Professionalism* People* Persistence* Protection

AOCE

Professionalism* People* Persistence* Protection

2520 19th St. SE Salem OR 97302

Office# 503-370-9035 Fax# 503-370-9488

______

Below are letter submitted by AOCE members nominated for a position on the Executive Board. Not all nominees have submitted letters. It was optional.

** Letters are in alphabetical order by Board position. **

President

Greetings Fellow AOCE members!

My name is Elena Martinez and I started with the department in 2000 as an officer, which is still my current title. I have seen many changes within our department, some for the good and some for the not so good. I have been thinking about what to say and address in this letter. I thought about writing about all the things that I would like to see change and things that have been brought to my attention. Then I thought I’ll just keep it short and sweet. So here is my main concern and the major parts that made me decide to accept the nomination.

1: STAFF SAFETY! This is what I would like to see improve and progress with the ever changing environment we work in.

2: The future for our newest team members coming on board.

3: Staff involvement with our union, especially establishing a more in depth training of future and or current union reps.

My main goal would be to listen and bring forth your concerns, ideas and that you are represented in a responsible, professional manner.

If elected, I promise to work for you and try my best to accomplish what I can as a team to achieve those goals.

Sincerely,

Elena Martinez

Dear members,

For those of you that do not know me, let me introduce myself and my experiences, including the past 11 years as your Treasurer.
My name is Dan Weber and I am currently a Correctional Corporal at the Oregon State Penitentiary. I started my Correctional Career in October 1998. Throughout the years, as I got more involved in my career I knew that I wanted to help my fellow Correctional Professionals and worked to become a state representative for the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF) in 2003. I currently still enjoy my active role with the CPOF “Taking Care of Our Own.”
In June of 2006, after attending many AOCE General Membership meetings and working with many other staff that were involved with the AOCE, I submitted my name to the Board to be considered for the Treasurer position, and the Board appointed me to fill the position. I have run for reelection in the Treasurer’s position every election since then and have been reelected each time. As Treasurer, I have held myself and others accountable to the Bi-Laws, state laws, and have managed the fiduciary responsibly of our AOCE finances to ensure we meet our obligations in protecting our Association. I have done this for the past eleven years while also learning the duties and responsibilities of each position on the Executive Board that I have work with, from the institutional AOCE representatives to the AOCE President.
Today, you are reading this letter from me, not asking you for your vote as Treasurer, but asking for your vote to become the AOCE President. I have worked hard to make us financially stable and to ensure that our Bi-laws / Collective Bargaining Agreement have been followed and upheld. I have taken great pride in my duties and have decided to take the next step within the AOCE and run for the position of President.
With your vote, I look forward to putting my experiences within the AOCE to work serving you to ensure we all have a stable labor future. The AOCE is a Law Enforcement Association, not a union, which represents the Correctional issues that we all face within the State of Oregon and nationally.
I will work with and empowering each institution’s Vice-Presidents and Representatives’ to work on issues that your institution and/or work sections may face. I will work hard with our Executive Board to ensure we have the best representation internally and externally which will include getting the best contracts we can get. I will work close to our attorney firm (which I have in the past), to ensure that we hold management accountable by uphold our contract, rules, polices, and Oregon laws.
I look forward to working with you and for you to ensure our future as an Association is strong and is as dedicated (if not more) as it has been in the past. With labor organizations under attack, we wait to hear from the Supreme Court on their decision that would allow membership voluntary. We need to be strong together so that we can secure our future and support you the members.
Thank you for your consideration as the AOCE President. When and if elected, I will be there to serve you and our profession, for us all.

Respectfully,

Dan Weber

Treasurer

Dear AOCE members,

My name is Michael Keith. I am honored that fellow AOCE members have selected me as a candidate for the position of Treasurer for AOCE. I was hired as a Correctional Officer at Oregon State Penitentiary in February 2008. In May 2014 I accepted a position on Oregon State Penitentiary’s Safety Committee of which I am now the Chair. Since August 2014 I have been an AOCE Representative and was the OSP Custody Board Member from January 2016 until January 2017.

I believe I have a lot to offer to the AOCE in the role of Treasurer. I have attended and lead weekly events playing in-depth, strategy-based, rule-heavy board and strategy games that require interpretation and application of complex rules based systems, both in cooperation and competition with other persons. I am experienced at gathering and organizing information, keeping people informed of important events, and acting as a general resource.

I am excited to run for Treasurer for AOCE. If elected, I will strive to keep the general membership up-to-date with the finances of AOCE and other items that are relevant to corrections. I will be available by e-mail or telephone to keep anyone updated on the financial reports and expenditures for AOCE.

I look forward to having the opportunity to serve the general membership in this role. Thank you for considering me for this very critical role in our Association.

/s/

Michael Keith

OCE-West

Hello,

My name is Shawn Findley I am the west side Electrician for OCE. I would like you to consider voting for me to the position of E-board- OCE West Side.

I have been with the OCE for a little over 3 years before that I spent 11 years at the OYA (Oregon Youth Authority). SEIU was the union over there. They collected a lot of money from the staff & did absolutely NOTHING for the membership. Believe me when I tell you that the AOCE is 1000 percent better. I have been very impressed with the amount that the AOCE has been able to do for its’ members. I would like to assist in that.

I have always believed that a union (or association) is only as strong as its membership. If the membership is apathetic than nothing will ever get done. However if the members act as a strong & cohesive unit then the sky is the limit. I also feel that it is every member’s duty to assist in the running of these groups. Many hands make light work.

Unions were started to protect workers from management’s unfair labor practices. Although there has been great strides in workers’ rights Unions are still very necessary. Often, potential disputes can be prevented with a helpful reminder to management about the contract. If that doesn’t go smoothly then there is always the grievance process.

Back when I was in the private sector I served as a steward on construction sites for the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). I hope to bring the skills I learned in that position to the AOCE.

Thank you for your time & consideration.