UFF-USF

At the August 28 Chapter meeting, the Amendments were adjusted to the following:

UFF-USF Constitution Proposed Amendment

Article VI. Amendment.

This constitution may be amended as follows: A proposed amendment shall be distributed to all members at least thirty days prior to a vote. A constitutional amendment shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of all those present at the time of the vote. The Chapter Executive Committee, Chapter Council, 10% of the chapter membership (by petition), or a majority of the attending members at any membership meeting may propose an amendment to the constitution, whose proposed changes shall then be sent to the membership thirty days before a paper-ballot or an electronic vote. Ratification requires approval A vote of two-thirds of those present and voting.

UFF-USF Bylaws Proposed Amendment

Article VI. Amendments.

The Chapter Executive Committee, Chapter Council, 10% of the chapter membership (by petition), or a majority of the attending members at any membership meeting may propose an amendment to the by-laws, whose proposed changes shall then be sent to the membership thirty days before a paper-ballot or an electronic vote. Ratification of the proposed change(s) requires approval vote of two-thirds of a majority of those present and voting. at a membership meeting if the members have been notified at least two weeks in advance may amend the Bylaws.

Attendance.
There were fourteen people in attendance.

Agenda.
The agenda was approved.

Attendance.
There were fourteen people in attendance.

Special rule for the debate of amendments and new business items.

• Special rule proposed: For the purposes of debate on governance amendments and new business items at the August 28, 2009, chapter membership meeting, debate shall be limited to 20 minutes for each governance amendment and 10 minutes for each new business item. If time for debate has elapsed without a vote on the main motion, the body shall vote on any motion currently before the body and the main motion. Each speech shall be restricted to one tenth of the time alloted for the debate on the main motion (i.e., 2 minutes for speeches on the governance amendments and 1 minute for new business items). The wording of resolutions and amendments shall be presented in writing to the chair at the time the motion is made. Special rule defeated.

Debate and vote on proposed amendment to Chapter Constitution.

• Amendment proposed:Proposal to change Article VI of the constitution to read: “The Chapter Executive Committee, Chapter Council, 20 % of the chapter membership (by petition), or the attending members at any membership meeting may propose an amendment to the constitution, whose proposed changes shall then be sent to the membership thirty days before a paper-ballot or an electronic vote. Ratification requires approval of two-thirds of those voting.” (Tracked changes displayed at http://faculty.ourusf.org/2009/07/26/text-of-constitution-and-by-laws-amendment-proposals-to-be-voted-on-august-28/ ). Amendment defeated.
• Motion made and seconded:To proposed the above amendment, for approval on October 9, with the following two modifications: that “20 % of the chapter” be changed to “10 % of the chapter” and that “the attending members” be changed to “a majority of the attending members”.
  • Motion to amend the above motion made and seconded: To strike the modification from 20 % to 10 %. Motion to amend the amendment defeated.
  • Motion to amend approved.
• Main motion approved. The amendment as amended shall be presented to the Chapter for approval for presentation to the Membership for approval.

Debate and vote on proposed amendment to Chapter Bylaws.

• Amendment proposed:Proposal to change Article VI of the bylaws to read: “The Chapter Executive Committee, Chapter Council, 20% of the chapter membership (by petition), or the attending members at any membership meeting may propose an amendment to the by-laws, whose proposed changes shall then be sent to the membership two weeks before a paper-ballot or an electronic vote. Ratification of the proposed change(s) requires approval of two-thirds of those voting.” (Tracked changes displayed at http://faculty.ourusf.org/2009/07/26/text-of-constitution-and-by-laws-amendment-proposals-to-be-voted-on-august-28/ ). Amendment defeated.
• Motion made and seconded:To proposed the above amendment, for approval on October 9, with the following two modifications: that “20 % of the chapter” be changed to “10 % of the chapter” and that “the attending members” be changed to “a majority of the attending members”.
• Motion made and seconded:To proposed the above amendment, for approval by October 9, with the following two modifications: that “20 % of the chapter” be changed to “10 % of the chapter” and that “the attending members” be changed to “a majority of the attending members”.
  • Motion to amend the above motion made and seconded: To add to the changes the replacement of “two weeks” by “thirty days” and the replacement of “two-thirds” by “a majority”. Motion to amend the amendment approved.
  • Motion to amend approved.
• Main motion approved. The amendment as amended shall be presented to the Chapter for approval for presentation to the Membership for approval


Dues rebate for new members.

