Family Child Care Chapter Elections

Voter Guide for Contested Races

Family Child Care Chapter President
Nancy Gerber I am proud of the many and great accomplishments we have made during my first term as president, including the largest Child Care subsidy raise in the history of our state, great health insurance, the work of rewriting the FCC WACs and a bonus program for exempt providers. I share in your dreams, your struggles, and your hopes and have learned much while serving you as president. I have engaged in rich conversations with many of you around our issues and will continue to bring your ideas forward to achieve the changes we need. You are constantly on my mind as I represent you at Negotiated Rule Making and its subcommittees, the Labor Management Committee, Contract Negotiations, Local and Regional meetings and actions, the 925 Executive Board, Steering Council, Leadership Assembly and while testifying before the legislature in Olympia. I stay politically active, involving myself in candidate interview panels, political walks and phone banking. We still have much work to do such as expanding Health Care to include more members, resolving local licensing concerns, establishing provider rights, and resolving subsidy payment problems. Through my vision and commitment to working on these issues I will lead us to success. Your time is not tomorrow, but today and together we can and WILL bring your dreams to reality. I look forward to serving you again and hope I can count on your vote to continue the progress we have made for ourselves, the children and families we care for.
Sandra VanDoren I am both honored and excited to be nominated as your president. I am looking forward with enthusiasm to the opportunity to make a difference in our future leadership. My intent is to be the Strong voice that our members so desperately need during this time. I listen and respond daily to concerns and issues along with opening the lines of communication. I want to assure you that together, in solidarity, change will take place within OUR Union. I’m an Accredited Family Childcare Provider with over 20 years experience. I am currently your Early Learning Vice President and have participated on the bargaining teams for our past two contracts, winning health care and higher subsidy rates. I have been a member of the Negotiated Rule Making team for the past 3 years and elected to serve as the teams rule writer of the new WAC’s. Together, with your help, we can and will make needed changes to further our cause in Early Learning to gain the respect we deserve in our profession. I want us to UNITE and become ONE strong voice with a renewed VISION of what we can accomplish when we have OUR union leaders standing up for providers needs. You deserve a president that will be a strong voice for you and respond to your issues. I am that person. I will speak out for providers as your president and I welcome the opportunity to represent you. Thank you for your vote. Sandra VanDoren – (509) 389-1940 Sandra@noahsarkdaycare.net.

Family Child Care Chapter Vice President
Jane Elfering My name is Jane Elfering. I have been a childcare provider for twenty years. As an early childhood provider and educator, I have had tremendous opportunities to inspire in children a lifelong love of learning. I, as many of you am continually trying to better the Quality of Childcare. I am active in teaching stars to licensed and license exempt providers, taught subsidy training, belong to Benton/Franklin Childcare Association and I am an active member of Seiu. As a member of SEIU, I participated in lobbying for our bill. I was on the Bargaining team for our first contract, testified at the House hearing, on the Steering Committee, Lead Activist and Leadership Assembly. I am still dedicated be an advocate for quality childcare. I have been a strong supporter of SEIU. SEIU has helped us attain higher wages, healthcare, respect and professionalism, and the ongoing Negotiated Rule Making. I would appreciate the opportunity to represent you as Vice President for this next term so I can help continue our success and our strong voice.
Sherry Smiley Elect me for Vice President and choose a candidate with 8 years experience administrating a successful preschool academy and an individual that has spent countless hours acting on behalf of other providers voluntarily, for the past several years, maintaining leadership and a voice for helping you build our union. My own child care program was awarded the ‘Exceptional Caregiver Award’ from KCTS 9, last year. We are accredited; I have my CDA certificate and currently enrolled for getting my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. These accomplishments speak to my drive for excellence and hard work. I sat at the bargaining table for you, work hard in ongoing payment committee meetings with our state, actively participate in Steering Council, Leadership, Lobby Day and more. Many of my current volunteer responsibilities already include acting as support to providers in the community, offering guidance to navigate through the state payment and licensing system and procedures, practicing prompt follow-up and monitoring the outcome. Other volunteer responsibilities are 4 years as Board Member for Puget Sound Association for the Education of Young Children (PSAEYC), affiliate representative to the Washington chapter (WAEYC). I have been on the Community Advisory Council for White Center Early Learning Initiatives since it began and very involved with QRIS. We need a leadership voice on the western side of the state. We have wonderful leaders, most of which are located in eastern Washington. With me as your Vice President, you will add a leader to the western side of the state.
Family Child Care Chapter Secretary
Cathy McPeek Dear Members,
When I heard Washington State Family Child Care Providers were organizing and becoming a union, I got involved. I have been involved ever since. I enjoy participating in our member driven union and being a voice for family child care providers.

