Event and Registration Information
Lodging and Parking
Workshops
Event and Registration Information
Professional Development Day registration is now closed.
The 2010 SEC Professional Development Day will take place at the UW-Madison Pyle Center.
You can use one of your available professional meeting days for this professional development day, but you must notify your supervisor at least 14 calendar days in advance. If you are planning to attend Professional Development Day, please notify your supervisor no later than Friday, April 16, 2010. For further assistance in this matter contact your Local steward or other Local official.
Eligibility. This event is free to members of the State Employees Council of AFT-Wisconsin. If you are not a member, you will be eligible to attend if you sign a membership card prior to the event. There are a limited number of lunch tickets available, so registration for the group lunch will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Cancellation. Because lunch seating is limited and we generally have a waiting list, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible if you find that you will not be able to attend the event after registering. Your colleagues who may otherwise not be able to attend appreciate your courtesy!
Lodging and Parking
For those who will be coming from a distance and need to stay overnight, it is important that you contact Lowell Hall (866-301-1753 or 608-256-2621) to let them know you need a room for Thursday and/or Friday night. Rooms in the PDD block will held only through March 31. Mention the code of “PROF” and tell them you are a State employee to get the reduced State rate. Check with your Local Union on how they are covering this cost and your travel expenses. You should check with your local after making your room reservation because of the end date of the room block at Lowell Hall. You can always cancel your reservation later.
For more information on the Lowell Center, visit their website at
http://conferencing.uwex.edu/lowell.cfm
Parking in downtown Madison is limited. The closest ramp is located on the corner of Lake and State Streets. To view a parking map of the area, visit
http://www.cityofmadison.com/parking/images1/lpkwlk1.pdf
Workshops
9:00 | 10:30 | 1:45 | 3:15
9:00 Workshops
Bullying in the Workplace
Workplace bullying is surprisingly common and has devastating effects on the target, other employees, productivity and the bottom line. This workshop explores the problem and strategies for solutions. The workshop will also give an update on Healthy Workplaces, proposed legislation to stop workplace bullying.
Corliss Olson
Climate Change
A discussion of research on the rise in global temperatures and the degradation of our natural environment
Jonathan A. Patz
Complementary Medicine: Is It For Me?
Workshop attendees will learn about the following in both lecture and demonstration format:
- What is Complementary Medicine?
Complementary Medicine includes many forms of treatments and therapies that are not considered part of conventional medicine. Complementary Medicine focuses on “building blocks for health” and addressing the underlying cause of a disease, rather than simply treating the external symptoms. It teaches people to alter their responses to the stresses of daily life through self-care, a healthy diet and various manual and energy therapies. - What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicinal therapy that involves placement of acupuncture needles into specific sites on the body to restore the flow of Qi (life energy), which in turn alleviates symptoms and improves functionality. Sterile, disposable needles are used. A sense of calm and relaxation is often felt after treatment. - What is CranioSacral Therapy?
CranioSacral Therapy is a manual therapy that encourages your own natural health mechanisms to dissipate the negative effects of stress on your central nervous system. This therapy helps the body correct restrictions that it has been unable to overcome on its own, with a goal of improving overall health and resistance to disease.
Ghadeer Alafifi, Cyndi Fine and Xuehui Wang
Eating the Mediterranean Way
The Mediterranean diet combines Old World tastes with new flavors and vibrant colors to create a truly healthy cuisine. Recent research has found that following a Mediterranean diet can help reduce deaths from major chronic diseases including heath disease, diabetes, cancer, Parkinson's Disease and Alzheimers—major news related to health and nutrition.
Donna Weihofen
Getting Back on Track: Develop Your Financial Recovery Plan
How to recover from financial downturns.
Bruce Waller
Glacial Landscapes and History of Wisconsin
About 20,000 years ago glaciers covered about two-thirds of Wisconsin. Its soils, hills and valleys owe their existence to this former ice sheet. Using many slides from modern glaciers, UW-Madison professor emeritus Dave Mickelson describes the formation of moraines, drumlins, kames, eskers, kettle holes and glacial lakes as we tour Wisconsin's landscape.
David Mickelson
How To Create a Sensible, Fair and Equitable Tax System (aka—Do Rich People and Corporations Get All the Breaks?)
