Hi Everyone,
At our special meeting on Tuesday February 19th, the new proposed by-laws passed their first required vote. There was a lot of discussion, some of it intense, that took up two meetings to get us this far. There were motions made proposing some amendments to the original document prior to the vote, but in the end those didn't pass. After more discussion, there should be a second and final vote at the next meeting (which is scheduled for Town Meeting Day, March 4th).
So, three cheers! If we continue to find consensus, we'll finish the voting and have by-laws to work by in time for the next election cycle. And as a protective mechanism, written directly into these by-laws is the power to amend them. If we discover down the road that some things need to be done differently, we'll have the ability to deliberate, vote and make those changes. I don't think I can publish the document while it's in draft form, but I can say that it gives the individual staff member many more voting rights, and covers many more contingencies. It's definitely something we can work with.
We also received updates from the University Benefits Advisory Committee. Their report is posted in the right-hand column. They have a full list of interesting topics to consider, but right now they're focusing on benefits issues for retirees, and availability of on-campus child care for working parents.
So, heading into the weekend, don't forget to register for Mastering the Maze. Take a look at the current Staffline and make sure to wish Helen Olson well in her retirement!
More soon,
Joanne
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Workgroup For Socially Responsible Investing- Open Seat
The Board of Trustees has let the staff Council know that they still need someone to serve on the Workgroup For Socially Responsible Investing, which reports to the Budget, Finance, and Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees.
In his letter, Mike Gower said: "This work group is different from other trustee committees in that each appointee is a full voting member. The work group would meet at least a few times to receive presentations from the proposers, deliberate, and put together recommendations to the BFI Committee, probably for its May meeting."
So if you think you would be a good fit for this workgroup, please let someone on Staff Council know, or contact the president Eileen Hanerfeld directly at: eileen.hanerfeld@uvm.edu
Thanks!
Joanne
In his letter, Mike Gower said: "This work group is different from other trustee committees in that each appointee is a full voting member. The work group would meet at least a few times to receive presentations from the proposers, deliberate, and put together recommendations to the BFI Committee, probably for its May meeting."
So if you think you would be a good fit for this workgroup, please let someone on Staff Council know, or contact the president Eileen Hanerfeld directly at: eileen.hanerfeld@uvm.edu
Thanks!
Joanne
Another Fond Farewell
The Dana Medical Library is bidding Helen Olson a fond farewell, as she retires at the end of February. Her last day is the 29th, so be sure to say goodbye before then. She's been with us 7 years, and we're going to miss her, but we know how much fun she'll be having with her family!
Best Wishes, Helen, and Congratulations!
Best Wishes, Helen, and Congratulations!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Voting In The Air
Hi Everyone,
The full Council is having a special second meeting Feb.19th, primarily to keep working on the by-laws. Time and place are: noon in the Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center. The agenda is available on the Council website or in a printable format here.
Otto von Bismarck is credited with comparing sausage-making to legislating (he considered both procedures too messy to watch). But this is still a meeting open to the whole UVM community, and I'll bet you're brave enough to come witness the creation of a new "recipe". Come take part in making a piece of UVM history!
Item #4 on this meeting's agenda will be a report from the "University Benefits Advisory Council". President Vogel announced his intention to create this group in his letter responding to the student hunger strike for UVM livable wages in May 2007. Hopefully we'll have time to learn more about their mission and purpose, and what's been done so far.
Our next Full Council meeting coincides with Town Meeting Day (3/4). (Are you registered to vote? These links at the VT Secretary of State's website tell you how and where to register, and find your polling place, and simply a host of other valuable information) At this writing, there's no plan to re-schedule the meeting because we should still have enough members present for a quorum; if that changes and the date gets moved, I'll let you know as soon as I'm informed.
On other topics, VP J Michael Gower's recently sent around an email listing upcoming presentations of UVM's Pandemic Plan. The first date has passed, but a second is scheduled for Mastering the Maze on March 13th. Please attend if you can; listen, and ask questions. If you can't go, or if you'd like to know more before attending, you'll find links to the Emergency Planning Team's website and presentation materials right here, in my December 7th post titled "Off and Running". (To find it, scroll all the way down and click on the link to "Older Posts")
Don't forget to read through your February Staffline; the Council News page has some very useful FAQs about discounts and services UVM members can access through the Council website. Links to the Spring Semester Campus Recreation listings are there too, along with the Spring 2008 Wellness Center Incentive Program information. If anyone had the chance to take the bus trip to the Montreal Casino this weekend, please feel free to drop us a note in the comments link here, and give us some of the highlights of the trip!
