Welcome to 2021! Last year was unlike anything we’ve ever experienced, and for most people it wasn’t a positive change. Although 2020 was challenging on many different fronts, I hope the members noticed our efforts to minimize the effects that the coronavirus had on our ability to serve our membership. I want to recognize the DSA staff members who went above and beyond to keep serving our members in a strange year. Our staff kept the store open, went on the road to notarize documents for members, adjusted their schedules, and were extremely innovative by coming up with ideas to benefit members and host events such as our Halloween drive thru.
We were also met with very real and serious political challenges in 2020. We were mostly successful in our battles against terrible legislation, and that was due to the engagement we had from our members and their families. Unfortunately, many of those battles will be returning in 2021 and we will need help and support from everyone to be successful again. Stay tuned for regular updates and requests from the DSA for you to get involved by signing petitions, sending letters to legislators, and other ways we can influence the decisionmakers.
Lastly, I want to recognize our outgoing board members. I do not yet know the results of this year’s election, but two of our incumbent directors have decided not to seek re-election. Every year, three seats are available for election to the DSA board, so we will be welcoming at least two new directors onto our board in 2021. Outgoing director Carl Gardenhire has decided not to seek re-election this year. I know Carl is passionate about our members and the association, but I believe he is planning for retirement before the end of another three-year term on our board. Carl has been a voice of reason for his entire time on the board and he will be missed.
Tevita Fifita is also leaving the board this year and will not be seeking re-election. Tevita came onto the board earlier this year due to a retirement and was a welcomed addition. He also has a ton to bring to our membership, but has a lot on his plate. Tevita has two young kids, is full-time SED, and is working on some personal goals as well. Hopefully Tevita will return to our board in the future when he has more time and energy to participate.
Lastly, our Treasurer Marlon McCurdy is up for re-election. I will not say goodbye to Marlon, as the election results are not yet in. Marlon has been a terrific contributor in his time on the board. He’s done a great job as our treasurer and as our representative on our retiree medical trust. I sincerely wish Marlon the best of luck in his re-election bid, and I hope he will stay on the board for three more years.
Regardless of election results, the DSA is going to navigate 2021, regardless of what happens, and we will keep striving to provide our members with the best benefits possible. As always, we welcome your input and suggestions. Thank you! ⭑
(858) 486-9009
info@dsasd.org