Some parts of Wisconsin’s tax system are the envy of the nation. Some other parts are scandalous. This workshop will focus on how we can have more of the former and fewer of the latter.
Jack Norman
How to Progress in the Wisconsin Civil Service System – the OSER Process
A review of the reclassification and reallocation process. This review will include the background, requirements, and procedures in submitting a reclassification or reallocation request.
Scott DuBenske
Making Your Resume Better Than The Competitors'
If you want to be among the five people who get interviews out of two hundred applicants, you must have a resume that is better than the other one hundred ninety-five applicants who won't get interviewed. Find out how to do that in this workshop that will send you home with a great draft that should be better than your competitors'.
Al Guyant
PC Maintenance and Performance
This seminar is designed to help PC owners and users keep their Windows-based systems running at peak performance and prevent common computer problems. Topics include: hard drive cleanup and maintenance, managing startup options, upgrades and updates for hardware and software, Internet security and more!
Chris Carpenter
The State of the State - Financing Public Services
By all accounts, the recession ended in the fall of 2009. Economic recovery is struggling to get started, which has resulted in increasing demands for, and pressures on, state services. At the same time, state budget crises continue across the nation. This presentation will provide state employees with information on the current budget and revenue situation in the U.S. and Wisconsin. It will also provide an analysis of the steps that Wisconsin has taken to close its budget gap and talk about the need for additional revenues to provide needed services.
Matt Di Carlo
Tough Budget, Tough Work
Representative Cory Mason, a member of the Joint Finance Committee, will explain Joint Finance's roles and responsibilities in the state's budgeting process from the time the Governor's budget is received until a finished product is agreed to and returned to the Governor for his signature and/or vetoes. He will discuss the deficit, the value and need for input from interested parties and constituents, the public hearing process, agency budget review and the Senate and Assembly roles in the budget process.
Cory Mason
10:30 Workshops
Confronting the Gloves-Off Economy: America's Broken Labor Standards and How to Fix Them
Across the United States, growing numbers of employers are breaking, bending or evading long-established laws and standards designed to protect workers, from the minimum wage to job safety rules to the right to organize. This "gloves-off economy," no longer confined to a marginal set of sweatshops and fly-by-night small businesses, is sending shock waves into every corner of the low-wage -- and sometimes not so low-wage -- labor market. This session will explore research on the gloves-off economy and the best ways to respond to it.
Laura Dresser
Social Networking Pros and Cons
What are social networking sites? What is some of the technology available for free on the internet for social communication? Are there dangers with these sites?
In this session Mike Lettman the Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Wisconsin will make you aware of the different types of cool social communication technology available online for low or no cost. He will also discuss the dark side of these sites, the issues of identity theft, the techniques the bad guys use, and what you can do at work and at home to protect yourself and how to spot potential threats. In addition you will learn general security awareness and be able to ask questions on information security issues to protect yourself and your family at work and at home.
Mike Lettman
Unspin the News
How to spot media spin and what you can do about it. The Center for Media and Democracy is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, public interest organization. It focuses on investigating and countering spin by corporations, industries, and government agencies that affects our health, liberty, security, economic opportunities, environment, and the vitality of the democratic process. It helps people recognize the forces shaping the information they receive about important issues affecting their lives.
Lisa Graves
Be On the Lookout: How Internet Safety Education Can Prevent Criminal Victimization
New technology and electronic social interactions are drastically transforming the world we know today. Like never before, our entire world is connected. Just a few decades ago having a personal computer was a luxury; now almost every home in America has a computer. Today, children as young as a few years of age navigate a computer as naturally as exploring a playground. The proliferation of computer technology has enhanced our lives in many ways, such as enabling improved productivity and efficiency at work, school and at home. Unfortunately, criminals have access to the new wave of technology as well. Computers, cell phones, and the internet have expanded the arena for predators to prey on innocent victims. Our children and young adults are especially vulnerable. They know how to use the new devices but do not know how to use them safely. For many children online social networks offer a place to exercise their individuality free from the prying eyes of their parents or teachers. Even though our children know how to use the new wave of technology, they do not have the media or digital literacy we assume they do. Computers and technology surround us in everything we do from online banking, business conference calls, web cams, email and online dating to earning a college degree. The new forms of technology can be safe and reliable as long as we educate our families, the community, and our children about the advantages and risks associated with each program. With knowledge we have power. It is the commitment of the Madison Police Department to empower the community with the knowledge to safely take advantage of the technology that is available to us today.
