MINUTES

Staff Forum

September 14, 2005 * 3:00 PM

Olga Contreras-Martines, Chair, called the meeting to order and introduced herself. Ms. Nancy Anthony gave the invocation.

Guest Speaker:

Interim President Tom Call spoke to Staff Forum about a variety of topics. One was the importance of ABAC staff in student success: the more support that staff can give to students, the stronger the connection students will make with ABAC. He stressed that although faculty may have a more day to day relationship with students, staff are the people students come to when they need something done, our attitudes are what shape their impression of ABAC.

President Call also shared information about the salary study. There is a hierarchy, based on job responsibilities as filled out on the questionnaires, on the ABAC website (http://www.abac.edu/HR/ - follow the Salary Study link) listing job titles, and low, mid and high salary ranges. Phillip Blount and Associates, Inc. used several resources to come up with these levels and ranges, detailed information can be found on the web site. A committee will be looking at the appropriateness of current job titles, it may take up to five years before all persons are brought up to an appropriate salary level.

President Call then answered several questions from staff:

· The dining hall will be resuming the Thursday networking lunch; at this point in time it does not look like payroll deduction for a meal plan will be possible. President Call asked Staff Forum what they thought of continuing to hold the luncheon in a secluded area, or the possibility of having a reserved area for seating in the main room, so that interaction with students would be possible.

· Telecommuting is a hot topic within the University System, with the recent fluctuations in fuel prices, and some areas on campus may be able to take advantage of telecommuting for some employees, however, this being such a people-oriented campus, telecommuting may not be feasible for many. People who

· On going to a summer-hour schedule year round, the President stated that the Chancellor had been asked and we were told no. However, we will be asking again (new Chancellor), and the flex-plan is still an option for those who wish to work outside the 8:00 – 5:00 schedule (just as long as offices are covered).

· As far as President Call knows, a search committee will be set up at the beginning of the year, and we should have a new president by July 1, 2006.

Announcements:

o Mrs. Contreras-Martinez thanked the Fall 2005 refreshment volunteers:

Trina Jones

Vickie Wilson

Nancy Brannen

Julie Boland

Dina Willis

Elizabeth Wilcox

Barbrie Skwira

Bam Pirkle

Bobbie Baldree

Brenda Doss

o The sign-up sheet will be outside on the refreshment table for spring 2006 volunteers.

Approval of summer 2005 Minutes

• Motioned to accept minutes as written was made, seconded, and carried.

Introduction of New Personnel:

Mrs. Contreras-Martinez announced the names of new personnel and asked them to please stand for recognition.

Old business:

• Mrs. Contreras-Martinez went over the endowment, and asked if there were any additional questions.
• Payroll deduction forms were again provided for those who wished to join in supporting this endeavor.

New business:

o Current account balances:

Staff Forum Expendable $ 4,011

Staff Forum Endowment $10,000

Roy Jackson Award for Staff Excellence $ 5

Staff Forum Scholarship $ 0

NOTE: the first two accounts support the last two accounts. Funds will be transferred accordingly.

o We currently have 6 staff donors (2 new) for a total monthly giving of $49.20, or annual giving of $579.40. We should strive to increase monthly contributions to no less than $100 and maintain it at this level or higher.

o President’s Cabinet – Please be sure to let Mrs. Contreras-Martinez if you have questions, concerns for her to bring before the cabinet. She will ask for permission to post cabinet meeting minutes on the web for staff access.