9-19-12

ATTENDEES: Connie Caddis, Jeff Geldien, Carol Huston, Mike Kelsey, David Rovick Allison Lynn, Sue Butterfield, Carol Osenga

Absent: Beth Gordon, Steve Allen, Jamie Kelp

Meeting called to order at 11:02am

Fr. Morris is not able to attend today due to other commitments.

Jeff welcomed Jamie Kelp (who could not attend today) and mentioned that Staff Assembly is supposed to have 12 members.  We are currently at 11 now.  Should we hold off on adding any additional member until Bylaws are reviewed?  All were in agreement.

FALL OPEN MEETING

October 24th is the date for the Fall Open Meeting.  We will have two cabinet members speaking for 30 minutes each.  They will be asked to talk about tradition and transformation, how they see staff fitting and where they see Gonzaga going in the future.  Two cabinet members tentatively scheduled are: Marty Martin – EVP and Joe Poss – VP UR

Council business for the meeting will include discussion on updating the bylaws, there is anticipation for some staff members who might disagree with the staff council working on the bylaws and making the decisions on them.  The main purpose for the council to deal with the bylaws and the changes is due to the fact that there are never enough votes to pass anything presented.  The council wants to make the bylaws serve the staff.  Jeff, Dave and Mike are the committee that is currently reviewing the current bylaws.  We need to get this done and move forward 

The staff members that we know are retiring will be mentioned at the meeting, no formal presentation will be made as it is difficult to get a listing of the employees leaving.  A discussion of retirement gifts for employees working 30 years or more followed.  It was decided that a blanket would be given to employees working at Gonzaga 30+ years.  ACTION:  Need to take inventory of retirement gifts.  Jeff will speak with Beth regarding the current inventory. Jeff also will be checking with Thayne about the gifts that he gives out from the President’s office

Mission Awards - Jeff will get with Steve regarding these. 

Tradition Item - Speakers – Raymond Reyes has been nominated to be a speaker as well as alumni.  Jeff will talk with Joe Poss regarding his thoughts.  Thoughts were possibly a regent or trustee to talk, maybe Teresa Gee.  Carol Osenga will be talking with Astrid and will get back to the council with names and ideas of possible speakers.

Committee Updates

Benefits Committee will be included in meetings with Thayne on the contraceptive issue.  These members will be involved with the new HR person when hired to discuss compensation as well.   Marty is on board and MAY WANT this committee deeply involved in the compensation discussions.  The new members are:  Carol Bonino (UR) and Teresa Crane (Professional Studies), Georgia Dunham and John Correia are current members.

Budget Committee position has been filled by Jennifer Klein.

Sustainability This position has not been filled; Dave Gilbert is a possible choice.  ACTION: Dave Rovick will check on this.

Shift Recognition – Jeff met with Heather Murray (interim VP of HR) and told her this has to be dealt with.  She has forwarded past information to Jeff.  HR needs to own the mining of the data.  We need to have a proposal prepared and ready to go to the new VP HR when hired so that this can be changed or be done with it.

Jeff has received calls from staff thinking that we (the council) help with conflict resolution.  The council does not deal with this with regard to conflict with positions or job descriptions.  These situations should be dealt with by the Dean of the department and/or HR. Information has been removed from the HR website and Heather stated that she will have the process information put back on the website by October 31st.  Completion of this issue will be handled by the new VP of HR when hired.

United Way -- Nancy Masingale will remain as the main representative for this. 

Regents -- Jeff has received two applications, position will be appointed January 1st, ACTION: Talk about this at the October 3rd meeting. 

Donations -- Jeff has contacted the offices for donations for the 125th University and 100th Law School anniversaries.  The council needs to decide how we want to participate in these two celebrations and show that we are invested in the University.  MOTION by Carol Osenga “To give $125 to the University 125th anniversary celebration and $100 to the Law School 100th anniversary celebration”.  Motion passed unanimously. 

Budget Report -- Allison handed out the budget information and reviewed it with the members. Thayne’s State of the State meeting had approximately 210 attendees.  She will be checking Banner to make sure that all journal entries have been handled.  

Allison also stated that there is a “Diversity and Social Justice” Committee in the School of Education.  The committee spoke with Tracy Ellis-Ward out of UMEC regarding the International Day of Tolerance on November 16th.  They are hoping that we will have an increase in staff attending this year.  They are looking to have 125 students and 125 staff members there to be a part of the 125th Anniversary celebration.

Miscellaneous – Jeff stated there would not be a Retreat this year so the monies can be used for another activity.

Mike brought up the idea of having a position on the council for someone who has been at the University less than 1 year.  Release time may be an issue with new employees and asking their supervisors.  It was discussed that would they know enough to be a value add to the council with less than 1 year of employment.

GSBA has “Get Heard” forms than can be sent in if they do not want to be identified. Maybe we should develop something and put on our website.  This could be our electronic suggestion box. 

Dave brought up the idea of Morning Mail and how Staff Assembly can use it to notify staff.  He will get back to us with more information. 

Connie is to update website for the October 24th Open Meeting, 8:30 – 9:00am Continental breakfast and meeting begins at 9:00am.  Please list Marty’s name and Joe’s name as the TENTATIVE speakers.  Connie will also develop the electronic suggestion form.

Allison suggested that photos of the staff assembly council member should be put on the website. 

Next meeting will be held in 1898 Room on October 3rd.