Council welcomes new members
Communication committee
Georgia State University staff members recently elected 23 of their peers to the university Staff Council, many of whom will serve with the organization for the first time.
Staff Council are elected for two-year terms by co-workers in their unit (most commonly their college or vice-presidential area). "Newly elected representatives should feel proud of this honor," says outgoing council chair Shelly-Ann Wiliams. "Their peers have expressed confidence in their ability to represent staff interests and provide leadership for staff throughout the university."
The new council members will join returning representatives for the first meeting of the new council term on Wednesday, March 19, at 3 p.m. in 465 University Center. At the meeting, new and old council members will have a chance to learn about the mission of the council, review recent accomplishments, and discuss ideas for the coming year. Additionally, members will select committees and elect officers at the meeting.
Staff Council works to facilitate communication of staff issues among all sectors of the University, and advises the university president and other campus administrators on matters that have a major effect on staff. The past year has been a busy one for Staff Council, notes Williams, and 2008-09 promises to provide many substantive opportunities for representatives to contribute to university decision-making processes and to build productive relationships with colleagues across campus.
The major responsibilities of representatives include the following:
- Representatives will attend all regular, monthly meetings as well as special or called meetings, including a day-long council retreat in early to mid summer.
- Representatives will serve on committees of the council and may be elected as an officer of those committees.
- Representatives will make themselves known to their constituents and be willing to hear concerns, receive information and suggestions, and communicate these effectively to the council. In turn, representatives must keep their constituents well informed of the work of the council and matters that the administration wishes to communicate to the council. (We have some exciting initiatives underway this year that should facilitate and enhance the communication process.)
- Representatives can serve as a standing panel from which members of a Board of Review Hearing Committee will be selected as part of the staff grievance process (after a brief training session).
- Representatives should be available a minimum of four (4) hours per month in addition to Council meetings for committee meetings and other council work.
Congratulations to all new and returning Staff Council members. The council and the university are fortunate to have such dedicated employees who are willing to step forward on behalf of their co-workers and strive to make Georgia State University the best possible place to work.