Outgoing President Donnie Cole hands the gavel to incoming President Constance Smith-Burwell | Photo ©2024 Joyce Perkins
SPENCER, Tenn. – The Tennessee State Employees Association (TSEA) marked a historic milestone with its 50th Anniversary Representative Assembly (RA), held from June 13 to 15, 2024, at Fall Creek Falls State Park. More than 200 members registered to attend this year’s event, which was filled with informative sessions, workshops, social activities, and the essential business of the association.
Highlights of the Assembly
The event began on Thursday, June 13, with the TSEA Board of Directors meeting and a member welcome dinner. On Friday, June 14, attendees participated in various training sessions, including Chapter Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Secretary’s Training, as well as a TSEA Leadership Program Presentation. The TEAM PAC Convention took place in the afternoon, followed by free time for park activities before the Awards Dinner.
Former Executive Director Randy Stamps was in attendance Friday afternoon at the TEAM PAC Convention to welcome and introduce Senator Ken Yager, who was invited to receive the Caribe Award. Upon receiving the prestigious Caribe Award for his exceptional support of the association, Senator Yager addressed the members, saying:
“I’m proud to be associated with the TSEA, and here’s why: TSEA is one of the best assets to the state of Tennessee. We in the legislature enact legislation; the boards promulgate rules and regulations. But it’s the people in this room that are the ones that have to carry out the intent of that legislation or those regulations. You are where the rubber meets the road. You do a good job, and you bring credit to Tennessee. Why shouldn’t we do all we can to support you when you do everything you can, and probably put up with a little grief every now and then, to make Tennessee a great place [and] to serve people in this state? So, thank you, thank you, thank you. […] And as long as I’m there—and I hope I’m there for another four years—it’s time we put longevity on the table.” – Senator Ken Yager
The Caribe Award is named after the fearless Caribe piranha, acknowledging legislators who have demonstrated remarkable strength and tenacity in supporting state employees.
Friday Evening Awards
Friday evening featured the annual Representative Assembly Awards Dinner, recognizing outstanding leaders and chapters. Awards presented included:
- Chapter Membership Awards: Recognizes chapters that have shown exceptional growth in member recruitment. This year’s winners were Fayette County, Warioto, and Hamilton County chapters.
- Outstanding Chapter Members: Honors individual members who have made significant contributions to their chapters. This year’s honorees were Belinda Alley, Gloria Branford-Olds, Sherry Bundren, Pearline Jordan, Michele Lynch, Katie Spurling, and Ray Stout.
- Cora Redmond Awards: Named after TSEA trailblazer Cora Redmond, this award acknowledges members who have demonstrated outstanding efforts in recruiting new members. This year’s recipients were Rhonda Battee, LaWanda Steele, Ira Todd, and Anthony Kemp.
- Rising Star Awards: Recognizes members who show great potential to become influential leaders within the association. This year’s rising stars were Diana Bentley, William Jack Dunn, Uzette Grandison, LeAndrew Hayes, Randell J. Pope, and LaDawn Steele.
- Hall of Fame Awards: Honors members who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to support TSEA. This year’s inductees were Roger Kyle Carter, Karen Clear, James Head, Arlene Martin-Norman, Allison Merritt, Evelyn Mitchell, Frances Morrow, Lonnie Tomlin, III, Jackie Tisdale, and Stanley W. Tyler.
- Humanitarian Award: Awarded to a member who has made significant humanitarian contributions within their community and the association. This year’s recipient was Dannis Williams.
Dannis Williams, the winner of the Humanitarian Award, has been a member of TSEA since July 1981 and has served as Departmental Representative at the Memphis Mental Health site for over ten years. He has also served as the local TEAM Coordinator and has been a pillar and advocate for many members during his tenure with TSEA. Mr. Williams has been a caretaker for his disabled childhood friend and has volunteered at many employee appreciation activities. He has also participated in non-profit charity events with Memphis Community Singers, at-risk youth facility Porter-Leath, and Habitat for Humanity.
