the Chapter President and work with the National APWU President, Legislative Director, and Retiree Director; APWU of Florida President and Legislative Director: APWU Area Local/Local Presidents and Legislative Directors; Florida APWU Area Local/Local Retiree Chapter Presidents and Legislative Directors; American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations President and Legislative Director; Florida AFL-CIO President and Legislative Director; Florida Central Labor Council Presidents and Legislative Directors; National Alliance for Retired Americans President and Legislative Director; and Florida Alliance for Retired Americans President and Legislative Director.

The Chapter Legislative Director will help coordinate APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter legislative activities and National and State APWU COPA drives with the National APWU President, Legislative Director, and Retiree Director; the APWU of Florida President and Legislative Director; the APWU Area Local/Local Presidents and Legislative Directors; and the Florida APWU Area Local/Local Retiree Chapter Presidents and Legislative Directors. The Chapter Legislative Director shall report on National APWU, APWU of Florida, and APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter legislative and APWU COPA activities of interest to APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members and their families in APWU newsletters, through the media, and at Chapter Retiree conventions, seminars, and meetings.

Section 6. Health Plan Director. {Adopted 5-10-2006}

The Health Plan Director shall be under the direction of the Chapter President and shall work with and help coordinate APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter health plan activities with the National APWU President, Health Plan Director, and Retiree Director; APWU of Florida President and Health Plan Director; APWU Area Local/Local Presidents and Health Plan Directors; Florida APWU Area Local/Local Retiree Chapter Presidents and Health Plan Directors; American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations President and Health Plan Director; Florida AFL-CIO President and Health Plan Director; Florida Central Labor Council Presidents and Health Plan Directors; National Alliance for Retired Americans President and Health Plan Director; and Florida Alliance for Retired Americans President and Health Plan Director.

The Chapter Health Plan Director shall report on National APWU, APWU of Florida, and APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter health plan activities of interest to APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members and their families in APWU newsletters, through the media, and at Chapter Retiree conventions, seminars, and meetings.

The Chapter Health Plan Director shall be responsible to the membership for answering questions and providing references for materials concerning the APWU Health Plan, Tricare Health Plan for Military Retirees, and general knowledge of other Federal Employee Health Plan benefits and costs for comparison.

Section 7. Benefits and Organizing Director. {Adopted 5-10-2006}

The Benefits and Organizing Director shall be under the direction of the Chapter President and shall work with and help coordinate APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter benefits and organizing activities with the National APWU President and Retiree Director; APWU of Florida President and Benefits and Organizing Director; APWU Area Local/Local Presidents and Benefits and Organizing Directors; Florida APWU Area Local/Local Retiree Chapter Presidents and Benefits and Organizing Directors; American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations President and Benefits and Organizing Director; Florida AFL-CIO President and Benefits and Organizing Director; Florida Central Labor Council Presidents and Benefits and Organizing Directors; National Alliance for Retired Americans President and Benefits and Organizing Director; and Florida Alliance for Retired Americans President and Benefits and Organizing Director.

The Chapter Benefits and Organizing Director shall report on National APWU, APWU of Florida, and APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter benefit and organizing activities of interest to APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter members and their families in APWU newsletters, through the media, and at Chapter Retiree conventions, seminars, and meetings.

The Chapter Benefits and Organizing Director shall be responsible to the membership for answering questions and providing references for materials concerning all National APWU, APWU of Florida, and National AFL-CIO benefit and organizing programs for members and their families. The Benefits and Organizing Director shall communicate and coordinate with OPM, Social Security, Medicare, and other federal, state, county, and local agencies in the protection of current and future Retiree benefits and organization, and to achieve other benefits and organization for APWU active and Retiree members, spouses, and families.

Section 8. Trustees.

Trustees shall be responsible for an annual audit of the State Chapter’s finances and books, in conjunction with the Audit Committee of the APWU of Florida. Trustees shall perform other duties as assigned by the President.

Section 9. Executive Board.

The elected officers of this State Chapter shall comprise the Executive Board.


