Basic Duties for Division Vice Presidents and Trustees:

(based on applicable articles of the Constitution and Bylaws)

Article III. Membership

Section 4. Member Rights, Privileges, and Duties.

A member in good standing is one whose dues are current for the membership year.

Members in good standing, and only members in good standing, shall be eligible to participate in the Union, including voting on contracts, running for office, serving on contract committees, attending Union meetings, and voting on internal Union business.

A. Rights and Privileges of Individual Members.

Every member in good standing of Local 500 shall have the right to enjoy the full benefits of the Union without discrimination as follows:

1. To vote by secret ballot on Union contracts directly affecting him/her as an employee;

2. To vote in all Union elections in accordance with these bylaws;

3. To attend all regular and special membership meetings of the Union and/or his/her Chapter or Division, and participate in the discussion and vote on all questions;

4. To be a candidate for elective office and/or position in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws and to serve on Union committees;

5. To utilize all services provided by the Union and participate in all social, educational, and cultural activities;

6. To receive a fair and open hearing in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws on any charge brought by him/her or against him/her.

B. Duties of Members.

A member of Local 500 shall have the duty and obligation to strengthen and defend the Union and its membership:

1. A member should attend General Membership meetings of the Union and regular and special meetings of his/her Chapter and Division,

2. A member shall respect the rights of fellow Union members;

3. A member shall comply with the decisions of the Union, made pursuant to this Constitution;

4. A member shall observe orderly procedure and decorum at all meetings;

5. Each member shall adhere to the terms and conditions of pertinent collective bargaining agreements, and shall refrain from any conduct that would interfere with the performance by this local union of its contractual obligations;

6. A member shall be encouraged to assist in organizing the unorganized and participate in such activities as he/she may be called upon to perform by the Union;

7. A member shall keep the Union advised of his/her current mailing address. Notice to the last address provided shall constitute notice to the member for all purposes under these bylaws;

8. No member shall be a party to any activity to secure the disestablishment of this local union as the collective bargaining agent for any employee.

Article V. Governing Structure

Section 8. Executive Board.

A. The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Presidents, and a non-voting representative of the Retired Members Committee. There shall be one Vice President for every 600 members, or major fraction thereof, of each Chapter or Division, in Divisions in which there is no Chapter. Each Chapter, or Division, in Divisions in which there is no Chapter, shall have a minimum of one (1) Vice President, except that if a Division without Chapters or a Chapter contains no members, that Division and/or Chapter shall not be entitled to a Vice President. The Executive Board, subject to the approval of the membership, shall authorize new Division and/or Chapter seats, and may call for special elections in newly created Divisions and/or Chapters. The number of Vice Presidents for each Division and/or Chapter shall not be reduced during the three-year terms of office for elected officers. Any member of the Executive Board missing two (2) consecutive meetings or three (3) meetings in a period of one year without being excused by the President shall stand suspended pending action of the Executive Board. It shall be the duty of all Executive Board members to attend regularly the General Membership and Division and/or Chapter meetings. Executive Board members shall make every effort to notify the President if they are unable to attend a meeting. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President or by a request to the President by a majority of the Executive Board, the meeting to be held within seven (7) calendar days of the receipt of the request. Executive Board meetings shall be held monthly. A majority of the members of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 9. Responsibilities.

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Executive Board shall be the governing body of this Union. The affairs of the Union shall be conducted through the authority vested in the Executive Board and the general membership in accordance with these Bylaws. The Executive Board is authorized and empowered to take all lawful action consistent with these Bylaws and to guide the activities, affairs, and functions of the Union, and the handling of all funds of the Union. Any action of the Executive Board shall be considered the action of the Union. The Executive Board shall present a proposed budget to the General Membership for comment and discussion prior to its adoption by the Board.

Article VI. Officers-Authority, Duties, and Responsibilities

Section 6. Vice Presidents.

A. Each Vice President shall be responsible for furthering the Union’s overall interests and goals, and actively participating in the Union’s governance, and political, organizing, and representation activities.

B. The critical responsibilities of Vice Presidents shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Actively participating in efforts to elect politicians committed to the interests of our members;

2. Actively participating in lobbying for legislation which benefits the Union and its membership;

3. Actively participating in efforts to unite non-union workers into the Union;

4. Mentoring and supporting worksite leaders of the Union, and holding them accountable to their union leader responsibilities and commitments;

5. Representing the local union on such occasions and in such situations as determined by the President and/or the Executive Board.

C. Each Vice President shall commit the time and effort necessary to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position, as described herein, and as the Executive Board may determine.

Section 7. Trustees.

Two (2) Trustees shall be elected from the membership at large and shall have duties which include:

1. Acting as guardians of the finances of the Union;

2. Along with the President and Treasurer, the Trustees will serve as the Finance Committee of the Local;

3. Examining the books of the Local Union and, with the approval of the Executive Board, arranging for the audit of financial records of the Local Union at least annually and at periods of time deemed appropriate by the Trustees. At the conclusion of such audit, a report on same shall be made by the Trustees to the Executive Board.

Other duties as assigned or appointed by the President:

1. Appointed to serve on Labor Management Committees or Joint Labor Management Committees specified by the collective bargaining agreement.

2. Conduct a minimum of 2 chapter or division meetings where there is no chapter per fiscal year.

3. Appointed to serve on Bargaining Committees.

How to apply for a vacancy on the SEIU Local 500 Executive Board:

Applicants should be aware that to qualify for Vice President, you must be a member in good standing of Local 500. Applicants must also be working in a position within the Chapter and Division for which they would like to be Vice President as of the date the Executive Board of the Union fills the vacancy. Applicants for the Trustee vacancies must also be a member in good standing of Local 500.

The deadline to submit your letter of interest is September 30, 2024.

Step 1:

  • Applicants interested in filling a vacancy on the Executive Board must submit a letter of interest addressed to Pia Morrison, President of Local 500. The letter must include the following:

- Work Location

- Job Title

- Union activities and committees you currently participate in

- Why you are applying for the vacant Executive Board position and how your commitment would benefit SEIU Local 500

  • Two letters of recommendation from members in good standing of the same chapter/division (must address financial literacy for Trustee)

Step 2:

  • All applicants must complete the online vacancy application form.

    If you do not have a Google account, click here to complete your application. Email your letter of interest and two letters of recommendation as PDF files to Tracy M. True, Director of Member Services and Operations, at aveyt@seiu500.org or Mail your letter of interest and two letters of recommendation to the following:

Pia Morrison, President

c/o Tracy M. True, Director of Member Services and Operations

SEIU Local 500

901 Russell Ave, Suite 300

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

The SEIU Local 500 Executive Board will review letters of interest and recommendations and notify applicants of its decision.