September 18, 2012 Executive Committee minutes
Attending (those who signed in): Dan Barmmer, Gena Carter, Tammy Cox, David Fraley, James Holman, Valerie Madill, Arlene Medder, Chris Meinecke, Danny Nguyen, Jackie Overton, Myra Quick, David Schwartz, Charles Streeter
Chair Jackie Overton called the meeting to order at 11:30 a.m. She noted that the last 24 hours had been very tumultuous with Chancellor Thorp’s announcement that he would resign in June 2013. She had fielded calls and e-mails on this subject from many people. The faculty met until after 11 p.m. the previous night to draft a statement of support. The Chair proposed that the Forum Executive Committee create a similar statement of support. She also thought that given everything the Chancellor has done for staff employees he deserves a show of support. The committee immediately agreed. The Chair said that she had polled the Forum listserv and received an overwhelming amount of support for the idea, with only one neutral response and one ‘No’ response. The committee then discussed the wording of the letter. The Chair then noted that the University will have a rally on Friday, September 21 from noon-1 p.m., with petition signing to occur from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Chair looked to James Holman to contact students for this event. The Chair said that she had been told that if things went a certain way with the coming elections the University could be in some trouble.
The Forum heard its monthly budget report. The Chair asked that the December and March catering be included in the Forum’s trust fund encumbrances. Treasurer Tammy Cox said that transfer of the salary support for the Chair’s position did not happen as it should have the previous fiscal year. She said that the worst case event would require a special non-recurring budget request to provide this money to Public Safety. She praised Public Safety’s Assistant Director of Fiscal Services Wilhelmina Steen for her patience in this matter. The Chair noted that Public Safety is receipt-supported. She hoped that the University could provide future chairs with a direct salary support. It was noted that the peer recognition awards and banquet should be budgeted for $2000 in total. Cox said that Human Resources has offered to provide monthly financial support.
Charles Streeter spoke about the proposed professional development grants that would draw support from the Staff Development fund. He said that these grants would provide up to $250 for courses that are job-related but do not offer course credit for a grade. The Chair said that criteria are needed for this award. She asked the Education and Career Development committee to work on these criteria and other details related to the award. The Chair asked that this item go on the Executive Committee’s agenda in October.
James Holman introduced a resolution praising Paula Schubert for her role in founding the Forum. The Chair said that she appreciated the resolution and thought it should be introduced at the next Forum meeting. She asked that Schubert be invited to the February meeting of the Forum.
Holman raised the question of the Kay Wijnberg Hovious Outstanding Forum Delegate award and how many awards should be given each year. Vice Chair Dan Barmmer thought that there should be three given each year. Chris Meinecke suggested that the Forum make awards for leadership, advocacy, and community service. The Chair said that the Forum should use the nomination form in Qualtrics.
Holman said that the new website of the Forum should contain a wall of fame to encourage delegates to become more active. He proposed that the Forum could go back and find outstanding delegates of the past. The Chair said that the Recognition & Awards committee would make decisions as to the award winners. The Chair thought that the full Forum should discuss this idea at the October meeting.
Holman asked about amending the parliamentarian position to provide that the Forum Assistant would serve in this role in the absence of the parliamentarian. The Chair said that this change should occur in the Forum handbook, not in the Forum bylaws. The committee heard a motion to support Holman’s idea that in the absence of the parliamentarian, the Forum Assistant shall serve in that person’s place. This motion was approved by acclamation. The Chair directed that the Forum handbook be updated to reflect this change.
The Chair noted that the next Vice Chancellor/Provost meeting will occur October 11. She asked for proposed topics for that meeting. Gena Carter said that there were only five people attending that meeting. She thought it would be a good idea to cancel these meetings if the various vice chancellors cannot attend. The Chair directed that the Forum Assistant ask the current Forum delegates listserv for proposed topics.
The Chair said that the Staff Development fund will sponsor two notary public training classes on October 26 and February 8. Forum delegates will have first crack at registering for these classes. The classes will run all day and will likely take place at the Administrative Office Building (AOB). The Chair also asked delegates to submit their final t-shirt orders by the following Monday. The Chair asked that the Personnel Issues committee make some progress on a voter registration drive. She asked that the Forum Assistant e-mail the current delegates’ listserv to ask for volunteers.
The Chair said that the Forum Office will send out notices about Friday’s rally for Chancellor Thorp to the Forum’s divisional listservs. Employees attending should take lunch time or personal time to attend this event, as it will not count as work time.
In the absence of further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 1:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Matt Banks, Recording Secretary