ARTICLE VIII
FINANCES AND EXPENSES

Finances permitting, the authorized expenditures of this State Chapter will be: transportation, mileage, food, meals, lodging, hotels, registration fees, office supplies, postage, telephone, taxes, tips, and other necessary expenses approved by the State Chapter President.

ARTICLE IX
CONVENTIONS

Section 1. The State Convention of the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter will be held in conjunction with the regular State Convention of the APWU of Florida, AFL-CIO. Biennual meetings may be held in conjunction with the biennual meetings of the APWU of Florida or when deemed necessary by the State Chapter President.

Section 2. The State Chapter will conduct retirement classes at the APWU of Florida Education Seminars, and the State Chapter President will attend APWU of Florida district meetings when deemed necessary by the APWU of Florida President and the State Chapter President.

Section 3. The APWU of Florida shall determine registration fees for Conventions and Seminars. Preparations for the Convention and Education Seminars will be under the direction of the State Chapter President.

ARTICLE X
REPRESENTATION

The voting strength of member Local Retiree Chapters at Convention shall be one vote for each twenty-five (25) members, or fraction thereof. Representation shall be based upon the membership of each member local chapter in the year preceding the Convention. Members-At-Large shall be entitled to one (1) vote each.

ARTICLE XI
AUTHORIZATION

Except to the extent specified in this Constitution and By-Laws, no Officer of the State Chapter shall have the authority to act as agent for or otherwise bind the State Chapter in any way whatsoever. No member or group of members or other person shall have the authority to act on behalf of or otherwise bind the State Chapter, except to the extent specifically authorized by the Chapter President, with the approval of the APWU of Florida President.


ARTICLE XII
CONSTITUTIONS

This State Chapter shall at all times be subject to the provisions of the National APWU Constitution and By-Laws, AFL-CIO, and the APWU of Florida Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the members attending and voting at the State Chapter Convention. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in resolution form for membership consideration and voted upon, subject to modification, and provided such amendments are not inconsistent with the Constitutions and By-Laws of the APWU of Florida and the National APWU, AFL-CIO or with other rules and regulations established by the National APWU Retiree Department.


BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I
RULES OF ORDER

Roberts’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised Edition, shall be the guide in all cases to which they are applicable and shall govern all meetings of the State Chapter, and in which they are not inconsistent with this Constitution and By-Laws or with the APWU of Florida and National APWU, AFL-CIO, Constitution and By-Laws. The State Chapter President shall appoint a Parliamentarian.


ARTICLE II
QUORUM

A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall be required for a quorum. At least three (3) members in good standing shall be required for a quorum to conduct official State Chapter business, or a State Chapter Convention, which “cannot be lost.”


ARTICLE III
MISSION

The State Chapter shall work in conjunction with the APWU of Florida Auxiliary, Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, Inc., the Florida AFL-CIO, and the APWU of Florida President and the Legislative Director on all Legislative and Political matters.


THIS CONSTITUTION WAS FIRST ADOPTED ON MARCH 15, 2002 AT JACKSONVILLE, FL. SUBSEQUENT CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION WERE ADOPTED BY THE APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER DELEGATES ON MAY 8, 2002 AT ORLANDO, FLORIDA, AND ON MAY 12, 2004 AND MAY 10, 2006 AT DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA AND MAY 7, 2008 AT MELBOURNE, FL.

HIGHLIGHTS OF APWU OF FLORIDA STATE RETIREE CHAPTER & ACTIVE CONVENTION AT CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL IN MELBOURNE, FL MAY 7-10, 2008

Judy Beard, National APWU Retirees Director, Invited main guest speaker for the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board meeting, Luncheon, and Convention held at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Melbourne, FL on Wed., May 7, 2008 announces her future plans for the Retirees Dept. and new member services to rapt listeners, Retiree Chapter Officers and active members in the Retirees dining room at the fabulous hotel fronting the Atlantic Ocean.