I have been honored to be on both contract negotiation teams. I have represented Licensed and Exempt Family Child Care Providers (FCC) in Olympia on Lobby Day, in Vancouver, Federal Way, and Tacoma knocking on doors with Member Political Organizers campaining for our Governor, and State Representatives. I sat on the committee that interviewed those running for office in Pierce County that wanted an SEIU endorsement.

I have done Orientations in Tacoma for over two years. I have been a trainer for Exempt Providers. I have never missed a Steering Council Meeting. I am a voice for FCCP as a Board Member at Large in PCAEYC/WAEYC and local DEL Committee's and do Conference workshops. My licensed home (12) is full and open to providers for meetings.

I have effectively represented you as the Southwest Washington FCC Board Member and President Kim Cook appointed Executive Committee Member. As the next Early Learning Division Secretary, I promise to show up and do the job.

Please vote for me again as your Southwest Washington FCC Board Member.
Please vote for me to become your next Early Learning Division Secretary.
Thank you for the honor of representing you. Call or e-mail me anytime.
GreatfullyYour Representative, Cathy McPeek totkeeper@aol.com 253-864-8932.

Kathy Miller Hello Fellow SEIU Members,
I've been a Licensed Childcare Provider for the past 11 years. I have had the honor of serving as the Secretary of the Early Learning Division of SEIU for the past two years. I have also been on both bargaining teams representing providers in negotiating both of our contracts with DSHS.

I am also involved in WSFCCA, two years ago we formed a brand new Chapter in Vancouver. I also do the website for www.wsfcca.com . I have just recently started a new Provider Networking Group with a fellow provider friend in our area. Our focus is to reach out to all providers, assistants, and Center staff to offer High Quality STARS Classes and Workshops at an affordable price. www.pnwccn.com .

I would be honored to serve as your Secretary for a second term. Our work is not done! I would like to work on addressing unlicensed childcare, listening to the needs of providers and really focusing on what sorts of changes providers would like to see their Union help make happen.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions I can answer for you.

Thank-you, 
Kathy Miller
www.justlikehomeinc.com


Northwest State—Lead Activist (Licensed)

Amanda Aragon Hello mi name is Amanda Aragon and I live in the city of Mount Vernon, WA. I have a childcare license since 1998 and I am happy with the nomination that one of my colleagues made . If I become leader in Mount Vernon, I will be willing to help with everything in my reach for providers that request my help and additionally I want to express my gratitude to SEIU for helping us as Childcare Providers like they have done up to now because that has helped us, as providers, to have confidence in ourselves.
$0 Thank you very much and if I win I hope to do well in my role.


Linda Ramuta Please re-elect me as your lead activist. I care for clients who need childcare on week-ends and extended hours. I have enjoyed being part of the team bringing providers together to work on wages that reflects our worth and quality care, health care,and advocate for other needed benefits. I am a strong child advocate striving to bring attention to our profession and how we work for all children's needs to be met. I believe we need to care for ourselves, too. We need to have nurturing relationships amoung ourselves, with other providers understanding our rewarding yet emotionally difficult work.

I have made calls at phone backs about the political issues that affect us. I have walked neighborhoods for candidates that will support us and children's issues. I have enjoyed the opportunity to teach classes to our exempt providers to help ensure all family childcare proividers give quality care. The classes also bring them together for information, inspiration, and sharing ideas.

I am the Vice President of the Washington State Family Child Care Association. I appreciate the partnership between these groups for the continued encouragement for all childcare providers in our state.

I ask for your vote to continue representing family childcare providers. Thank you!


Terry Savadge I've been an in-home child care provider since 1996. I served on The Bargaining Committee to negotiate our last contract agreement for SEIU and am running for the Area Lead Activist. I believe our union is our voice to better working conditions. Thank you for your vote.




Sue Winn I have been involved in the Union since we as providers began talking to SEIU. I have enjoyed the process and would like to continue to represent you. I believe we have done some great things for providers, but have much more to do. Please consider me when you vote.




King County—Lead Activist (Licensed)
Vicki Hill Vickie Hill was born and attended school in Seattle, WA. She is married and has two adult daughters. Currently, she resides in Skyway and operates Vickie’s Tots Daycare from her home. Vickie has more than 30 years experience and has operated her day childcare for more than 25 years. She is creative and highly motivated and these qualities are evident in her current and past daycare children. Vickie provides a safe and caring place for young children to learn and play.

Prior to Vickie opening her daycare, she worked for Seattle Public Schools. At Steven’s Elementary school she worked with kindergarten, 1st grade and older students. There Vickie assisted the teachers in the classrooms and helped students with various learning objectives.

