Classified Employees Association
AUSTIN
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CLASSIFIED
EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
Tuesday,
November 14, 2000, HBC room 407 Noon – 1:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at
12:00 PM.
Welcome:
Barbara Dickey took a minute to thank
all of those who brought food to the meeting.
She also stated that it had been suggested to her two different
ways in which to get people to volunteer to bring food.
The first way was to send out a request on the list serve or
secondly to pass a list around during the meetings to get volunteers. Donna Pitts mentioned that in the past for the December meetings
there was usually potluck and would we be doing that again this year
or not? A raise of hands by
those in attendance said they would rather have the December meeting
be a potluck. Barbara will work out details in regards to
an email with getting people to volunteer or sign up what they are
brining.
Barbara asked those officers in attendance
to please rise and introduce themselves.
The officers present were:
Max Landry, Tracy Miller-Thomason, Sonia Stewart, Matilda Morales
and Margie Shelnutt.
Approval
of Minutes:
Donna Pitts moved to accept the minutes
from the September 12, 2000 and October 10, 2000 meeting.
Kerry Landfield seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved.
Candidates
for Pres-Elect:
Al Kaiser reviewed the dates that
were printed in the October minutes about the deadlines that had been
set for the election. Al commented that he would like all ballots
back by November 20th and on November 22nd an
announcement will be made announcing the winner. Al then informed the two candidates that they had a five-minute
period to introduce themselves to the association and explain to everyone
what their plans were and why they felt they should be elected. The candidates were called to speak in alphabetical
order:
Mark
Goodrich: Thanked everyone for the nominations he received.
He explained he would like to concentrate more on the lobbying
strategy and would also like to improve the working conditions of
the college. He mentioned
he was very humbled and thankful that he was nominated.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked
what Mark disliked the most last year in terms of the leadership of
the association? As she thought
the lobbying last year was very successful.
Mark replied
that he would not like to make a comment at this time.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked
what assurances Mark could make to the association saying that he
wants do this.
Mark replied
that he did not ask to be nominated.
Over a couple of years now he has been continuously asked why
he won’t do this. This year he was nominated and has decided
he will do this, which should be enough of an assurance.
Max
Landry: Was very glad that he was nominated.
This is his second term with the ACCCEA as a representative.
If elected into this position he intends on working on the
403B plan along with salaries and benefits.
He will work to keep them the same and to obtain raises.
He has been attending the college since 1976 and has seen many
changes. He recently spoke
with Dr. Fonte about Round Rock being incorporated into our district
and that how once that is done we will have much more representatives. Max also noted that he really enjoys his job and plans on being
at ACC until he retires.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked
if he could assure us that he would be at ease when working with Dr.
Fonte?
Max replied
that now that he is 48 he has become much more at ease with a lot
of things, so yes he will be at ease when working with Dr. Fonte.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked if there was a possibility that he may be called
back to Bosnia?
Max replied
that yes there is. If that were to happen while he was President
the Pres-Elect would step in, that is why we have them. If it happens while he is Pres-Elect then another
election like this one will have to be done.
Questions: Margie Shelnutt
wanted to know what ideas Max has in regards to changes Social Security
issues?
Max replied
that he is aware that any Social Security issues or changes we have
must be taken to the Texas State Congress.
He suggested that one thing we could do is to get a petition
going and send it to our Congressman and let him present it to the
Congress, perhaps then a change could happen
Questions: Margie Shelnutt
wanted to know what Max thought the single most benefit was for the
ACCCEA?
Max replied
that he believes that benefits are the most important thing for the
Classified employees. In the past Board members have tried to dwindle
away our benefits and he intends to prevent that.
Employee
Assistance Program Representative:
Felicia Corren attended the meeting
to explain to the Classified employees what the Employee Assistance
Program (EAP) is and what it can do for us.
The EAP originally got started in the 1940’s and was originally
developed to help people with alcohol problems; today it has broadened
and helps people with all different types of problems.
You may want to see someone from the EAP if you are experiencing
stress at work, have financial issues, have chemical dependency, suffer
from depression, need professional coaching, etc.
The EAP is completely free to employees of the college and
their dependents. EAP offers
8 sessions per calendar year for each employee and their dependents.
EAP also holds workshops such as Time Management and Workplace
Communication. If you are interested in holding a workshop for your area you can
call Becca Arreonow who is in charge of arranging the seminars. The EAP is offered to those employees who receive
benefits from the college. Their
main office is at Far West and Mopac, keep in mind they do have on
site locations at HBC, RVS and NRG.
