OPEA members will have an opportunity to help guide the association’s future activities as well as recognize fellow members whose efforts have contributed to the OPEA’s mission during this year’s Annual Convention and Delegate Assembly. The event will begin with registration at 8:00 a.m. with the convention beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday August 24th at the Moore-Norman Technology Center in Oklahoma City.
The event is free for members and lunch will be provided. We do ask that members who plan on attending pre-register so we will have an accurate count for lunch. On-site registration, beginning at 8 a.m. on the 24th, will be available for those who attend but don’t pre-register. You can also receive convention updates on OPEA’s Facebook page and twitter feed, @OklaPea.
Please click here to register online.
“Our annual convention is a great way to help shape the direction of the Association. The delegate assembly gives members plenty of opportunities for their voice and opinions to be heard,” said OPEA President Jess Callahan. “A great collateral benefit of convention is the networking opportunities. State employees of all disciplines from the panhandle to the southeast corner of the state will attend and even though our primary purpose will be to conduct OPEA business, there will be time for fun, food and fellowship with other state employees.”
An important part of the gathering is the consideration of platform planks that have been developed by members during regional meetings. These proposed planks are brought before the delegate assembly for discussion and potential adoption. If adopted, the association works during the next year to enact them. Often the planks deal with issues that require new legislation and OPEA is instrumental in finding legislative authors to write bills supporting state employee issues.
Members will also discuss and potentially vote on changes to the Association’s bylaws. The bylaws serve as the guidelines for the association’s functioning and shape the day-to-day operations.
In addition, attendees will hear from OPEA President Jess Callahan and Executive Director Sterling Zearley for a recap of the OPEA’s last 12 months and a glimpse of where the association is heading. Also, a panel will discuss three major issues. Changes to state employee compensation, pension and merit system continue to be topics of discussion among lawmakers and OPEA’s panel will provide the latest updates as well as information about what members need to be looking for in the coming legislative session.
An important part of the annual event is the awards ceremony recognizing those employees, retirees and chapters who helped their fellow state employees during the past year. The Association will also honor partners from state agencies who worked closely with OPEA on special issues. Lunch will be provided during the ceremony.
The Moore-Norman Technology center is located at 13301 S. Pennsylvania in Oklahoma City. If you have questions or need more information, please contact OPEA Membership Director Haley Blood at (405) 524-6764 or (800) 880-6732.
]]>
