Every two years the Oregon AFL-CIO holds its biennial convention and, as an affiliate of AFT and the Oregon AFL-CIO, OSEA has full membership status at its convention. This year, the convention will be held in Seaside, Ore., from Thursday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 22.

OSEA delegates to the 2017 Oregon AFL-CIO Convention pose for a group photo.

OSEA Board Policy 1805, State AFL-CIO Delegate Election, lays out the process for electing OSEA delegates and alternates, including this notice of nomination. Each of the 10 members of the OSEA Board of Directors will be automatic delegates. Additional delegate positions will be elected on a statewide, at-large basis at OSEA’s annual Conference from among active members and active ROSE members. The total number of additional delegate positions will be determined by the OSEA Board of Directors at its March 1 meeting.

Candidate qualifications: All candidates must be members in good standing as defined in Article III, Section 2, of the OSEA Constitution for at least one year prior to the election or active ROSE members in good standing as defined in Article VI, Section 4, of the Constitution who were active OSEA members at any time prior to their retirement.

Members elected as delegates or alternates will be considered ambassadors for OSEA and, therefore, should be knowledgeable about OSEA programs, issues and its political agenda. Candidates are required to submit a questionnaire itemizing their applicable background and experience in OSEA, the labor movement, political activities and community activities.

Nomination and election process: Interested members in good standing will need to submit a letter of nomination to the OSEA State Office via mail, fax or email by March 1 to be included in the May-June Journal.  Nominations will also be taken from the Conference floor at the OSEA Conference being held June 27-29 in Portland. Candidates do not need to be present to be elected; however, write-in candidates are prohibited.

The required background questionnaire is available here for download. It will also be available at Conference. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted to the Election Committee chair no later than the end of the second business session at Conference. Copies of completed questionnaires will be made available to the Conference delegate body prior to balloting.

Candidates present at OSEA’s Conference shall be given time to address the delegates prior to elections on Saturday, June 29.

Election will be by secret ballot and require a plurality vote to elect. In the event of a tie vote, determination will be made by lot. Candidates not elected as delegates shall be designated as alternates and ranked in descending order based on the number of votes received. All vacancies will be filled by the elected alternates in descending order; if no alternates are available, the delegate position will remain vacant.

Delegate/alternate duties and responsibilities: Any information related to the convention, including resolutions and issues being discussed, will be provided to all delegates and alternates prior to the convention for study and review. Delegates and alternates are required to attend a pre-convention orientation meeting as scheduled by the OSEA president to review convention procedures, committee assignments, issues to be addressed and delegate expectations.

For those candidates elected, OSEA will cover the cost of registration, housing and meals. Travel and time release costs will be the responsibility of the candidate or chapter wishing to support their candidate’s attendance.

All nomination letters should be addressed to:

OSEA State Office
Attention: Chris McNally
4735 Liberty Road S
Salem, OR 97302

Nomination letters may also be faxed to 503-588-8307 or emailed to chris@osea.org. All questions should be made to OSEA Executive Director Rick Shidaker at rick@osea.org or 800-252-6732.