Executive Director’s Monthly Letter – September 2022

Dear RPEC Leaders & Members:

It was a thrill for me and our professional team to have time with many of you at Convention.  Our delegates elected new officers, adopted resolutions, and affirmed our legislative priorities that will guide our government affairs efforts through fall of 2024.  The fall issue of our membership newsletter, which you will receive later this month, will include more details about Convention, as well as the list of RPEC-endorsed candidates for the general election next month. Here’s a roundup of our news with a focus on things to look out for this fall as we inch toward the new legislative session.

RPEC SCPP Testimony Training, October 11, 3-5 p.m.

All who are interested in testifying at the October 18^th meeting of the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP) are invited to take part in a Zoom training TODAY from 3-5 p.m.  We will cover how to register to testify and tips to help you craft an effective testimony.  We also will break-out into smaller groups for practice time.  Click here for a sample verbal testimony template. More information is available on the RPEC website at:  https://rpecwa.org/scpp-testimony-training-scpp-meeting-october-11-18/.

Time: Oct 11, 2022, 3:00-5:00 PM Pacific

Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83913605892?pwd=Yi9rZEJTelV6QWp4d3dmaWdBcHlxQT09

Meeting ID: 839 1360 5892
Passcode: 843386

Dial by your location
253-215-8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 839 1360 5892
Passcode: 843386

Select Committee on Pension Policy – We need your help on October 18^th

Last month, you answered the call to action and attended, testified, and sent letters to the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP) about the need for a permanent Plan 1 COLA.  Your efforts made a difference.  Because of your actions, the SCPP is considering a permanent Plan 1 COLA.  In the Executive Committee meeting, the Committee discussed potentially including language in a bill this next legislative session that would identify a date by which the State will fund a permanent COLA.  The SCPP is also considering another one-time 3% COLA for Plan 1 retirees for 2023.  While this is good news, RPEC leaders and members must be visible and engaged at the Tuesday, October 18^th meeting. More details at https://rpecwa.org/scpp-testimony-training-scpp-meeting-october-11-18/.

Here are the 4 ways you can help us.  All of the information below is also available on the RPEC website at:  https://rpecwa.org/scpp-testimony-training-scpp-meeting-october-11-18/.

• Register to attend the meeting. You can register now. Click the link in the agenda and you will be prompted to provide your name and email address. The Office of the State Actuary (OSA) will send you an email confirming your registration. Click here for the agenda and the log-in link that you can use today to register to attend.
• Cite a PRO position on the record for a permanent COLA, OSA staff indicated this opportunity should be available by October 13. Click here to learn how to register a PRO position.
• Provide verbal testimony. Click here for a sample verbal testimony template.  Click here for details on how to register to testify. Once you register, you will receive an email from OSA with a unique log-in link that is just for you. If you do not receive an email from OSA, reach out to their office immediately. Please also attend the SCPP Testimony training session (noted above), or reach out to me at laurie.weidner@rpecwa.org or Emmett Mills at Emmett.mills@rpecwa.org for assistance.
• Provide written testimony. Click here for this information. Here is a template to help you craft your written testimony.

As a footnote, we will also be asking for your help for the SCPP’s November 15^th meeting.  Please put that date on your calendar and stay tuned for more information. We will be hosting another training for those who wish to testify and will ask you to support our efforts by attending the meeting, registering a PRO position and sending in written testimony.

PEBB Open Enrollment Options

If you were unable to attend yesterday’s webinar, hosted by the Health Care Authority, regarding your health care plan options for 2023, the Power Point and the recorded presentation are available on the RPEC website:  https://rpecwa.org/pebb-retiree-portfolio-overview-and-plan-comparisons-10-2022/

Monthly Leadership Call, October 21

All RPEC leaders, as well as all members who are interested in learning more about RPEC or perhaps serving in a Council and/or chapter leadership role in the future, are invited to the monthly Leadership Call on October 21^st at 2-3 p.m.  This month, we will be covering topics focused on membership development.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85437458246?pwd=ZFpERk94WmRPMTlFTjkyd2xmdlpPZz09

Meeting ID: 854 3745 8246
Passcode: 035244

Call in:  253-215-8782 (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 854 3745 8246
Passcode: 035244

Professional team – new staff and new titles

In the last few months, I’ve brought on two wonderful new team members, and have modified the titles of existing staff.  Please note these changes:

Derek VanSpoor, Associate Director:  Derek.vanspoor@rpecwa.org
Elisabeth Wittenberg, Finance and Operations Specialist:  Elisabeth.wittenberg@rpecwa.org
Emmett Mills, Government Affairs Coordinator: Emmett.mills@rpecwa.org
Alissa Brady, Administrative Project Coordinator:  Alissa.brady@rpecwa.org
Jakob Canup, Membership Coordinator:  Jakob.canup@rpecwa.org

SHIBA is recruiting volunteers

Many years ago, RPEC was instrumental in working with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to create the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA).  Volunteer advisors, many of whom are retired from state and local government agencies and school districts like RPEC members, are trained by OIC staff to help to answer questions about Medicare and retiree health insurance.  SHIBA volunteer advisors are caring and unbiased and receive no commissions or other payments; they volunteer because they want to help other retirees.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer advisor or to get your questions answered about Medicare and retiree health insurance, visit https://www.insurance.wa.gov/about-shiba-services.

Free annual RPEC membership

Members around the state are beginning to recruit former co-workers and friends to join RPEC through the Recruit 2 member-to-member campaign. For every two new members you recruit, you will receive a check for $84! To get credit, your name must appear in the “Recruited by” field on the new members’ membership applications. Associate members do not count until they become full dues-paying members. Checks will only be issued to current members in good standing. If you recruit just two new members, your annual membership in RPEC will be free for a year!

Important Dates

Visit the RPEC website at www.rpecwa.org for the full calendar of RPEC meetings and events:

Oct. 11:  RPEC Select Committee on Pension Policy Testimony Training (Zoom)
Oct. 18:  Select Committee on Pension Policy (Zoom)
Oct. 21:  Monthly Leadership Call (Zoom – open to all chapter leaders and all those interested)
Oct. 24:  Finance Committee meeting (Zoom)
Nov. 1-30:  Open enrollment, Public Employees Benefits Board
Nov. 11:  Veterans Day and Council Office closed in observance of holiday
Nov. 15:  Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP)
Nov. 16-17:  Executive Board training in Olympia
Nov.18:  Executive Board meeting in Olympia (open to all members via Zoom)
Nov. 24-25:  Council Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving

Best,
Laurie