Other nominees for the Humanitarian Award include Linda Jones, Constance Smith-Burwell, and Dena Taylor.
Business and Celebration
The RA Business Session on Saturday saw the passage of the 2024-2025 budget, bylaws changes, and the resolutions handbook. The bylaws changes included housekeeping updates such as updating the terms “civil service” to “preferred service” and “grievance procedures” to the “appeal process,” as well as updating outdated language for dues increases to reflect the current process. In addition, the parliamentarian is now a rotating responsibility between the three vice president positions; and there is a degree or work experience requirement for the statewide position of TSEA’s Treasurer. RA delegates also voted to accept the following Bylaws recommendations relative to chapter coverage by Board members:
- #1: Sycamore Chapter moved from Board District 4 to Board District 5 (District 5 now includes Sycamore Chapter and Davidson County Chapter).
- #2: Williamson County Chapter moved from Board District 7 to Board District 6 (District 6 now includes Williamson County Chapter and Davidson County Chapter).
- #3: Tealeaf Chapter moved from Board District 8 to Board District 9 (District 9 now includes Caney Fork, Falls Creek Falls, Hamilton County, Hiwassee, Marion, and Tealeaf).
In addition, during Saturday’s business session, various reports and presentations were made, including the Executive Director’s remarks, a video presentation, the President’s remarks, and the Treasurer’s Report. The session concluded with the induction of the 2024-2025 TSEA Board of Directors before adjournment.
Leadership Transitions
Outgoing President Donnie Cole, who served for six years, passed the torch to Smith-Burwell. Cole’s exceptional leadership and commitment to TSEA have been evident since he joined the association in 1982. Over the years, he has served on the Board as District Director, Treasurer, Middle Tennessee Vice President, and most notably, President from 2018 to 2024. As a multi-year recipient of the Cora Redmond Award for membership recruitment, Cole’s dedication and contributions have substantially impacted TSEA’s growth and its members, and his tireless efforts have significantly shaped the association’s success. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
A New Era of Leadership
The assembly culminated on Saturday, June 15, with the swearing-in of Constance Smith-Burwell as the new President of TSEA. Smith-Burwell has been a member of TSEA for 26 years. Before being elected as TSEA President, she served as District 6 Director since June 2014. She has also held various other roles within the association, including Davidson County Chapter Secretary Pro-Tem, Bylaws Chair, and Worksite Representative for 20 years. In her vision for TSEA, she emphasized the importance of representing all members and maintaining transparency and accountability. “My vision is to continue to defend our ‘membership funded and membership-driven organization’ in representing the preferred, part-time, retiree, and human rights of all state employees,” she said. Smith-Burwell is committed to being a “voice for the voiceless” and an advocate for fair and equitable treatment in the workplace, protecting benefits and salary compensation.
Additionally, the Board appointed Cynthia Minnick as District 4 Director, LeAndrew Hayes as District 6 Director, and Tracy McClain was reelected as the West Tennessee Representative to the Sick Leave Bank Board of Trustees, filling key leadership positions.
A Legacy of Service
As TSEA celebrates its 50th anniversary, the association remains committed to serving state employees. Executive Director LaTanya McAdoo highlighted the importance of TSEA’s mission, stating, “TSEA exists to provide a strong, unified voice to advocate the work-related interests of members. Our mission is to improve the lives of active and retired state employees through lobbying efforts that protect and improve pay, benefits, and working conditions.” Reflecting on TSEA’s history, McAdoo shared, “From our humble beginnings in 1974 with just a few members, we have grown to a robust association with 47 chapters with consistently over 10,000+ members. This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all our members, leaders and staff.”
With a renewed sense of purpose, delegates departed Fall Creek Falls State Park, ready to enhance the association’s future. The connections and insights developed during this milestone 50th Anniversary Representative Assembly will continue to inspire and guide TSEA’s members for years to come. Happy 50th Anniversary, TSEA!
By Chris Dauphin
TSEA Communications Director
[email protected]