4TH BIENNIAL STATE RETIREE CHAPTER
MELBOURNE CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS!
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Twenty-one (21) Retiree Chapter officers and members, active officers and members, Auxiliary officers and members, and family guests attended our 4th Biennial APWU of Florida State Retiree Executive Board Meeting, Luncheon and/or State Retiree Convention held at the Crowne Plaza Oceanfront Resort & Spa, Melbourne, Fl. on Wed., May 7, 2008.

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We prepared over 100 Retiree Happy Folders for the Retirees Convention and regular APWU of Florida Convention Delegates, Officers, and Families which were distributed during the twin conclaves. The folders were chock full of APWU history from our founding and fantastic, innovative ideas for the future. Thousands of FREE APWU pictures were displayed and given away to lucky Delegates and their families. Be sure to go online to www.retireeparadise.blogspot.com to see our latest article and picture.

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Seven (7) of the State Retiree Chapter Executive Board Chapter members were unopposed in the State Chapter elections and were unanimously elected to serve a two year (2) term of office 2008-2010. Michael Jordan, Sr. from Rockledge, FL. was unanimously elected as the new Benefits and Organizing Director on the Board provided he accepts the position. Warren Pearlman from Eustis, FL helped out on several committees. We wish to thank APWU of Florida President Martha Shunn-King and Auxiliary President Tina Pruitt who welcomed the Retiree Convention Delegates with opening remarks.

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Newly elected Board members, Jack Gose, President from South Pasadena, Valentine Serpico, Vice-President from Ft. Lauderdale, Mario G. Miceli, Secretary-Treasurer from Clearwater, Dave Bernstein, Legislative Director from Tampa, J.C. Wise, Health Plan Director from Tampa, Charlie Redd, Trustee from Cocoa, and Pedro Torres, Trustee from Miami, or their stand ins were administered the APWU Oath of Office by Judy Beard, National APWU Retirees Department Director from Washington, D.C. Judy is also the Natl. Sec.-Treas. of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW).

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Judy Beard was our main invited guest speaker at the luncheon and the Retiree Convention, and she answered many questions from those in attendance concerning a wide range of retiree issues for the active, retiree, and family members. She has several great ideas to increase our Retiree membership and provide more benefit programs for current and future APWU Retirees.

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Many cash door prizes, hundreds of APWU Parade of States pin and button collectible prizes, hundreds of APWU newsletters from all 50 states, and APWU of Florida brief cases and convention bags from Jack Gose’s office dating back to the first National APWU 1972 Convention in New Orleans, La. were given away on tables in the hotel foyer to all the Delegates and families attending the regular APWU of Florida State Convention from Thur., May 8 thru Sat., May 10, 2008.

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Retiree resolutions and Constitution and By-Laws changes were discussed, debated, and adopted unanimously. One was also adopted by the APWU of Florida regular Convention Delegates to change Article 5-National Convention by adding section 12, meaning the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter President shall be a delegate to the APWU state and national conventions, thus ensuring the Chapter President automatic delegate credentials and he/she shall be allowed vouched expenses from the State Retiree Chapter funds per a Retiree Chapter Constitutional change approved unanimously on May 7 by Retiree Chapter Convention Delegates.

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Jack Gose was appointed as Master Sergeant-at-arms at the Convention for the umpteenth time and he wishes to thank all the Delegate members of the Committee for their duties and cool demeanor on the five (5) doorways during the Election cycle. A special word of thanks to all the Committee chairs and members especially, and Roseanne Hudson who posted the election results on the office door on Friday afternoon in record time. At the banquet I was humbled as one of three Retirees to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award plaque and lapel pin presented by National APWU Auxiliary Coord. Clara Hill.

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We introduced a COPA Challenge by contributing $36.00 in separate water glasses at the podium on Saturday, the final day of the regular Convention which brought our total COPA collections to over $1,000. during 4 days of Conventions. Jack Gose won the COPA drawing of $500.00 plus, and in the spirit of unionism he walked to a floor mike to donate the entire cash prize winnings back to the APWU of Florida to establish an organizing fund as an incentive to allow each new APWU Area Local/Local Retiree Chapter and APWU Area Local/Local Auxiliary Chapter chartered by the National APWU in the future startup money of $100.00 to open a checking account before the first Retiree rebate or Auxiliary check is received in order to have funds to do Chapter business.