• Motion made by the Executive Committee: RESOLVED, that the UFF-USF chapter shall provide $ 250 new-member rebates for all first-time UFF members who join through payroll deductions between August 1 and September 30 of each year, beginning with 2009. The rebates shall be paid at the end of the fall semester by checks from the chapter’s account(s) and distributed by campus mail, or by U.S. mail if a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided by the new member.
  • Motion made and seconded to amend above motion: That the amount be raised to $ 300. Motion to amend approved.
  • Motion made and seconded to amend above motion: That this policy be announced in a Biweekly Extra and in fliers. Motion to amend approved.
  • Motion made and seconded to amend above motion: That “a self-addressed stamped envelope is provided” be replaced by “requested”. Motion to amend approved.
• Main motion approved as amended.


Stipends policy.

• Motion made by the Executive Committee: Whereas the UFF is a volunteer member organization that is run by volunteers, RESOLVED that the chapter may from time to time pay a stipend to a member who is neither the chapter president nor chapter vice president, where the member has specific responsibilities associated with a specific event or events. The chapter’s president and vice president shall authorize all stipends not received by themselves for purposes approved by the chapter, which shall include the following: attendance or presentations at trainings for grievances, bargaining, and other union duties of responsibility approved by the statewide local or the state affiliate; organizing the political activities of the chapter for a single semester as chair of the Political Action Committee; being responsible for the logistics of informal meetings for a single semester of tenure-track faculty through the Junior Faculty Group or a similar organization. Without prior chapter approval for a specific stipend to be received by a named member, such stipends shall not exceed $299.50 per semester nor $559 per year, and they shall be reported at the general membership meeting following their authorization and recorded in the meeting minutes.
  • Motion to amend the above motion made and seconded: To replace “chapter’s president and vice president shall authorize all stipends not received by themselves” by “chapter’s president and vice president shall authorize all stipends not received by members of the Executive Committee”. Motion approved.
• Main motion approved as amended.


Ad hoc committee on chapter governance documents.
The committee outlined proposed changes to the constitution and bylaws.

• Motion made and seconded: That the proposals be broadcast via the Biweekly. Motion to amend approved.


These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on August 30, 2009.


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UFF-USF chapter meeting agenda
August 28, 2009, 12 noon
SOC 258

1. Agenda approval
2. Special rule for debate of amendments and new business items
3. Debate and vote on proposed amendment to Chapter Constitution (20 minutes)
4. Debate and vote on proposed amendment to Chapter By-laws (20 minutes)
5. New business
   1. Dues rebate for new members (10 minutes)
   2. Stipends for member volunteers for specific tasks (10 minutes)
6. Reports
   1. Ad hoc committee on chapter governance documents
   2. Treasurer
   3. Grievances
   4. Communications
   5. Bargaining
   6. Faculty Senate
7. For the good of the order

Proposed special rule: “For the purposes of debate on governance amendments and new business items at the August 28, 2009, chapter membership meeting, debate shall be limited to 20 minutes for each governance amendment and 10 minutes for each new business item. If time for debate has elapsed without a vote on the main motion, the body shall vote on any motion currently before the body and the main motion. Each speech shall be restricted to one tenth of the time alloted for the debate on the main motion (i.e., 2 minutes for speeches on the governance amendments and 1 minute for new business items). The wording of resolutions and amendments shall be presented in writing to the chair at the time the motion is made.” Note: time limits on individual speeches and debate may be extended by unanimous consent; this special rule would not eliminate that flexibility.

