Dear Colleagues,
I am honored to serve as the chapter president for the Central Ohio Labor Employment Relations Association (COLERA) for 2019-2020. I have been an active member of COLERA over the past six years, throughout my tenure as vice president of the Ohio Education Association (OEA). Having recently been elected to serve as OEA President, I appreciate now more than ever how valuable it is to be connected to a strong organization like COLERA that provides professionals from all perspectives—labor, management and neutral—an opportunity to build relationships, learn about current issues, and hone their skills.
Please mark your calendars for the 2019-2020 COLERA luncheon meeting and speaker series. Meetings are the third Tuesday of the month from September through May at The Boat House, 679 W Spring St, Columbus, OH 43215 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm: September 17, October 15, November 19, December 17, January 21, February 18, March 17, April 21, and May 19.
Our Board members for this year are:
2019-2020 COLERA Board
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT
Scott DiMauro Meeta Bass
SECRETARY TREASURER PAST PRESIDENT
Colleen Arnett Robert Fekete
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
Mike D’Arcy
LABOR MEMBERS: MANAGEMENT MEMBERS NEUTRAL MEMBERS:
Bret Benack Catherine Burgett Felicia Bernardini
Gwen Callender Chris Haselberger Donald Collins
Mike Duco Kate Nicholson Gary Kloepfer
Bob Sauter Matt Telfer Joe Trejo
This past year, sessions featured a wide variety of experts on workplace issues ranging from trends in labor and employment law to addressing challenges related to the opioid crisis, sexual harassment in the workplace, implications of Ohio’s new medical marijuana law, and the impact of the Janus decision on organized labor. The COLERA Board has worked hard over the summer to ensure that our upcoming sessions are engaging and presented from a balanced perspective.
The guest speaker for COLERA’s first lunch meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, is Chris Moffitt. Chris is a career law enforcement officer and dedicated trainer. He started in police work as an Auxiliary Police Officer in 1990 with the Hubbard Ohio Police Department. He moved through the ranks and is currently a Patrol Sergeant. Besides his supervisory duties, Chris is the department’s OPOTA certified Firearms Instructor (Semi-Auto, Revolver, Shotgun, Carbine Rifle), a certified Field Training Officer (FTO) , NRA “Refuse to be a Victim” Instructor, a Glock Armorer, and an A.L.I.C.E. instructor. This presentation is designed to not only provide the mental and physical tools that can assist employers with better planning for employees surviving life-threatening and violent situations. It will also address key elements any employer’s policy or training must include to provide for the best outcomes.
Throughout my career as an educator and union leader, I have always leaned heavily on the support of experienced colleagues for their expertise and advice. My membership in COLERA has given me a unique opportunity to connect with other labor advocates as well as professionals who represent management interests and those in roles such as mediators and arbitrators to better understand our common interests and the values that bind all of us together. I hope you will consider becoming a member of COLERA and attending these programs.
I hope to see you at the Boathouse this year!
Scott DiMauro