ASEA/AFSCME Local 52 Women' Issues Committee
Quarterly Report to Statewide Executive Board
September 5, 2007

Mr. President, members of the Executive Board, ASEA staff, and guests;

The Women's Issues Committee has remained diligent in its efforts to effect positive change on behalf of the ASEA members and their concerns.

The Alaskan Working for Alaska ASEA Women's Committee lapel pin is being sold around the state. The inventory is being monitored by Staff Liaison Toya Winton. The funds will be deposited and attributed to the Women's Committee budget.

We are talking about our next fund raising merchandise to be created after the pins are sold.

Our traveling show started in Bethel. The videos were shown to union women, and then other community organizations borrowed  and showed them. Millie Twitchell reports that this was a good experience for the ASEA members and the community. Nome Chapter Secretary Maureen Kozuena will accept the package at her mailbox for use in that community before sending the Show to Kotzebue.

The Women's Committee wants to encourage the Executive Board to bring AFSCME training to Alaska soon. The Leadership Conference gave powerful information to the participants regarding the upcoming elections, how to motivate the membership, the PEOPLE challenge, and compliance with the 21st Century Initiative. ASEA members statewide would benefit from AFSCME training in relation to getting out the vote.

Statewide, affordable childcare continues to plague working families. In Juneau, I have been speaking with Senator Kim Elton , Representative Beth Kertulla, and Representative Andrea Doll about this issue. I have been asked to invite them to participate in future Women's Committee teleconferences so that they can better understand the situation statewide.  We also have AFSMCE leadership ready to come to Alaska to help work out a solution.

We are also working on our questions for the Fall 2007 Women's Committee membership survey. The previous two surveys yielded good information and guidance to the Women's Committee so we could better meet the needs of the membership.

The Biennial Convention in February 21-24, 2008: the Women's Committee wants to host an information room or information table, invite our sisters from Councils 2, 9, 28 and 75, and host another silent auction. We are ready to start making arrangements as soon as is allowed.

Thank you for your support of our efforts on behalf of the women, families, and all ASEA members in Alaska.

Respectfully, In Solidarity
Nadine Lefebvre, Chair
Women's Issues Committee