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January 24, 2001
Report on QUFA's Participation Audit
A Message from Your President
THANK YOU to all QUFA volunteers who are working tirelessly over this academic year, keeping QUFA a dynamic, responsive organization, serving the needs of the faculty. QUFA's successes are directly attributable to your energy and commitment. As we begin to plan for 2001-02, we want to ensure that the energy and enthusiasm you so generously provide is maintained. However, we see that the profile of our volunteers reflects that of the professoriate, and, as would be expected, a number of people who have made a major difference in advancing faculty salaries and improving our working conditions are ready to step down and, in many cases, are retiring. So, as we do every year at this time, we are calling for volunteers to continue their present level of participation or to fill upcoming vacancies on QUFA's Council, Executive, and the many University committees on which we have representation. The interest and efforts of every volunteer is important to our organization, regardless of how great or small a commitment can be made; and so we ask each and every one of you to seriously consider whether you might provide service for the upcoming year. New volunteers with fresh ideas will help us to remain a vibrant organization and will reflect the voices of our changing membership.
Advantages of Participation
Those who have volunteered have found that time spent on QUFA work is of personal as well as collective benefit. QUFA volunteers learn a great deal about how the University and Collective Agreement work, and they discover how they can assist fellow members and shape their current and future working environment. QUFA volunteers benefit from meeting colleagues in different disciplines and administrators with whom they might not otherwise come in contact. Participation in QUFA activities also counts, for the purposes of annual evaluation, as service to the academic community (Article 7.7).
Audit of QUFA Participation
At the Fall General Meeting in November 2000, I described the results of an audit we conducted of volunteer participation in QUFA. The survey revealed that we have a total of 156 positions needing to be filled each year from among the 624 QUFA members. Knowing that many positions overlap (e.g., members on Executive serve on Council or Chair a major committee), we were delighted to find that there are 77 active volunteers. At present these volunteers occupy 136 positions; 20 positions are vacant and need to be filled. Given the nature of QUFA's work and the democratic manner in which it is carried out, we need your help to do what we need to do!
As I stated at the Fall General Meeting, QUFA's mandate is to obtain terms and conditions of employment which will facilitate our members' ability to perform their teaching and research responsibilities. This mandate is addressed through the Collective Agreement and implemented through the following organizational structure: Executive Committee (13 members); Council of Representatives (44 members); Standing Committees (47 members); Ad Hoc Committees (17 members); University Bodies (29 members); and, External Bodies (7 members).
Priority Activities
Among QUFA's activities, priority is typically given to bargaining, managing the collective agreement, and grievance activities. These are the most relevant activities to our membership and which, by law, we must provide. During the 2001-02 academic year, we will be again bargaining for a new collective agreement and many of our efforts will be channeled into this activity. Nevertheless, the numerous committees that provide faculty with a voice in the operation of the University as a whole need to be serviced. Below is a list of anticipated vacancies which are of highest priority for May 2001- April 2002 and brief information concerning each of the positions.
Executive Positions
Treasurer (2 year term of office) Member of Executive Committee with responsibility for overseeing and reporting on the financial health of the Association. Attends monthly Executive meeting and spends one afternoon per month doing the books.
Two Members-at- large (one year term) Attends one Executive Meeting per month.
Standing Committee Positions (one year terms unless otherwise indicated)
Bargaining Team (5 or 6 vacancies), including Chief Negotiator. Participates in the preparation and negotiation for the Collective Agreement or parts thereof from Fall of 2001- April 2002. During Bargaining expect one meeting and at least one bargaining session per week.
Salaries and Benefits Committee (5 vacancies). New ad hoc advisory group to Bargaining Team. Meets once a week during Bargaining period.
Committee to Monitor the Collective Agreement (CMCA) Working Group (2- 3 vacancies). Advisory group to the Joint Committee to Administer the Agreement (JCAA). Meets once a month to confer on interpretation and implementation issues related to the Agreement.
Political Action Committee (4 vacancies plus a Chair or 2 Co-Chairs). Averages one meeting per month or more if a particular project or event is being planned.
Council (8 vacancies) Councilors are the contact point between QUFA and the wider membership, representing faculty constituencies filled by a single Unit's or multiple Units' own internal election. One meeting per month between September and May.
Grievance Committee (2 Vacancies). This committee works as an advisory body to the Grievance Officer and assists with fact finding and advising of Members. One meeting per month.
Find Out More/Get Involved
Over the next few months other positions for 2001-2002 will be highlighted. Our Nominations/Elections Committee is working assiduously with the Executive and staff on finding interested members willing to help the Association. If you want to get involved or need more information about a particular vacancy or wish to speak to a volunteer who has previously held a specific position, please call the QUFA office at extension 32151 or 33033. Speak to colleagues about openings which might suit them or which might be shared. We urge you to collaborate in QUFA's "get involved" efforts to ensure the health of your future at Queen's.
Barbara Kisilevsky
QUFA President, 2000-02
If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a line. You can
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