The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Lawton OPEA Chapter is hosting a brown bag lunch with Representative Joe Dorman at noon this Friday October 9th at the ODMHSAS facility. Representative Dorman is a long-time friend of state employees and is the invited guest speaker. OPEA will also be there to help answer legislative questions.
The Lawton Chapter has been strengthened from a recent election by electing new officers and is on its way to becoming an OPEA Star Chapter.
The OPEA Star Chapter Program is an opportunity for the chapter to excel above and beyond in order to benefit themselves and all state employees across the state by participating in at least eight, nine, or 10 qualifying events. Those events include having 100 percent membership or a membership increase of five percent; attending the annual convention; attending lobby day; holding two membership drives; participating in one local community activity as an OPEA Chapter; hosting a grievance training session or attending a legal seminar; attending a council or area meeting; submitting one article with photographs, for publication in The Advocate; attending a meeting with the OPEA Board of Directors; hosting a legislative reception.
The rewards included for attaining eight qualifying events or Bronze Star Chapter will earn 100 dollars. The Silver Star Chapter will qualify for nine events and earn 150 dollars and the Gold Star Chapter will earn 200 dollars for qualifying for all 10 events. All levels of success will receive a plaque and recognition in The Advocate at the Annual Convention.
“I’m ecstatic that chapter president Brenda Bennett, along with vice president Hank Swearingen, secretary Nancy Vap, and treasurer Marjorie Mayes have taken the initiative and decided to invite Representative Dorman to their facility for lunch,” said OPEA Membership Representative Brandon Watkins. “It says a lot for them and shows me they mean business in getting their chapter up and running in the right direction. I have a lot of confidence in them and what they can do as leaders of OPEA and in the community,” said Watkins.