A few more faculty responded over the weekend to the survey, for a final total of 112 responses. There were no additional comments, and here is the final tally. The question: Are you intending to modify your class attendance policies to accommodate the possibility of severe H1N1?

Yes: 31

No: 36

Not sure yet: 45

You can also read the digest of comments.

Attendance.
There were sixteen people in attendance.

Meeting Rule.
Because of much business, a 3 minute rule for statements was put in place.

Membership.
Discussion of membership growth.

Amendment to the Constitution.
An amendment was proposed.

• Motion to propose an amendment to Article VI made and seconded. To change language FROM “This constitution may be amended as follows: A proposed amendment shall be distributed to all members at least thirty days prior to a vote. A constitutional amendment shall be adopted by a two-thirds vote of all those present at the time of the vote.” TO “The Chapter Executive Committee, Chapter Council, 20% of the chapter membership (by petition), or the attending members at any membership meeting may propose an amendment to the constitution, whose proposed changes shall then be sent to the membership thirty days before a paper-ballot or an electronic vote. Ratification requires approval of two-thirds of those voting.” Motion passed by unanimous vote; the amendment will be presented for approval at the August 28 Chapter meeting.

Amendment to the Bylaws.
An amendment was proposed.

• Motion to amend Article VI made and seconded. To change language FROM “A vote of two-thirds of those present and voting at a membership meeting if the members have been notified at least two weeks in advance may amend the Bylaws.” TO “The Chapter Executive Committee, Chapter Council, 20% of the chapter membership (by petition), or the attending members at any membership meeting may propose an amendment to the constitution, whose proposed changes shall then be sent to the membership thirty days before a paper-ballot or an electronic vote. Ratification requires approval of two-thirds of those voting.” Motion passed by unanimous vote; the amendment will be presented for approval at the August 28 Chapter meeting.

Two Motions on Impasse.
Bargaining between AFSCME and USF are now at impasse.

• Motion made and seconded that our local provide AFSCME 3342 with support needed as they conduct impasse hearings. Motion passed.

And another motion.

• Motion made and seconded Be it resolved that the USF Board of Trustees is not the proper legal legislative body to impose impasse resolutions; FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the USF Chapter of the United Faculty of Florida requests assistance from the United Faculty of Florida and its state affiliate, the Florida Education Association, in contesting the USF Board of Trustees as the legislative body for impasse hearings. Motion passed unanimously.

English Language Institute- status report.
There was a report on the English Language Institute.

Treasurer report.
We have money.

Grievance report.
The Grievance chair reported on grievances.

Bargaining report.
The Bargaining chair reported on bargaining.

These minutes respectfully submitted by K. de la Pena McCook on August 10, 2009.

Draft agenda, UFF-USF Chapter membership meeting, July 17, 2009
Noon, CDBs, 5104 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL

1. Agenda and special rule
2. Membership and introductions
3. Proposed language for chapter constitution amendment
4. Proposed language for chapter bylaws amendment
5. AFSCME impasse
6. Affiliate relations
7. Notice of chapter council meeting
8. ELI
9. Reports
10. For the good of the order

Proposed special rule: “For the chapter membership meeting July 17, 2009, all speeches shall be restricted to three minutes.”

Agenda & Introductions.
Ten members were in attendance, with three visitors.

Minutes.
Minutes approved.

Membership.
The chapter continues to get new members.

USF St. Petersburg.
The chapter discussed particular concerns of St. Petersburg.

Constitution & Bylaws.
Discussion of the Constitution & Bylaws. This will be on the agenda of the meeting on July 17.

State Funding.
Discussion of the implications of using stimulus funding to support employees.

English Language Institute.
Discussion of USF’s discussions with the INTO company on June 16.