Vickie attended Seattle Community College where she received her Early Childhood Development Training. Most recently, Vickie teaches workshops on a variety of subjects to exempt providers. These workshops are sponsored by the Service Employees International Union Local 925 (SEIU).

Vickie’s joined SEIU four years ago because of the union’s commitment to gain economic and political power for daycare providers. She is seeking the Lead Activist position because Vickie believes daycare providers are entitled to fair wages, healthcare, training and other benefits. Vickie is an effective communicator and has developed a strong network with other childcare providers. She will promote the SEIU values and encourage others to become involved. Vickie will work to improve the quality of work-life for daycare providers and insure young children receive the best care.


Maria Isabel Ramos No Statement Submitted






Sabah Saed My name is Sabah Saed. I have been a provider for 6 years in Kent. I am a good leader and representative of my community. I would like to be lead activist to help all providers with their needs and to assist them in becoming good union members.



Sherry Smiley Elect me for Lead Activist in King County and choose a candidate with 8 years experience administrating a successful preschool academy and an individual that has spent countless hours acting on behalf of other providers voluntarily, for the past several years, maintaining leadership and a voice for helping you build our union. My own child care program was awarded the ‘Exceptional Caregiver Award’ from KCTS 9, last year. We are accredited; I have my CDA certificate and currently enrolled for getting my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. These accomplishments speak to my drive for excellence and hard work.

I sat at the bargaining table for you, work hard in ongoing payment committee meetings with our state, actively participate in Steering Council, Leadership and more.

Many of my current volunteer responsibilities already include acting as support to providers in the community, offering guidance to navigate through the state payment and licensing system and procedures, practicing prompt follow-up and monitoring the outcome. Other volunteer responsibilities are 4 years as Board Member for Puget Sound Association for the Education of Young Children (PSAEYC), affiliate representative to the Washington chapter of the Association for the Education of Young Children (WAEYC), member in good standing with NAEYC (national chapter) and the National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC). I have been on the Community Advisory Council for White Center Early Learning Initiatives since it began and very involved with QRIS.

I am looking forward to the continued work of building our union.



Southwest—Lead Activist (Licensed)

Melba Halgren For the past two years, I have served as the Lead Activist for SW Washington. I enjoy attending Leadership Assembly and Steering Council meetings and bringing back the information to my area. Each month I write an article on SEIU News for the Clark County Family Child Care Association (CCFCCA) for the monthly newsletter that can be found on the web site www.ccfccaweb.org. I also give an oral report at the monthly CCFCCA meetings. For the past 1 1/2 years I have been doing the 30-minute union orientation at the local new provider orientation at DEL. I also belong to a provider chat line, ccsupportline, with approximate 100 providers. Whenever a question comes up about the union, I try to answer it or refer the person to our Member Support Department. I strongly support and attend our local union meetings held in Vancouver. I have participated in many phone banking and door knocking events.

SEIU 925 is our daycare union. As a 25-year provider, I have found real strength in being a member. The union has made a real positive change in my life and I want to give back. I promise to do my best to attend every meeting and do every assignment that I am asked to do. Please vote for me for Lead Activist for SW Washington.

--Melba Halgren

Shawn Harris Hi, my name is Shawn Harris and I’m a “Licensed In-Home Daycare” provider in Pierce County. I have been an active member in the struggle to gain our right to unionize having testified before several committees on our behalf. After our victory, I continued to work for our benefit by participating in several blitzes, contract negotiations and payment committee meetings bringing to the attention of the “State” our plight as day care providers. Just as I’ve worked tirelessly in the past 6 years, I will continue the fight. I will continue to fight for a fair living wage, a decent standard of living and more importantly our family and children’s right to have affordable, dependable and quality child-care. Every child deserves a good start and most of those children get their start in our homes. “Quality child-care begins in our home” is our slogan.

I am proud to represent my profession near and far and even more proud to represent my union- a union that stands for equality and justice for all and believe in holding those in authority accountable for their actions and promises.
I thank you for the past opportunity to serve you and ask that you grant me that same privilege by casting your vote for me.


Dora Herrera Hello my name is Dora Herrera. I have been a provider for 11 years. I have been involved with our union since the start. I am really excited to be nominated as a leader in my area. I will continue to make provider to provider connections. Thank you. 




Holly Lindsey Hi my name is Holly Lindsey and have been licensed for 13 years. I have worked with the union on several committees since our union began. I am very involved in making our lives and daycares better. I am very dedicated and would love to represent everyone in our area.




Laura Tanzy I would be honored to serve in this position and be an asset to all providers in this area.