They also have Saturday appointments and evening appointments
available. If someone is suffering
from an emergency situation they can usually be seen that day or by
the end of the following day. Also,
if you are unable to travel to any location where a representative
of the EAP is located at, they will try to make arrangements to go
to a campus to see you. EAP is completely confidential! The EAP would also like our help in notifying
people of their program. Sonia
Stewart suggested that they hand out a flier with their information
on it in December, issue one to every employee who picks up their
paycheck. Felicia would be
contacting Gerry Tucker to find out how many employees there are and
how to do this. Again, please remember your sessions with someone
from EAP are completely confidential!
Long
Term Elder Care:
Judy Doyen took a moment to note that
we all have elders in our family and that she has been researching
Long Term Elder care along with Social Security.
Judy stated that TRS is not a good plan as it is very expensive.
Judy also explained that tomorrow we could have an accident
which would require us to need constant care these plans allow us
to take care of ourselves and not burden others.
Barbara Dickey stated that she knows of a website that does
comparisons and will get that information to Judy.
Judy also explained that there are different types of plans
that you can choose. Also keep in mind that the earlier you get
in the longer you pay however, you will pay less.
Judy has also talked to two ACC financial representatives and
faxed them the information she has regarding the Long Term Elder care
and asked them if they had something similar, she asked for them to
contact her if their rates were lower, at this time she has still
not yet heard anything.
TRS:
Judy Doyen explained that she believes
that ACC’s pension plan is very good and that to remember we
have options to select; 3 separate “balloon” payments.
New
Business:
Judy Doyen told us that she attended
the annual party at Dr. Fonté house.
She enjoyed meeting Mrs. Fonte and had a wonderful time.
Tracy Miller-Thomason asked Barbara
Dickey if it was true that we were not using an up-to-date list serve? Barbara explained that there are two list serves, which were created,
and that both lists are up-to-date as of 3 weeks ago.
Pam Brownlee explained that the Recycling
committee would be regrouping again and wanted to know if there were
any questions we had. Barbara wanted to know where the recycling
money goes? Does it go to
ACC, individual departments or towards a scholarship? Pam stated that originally it was set up to go towards a scholarship
but that at this point in time she was unclear and would find out. She did explain also that by law ACC has to
have a recycling contract, once a company hires so many employees
it is mandatory that you recycle.
Barbara Dickey explained that ACCCEA
is still in need of volunteers for a few more committees. Dr. Allie
needs six representatives for a working group session "How Can
We Best Serve Students" on December 1st. We still need a classified representative for
the SACS, and the Sabbatical committee.
The SACS committee is a two-year appointment, which meets once
a month. Barbara will send another email to the listserv
requesting volunteers.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00
PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Tracy Miller-Thomason, ACCCEA Secretary
AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
Tuesday, November 14, 2000, HBC room 407 Noon – 1:00 PM
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 PM.
Welcome:
Barbara Dickey took a minute to thank all of those who brought food to the meeting. She also stated that it had been suggested to her two different ways in which to get people to volunteer to bring food. The first way was to send out a request on the list serve or secondly to pass a list around during the meetings to get volunteers. Donna Pitts mentioned that in the past for the December meetings there was usually potluck and would we be doing that again this year or not? A raise of hands by those in attendance said they would rather have the December meeting be a potluck. Barbara will work out details in regards to an email with getting people to volunteer or sign up what they are brining.
Barbara asked those officers in attendance to please rise and introduce themselves. The officers present were: Max Landry, Tracy Miller-Thomason, Sonia Stewart, Matilda Morales and Margie Shelnutt.
Approval
of Minutes:
Donna Pitts moved to accept the minutes from the September 12, 2000 and October 10, 2000 meeting. Kerry Landfield seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.
Candidates
for Pres-Elect:
Al Kaiser reviewed the dates that were printed in the October minutes about the deadlines that had been set for the election. Al commented that he would like all ballots back by November 20th and on November 22nd an announcement will be made announcing the winner. Al then informed the two candidates that they had a five-minute period to introduce themselves to the association and explain to everyone what their plans were and why they felt they should be elected. The candidates were called to speak in alphabetical order:
Mark Goodrich: Thanked everyone for the nominations he received. He explained he would like to concentrate more on the lobbying strategy and would also like to improve the working conditions of the college. He mentioned he was very humbled and thankful that he was nominated.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked what Mark disliked the most last year in terms of the leadership of the association? As she thought the lobbying last year was very successful.
Mark replied that he would not like to make a comment at this time.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked what assurances Mark could make to the association saying that he wants do this.
Mark replied that he did not ask to be nominated. Over a couple of years now he has been continuously asked why he won’t do this. This year he was nominated and has decided he will do this, which should be enough of an assurance.