Well, that's enough for one posting. I'll try to give timely updates on our progress with the by-laws, and I have a few more items that didn't fit here today.
So, I hope everybody had a good President's Day! See you on Tuesday,
Joanne
The full Council is having a special second meeting Feb.19th, primarily to keep working on the by-laws. Time and place are: noon in the Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center. The agenda is available on the Council website or in a printable format here.
Otto von Bismarck is credited with comparing sausage-making to legislating (he considered both procedures too messy to watch). But this is still a meeting open to the whole UVM community, and I'll bet you're brave enough to come witness the creation of a new "recipe". Come take part in making a piece of UVM history!
Item #4 on this meeting's agenda will be a report from the "University Benefits Advisory Council". President Vogel announced his intention to create this group in his letter responding to the student hunger strike for UVM livable wages in May 2007. Hopefully we'll have time to learn more about their mission and purpose, and what's been done so far.
Our next Full Council meeting coincides with Town Meeting Day (3/4). (Are you registered to vote? These links at the VT Secretary of State's website tell you how and where to register, and find your polling place, and simply a host of other valuable information) At this writing, there's no plan to re-schedule the meeting because we should still have enough members present for a quorum; if that changes and the date gets moved, I'll let you know as soon as I'm informed.
On other topics, VP J Michael Gower's recently sent around an email listing upcoming presentations of UVM's Pandemic Plan. The first date has passed, but a second is scheduled for Mastering the Maze on March 13th. Please attend if you can; listen, and ask questions. If you can't go, or if you'd like to know more before attending, you'll find links to the Emergency Planning Team's website and presentation materials right here, in my December 7th post titled "Off and Running". (To find it, scroll all the way down and click on the link to "Older Posts")
Don't forget to read through your February Staffline; the Council News page has some very useful FAQs about discounts and services UVM members can access through the Council website. Links to the Spring Semester Campus Recreation listings are there too, along with the Spring 2008 Wellness Center Incentive Program information. If anyone had the chance to take the bus trip to the Montreal Casino this weekend, please feel free to drop us a note in the comments link here, and give us some of the highlights of the trip!
Well, that's enough for one posting. I'll try to give timely updates on our progress with the by-laws, and I have a few more items that didn't fit here today.
So, I hope everybody had a good President's Day! See you on Tuesday,
Joanne
Friday, February 8, 2008
More Shoveling!
Hi Everyone,
To start off, the Board of Trustees has asked the Staff Council president Eileen Hanerfeld to appoint 5 staff representatives to various Standing Committees, so we're calling for volunteers. The representatives do Not need to be council members; anyone who feels they can contribute may submit their name for consideration.
The committees in question are: Audit (1 rep), Budget, Finance & Investment (2 reps), and Educational Policy and Institutional Resources (2 reps). Detailed descriptions of the committees and their functions are available at the Board of Trustees site. (Choose the links from the left-hand column under "Committees_Standing")
The letter finishes: "These positions will include training from Corinne Thompson prior to the beginning of term (3/1 - 2/28) All interested parties should email Eileen Hanerfeld directly by close of business on February 15th.
Eileen.Hanerfeld@uvm.edu"
So, if you'd like to serve on any of these committees, please contact Eileen.
Next, we're working hard to finish the by-laws in time for the next round of elections. The Rules and Election Committee submitted a very comprehensive framework for the full Council to consider, but we're still hammering out the details paragraph by paragraph. We're almost exactly halfway through, with another special meeting called for Tuesday Feb. 19th to tackle the rest of it--please come and see your reps at work!. (12:05pm in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center)
The good news is that this by-law structure should be more transparent in all of its operations, and offer the entire staff more involvement in the election of the Council officers. Our greatest concern is to make sure that no unit or even a single staff member is left out, or underrepresented, in any procedure or action outlined in the by-laws.
The minutes from January were also approved, and those are now available on the Council website.
