Each year OPEA organizes a day at the Capitol for OPEA members to discuss pertinent state employee issues with their local legislators. This face to face contact between legislators and their state employee constituents is integral to the success of OPEA’s legislative initiatives.
While the importance and purpose of OPEA Day at the Capitol has not changed, the structure of the event is changing this year. Instead of one day at the Capitol, OPEA will host four days at the Capitol for its members. The days will be divided dependent on the OPEA region in which a member is located.
The purpose of the change is to engage OPEA members in legislative initiatives as they progress through the legislative process.
“A piece of legislation goes through several different stages,” said OPEA Director Sterling Zearley. “By bringing a group of state employees to the Capitol each month of session our membership will be engaged in each stage of the process.”
Please review the dates below to determine which day your OPEA Day at the Capitol will be held as well as the schedule of events for each day. If you are uncertain as to which OPEA region you reside please review the map provided or contact OPEA Membership Director Haley Blood at (918) 329-1438, (405) 524-6764, (800) 880-6732 or haleyb@opea.org. You can also contact Haley for any other information you may need in regard to OPEA Day at the Capitol.
- February 20, 2013 – OPEA Retiree Day at the Capitol
March 13, 2013 – OPEA Regions 1, 3, and 7
April 10, 2013 – OPEA Regions 8, 9, 10 and 11
May 8, 2013 – OPEA Regions 2, 5 and 6
Schedule of Events
- Noon: Meet at OPEA office, 13 NE 28th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105, for OPEA Day training. Topics discussed will include state employee issue talking points and tips for speaking with your legislator. You will also be introduced to OPEA staff that will be present at the Capitol to guide you through the process and given information on your local legislators. Lunch will also be provided.
- 1:30 p.m: Caravan to the Capitol.
- 2:00 p.m: OPEA staff will assist members in locating and speaking with their legislators. Upon doing so members may leave when they choose.
*In order to insure an adequate amount of training materials and food are available at each event please be sure to register by mailing in the attached registration form or registering at the OPEA website- www.opea.org.