August Meeting Minutes
August 8, 2012
10:00-12:00 Todd Building, Room 204
I.
Welcome & call to order: President Darlene Samson called the meeting to
order at 10:00 a.m.
II.
Roll call: Carol Bates
Attendees: Senators: Andi Armstrong, Carol Bates, Jay Bruns, Kristine Csorosz,
Molly Fishburn-Mathew, Phillip Flukas, Chuck Harris, Natalie Hiller-Claridge,
Maggie Linder, Becky Maier, Maria Mangold, Denise May, Jaylene Naylor, Sandi
Nelson, Maryann Robison, Darlene Samson, Sharon Schneider, Hannah Singleton,
Jimmy Stevens, Kathie Tattory, Brandie Terpe, Maureen Ward, Kelly Wasson,
Administrative Assistant, Judy Wellert
Excused: Lisa Coon, Kennden Culp, John DeYoung
Absent: Slade Johnson,
III.
IV.
Approval of July minutes: President Samson presented the minutes of the
July 11, 2012 meeting. There were no comments or discussion. Motioned to
approve with changes; seconded; motion carried.
Financial Report: No updated copy was available for the meeting. President
Samson referenced a draft, which had been presented during the executive
officers meeting. Though not in final form, she announced that $4,000
previously thought to be carried over into the 2012-2013 fiscal year would
not be available to the senate; $2800 would be deducted this year from the
scholarship fund (half autumn semester & half spring semester). Approval of
the August Financial Report will be voted on during the September meeting.
Samson wants to build a budget for the upcoming year with projected
expenses to include: Newsletter, Give-Aways, Raffle Supplies,
Postage/Mailings, Staff Awards, Elections, Travel. A tentative budget will be
set by the September meeting.
V.
Old Business:
a. Chairs for SS Committees: President Samson asked for volunteers to
serve as chairs for the committees they are serving on. All vacant chair
positions were filled: Darlene Samson, Bylaws Committee; Sandi Nelson,
Scholarship Committee; Natalie Hiller-Claridge, Outstanding Staff
Awards; Chuck Harris, Technology Solutions; & Carol Bates, Survey
Committee
b. Refine Goals for 2012-13: Vice President Singleton discussed goals
addressed during the July SS retreat: More communication with the
staff to include inviting colleagues to SS meetings, extra chairs available
in room set-up, coffee at meetings, “Ask the Expert” column in the
newsletter; gathering data, & computer access; & keeping Facebook
active; Development – include some professional development questions
on the upcoming survey, advertise opportunities better, training, target
professional development to job categories; increase supervisors’ support
for their staff’s professional development; & support personal
development opportunities; & Staff Recognition – offer a variety of
events at various times, Ten Spoon Winery night, movie night.
VI.
New Business
a. Broader Goals: Singleton talked about making SS goals more specific.
Some thoughts were: explore funding support; bonuses (advocating to get
this re-instated; Administration & Finance help fund staff development
but only those offices within their domain; compensation (5-committee
members currently looking at titles & pay data for all of university to
review. Recommendations will be sent to OCHE then to BOR <October
meeting> then to the union.) BOR submits the budget to the governor in
November. Low entry level salary will remain at $10.00/hour but there
will be increases in other areas.
How can we help? Generate ideas for money sources.
The BOR meeting is in Missoula November 15th & 16th. Samson
encouraged all senators to attend. The August 8th Administrative Advisor
Council meeting highlighted three areas the Regents are working on: 1.
Present Law Adjustment – calculation to determine what it will take to
operate at the present level; 2. Personnel (salaries, recruitment &
retention, & employee rewards); & 3. COT (Missoula College) new
building.
VII.
Committee Reports: President Samson announced that she wants a
hard copy of all the committee reports.
b. CVC: The fund raising aspect of CVC is now a separate committee. A
“Movie Night” has been approved for January – possibly make it a date
night with the possibility of free child care. Welcomefeast is in the
planning. Committee Chair Armstrong passed around a sign up for
senators to staff the table. Facebook is reflecting a jump in “likes”.
Newsletter articles are due to Wellert August 13th.
c. Fundraising: Chair Mangold discussed the fall raffle – it is a lot of work.
A suggestion was made to make it a SS fundraiser to be used for staff
recognition rather than just for scholarships. Are we serving the needs of
all staff employees? They want to reach a wider audience with tickets:
diversify marketing strategies & make the prizes known.
Senator Csorosz offered a historical perspective on the raffle which began
as a 50/50.
A suggestion was made to all senators to solicit thoughts from staff for
staff recognition ideas & submit them to the committee
VII.
d. Survey & Assessment: The committee is meeting weekly & currently
working on a draft of sample survey questions. The sample survey will go
out to all senators within the next few weeks so they can take the survey
and provide any feedback regarding questions at the September SS
meeting. Committee members have met with Cindy Boies to help identify
questions regarding staff development. The survey is intended to go live
the second week in October.
e. Technology Solutions: Chair Harris reported the committee members
have set up a Moodle Room to communicate among themselves. They are
just getting started.
Guest Speaker: Cindy Boies, Training / Development Officer Human
Resource Services. Cindy has been in her position for four months and was
hired to help staff develop in their personal and professional lives. No one
has been in this position for 5 years. She has been researching best
practices & resources and trying to closely identify what is needed and how
to deliver in the most effective & efficient way.
Some of her thoughts:
a. A great way to capture opportunities (IT Short-courses, COT online,
Compliance, Policies, Procedures, Medical Leave Act, etc.) is on a Website
where resources are centralized.
b. Currently partnering with the School of Extended & Life Long Learning
c. Searching out funding for courses & opportunities
d. Tapping into groups around campus to feed off each other.
e. Long range strategic plan – culture change. Put some things in place to
get buy in from campus community.
f. Training calendar – Some questions will be included on the autumn
semester staff survey to help Cindy identify needs/desires & the best
approaches.
g. Other responsibilities include Wellness & ADA accommodations
VIII.
Other University Committee Reports:
a. Athletic Director Search: Senator Hiller-Claridge reported on the search
for a new Athletic Director. There are 22 people on the committee. The 66
applicants have been narrowed down to the top 4 who will be invited to
campus next week.
b. Director of International Programs: Senator Mangold reported this is
an internal search and requires tenured faculty for acceptance.
c. Miscellaneous Reports from Senator Maier: Becky sits on several
committees to include: Student Affairs IT Committee, University Web
Committee, TAG (Tech Associates Group) – there will be a Tech Fair in the
UC in September, Enrollment Management Council, & Cascade users
Group - Subgroup of SAIT. She provided a brief overview of each.
d. Staff Professional Development Committee: Senator Csorosz
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Next meeting: September 12, 2012 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, UC 332-333