The Department of Human Services held their commission meeting June 17,  at the Sequoyah State Office Building. OPEA staff attended the meeting where OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick gave a PowerPoint presentation with compelling findings.

“DHS was forced to approve a budget that although is intended to be standstill, will put the agency in the hole,” said OPEA Director Trish Frazier. “Due to the increased cost of fuel and food, we are concerned with the legislature’s lack of long-term vision in funding  DHS and all agencies.” 

According to George Young, the budget challenges are evident.

“We’re heading for a cliff,” said Young. “Hopefully we can get a little more road.”

Others, such as Commission member Patrice Douglas are recognizing the problem for what it is.

“We are solving the problem by using one-time money and being responsible for the problem they [the legislature] created.” 

“We play the cards we are dealt,” said Commission Chairman Richard L. DeVaughn, D.D.S. "I don’t want to have to go to the bomb shelter until I hear the bombs hit.” 

As part of a new plan for their Chapter, Chapter officers of Crossroads DHS worked tirelessly to put together a meeting with Representative Randy Terrill on July 2.   President Diane Scholl, replacing Kelley Parker as of July 1, Vice-President Haley Faulkenberry, and Treasurer Adena Davis, along with the members of the Chapter met with Terrill to discuss state employee issues, grassroots campaigning, and making state voices heard.

“E-mail is a start, but it is not enough,” Terrill said.  “You need to pick up your phone, call your legislator and invite him out to breakfast.  Make sure he understands your issues and concerns.”

Terrill said that in order to further their concerns, state employees should be offering to help campaign on behalf of their legislators, donating to campaigns, and taking legislators into state offices to show them what goes on inside those offices.  

Terrill also said that each state employee’s legislators should know him or her by name and face.  “If your legislator doesn’t know you by name and face…you need to do it now, not during session.”

OPEA Deputy Director Scott Barger said “We need a grassroots movement driven by the constituents of each community in order to gain back our place in the political arena.  Grassroots efforts are on a local level, with state employees investigating their legislators and then donating time and effort for him or her.” 

“These Chapter leaders have worked amazingly hard at recruiting new members, getting involvement from their Chapter, inviting legislators in to meet with them, and grassroots campaigning.  I am very impressed with their dedication,” said OPEA Membership Representative Alicia Wright.

If you are in the Crossroads DHS office and would like to join OPEA, please see Diane Scholl, Haley Faulkenberry, or Adena Davis.

Duncan DHS was the site of the latest OPEA membership meeting, with some very exicited members in attendance, including some very overworked child welfare workers.

“There are slots for ten child welfare workers out of this office and only five are currently employed,” said OPEA staff member Bud Elder.  “This means that these employees are carrying a double workload as they protect our children.”

Topics of the meeting included pay raises, job stress, retirement and the employee benefits allowance, as well as local politics.

“This is an area in which OPEAPAC has endorsed an old friend of the association, Daisy Lawler, for SH District 50,” Elder said.  “Our members realize that this is a crucial election for state employees.”

Elder said the next visit to the area will be with the Stephens County Health Department.

On Friday, June 20, OPEA Membership Representative Alicia Wright attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Pittsburg County Health Department. 

The new facility is located at 1400 East College Avenue, McAlester.  Tours of the new facility were given and a satellite conference was held with the Center for Disease Control. 

“The new facility is one of the most technologically advanced operations in the state,” Wright said. 

Also in attendance at the ceremony were Representative Brian Renegar, Representative Terry Harrison and Senator Richard Lerblance.   

On Friday, March 14, OPEA Membership Representative Alicia Wright, traveled to Idabel for a pizza luncheon.  70% of the office employees gathered together to discuss legislative updates, DHS Lobby Day, and agency issues. 

The item employees were most concerned with was HB 2890, which sought to break DHS into three separate entities.  Wright explained to all that the bill is now dead, however the bill seeking an audit of DHS is still alive.  DHS employees stated, “Bring it on!” 

Another key topic was HB 3108.  All employees present were excited and pleased to hear that HB 3108 is dead.  Employees present stated their benefits are a key factor in their employment. 

Wright encouraged all to continue writing, calling and e-mailing their legislators and making their voices heard.  Wright stated, “We should not rest just because 3108 is a non-issue.  We still have much to accomplish this year, such as our pay raise.  We must keep up the communications.”

Idabel’s new members include: Jeanne Tyler, Joyce Summers, Tawana Williams, Wanda McMennamy, Charla Bushers, Barbara Mills, Diana Miller, Rita Killian, Sherry Clay, Kathy Spalla, Sandra Vanedever, Kim Scott, William Mayhall, Katrina Anderson, S.Keith Sanders, Eara Jean Hutton, Edith Maben, Glenda Copeland, and Vanessa Burris.

“Idabel DHS is an incredibly motivated office,” Wright said.  “The office has an almost 80% OPEA membership and I see them becoming even stronger in the future.”

The Webster’s online dictionary definition for organize is, to plan and direct a complex undertaking; arrange by systematic planning and united effort. This definition describes in a nutshell the mission at OPEA, uniting public employees to improve the quality of state employment.  

To accomplish this mission OPEA’s founders developed the “pizza lunch.” The purpose of this lunch is to“plan and direct a complex undertaking”and inform those who aren’t informed and encourage those who are to actively participating in the only association that fights for the betterment of state employment.     

The first step in participation is becoming a member, but, being a member is about more than just paying dues, it is about understanding our mission and taking pride in your membership.   You don’t have to take on OPEA as a second job but be the OPEA voice in your office.   Each OPEA member should recruit a non-member in their office. Your participation could also be a phone call to OPEA encouraging a pizza lunch because you’ve discussed the importance of membership with co-workers who aren’t members.

I would like to thank all who are members. Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step - now let’s keep moving.   A simple conversation is all it may take to help someone else understand our mission, so don’t miss the opportunity as the definition of organize states it is complex but, together with our members, we will accomplish our goal.