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One of the State Retiree Chapter’s paramount goals is to educate 15,000 APWU of Florida members and their families on electoral reform, and encourage the participation and exercise of our voting rights as Americans in all local, city, county, state, regional, and national elections of officials, stressing the importance of VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOT to MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT in the 2008 general election results. E-mail Jack Gose at jak.gose@excite.com to volunteer for action!

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Thanks to the APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter Executive Board Officers, Delegates, and Family guests for the most wonderful expressions of unity and solidarity we have ever seen at any APWU Retiree and active Convention. It was nice dining and talking with former State Presidents Mario Miceli and Charlie and Beverly Redd, former Stu Filbey Baltimore, MD Local President Jack Cimino and his spouse Lorraine who live in Sebring, FL, Michael Jordan and Richard Keys from Rockledge, Warren Pearlman and spouse from Eustis, and former Auxiliary President Betty Baker and Sec.-Treas. Eunice Butts from Tampa.

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Congratulations to all the newly elected Officers and National Delegates of the APWU of Florida, and State Retiree Chapter. We wish to thank the 2008 Convention Delegates in Melbourne for electing this Young Warrior of 41 years dedication and commitment to the APWU of Florida rank and file and Retiree Chapter membership as State Delegate to the 19th Biennial APWU Convention! We love you and Hope to see you in Las Vegas, NV August 15-24, 2008! Phone me at Bally’s Resort if you need Help!
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FLORIDA AFL-CIO COPE CONVENTION IN COCOA BEACH, FL. JUN 20-22, 2008
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All APWU of Florida Area Local/Local Unions affiliated with the Florida AFL-CIO are urged to send a full elected Delegation to attend and participate in the Biennial Florida AFL-CIO COPE Endorsing Convention to be held June 20-22, 2008 at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, 1550 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. For room reservations, phone 1-800-526-2609 or 321-799-0003 direct to hotel, sgl/dbl room rate of $109.00 night plus 11 % tax, and mention FL AFL-CIO to get group discount. Check in 4 pm and checkout 11 am with parking at no charge.

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Basic registration is $75.00 which includes all coffee breaks, materials for the seminars and convention, individual tickets to the Candidate reception on June 21 is $75.00 each, and the Solidarity breakfast on June 22 is $50.00, which may be purchased separately or as part of a full registration package including one ticket to each of the special events at a discounted rate of $185.00. The hotel is also offering a complimentary Friday evening outing aboard Sterling Casino Lines. The cruise line will provide FREE roundtrip transportation to Cape Canaveral, and offers complimentary drinks while gaming, a complimentary light buffet and live entertainment.

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Resolutions pertaining to legislative issues only will be accepted and considered during the Convention so that we may prepare for the 2009 Legislative Session. Legislative resolutions that were approved at the October, 2007 Biennial Convention at the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, FL need not be resubmitted. Convention registration is 8 am-4 pm on Fri., June 20 and the General Session begins at 2 pm. Concurrent workshops begin at 9:30 am on Sat., June 21 and continue in the afternoon. A COPE Action Team (CAT) luncheon for members only will be from noon to 1:30 pm. A candidate reception honoring Florida’s statewide, congressional and legislative candidates is on tap for 6 to 8 pm.

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Jack Gose, President, APWU of Florida State Retiree Chapter, will represent all 3,000 APWU Retiree Chapter members in Florida at this important Florida AFL-CIO conclave, the legislative arm of the AFL-CIO, as we gear up for the 2008 General Elections on Nov. 4, 2008. We hope to bring back a booty of FREE legislative and political materials to display and give away to APWU of Florida Active and Retiree Officers, Stewards, Active and Retiree Chapter Members, Auxiliary, and families attending the semi-annual APWU of Florida State Educational Seminar in November, 2008. If you want real action, go to www.flara.org or www.retiredamericans.org for Labor Action 2008. We Love You, APWU!