• Motion that the President of the Chapter request that he present the issue to the Senate Executive Committee. Motion made, seconded, and approved.

The next Senate Executive Committee meeting will be on July 1 at 3 pm in SVC 5012.

Reports.

• Bargaining. The Chief Negotiator described the situation.
• Grievances. Grievances besides those originating from St. Petersburg.

Good of the Order.
We are organizing a reception in fall.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on June 19, 2009.

Draft agenda, June 19 chapter meeting (COQ 220, USFSP), noon

1. Introductions/agenda
2. Membership
3. Minutes from June 5 meeting
4. USF St. Petersburg concerns (open forum)
5. USF Constitution and Bylaws
6. State environment
7. Reports
8. For the good of the order

I have an event on the USF-Tampa campus Friday afternoon, so the priority for the time I am on campus will be the regional-campus concerns. Chapter VP Mark Klisch will preside if I have to leave before the ending of the meeting.

Agenda & Introductions.
Fifteen people were in attendance.

Minutes.
Item on the Constitution & Bylaws Committee corrected; minutes approved as amended.

Support.

• Motion to provide $ 200 to support sending John Perry to Latin America in a peace effort. Motion made, seconded, and passed.

Membership.
Discussion of events the Chapter could organize for expanding membership.

• Motion to pay expenses for UFF members to attend grievance training on the weekend of the UFF Senate meeting. Motion made, seconded, and passed.

Reports.

• Bargaining.
  Discussion of upcoming bargaining.

• Grievances.
  Discussion of outstanding grievances.

• Politics.
  Discussion of 2010 elections.

• Communications.
  Discussion of coverage of grievances and grievance process.

• Senate.
  USF Senate Vice President reported on some issues currently before the Senate Executive Committee.

These minutes respectfully submitted by G. McColm on June 7, 2009.

Because some of the chapter documents (constitution and bylaws) date from the old Board of Regents, including when there was statewide bargaining, I’ve asked an ad hoc committee to look at a few specific substantive issues that might need changing. The following is the charge in an e-mail sent to the members of the ad hoc committee appointed in May 2009:

Thank you all for being willing to serve on the ad hoc committee, and for being patient while I drafted this hopefully short and well-defined scope for the committee:

1. Your committee is to look at the following issues in the constitution and bylaws and recommend changes as appropriate to the chapter membership:

a) Updating terminology as necessary (e.g., from Board of Regents to BOG/BOT).
b) Adding material to reflect the chapter’s obligation to bargain locally. There needs to be a section, probably in the bylaws (where committees are described), on appointment of a bargaining team and chief negotiator — this is *not* the same as the bargaining committee, which was written to funnel information up to the no-longer-existing state bargaining team.
c) Considering whether the chapter should revise the bylaws-mandated committee structure. The bylaws describe a bargaining committee from a statewide-bargaining context as well as a stewards and membership committee, and none of those are currently operating as described in the by-laws. Would it make sense to create a single “department/college reps” committee for those functions, or try to fill out the currently-listed committees?
d) Drafting written elections procedures, which are all conducted by past practice, none written in the bylaws. An issue to consider explicitly, among others: whether offices can be filled by acclamation when the number of nominations equals the number of seats. I felt silly in the last two years sitting on my hands instead of counting ballots when I was unopposed for chapter president. But that may be my guilt speaking instead of common sense.

2. To have anything in place for the next round of chapter elections, it would be necessary to ratify changes by the mid- to late fall, so if proposed language is available to consider by the beginning of the fall, that would be perfect. While you should feel free to draft specific language, you can call on at least me for any scutwork of that sort.

3. If there are other issues that pop up in discussion, feel free to perform triage on it, addressing those you think can be addressed in the summer or recommending that others be considered during the academic year.

If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please let me know.

The first meeting of the ad hoc committee is this Friday, June 5, in CIS 2020, after the regular chapter meeting at CDBs.