At the January 2012 MEA Board Meeting, President Eileen Hirst submitted her resignation, acknowledging that her pending departure from City employment renders her ineligible to serve. During her ten years as President, Eileen guided the Board and members as MEA continued to broaden its mission. As a result MEA took on a larger role in developing public policy, deepened its relationships with other labor organizations in the City, and, most importantly, increased its commitment to member service by expanding resources. Acting President David German noted of Eileen: “Her tenure as President has been marked by strong leadership and increasing recognition of the role Managers play in leading our City. She will be missed.” Eileen’s dedication to the Union, both members and staff, is deeply appreciated.
The MEA Board has constituted a committee to seek qualified candidates to fill out the end of Eileen’s term which runs through 2012. Members who are interested in service to the Union at that or any level are encouraged to contact the MEA office at 415-989-7244 or staff@sfmea.com.
A Word From Eileen Hirst:
Dear Friends and Colleagues –
As many of you know, I recently left my position as Chief of Staff of the Sheriff’s Department. Since I am no longer a City employee, I, of course, can no longer serve as President of the Municipal Executives’ Association. I have resigned effective January 6.
Please allow me a few inches of the newsletter to tell you how much I enjoyed my affiliation with MEA and how proud I was to represent the people I admire most in City government, you, the managers.
City employees have been through some rough years of late, as the economy has suffered and government agencies have faced difficult decisions in seeking to provide ever higher levels of needed services with ever shrinking budgets. At every turn, you have given unstintingly of your time and considerable talent to find ways to be faithful to our mission statement, to provide the highest possible level of service to the people and visitors of San Francisco. You have taken from your own pocket and agreed to contract concessions that cost you and your families real money, and you did it in service to the common good of our community. You do not get the recognition you deserve, but that hasn’t diminished your commitment to public service. Each of you has been a pleasure to know, and I treasure the work we did together.
My best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy, healthy 2012, and to MEA for continued growth and success.
Eileen