For OPEA to be a truly grassroots organization, it must have active and engaged leaders comprised of both active and retired state employees who what to actively serve our members. Without strong leadership, organizations like OPEA cannot reach their full potential. Maybe it is time for you to consider serving in more active capacity.
If you want to be more active in OPEA and take a more-active role in improving state employment and retirement, you may want to consider running for an OPEA office. This year, members will elect a president and regional directors for even number regions as well as the retireeast regional director. The filing period is June 15th through June 28th. All offices up for election have a two-term beginning January 1, 2021.
The president is the face of OPEA and is called on to lead the association’s activities and oversees the association’s board meetings. They serve on OPEA’s executive team and take a hands-on role in OPEA’s operations, including budget and financial business necessary to run OPEA.
Regional directors serve on the OPEA Board of Directors which meets six to eight times per year either in person or virtually and attend important OPEA events like the annual convention. They often communicate with legislators and other state leaders to advance OPEA’s agenda.. Regional directors also work to increase local membership, coordinate local OPEA activities and communicate with members in their region.
If you are interested in running for an office email Tom Dunning with any questions. If you wish to run for a position, email him the following information:
- Name
- Home Address
- Contact Telephone Number (Not work number)
- Position Running For
- 300 Word Bio – Including Why You Are Running
OPEA will screen the applicants to make sure they are eligible to run for the office and will notify them of their eligibility. If you have questions, please email Tom Dunning. OPEA’s election rules are show below and we encourage you to review them before you decide whether you would like to run.
Candidates will be informed of unofficial results first and official results will be announced at the OPEA Annual Convention and Delegate Assembly (This year’s Convention and Delegate Assembly may be conducted virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions)
OPEA Election Rules For Candidate Eligibility
The positions that will be elected are President, Regional Director for Regions 2,4,6,8,10, and Regional Director for Retiree East Region.
Candidates for President shall: Be a dues paying member of OPEA for one year prior to filing and not be a member of a competing organization as established by the OPEA Board of Directors for four years prior to the office filing date. (Competing organization has been defined as Oklahoma Corrections Professionals and Communications Workers of America/Oklahoma State Workers Union.)
Candidates for Active Employee Regional Director shall:
Be an active state employee and dues paying member of OPEA for at least one year prior to filing and has not has been a member of a competing organization as established by the OPEA Board of Directors for two years. (Competing organization has been defined as Oklahoma Corrections Professionals and Communications Workers of America/Oklahoma State Workers Union.); and live or have their OPEA membership in the OPEA Region for which they are seeking office.
Candidates for Retiree Director shall:
Be a retired participant of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and a dues paying member of OPEA for at least one year prior to end date of the filing period; and not have been a member of a competing organization as established by the OPEA Board of Directors for at least two years prior to the end date of the filing period. (Competing organization has been defined as Oklahoma Corrections Professionals and Communications Workers of America/Oklahoma State Workers Union.); and live in the OPEA Retiree Region for which they are seeking office.
Certification of Candidates
The Election Board staff liaison in consultation with the Election Board Chair, or designee, will verify requirements of each candidate.
Candidate Filing
The filing period shall be June 15th through June 28th, 2020. Filing information must be received in the OPEA office no later than 5:00 PM CST June 28th, 2020.
