MINUTES

Staff Forum

February 1, 2006

Olga Contreras-Martinez, Chair, called the meeting to order. Ms. Dina Willis gave the invocation.

Brenda Doss gave a summary of the Statewide Council Meeting from October 2005. She encouraged staff to attend the meetings. Issues discussed:

• Lack of benefits for temporary staff
• Possible change of being vested from ten years to five (which was not passed by the Legislators)
• System options to continue education and the support of higher education
• Workshops on ‘Jump Start our Forum’

Ms. Contreras would like to know of any concerns staff members may have as Staff is now represented on the President’s Cabinet. This is not the case at other institutions. She stated we should be better informed, as we are an important part of our campus.

Guest Speakers

Ms. Bertha Daniel encouraged staff to unite. She discussed the Leave Policy at ABAC. Topics covered included:

· Sick leave (illness/injury/medical/dental/death) and channels of approval by supervisor

· ‘Immediate’ family is considered: spouse, parent, child, grandparents, sibling and in-laws

· Annual Leave

· Sick Leave without pay must be approved by the college president for up to one year

· Education Leave without pay can be granted up to one year

· Military Leave with pay requires copy of orders

· Maternity Leave is considered sick leave and involves paperwork - must consult HR

· Family Leave is unpaid and can be used for birth of child, adoption, or serious health condition of self or immediate family. Benefits are maintained. This basically protects you & your job for twelve weeks.

· Personal Leave can be approved for up to one year without pay.

· Voting/jury duty/court – Human Resources (HR) needs copy (see Leave form)

· Sick Leave counts toward retirement

· Four copies of leave form are necessary

Ms. Jane Thompson discussed shared leave if needs arise due to a lengthy illness. HR must be informed, as paperwork is involved. If anyone wants to donate hours, all information is kept confidential. Every request goes before a committee for approval. At ABAC, a person requesting leave must exhaust their annual and sick leave before shared leave is considered. There are discussions of having a ‘pool’ of leave hours.

Ms. Bam Pirkle distributed handouts printed from HRs web pages concerning the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which included the program policy, application, frequently asked questions, and program coordinators for Georgia. This is a system program that provides a wonderful opportunity. No money is exchanged. Approval of supervisor is required. Completed forms should be sent to HR. Final approval is based on available seating in the class requested. The only programs not covered by this are medical, dental and law.

The issue of borrowing books was also discussed.

Ms. Missy Hutto discussed the SAT requirements in the Staff Forum Scholarship Criteria, which is now a minimum of 750 out of a possible 1600. The SAT score is changing from 1600 to 2400, but it is no longer a requirement. Staff will vote on eliminating the SAT or changing the cut-off score.

Announcements:

• Ms. Contreras thanked the volunteers for bringing refreshments.
• A sign-up sheet will be outside on the refreshment table for Summer 2006 volunteers.

Approval of Fall 2005 Minutes

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

Introduction of New Personnel

• Names of new personnel were read and any in attendance were asked to stand for recognition.

Old Business

• Thanksgiving Tom Turkey 2005 auctioned raised $1206.
• New work hours seem to be working well for the campus.

New Business

• Account balances were shown. Staff Forums expandable amount can be moved to different accounts as needed.
• Ms. Contreras reported on the Presidential Search Committee. This committee needs our input. There are 31 applicants. The committee will interview twelve candidates in Atlanta. They will narrow the search down and bring five – seven on campus for interviews before submitting five names to the Board of Regents.
• Meeting times – Ms. Contreras requested we change our meeting times. These were the suggestions made (which will be voted on later): 10:00-11:00, 3:00-4:00, 3:30-4:30, 4:00-5:00
• Meeting more often – a possibility to consider will be to meet twice fall and spring semesters and not at all during summer. This will be voted on another time. A called meeting may be necessary.
• Fund raiser for Staff Forum – We will have a Valentine Day Balloon & Sweets Sale. Julie Boland will get the balloons. Staff will volunteer to bake and donate goodies. Volunteers are also needed to man the different booths at these locations: Dining Hall (no goodies sold here), Conger Hall and Town Hall (if we get approval).

The meeting adjourned at 4:45. Those in attendance enjoyed refreshments.