10-14-2008

Staff Assembly Executive Council

Tuesday, October 14, 2008; 1:30-3pm

Road to Bali Room in Crosby

Present:  William Gibson, Connie Hickman, Bill Kostelec, Kim Gieber, Tim Woodard, Rodolfo Pagsanjan, Mike Tobin, Angela Ruff, Krystal Burns, Janelle Axtell, Karen Franks-Harding.

Absent:  Jill Wilkinson.

Called to order at 1:38pm.  William opened the meeting with a reminder of the council meeting process, which includes being acknowledged in order to speak.

 Old Business:

Council Processes: Minutes
William distributed a drafted process for managing council minutes, and read through each section.   Questions arose about the approval, dispute, and corrections sections.  The group discussed the responsibility of all council members to engage in approval of the minutes balanced against.  Kim moved that minutes from the previous meeting be reviewed and approved at each meeting.  Connie seconded.  A question was asked about whether people who didn’t attend the previous meeting can vote.  The motion passed unanimously.    The group recommended taking out the disputes section.   Regarding distribution, the Community Outreach Committee has offered to share the minutes with the community.  Mike motioned that the minutes be distributed to the general community become the responsibility of the Community Outreach Committee.  Tim seconded.  All agreed unanimously.    Tim motioned to approve the minutes process with addendums to the approval, dispute, and distributions section as stated.  Kim seconded.  All present voted unanimously to approve.

 Council Processes: Committee Relations

William distributed and read through a drafted process for committee relations, emphasizing reasons for why having a point of contact is important for committees with several members, and why goals will help make Staff Assembly more successful.    Bill expressed concern about requiring SMART goals, in that some committees continue on with work over years, and time would be better spent progressing on those rather than taking the time to rework goals each year.    He also stated concern about adopting procedures for future councils.  Tim pointed out the importance of setting goals and that having them articulated in writing is important for the community, as well as accountability for the committees and the council.  Mike suggested the president might set the committee goals.  Angela offered that it helps orient new people on committees when the goals and intentions are clearly stated, and can keep the committee from getting off-track when someone new with a personal agenda joins the group.    Connie suggested adding “articulating” to the goal setting section, since the creation of new goals each year may not be relevant.   Bill asked that a sentence be added which states the process could be changed at any time according to council approval. Tim moved that we approve the committee relations process with amendments as stated.  Bill seconded.  The group voted in unanimous agreement. 

 Mission Awards

Mike shared that the awards plaque is up on the brick wall of Jazzman’s in Cataldo, in the sitting area.  Connie offered to publicize the location when she calls for nominations.

 Fall Open Meeting

Ann Price is chairing this subcommittee.  The event is scheduled for November 19, from 8:30 to 10am in the Globe Room, with breakfast at 8am.   William suggested the theme and format be a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the future of Staff Assembly, and he stated high hopes for a large attendance.  Kim suggested the financial concerns in our nation and for the university might warrant a presentation of the university administration of about the university’s financial situation.  Kim also mentioned that there has been a great deal of data gathering from the Staff Assembly over the last year, and that the results should be reviewed – the compensation survey and the diversity/climate survey are examples.   Bill and Kim offered to assist in settling on a topic and format for the meeting, and they will join Ann’s effort. 

 New Business:

Event Subcommittees: GU Cares

Mike agreed to become the chair of this subcommittee.  William encourages the committee to proceed so that he can share the progress with Fr. Spitzer at a meeting later this fall.  Janelle suggested meetings with current HR personnel, and asked that the President request and facilitate the meeting.  Mike recalled that the main concerns from the previous HR conversation seemed to be HIPPA rules, and is willing to pursue the discussion as chair of the committee.    Janelle clarified that the proposal includes utilizing the benefit of the half-day of community service hours, and the potential for sick time donation sometime in the future.  William mentioned Seattle University has a program like this, called the Crisis Leave program. 

Adjourned at 3:08pm.