By now, all CAPE members should have received their 2011-2012 CAPE Board of Directors Election ballot in the mail. This year, there are seven candidates competing for five open positions on the Board of Directors. The election ballot also includes an important amendment vote of the CAPE Bylaws.
About the Proposed CAPE Bylaws Amendment:
CAPE members who transfer or promote out of the CAPE Bargaining Units can choose to maintain their membership in CAPE. The proposed bylaws amendment establishes a new "Member at Large" category of membership that 1) gives clear authority to the Board of Directors to set the rights and privileges of such members, and 2) ensures that these members "shall have NO VOICE OR VOTE on Association matters affecting CAPE's represented Bargaining Units and are not eligible to hold office on the CAPE Board of Directors."
The proposed CAPE Bylaws Amendment ensures that CAPE members who transfer or promote out of the CAPE units WILL NOT be able to participate in or influence decisions impacting your CAPE Bargaining Unit matters. The CAPE Board of Directors, therefore, is recommending your "I Approve" vote.
Completed ballots must be received at the Election Post Office Box by no later than 12:00 noon on August 31st to be counted. Duplicate ballots may be requested by contacting the CAPE office at (213) 484-0400.
All CAPE Members are encouraged to exercise their important VOICE. Please VOTE today!
THE HORIZONS PLAN MATCH IS BACK!
Several CAPE members have inquired recently about when the Horizons Plan match by Los Angeles County, negotiated by the Coalition of County Unions, goes back into effect and how to enroll in it. The reduced matching amount (of up to 2%) returned beginning with the July 30, 2011 paycheck.
According to the Great West Retirement Services website, if you already contribute to the Plan, no action is required. However, if you discontinued your deferrals when the match was suspended, or if you want to increase your deferral, you must change your deferral by logging into your account at https://countyla.gwrs.com/login.do. Once you log in to your account, click on the "Change Account" tab and then the "Deferral" link. Or call the County of Los Angeles Service Center at (800) 947-0845.
The reduced matching amount of up to 2% will remain in effect through June 2012. And effective the July 30, 2012 paycheck, members' full 4% match will be contractually restored.
CAPE POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT COMMITTEE (PEC) -- MEMBERS WANTED!
Requests from candidates running for open seats next year in the California State Assembly and Senate are already arriving at CAPE. Endorsement requests from these, and candidates running for other state and local offices, are referred by the CAPE Board of Directors to the Political Endorsement Committee (PEC) - a group of CAPE members who help make sure elected officials are properly educated on issues important to Los Angeles County professional employees.
The first CAPE PEC meeting regarding the 2012 election cycle will occur this fall. Any CAPE member can request to join the PEC, and member participation in the committee is an absolute necessity to make our endorsement process work! Sign up now to be a member of the CAPE Political Endorsement Committee.
Please contact Sean Stalbaum, Field Services Director, at (213) 484-0400 to find out how to volunteer for the CAPE PEC or to request more information.