Sgt. June Groehler and Officer Chanda Dolsen
How The Economy Has Affected Your Pension
This presentation will discuss how economic changes may or may not affect your pension benefit with the Wisconsin Retirement System. The presentation will also cover the impact future investment returns will have.
Sari King
Bringing Out Your Best In The Job Interview
More than 90% of what happens in a job interview depends on how well you prepared to bring out your best during the interview. This workshop will guide you in that preparation so that during your next interview, the interviewers will really see how much you have to offer.
Al Guyant
Building a Civil Workplace
People should be able to expect civility in their workplaces. Sadly, with the pace of work constantly accelerating, reductions in resources and increasing expectations and stress, civility is often a casualty. Participants in this workshop will learn how to create a workplace that promotes respect, civility and inclusivity and fosters greater harmony, creativity and productivity.
Corliss Olson
Fighting Cancer with Beans, Broccoli, and Chocolate Too! Cancer and the Nutrition Connection
Donna will offer up-to-date, reliable nutrition information related to nutrition and cancer. She will offer a bounty of nutritional tips, guidance, practical suggestions and even recipes. She will share ideas that will help decrease cancer risks, increase the ability to fight cancer and optimize the nutritional well being of the whole family.
Donna Weihofen
How to Progress in the Wisconsin Civil Service System - the Union Perspective
This session will help you move from the idea of progression to actually applying for a reclass. Fellow PERSA and WPEC members will give you ideas on strategy based on their recent experiences. You will have your questions answered on properly filling out forms provided at the workshop, and will leave with an increased understanding of how to use the process to your advantage.
Phil Klein, Audrey Nohel, Laura Stephenson and John Verberkmoes
PC Maintenance and Performance
This seminar is designed to help PC owners and users keep their Windows-based systems running at peak performance and prevent common computer problems. Topics include: hard drive cleanup and maintenance, managing startup options, upgrades and updates for hardware and software, Internet security and more!
Chris Carpenter
Urban Design Impacts on Health
A discussion of how urban design factors can affect your health.
Jonathan A. Patz
How To Create a Sensible, Fair and Equitable Tax System (aka—Do Rich People and Corporations Get All the Breaks?)
Some parts of Wisconsin’s tax system are the envy of the nation. Some other parts are scandalous. This workshop will focus on how we can have more of the former and fewer of the latter.
Jack Norman
Getting Back on Track: Develop Your Financial Recovery Plan
Recovering from financial downturns.
Bruce Waller
1:45 Workshops
Broadband Classification and Compensation Program
This presentation will be a review of the broadbanding classification and compensation program within the State of Wisconsin Civil Service system. Topics will include the history broadband implementation, broadband structure and the impact of broadbanding on employee pay, with several examples of specific types of movement through the civil service system (reclassification, transfer, promotion, demotion). Examples will draw on AFT bargaining units currently utilizing broadbanding.
Erin Fath
Know Your ADA Rights: Updates from Federal and State Perspectives
Recent changes and issues arising out of the New ADA Amendments will be presented. What has changed and what has not? What has been tested and what has not? New developments, issues and case specifics will also be presented, as well as the Federal perspective.
Dennis McBride and John Brown
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness is the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind-body experience through calm focused attention. It cultivates an inner stability that frees the mind from its conditioned habits, enabling us to meet life’s difficulties and delights with more freshness, clarity, wisdom, and compassion.
Mare Chapman
Supreme Court v. Democracy
This workshop will focus on where campaign finance reform and other political reform efforts stand in Wisconsin. It will also address how the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on election financing in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission will impact on our democracy and what can be done to counteract the effects of the decision.
Mike McCabe, Jay Heck
Roth and Traditional IRAs - Steering Toward Retirement
IRAs are tax-favored ways to save for retirement. With a traditional IRA, your earnings accumulate tax deferred; and, if you qualify, your contributions are tax deductible. With a Roth IRA, qualified distributions are tax free, and you have more flexible withdrawal options. What’s more, the amount you can contribute can increase each year for both types of IRAs.
Mark Miller
What is GIS and how can I use it at work?
