Staff Assembly Executive Council

Wednesday, 09/05/07 10-11am

Road to Utopia Room

M i n u t e s

Attended: Marcia Bertholf, Mike Tobin, Tim Woodard, William Gibson, Ann-Scott Ettinger, Kim Gieber, Jill Wilkinson, Brady Nielsen.

Guest:  Paige Kramer

1. Blackboard Demo – Angela reviewed process for voting on minutes and participating in discussion boards.

2. August Committee Reports Review (see Blackboard) – members encouraged to review on Blackboard for future discussion.

            a. Budget - cmte will be invited to the Oct 3 mtg.             b. Safety -  Ann-Scott requested guidance on how much of the minutes from the Safety Committee needs to be conveyed.  Let's see the entire minutes for a time. 

3. Blackboard Discussions

            a. Henderson family support - Jill suggested on a Blackboard discussion that we allow people the opportunity to tape a message for Abe and Jessica, and has arranged for access to the studio Tues and Thurs after 4pm where students can film people.  The broadcast students will edit and produce a DVD or VHS or put on-line.  Jill will arrange dates and times over the next two weeks.   Marcia recruited people to help collect donations across campus -- Carol Magnuson, Crosby Student Center; Mardell Grayhek, Nursing Department in Schoenberg Center; Robin Glendenning, Customer Service Desk in Plant Services).              b. AVP Search - some activity on discussion board indicates desire to be represented, but we need to articulate our reasons for wanting to be part of the process.  Staff supervised by faculty have needs unique from other kinds of staff, and we are the best resource for representing those needs.  The current committee has two staff.  Staff deserves to be represented by representatives they have chosen.   Jill requested an org chart for the AVP area, as well as a job description for the AVP.  Paige suggested the job description was included in the announcement of the search committee.              c. Outstanding Mission Award Placement – members encouraged to post ideas on Blackboard.

4. Access to evening and night-shift staff for Sept "ice cream social" - Tim spoke to Craig about the four shifts, and he's willing to give 15 minutes at the end of each shift.  We should approach Craig with a suggestion for one or two time options to get different shift groups together. 

5. Peer Advisor Group - Paige shared Dan's view that the program is a joint venture by HR and the Staff Assembly.  The value of having the program housed in HR is to ensure that agents of the university are clearly trained and supported.  Communications about the program have dropped off, and there have been no follow-up meetings.  HR has access to departmental policies that Staff Assembly members may not get on their own, so there is some value in having the program housed in HR.  Paige clarified the program needs a solid base and has learned from various sources of a deep mistrust exists in the community, which won't change until people have a chance to use the new system.  Paige being hired in Plant has helped get at some of the trust issues, per statements of the Plant reps on the council has also helped.  Dan is planning to convene the peers and further discuss with Staff Assembly Executive Council.

6.  SA Involvement - Marcia learned that some people had to take vacation time to set up for the picnic, and having time to be involved with Staff Assembly has been a tension point for some employees and supervisors.  For the organization to be successful, employees need support and access to serve.  Workloads are increasingly of concern across campus.  Staff Assembly should identify the issues - is it workload? Is it supervisor relations?  More discussion in the future.

Action Items

Everyone – visit Blackboard site

Jill schedule studio for Henderson family video messages  Marcia speak with Paul Buller re AVP Search Committee

Tim speak with Craig re access to evening and night shift staff

Marcia encourage Dan to schedule peer advisor meeting