Max Landry: Was very glad that he was nominated. This is his second term with the ACCCEA as a representative. If elected into this position he intends on working on the 403B plan along with salaries and benefits. He will work to keep them the same and to obtain raises. He has been attending the college since 1976 and has seen many changes. He recently spoke with Dr. Fonte about Round Rock being incorporated into our district and that how once that is done we will have much more representatives. Max also noted that he really enjoys his job and plans on being at ACC until he retires.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked if he could assure us that he would be at ease when working with Dr. Fonte?
Max replied that now that he is 48 he has become much more at ease with a lot of things, so yes he will be at ease when working with Dr. Fonte.
Questions: Judy Doyen asked if there was a possibility that he may be called back to Bosnia?
Max replied that yes there is. If that were to happen while he was President the Pres-Elect would step in, that is why we have them. If it happens while he is Pres-Elect then another election like this one will have to be done.
Questions: Margie Shelnutt wanted to know what ideas Max has in regards to changes Social Security issues?
Max replied that he is aware that any Social Security issues or changes we have must be taken to the Texas State Congress. He suggested that one thing we could do is to get a petition going and send it to our Congressman and let him present it to the Congress, perhaps then a change could happen
Questions: Margie Shelnutt wanted to know what Max thought the single most benefit was for the ACCCEA?
Max replied that he believes that benefits are the most important thing for the Classified employees. In the past Board members have tried to dwindle away our benefits and he intends to prevent that.
Employee
Assistance Program Representative:
Felicia Corren attended the meeting to explain to the Classified employees what the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is and what it can do for us. The EAP originally got started in the 1940’s and was originally developed to help people with alcohol problems; today it has broadened and helps people with all different types of problems. You may want to see someone from the EAP if you are experiencing stress at work, have financial issues, have chemical dependency, suffer from depression, need professional coaching, etc. The EAP is completely free to employees of the college and their dependents. EAP offers 8 sessions per calendar year for each employee and their dependents. EAP also holds workshops such as Time Management and Workplace Communication. If you are interested in holding a workshop for your area you can call Becca Arreonow who is in charge of arranging the seminars. The EAP is offered to those employees who receive benefits from the college. Their main office is at Far West and Mopac, keep in mind they do have on site locations at HBC, RVS and NRG. They also have Saturday appointments and evening appointments available. If someone is suffering from an emergency situation they can usually be seen that day or by the end of the following day. Also, if you are unable to travel to any location where a representative of the EAP is located at, they will try to make arrangements to go to a campus to see you. EAP is completely confidential! The EAP would also like our help in notifying people of their program. Sonia Stewart suggested that they hand out a flier with their information on it in December, issue one to every employee who picks up their paycheck. Felicia would be contacting Gerry Tucker to find out how many employees there are and how to do this. Again, please remember your sessions with someone from EAP are completely confidential!
Long
Term Elder Care:
Judy Doyen took a moment to note that we all have elders in our family and that she has been researching Long Term Elder care along with Social Security. Judy stated that TRS is not a good plan as it is very expensive. Judy also explained that tomorrow we could have an accident which would require us to need constant care these plans allow us to take care of ourselves and not burden others. Barbara Dickey stated that she knows of a website that does comparisons and will get that information to Judy. Judy also explained that there are different types of plans that you can choose. Also keep in mind that the earlier you get in the longer you pay however, you will pay less. Judy has also talked to two ACC financial representatives and faxed them the information she has regarding the Long Term Elder care and asked them if they had something similar, she asked for them to contact her if their rates were lower, at this time she has still not yet heard anything.
TRS:
Judy Doyen explained that she believes that ACC’s pension plan is very good and that to remember we have options to select; 3 separate “balloon” payments.
New Business:
Judy Doyen told us that she attended the annual party at Dr. Fonté house. She enjoyed meeting Mrs. Fonte and had a wonderful time.
Tracy Miller-Thomason asked Barbara Dickey if it was true that we were not using an up-to-date list serve? Barbara explained that there are two list serves, which were created, and that both lists are up-to-date as of 3 weeks ago.
Pam Brownlee explained that the Recycling committee would be regrouping again and wanted to know if there were any questions we had. Barbara wanted to know where the recycling money goes? Does it go to ACC, individual departments or towards a scholarship? Pam stated that originally it was set up to go towards a scholarship but that at this point in time she was unclear and would find out. She did explain also that by law ACC has to have a recycling contract, once a company hires so many employees it is mandatory that you recycle.
Barbara Dickey explained that ACCCEA is still in need of volunteers for a few more committees. Dr. Allie needs six representatives for a working group session "How Can We Best Serve Students" on December 1st. We still need a classified representative for the SACS, and the Sabbatical committee. The SACS committee is a two-year appointment, which meets once a month. Barbara will send another email to the listserv requesting volunteers.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by: Tracy Miller-Thomason, ACCCEA Secretary
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