START
Monthly Meeting
DATE: JANUARY 20, 2011
LOCATION: SACRAMENTO HALL ANNEX
TIME START: 2:00PM TIME END: _3:00PM__________
ATTENDANCE LOG
MEMBERS/PRESENT
CARROLL
CURRY
DONATO-WEINSTEIN
GRAVENBERG
LOMBARDO
SCOTT
TANO
WHYTE
AGENDA
2010 STAFF PEER AWARD PROCESS
2011 STAFF PEER AWARDS
ABA NEWSLETTER
OTHERS/PRESENT
POVONDRA
MEMBERS/ABSENT
CAROLIPIO
ACTIONS
Theo Povondra, a member of the 2010 ABA Staff Peer Award Selection Team,
was present to provide feedback on the selection process. Theo indicated that
the process went smoothly, with no improvements to suggest.
Other members, unable to attend, included Candace Ensley, who provided
feedback via e-mail that the process went well, again with no suggestions for
improvement, and from Loretta Cuevas who also replied via e-mail. Although
Loretta was unable to participate in the nomination review and selection process
due to illness, she expressed appreciation for accommodating her schedule.
George Paine, the final team member, was not present, and will be retiring from
the University this month.
Staff Peer Awards for 2011will be presented at the spring Staff Professionals
meetings, originally scheduled for March 28 and 29. The meetings have been
rescheduled, likely for sometime in late April. Because of this, the February
nomination window (February 1-25) may be pushed back.
Following lengthy discussion about combining categories, such as
Professionalism, Excellence and Positive Attitude, due to some overlapping
characteristics, START agreed to maintain the current six, but allow nominators
to propose up to two categories for each nominee, giving the Selection Team the
flexibility to select the most appropriate category. This should make the process
easier for nominators, where qualities ascribed to nominees cross categories,
and will maintain the number of awards that can be given to ABA staff
professionals. Other options for future changes include folding the criteria into a
single category and holding a quarterly process. With Annette’s departure, the
division does not have sufficient staffing at this time to expand the number of
processes for selecting and presenting awards.
START members commented that there was much interest in the “hidden talent”
Roving Reporter topic in the Fall 2010 issue, and would like to continue it as a
routine feature. They added that photographs really help make the newsletter
more interesting. Sarah asked START to help by providing photographs. On the
suggestion of START, Sarah will provide permission slips to START members so
that they can acquire permissions when photos are taken, or provided for
inclusion in the newsletter.
Sarah reviewed the topic list for the Spring 2011 edition:
 VP Message
 Leadership Awards
 New Staff and Retirees
 News (which may include awards, operational improvements, other fun,
informative or noteworthy information)
 Staff Spotlight (BAS staff)
 Roving Reporter (“In 2011, I plan to ….)
 Behind the Scenes (Financial Services unit)
Sarah reported that START member Gina Lombardo received an award from
Athletics as Influential Woman of the Year, which will be included in the news
section of the newsletter.
Sarah inquired whether or not START members thought the addition of staff
community activities to the “news” section would be of interest. START
unanimously agreed on the addition of this feature, suggesting particular staff to
contact.
OTHER
Sarah also suggested a feature on “tips for success” in organizational
effectiveness, safety, etc. START agreed and suggested adding other areas, such
as money management.
IRT will update ABA Outlook e-mail group lists, separating them from security
lists, and provide access to designated ABA staff to update lists. Sarah will be
asking family heads for family designees. Once the list is conveyed to IRT, IRT
will provide training.
Sarah will post the 2010/11 goals and measures identified by ABA family heads,
based on the summer 2010 SWOT exercise in which START members
participated, and will notify START once posted.
NEXT START MEETING
February 17 (May need to move location, as SNX may be occupied)
ACTIONS
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Sarah will facilitate the Staff Peer selection process for 2011.
START members will notify Sarah if they have ideas for renaming
Professionalism, Excellence and Positive Attitude categories, or making them
more distinct.
Sarah will notify START of the new Staff Professionals Award presentation
date, update forms as indicated by START, and launch the nomination
process in alignment with the new dates.
START members will provide Sarah with the following information and
materials:
o Awards and other noteworthy achievements
o Operational improvements
o Community activities
o Other fun, informative or noteworthy information
o

Tips for Success (safety, money management, organizational
effectiveness such as good Records Management practices)
o Photos
Sarah will follow-up on location for future meetings and update START.
RECORDED BY: _SARAH WHYTE 1/20/2011___