Well, here's hoping that everyone is coping safely with the new snow. It really is beautiful enough to (almost) make you not mind clearing the driveway, again.
Have a good weekend,
Joanne
To start off, the Board of Trustees has asked the Staff Council president Eileen Hanerfeld to appoint 5 staff representatives to various Standing Committees, so we're calling for volunteers. The representatives do Not need to be council members; anyone who feels they can contribute may submit their name for consideration.
The committees in question are: Audit (1 rep), Budget, Finance & Investment (2 reps), and Educational Policy and Institutional Resources (2 reps). Detailed descriptions of the committees and their functions are available at the Board of Trustees site. (Choose the links from the left-hand column under "Committees_Standing")
The letter finishes: "These positions will include training from Corinne Thompson prior to the beginning of term (3/1 - 2/28) All interested parties should email Eileen Hanerfeld directly by close of business on February 15th.
Eileen.Hanerfeld@uvm.edu"
So, if you'd like to serve on any of these committees, please contact Eileen.
Next, we're working hard to finish the by-laws in time for the next round of elections. The Rules and Election Committee submitted a very comprehensive framework for the full Council to consider, but we're still hammering out the details paragraph by paragraph. We're almost exactly halfway through, with another special meeting called for Tuesday Feb. 19th to tackle the rest of it--please come and see your reps at work!. (12:05pm in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center)
The good news is that this by-law structure should be more transparent in all of its operations, and offer the entire staff more involvement in the election of the Council officers. Our greatest concern is to make sure that no unit or even a single staff member is left out, or underrepresented, in any procedure or action outlined in the by-laws.
The minutes from January were also approved, and those are now available on the Council website.
Well, here's hoping that everyone is coping safely with the new snow. It really is beautiful enough to (almost) make you not mind clearing the driveway, again.
Have a good weekend,
Joanne
Saturday, February 2, 2008
"Leap" Into February
Hi Everyone,
The agenda for the upcoming February 5th meeting is available on the Council website, or here in printable format. At this meeting we'll get our first chance to consider in full Council the revisions proposed to the Constitution and By-Laws by the Rules and Election Committee.
I can't praise this group enough for their hard work and the quality of their final product. The proposed rules are complete, comprehensive, and workable; no small feat with such a large and diverse body of staff to consider, and on a tight deadline too! We should be proud of Scott, one of our own Library reps on this committee-take a moment to thank him if you can. (The other committee members are listed here online; thank them too, if you can get or make the opportunity)
Please note that the regular 2/5 meeting will take place in the usual Livak Ballroom location, while the special second meeting scheduled for 2/19 will be located in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center.
The February Staffline is also now available on the website. This month's issue contains Committee Reports, Recreation news and event registration forms, Council News and FAQ's, Wellness programs information, and upcoming Council meeting schedules.
Here's hoping that no one was too seriously inconvenienced by the weekend's ice storm--and let's give three cheers to our physical plant colleagues who kept the roads and walkways safe for the rest of us! Enjoy the beauty of the winter, travel safely, and stay warm.
Have a good weekend,
Joanne
The agenda for the upcoming February 5th meeting is available on the Council website, or here in printable format. At this meeting we'll get our first chance to consider in full Council the revisions proposed to the Constitution and By-Laws by the Rules and Election Committee.
I can't praise this group enough for their hard work and the quality of their final product. The proposed rules are complete, comprehensive, and workable; no small feat with such a large and diverse body of staff to consider, and on a tight deadline too! We should be proud of Scott, one of our own Library reps on this committee-take a moment to thank him if you can. (The other committee members are listed here online; thank them too, if you can get or make the opportunity)
Please note that the regular 2/5 meeting will take place in the usual Livak Ballroom location, while the special second meeting scheduled for 2/19 will be located in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center.
The February Staffline is also now available on the website. This month's issue contains Committee Reports, Recreation news and event registration forms, Council News and FAQ's, Wellness programs information, and upcoming Council meeting schedules.
Here's hoping that no one was too seriously inconvenienced by the weekend's ice storm--and let's give three cheers to our physical plant colleagues who kept the roads and walkways safe for the rest of us! Enjoy the beauty of the winter, travel safely, and stay warm.
Have a good weekend,
Joanne
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