This is the basics from the ESRI perspective. Topics that are covered in an intro ArcMap class for those who know very little or are beginning users; basic capabilities; terminology; difference from a paper map and advantages of use. The workshop will include example maps that are fairly easy to do and offer guidance on where the resources are in Wisconsin agencies to help you get started. Geared to the curious and the beginning user. (DCF, DORm DWD, DHS, DPI, etc)
Mike Koutnik
Be On the Lookout: How Internet Safety Education Can Prevent Criminal Victimization
New technology and electronic social interactions are drastically transforming the world we know today. Like never before, our entire world is connected. Just a few decades ago having a personal computer was a luxury; now almost every home in America has a computer. Today, children as young as a few years of age, navigate a computer as naturally as exploring a playground. The proliferation of computer technology has enhanced our lives in many ways, such as enabling improved productivity and efficiency at work, school, and at home. Unfortunately, the criminals have access to the new wave of technology as well. Computers, cell phones, and the internet have expanded the arena for predators to prey on innocent victims. Our children and young adults are especially vulnerable. They know how to use the new devices but do not know how to use them safely. For many children online social networks offer a place to exercise their individuality free from the prying eyes of their parents or teachers. Even though our children know how to use the new wave of technology, they do not have the media or digital literacy we assume they do. Computers and technology surround us in everything we do from online banking, business conference calls, web cams, email, online dating to earning a college degree. The new forms of technology can be safe and reliable as long as we educate our families, the community, and our children about the advantages and risks associated with each program. With knowledge we have power. It is the commitment of the Madison Police Department to empower the community with the knowledge to safely take advantage of the technology that is available to us today.
Sgt. June Groehler and Officer Chanda Dolsen
How The Economy Has Affected Your Pension
This presentation will discuss how economic changes may or may not affect your pension benefit with the Wisconsin Retirement System. The presentation will also cover the impact future investment returns will have.
Sari King
Make Meetings Focused & Productive -- Even If You Aren't In Charge
There are at least twenty-five things that you can do to help make your meetings focused and productive, even when you are not in charge. These simple steps have converted many deadly dull or terribly wasteful meetings into really useful and productive work processes that can actually become fulfilling and enjoyable.
Al Guyant
Family Estate Planning
How to avoid some legal pitfalls brought on by aging or illness. What documents should you and family members prepare in anticipation of incapacity due to accident, illness or age? Attorney Kathy Charlton will discuss the benefits of completing Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorneys and Living Wills, and walk you through the logistics of preparing each document. You will learn what options exist to designate your wishes and appoint a third-party decision maker concerning your finances and medical care if you become incapacitated. If time permits, she will also discuss the growing national trend toward collaborative, rather than court-litigated divorce processes.
Kathy Charlton
Changing the Debate—Why Our Jobs Matter
Times are tough, budgets are short and cutting public services is high on the list of solutions. Do you struggle to explain the importance of your work to people who think that government is a bad word? For six years Demos, a public policy think tank, has studied how average citizens view government and how public service advocates can best communicate the important role we play in our democracy. This workshop will provide a brief overview of the Demos research and explore how we can best tell “our story”—in the workplace, with family and friends and in our communities.
Diane Airhart, Jen Porcari
Legal Developments of Interest to AFT-W Public Employees
Tim Hawks will review recent legal developments involving the interests of our locals and their members. He will also discuss whether changes in our national leadership have made the differences we expected and hoped for at the Department of Labor?
Tim Hawks
Hot Topics and Useful Tips about Your WRS Benefits
This presentation will focus on some of the more detailed nuances concerning your benefits administered by the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF). Topics discussed include retirement, separation and survivor benefits, and life and health insurance. The emphasis will be on details that can sometimes enhance WRS benefits, but may overlooked or misunderstood by the participants.
3:15 Workshops
Common Functions and Other Data-related Excel Tools
Find the function you need, get detailed examples and "how-to" help. Also learn about "conditional formatting," the COUNTIF function and using some Data List functions. If there is enough time, there will be some "what-if" analysis and scenario development to test various assumptions.
Philip Klein
Generational Differences at Work: Harmony or Discord?
For the first time in human history, we have four different generations in the workplace, with their greatly different work attitudes, priorities, learning methods, and even different language. This workshop features methods on how we can reduce discord and create more work harmony in our multi-generational workplaces.
