STAFF ASSEMBLY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MINUTES
March 20, 2002 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Crosby Large Conference Room
Members Present: Bill Kostelec, Neva Bishop, Janice Resch, Keith Gauthier, Theresa Castillo, Anne Thomas, Brett Hendricks, Krystal Burns, Kim Gieber, and Lisa Smythe-Rodino from the Compensation Committee
Members Absent: Barbara Kolbet and Molly Spilker
The meeting called to order by President Bill Kostelec at 12:06
Minutes from 3/13/02 approved as written
Old Business
List of morale boosting ideas is finished. Per a request from Mike Casey, our liaison, Bill is working with Human Resources to move forward with this list. Below is the completed list.
The following
measures require a commitment of resources towards the healing of
staff morale and towards gaining a relationship of trust and mutual
respect between the staff and administration. So much of the mistrust
comes from the language of support and respect that staff hears
from administrators accompanied by an apparent lack of concrete
application. We
believe that the rhetoric reveals the best intentions of the
University administration and that such a commitment as outlined
below will help to implement those intentions and encourage a
lifting of spirits and a heartfelt response of dedication to and
ownership of the worthy goals of the University. We consider ourselves
stakeholders in the goals and the work of Gonzaga University and
will continue to work to ensure that our place as such is both
acknowledged and honored. These four measures result from a
considerable sifting and refining of our list of suggestions
presented over the Christmas holidays.
Staff Recognition/Anniversary: On or about each employee’s anniversary day, an employee will receive a card (probably through HR) honoring the last year’s service to the university. The card will award the employee one paid holiday with a gift certificate for a meal at some local restaurant. The day will be determined between the employee and his or her supervisor. The gift certificate will be for $10.00. This small token reminds the employee that the University depends on every employee’s contribution; that we are all part of a bigger effort to promote excellence in education and an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.
Mandatory Supervisor Training: The Staff Assembly supports and encourages the Human Resources Department in its efforts towards supervisor training, a measure that would require present and new supervisors to go through a professional training program. It has been our experience that quite a bit of discontent comes from tensions between some supervisors and their staff. Mandating that all supervisors attend training sessions expresses the Administration’s guarantee that all those having charge of staff will be given the professional tools to honor and uphold the values of a Jesuit institution. In keeping with this goal, we also ask that the evaluation of supervisors by their staff be required on an annual basis. Less staff discontent in the workplace will reduce turnover, a problem which increases the costs of training as we are forced to hire new employees. We believe this money will be well spent in raising morale and thus increasing productivity, and in reducing the costs of hiring and training new staff. It is estimated that a budget of $12,000.00 would be required for this measure.
The President’s Monthly Lottery: A monthly lottery will be held for staff in which a prize will be awarded to the lucky person. Since this lottery is totally divorced from evaluation and any prejudice on the part of supervisors, the winning of the monthly lottery prize is an event of pure luck, and thus pure. Each winner’s name will be withdrawn from the pool for a year. With the President putting his name behind it, goodwill is encouraged and the winning employee is also made the recipient of his fellow staff members congratulations. All of this makes for a lot of fun and also a lot of good feelings. By determining the monthly prize at about $100.00, we make it significant for the Gonzaga employee, yet a very small measure for the University budget. $1200.00 a year would make this happen. The Staff Assembly is willing to administer the lottery program.
The Gonzaga Community Family Day: We would like to see a picnic with activities for our children, good food and music, and a mingling of staff faculty and administrators, to remind us that we are a community and not simply a workplace with various competing constituencies. Whether it be in the form of Octoberfest or something else, a day in which Gonzaga honors our families and our community as a Family seems very appropriate. We have gathered estimates on expenses for such an event and they vary widely. In any case, the event would require a budget in the thousands. We have inquired concerning the use of Riverfront Park and a one day event would not cost very much at all for the use of their facilities. The primary cost would be in providing food for the employees and their families
Nomination and Elections Committee
No nominations have been turned in so far.
Compensation Committee
We had much discussion about a survey. It was ultimately decided that for now we would come up with a few questions to put with the ballots when they go out.
Open meeting with Chuck Murphy
Janice to call and reschedule.
Scheduling of future meetings
Next Meeting will be held on March 27, 2002.
Future meetings will be held each Wednesday in Crosby Large Conference Room from 12:00 – 1:00. Since this is the lunch hour, please feel free to bring your lunch. All SAEC members will be notified if there is a change to this recurring meeting.
By virtue of the bylaws, all Staff Assembly meetings are open unless otherwise designated by the Executive Council. Everyone is welcome to attend.
http://www.gonzaga.edu/staff email: staff-assembly@gonzaga.edu
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