June 2000

 

Grace Hall, Room 234

 

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 

 

Present: Angeliek Anderson, Dan Brazo, Dona Coggins, Deb Fox, Norma Frost, Connie Gard, Rita Grontkowski, Pam Jobin, Bobbi McMahon, Norma Mezykowski, Lou Parks, Sue Penrod, Maria Pozzi, Marv Pruett, Samantha Qualls, Valerie Schroeder, Marcy Simons, Doris Smuda, Kathleen Stopczynski, Leona Strickland, Cindi Sykes, Dona Waters and Melodie Wise. 

Absent: Debra Bennett, Beverly Harbor, Kay Herrity, Terron Phillips and Fred Sonneborn. District #3 and #22 are in the election process and District #25 is currently unrepresented.

 

HR Liaisons: Sarah Misener and Wendy Mott.

 

Dan Brazo, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m.

 

Bobbi McMahon began the meeting by reading a letter from someone in her district regarding the President's Award and Service Recognition Dinner that was on Monday, May 22, 2000. Discussion took place and some recommendations were made. Dan Brazo read a copy of a flyer from the Basilica regarding who can get married in the Basilica and nonexempt were not among those listed. Sarah Misener said she would look into it and report back to the Council at the next meeting. Cindy Sykes mentioned that a member of her district brought to her attention that flyers regarding a singles gathering were distributed and nonexempt were not among those invited. It was brought up that maybe the nonexempt should start their own singles group. Dan Brazo pointed out to the Council that nonexempt do not always have to be equal to what faculty and exempt have, but someone could look into the singles group situation. Norma Frost brought up the idea of having a bereavement group or a widow/widower group. Melodie Wise mentioned that the Women's Committee had also discussed that idea.

 

1. Approval of the Thursday, May 11, 2000 Minutes 

Connie Gard made a motion to accept the minutes with the following changes: 

 

. Carl Hubbard's name will be removed from the "absent" list and 

 

. Marcy Wise will be changed to Marcy Simons in the section for "Ad-Hoc Committee on Women's Issues". 

 

Leona Strickland seconded the motion. A vote was taken and all present Council members were in favor of this motion.

 

 

2. Council Web Page Discussion 

The Council is looking for someone to update and maintain the Council's web page. Multiple suggestions were made as how this might be accomplished and by whom. These people will be approached and discussed further at the next Council meeting. 

 

Council members asked where to go for a list of the people in their districts. Pam Zarazee can get those lists to the Council member upon request. 

3. Committee Reports

 

- Elections Committee

 

Dan Brazo reported that District 3 is now open and needs to have an election. The Council also needs to have a volunteer/election for a new Council Secretary. Dan read the responsibilities for the secretary as stated in the by-laws. Deb Fox made a motion to revise the by-law provision that the secretary be on the Council for one year because of all the new Council members and potential interest to serve in this role. Pam Jobin seconded the motion. A vote was taken and all present Council members were in favor of this motion. Maria Pozzi was nominated for the Council Secretary position and she accepted. 

 

- Promotion Committee

 

A draft copy of the letter to new Notre Dame employees from the Staff Advisory Council was passed out for the Council members to make any necessary changes. It was suggested that a phone list of the Council members be handed out with the letter to Notre Dame nonexempt employees in orientation as well.

 

The promotion committee will handle sending "Thank You" notes to all who donated prizes for the Staff "Thank You" Picnic drawing.

 

- Parking Committee 

Nothing to report at this time.

 

- Parking Appeals Committee 

Dan Brazo reported that he is still participating on this committee.

 

- Ad-Hoc Committee on Women's Issues 

Melodie Wise reported that they are planning on making the Women's Retreat held at Fatima an annual event. She reported that it went very well for a first time event.

 

The topic for the July "Lunch and Learn" will be a tour of the Snite Museum. No specific date in July has been chosen at this time. 

 

 

-Ad-Hoc Staff Picnic Committee 

Valerie Schroeder shared feedback from people in her district. Some people who have been at the University for a while, would like to see a different variety of food. Also, the set-up around the lakes was nice and going back there was suggested. Multiple other Council members mentioned they thought that the picnic was wonderful and with so many food choices now there is really no reason to change. Melodie Wise mentioned that the picnic was nice around the lake, but because of not knowing what the weather will be, the changing from one location to another is very difficult to do that same morning of the picnic and that is why Stepan was a good site for rain or shine. More discussion took place on the picnic and some recommendations will be considered. Discussion took place regarding crowd control with children, construction workers, faculty etc. always being an issue. Having door prizes at the Staff Advisory Council booth was a big hit. Feedback on the trivia questions was that they may have been too difficult which can be considered next year. Also, it was suggested that Council members wear name tags and Staff Advisory Council t-shirts next year. Dan Brazo commended the committee for a job well done. The committee is disbanded until next year.

 

- Ad-Hoc Committee on Drug Testing 

Rita Grontkowski reported that at the last meeting they went through the policy. At the next meeting research tasks may be assigned to members.

 

The next meeting date has not yet been determined.

 

- Ad-Hoc Redistricting Committee 

Dan Brazo reported that this committee has not had the opportunity to meet yet. Their goal is to meet before the July Council meeting. A list of all possible districts, as well as the number of members in each district, will be a good tool to start with. Valarie Schroeder mentioned that maybe they could appoint someone on the Council to represent the Bookstore or any other district going unrepresented. It was recommended that since campus offices have moved around so much that districting by building might be a good idea. These ideas will all be considered as this committee begins to meet. Sue Penrod has volunteered to serve on the committee. 

 

4. Complete Discussion on Retirement Benefits 

Tabled until next meeting due to time constraints.

 

5. Discuss Minutes 

Deb Fox mentioned that no final copy of the approved minutes were being sent out and therefore the Council never received a final copy. After discussion on the topic took place, a motion was made that the draft copy of the minutes containing the changes of the previous meeting minutes be provided to constituents. Motion was seconded by Norma Frost. All present were in favor. It was requested that the web page person still get a final copy of the minutes. 

 

6. Set Agenda for Thursday, July 13, 2000 Meeting 

I. Approval of the Thursday, June 15, 2000 Minutes

 

II. Committee Reports

 

- Elections Committee

 

- Promotion Committee

 

- Parking Committee

 

- Parking Appeals Committee

 

- Ad-Hoc Committee on Women's Issues

 

- Ad-Hoc Committee on Alcohol and Drug Testing

 

- Ad-Hoc Redistricting Committee

 

III. Non-Notre Dame Tuition Reimbursement Update

 

IV. Web Page Resolution

 

V. Complete Discussion on Retirement Benefits

 

VI. Set Agenda for Thursday, August 10, 2000 Meeting

 

Pam Jobin made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:53 p.m. Samantha Qualls seconded this motion. A vote was taken and all present Council members were in favor of the motion.

 

Sincerely,

 

Promotions Committee