Al Guyant
How to Live a Long Sweet Life: How to Reach Your Personal Best in Five Easy Steps
Everyone wants a long, sweet life. The question is how to achieve it. In his first book and PBS Special – "The Longevity Code your personal prescription for a longer, sweeter life," Dr. Zorba showed how balancing the 5 spheres of wellness – Physical, Mental, Family and Social, Spiritual and Material allows you to accomplish much more than you can with the typical annual physical. In his next TV special, due out later this year, Dr. Zorba explores finding the roots of optimal health. While some of us are genetic celebrities – blessed with optimal health, good looks, a high IQ and a winning personality, most of us have to work to reach the stars. When you look behind the curtain you find that diet and exercise are manifestations of the underlying forces that separate those who believe their health is important from those who don’t. The four pillars of perfect health will show you how to find your weak spots – health literacy, telling if your doctor’s telling you everything you need to know to make a decision, finding a good web site from a bad one, etc. "Zorba Paster on Your Health" reaches nearly 200,000 weekly.
Zorba Paster
Know Your FMLA Rights: The New FMLA Amendments - Federal and State Impact
A review of the new changes to Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This session will clarify the recent changes and discuss the differences between the Federal FMLA and the Wisconsin FMLA. It will cover new and controversial issues and recent relevant cases.
Nick Fairweather
Roth and Traditional IRAs - Steering Toward Retirement
IRAs are tax-favored ways to save for retirement. With a traditional IRA, your earnings accumulate tax deferred; and, if you qualify, your contributions are tax deductible. With a Roth IRA, qualified distributions are tax free, and you have more flexible withdrawal options. What’s more, the amount you can contribute can increase each year for both types of IRAs.
Mark Miller
The State of the State - Financing Public Services
By all accounts the current recession ended in the fall of 2009 and the economic recovery is struggling to get started which has resulted in increasing the demands for and pressures on state services. At the same time, state budget crises continue across the nation. This presentation will provide state employees with information on the current budget and revenue situation in the U.S. and Wisconsin. It will also provide an analysis of the steps that Wisconsin has taken to close its budget gap and talk about the need for additional revenues to provide needed services.
Matt Di Carlo
Where is GIS headed?
A look at the role of the Internet, Cloud Computing, Google, Bing, sharing maps (Arc Explorer), various reliable data sources and expected advancements. Geared toward the intermediate to advanced users. (DOT, DNR, DOA, DOR, DATCP, etc.)
Mike Koutnik
Family Estate Planning
How to avoid some legal pitfalls brought on by aging or illness. What documents should you and family members prepare in anticipation of incapacity due to accident, illness or age? Attorney Kathy Charlton will discuss the benefits of completing Durable Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorneys and Living Wills, and walk you through the logistics of preparing each document. You will learn what options exist to designate your wishes and appoint a third-party decision maker concerning your finances and medical care if you become incapacitated. If time permits, she will also discuss the growing national trend toward collaborative, rather than court-litigated divorce processes.
Kathy Charlton
Changing the Debate—Why Our Jobs Matter
Times are tough, budgets are short and cutting public services is high on the list of solutions. Do you struggle to explain the importance of your work to people who think that government is a bad word? For six years Demos, a public policy think tank, has studied how average citizens view government and how public service advocates can best communicate the important role we play in our democracy. This workshop will provide a brief overview of the Demos research and explore how we can best tell “our story”—in the workplace, with family and friends and in our communities.
Diane Airhart, Jen Porcari
A Delicate Balance: Privacy and the Right to Know.
The State tries to balance the public's right to know against the individual's right to privacy, yet these two rights have come into conflict on more than one occasion for government managers and employees. This seminar addresses that problem and explores the state employee's responsibility in a variety of situations.
Tim Hawks
Supreme Court v. Democracy
This workshop will focus on where campaign finance reform and other political reform efforts stand in Wisconsin. It will also address how the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on election financing in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission will impact on our democracy and what can be done to counteract the effects of the decision.
Mike McCabe, Jay Heck
Hot Topics and Useful Tips about Your WRS Benefits
This presentation will focus on some of the more detailed nuances concerning your benefits administered by the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF). Topics discussed include retirement, separation and survivor benefits, and life and health insurance. The emphasis will be on details that can sometimes enhance WRS benefits, but may overlooked or misunderstood by the participants.
PERSA Annual Meeting
Election of Officers and Amendments to the PERSA Constitution. All PERSAns should plan to attend.
