MINUTES

Fall 2006 Staff Forum

Monday, October 2, 2006, 3:00 P.M.

Carlton Center

 

Ms. Brenda Doss, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM in the Carlton Center Room 126. Ms. Olga Contreras-Martinez, Chair, was out of town and was unable to attend. Ms. Dina Willis gave the invocation

 

Introduction of New Personnel & Area Updates

New personnel were recognized and welcomed.

Each division representative gave an update of what was going on in their area.

 

Guest Speaker – President David Bridges

President Bridges gave an update at the Staff Forum meeting.

 

  1. Centennial Campaign – Dr. Bridges thanked the staff for their participation and gives “hats off” to those that handled all the details. He is striving for 100% engagement focusing on ABAC and ABAC’s progress. He stressed the importance of engaging in corporate giving as well as private giving.

 

  1. Dr. Bridges stated that there are a number of budget issues, but he does not anticipate major changes. The budget is due by November 1, 2006.

 

  1. SACS Accreditation - The SACS Accreditation Team will be on campus October 9, 10, and 11th.

 

  1. Some operational changes will be made. A new VP Fiscal Affairs will be hired to take the place of Tom Call whom recently retired. There will some minor restructuring to provide flexibility to those who give discretion to supervisors in hiring. Dr. Bridges’ desire is to have a fewer number of people reporting to him. He plans to lower it from 13 to five or six.

 

  1. Budget Management – Dr. Bridges stated that salaries at ABAC are low and he plans to bring in new personnel at appropriate salaries. ABAC will also still be working on bringing salaries of some of those already employed up to comparable/competitive rates. He stated that personnel who go beyond the call of duty should be rewarded.

 

  1. He announced that there will be an increase in health insurance in January 2007.

 

  1. President Bridges has asked each Unit to develop a Unit Budget Plan to identify the dollars to be spent on professional development.
  2. President Bridges plans to create an exchange program. The exchange program would allow staff to work and train in other areas on campus. This would develop appreciation for other areas and also develop cross training opportunities.

 

President Bridges opened the floor for questions:

A question about the Retirement Anticipation Policy was raised. President Bridges stated that the Retirement Anticipation Policy has failed to provide what the policy was intended to provide. Plans are to transition out of the policy.

 

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the first fall Staff Forum meeting, September 13, 2006, were distributed and reviewed. Two changes were asked to be made. Bam Pirkle made motion to accept the minutes as amended. Kim Ascani seconded the motion. The motion was carried. The amended minutes will be filed.

 

Old Business

  1. The updated Amendments to Constitution/By-Laws were brought to a vote. Trina 

Jones made motion to accept the By-Laws as written. Julie Boland seconded the motion. The motion carried.

 

  1. Tom Turkey Dates & Volunteers

The Tom Turkey Auction will be held November 15, 16, and until noon on the 17th. Volunteers were asked to sign up and list items they are willing to donate for the Tom Turkey Auction. Phillip Hightower has conducted the auction in the past and is unavailable on the 15th and 17th. Ms. Doss asked for a volunteer to assist on the 15th and 17th

 

New Business

  1. Account Balance Ms. Reba Selph, Secretary, gave the account balances for the Expendable and the Endowment Funds. The Expendable balance is $4,514. The Endowment balance is $11,161. The Staff Forum Endowment Fund generated $484 in interest for FY 2005-06 and has been added to the Endowment Fund. Discussion was raised to move the extra $2000 that’s in the expendable fund now to the endowment fund, so it can work for us earning interest. That will leave enough in the expendable to pay for both awards if we don’t raise any money with Tom Turkey and Valentines Day fundraisers. We will vote on this issue at the next meeting.

 

  1. Keeping Up with Participation

Criteria for the Staff Forum Scholarship and the Roy Jackson Award for Staff Excellence were discussed. Keeping track of meeting attendance and participation in events were discussed as requirements for these awards. Ms. Doss asked for ideas and suggestions. Follow-up on discussion will be held at the next meeting.

 

  1. Nomination Committee

Ms. Doss asked for volunteers to serve on the Nominations Committee. The committee will meet to discuss nominees to serve on the Staff Forum Board for the 2007-2008 academic year. Beverly Clark, Dina Willis, Van McGriff, Pathelyn Smith and Marsha Anderson volunteered to serve on the Nominations Committee.

 

Announcements

A Valentine’s Day Fund Raiser is scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2006. Balloons and baked goods will be sold. Tables will be set up at Conger Hall and the Dining Hall. Signs will be placed around campus to advertise for this event. Julie Boland, Trina Jones, Bam Pirkle, Tracy Dyal, and Teri Mathis volunteered to serve on the committee.

 

OITS reminded the staff that tickets can still be bought for a change to win an iPOD. Proceeds from the sale of tickets will go to the Centennial Celebration.

 

Ms. Doss thanked the following volunteers that brought refreshments for the meeting. Tracy Dyal, Refreshments Coordinator, stated that many more volunteered to bring something, but were not needed this time around.

 

Patsy Hembree

Tracy Dyal

Missy Hutto

Elizabeth Wilcox

Van McGriff

Bam Pirkle

Julie Boland

Nancy Brannen

Amy Willis

 

Adjournment & Refreshments

With no further business or discussion the meeting was adjourned at 4:22 pm. Refreshments were served.