UIC Chapter of SUAA Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting February 14, 2006

Members Present: Mary Bartucci, Marsha Borders, Kathleen Crittenden, Merrill Gassman, Richard Johnson, William Jones, Irving Miller, Geraldine Piorkowski, and Larry Poston

Members Absent: Nancy Hirsch, Jacob Starks, Frank Tachau, and Wally Wadycki

The meeting was called to order at 9:35am by President Miller.

1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the meeting held on November 16, 2005 were approved.

2. Membership Report (Geraldine Piorkowski): Gerry reported that the current chapter membership is 1,298; an increase of 37 members from last year's figure. A membership mailing was sent to those who retired within the last 5 years. A second mailing, targeting last year's retirees, is planned.

The Board briefly talked about the importance of finding creative ways to reach UIC faculty, emeriti faculty, staff, and other groups. Gerry suggested that we begin thinking about events that might get the attention of current staff.

3. Political Involvement Committee Issues (Dick Johnson): Dick reported that attempts by the State PIC to have broad representation resulted in a very large committee of 18 members. At its second meeting, the Committee worked on the purpose, objectives, and organizational structure. There was also discussion about grassroots activism and the relationship between the State and local PICs. As far as setting goals for the group, many expressed interest in working on funding priorities of the State. Dick, however, indicated that he had a problem with just this priority. He emphasized the importance of making a case for protecting healthcare benefits and recognizing the increasing competition with the University for State funds. Pension funding, he stated, is primarily the State's problem.

Paula Purdue, part-time lobbyist for SUAA, is assisting the State PIC by conducting training sessions that focus on ways to get access to legislators. Several local chapters, including UIC, have taken advantage of the training.

Dick noted that his plans are to begin organizing a local PIC. The initial group will consist of individuals who have expressed interest in participating in the group; they will serve as the Executive Committee to get things underway. UIC-SUAA will serve as the umbrella organization; however, the PIC will establish and carry out its own priorities. Among these priorities will be the concerns of community colleges in the area.

The UIC Chapter has contributed the most money to the State PIC.

4. Legislative Report (Dick Johnson): Dick attended the SURS Board Meeting in October at UIUC. He reported that, since Dan Slack's appointment as Executive Director of SURS in December, the organization is becoming more politically involved. SURS put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire a full-time lobbyist to advocate on behalf of the State higher education institutions. Higher education, as a group, is not well thought of or respected in Springfield.

Separately, Dick heard that the governor wants to combine three agencies, the IBHE, Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), and the Illinois State Scholarship Commission (ISSC) to cut staff and save money.

5. Newsletter Update (Larry Poston): Editor Poston is hoping for a February publication date. He apologized for the delays but reported being very disappointed with the level of service and turnaround time at UIC Publication Services. After three layouts and several months later, he is still somewhat dissatisfied with the current mockup. He proposed that the Board consider oneof three recommendations to address the problem. These were:

• To stay with the Office of Publication Services until the job is completed because of the time already invested in the project
  
• Look for another publishing company outside the university
  
• Scrap the newsletter concept and adopt a more flexible basic communication tool consisting of individual flyers that could be produced and distributed on short notice to announce up -coming events and programs. The editor would be replaced with a communication officer.

The Board will consider the recommendations at the next meeting.

6. Program Issues (Irving Miller): The Brown Bag Seminar scheduled for February 22, 2006, will be rescheduled due to a time conflict with the Campus Forum . An alternate date will be announced for the talk to be given by William Jones on "The History of Chicago Circle Campus".

The UIC-SUAA Spring Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 25, 2006. Norman Farnsworth will be the speaker.

7. Status of Board Officers and Committee Chairs: Due to the long-standing illness of Wally Wadycki, the Chapter Treasurer and Parliamentarian, it has become difficult for the Board to carry out its fiduciary responsibilities and to complete other pending tasks which were assigned to Wally. In light of this circumstance, the Board voted to approve the appointment of Frank Tachau as Acting Treasurer, subject to his acceptance.

The Board approved the appointment of Marsha Borders and Merrill Gassman to serve as members of the Nominating Committee. Nancy Hirsch, Program Chair, and Mary Bartucci, Social Chair, informed the Board that they would not continue in their present positions. Following discussion about the roles and responsibilities of the positions, it was determined that one person could fulfill both jobs. The Board approved a recommendation to combine the two positions. A chairperson will be sought in the next academic year to fill the position.

8. Constitution and Bylaws revisions: Irv agreed to work on the Bylaws and Constitution revisions in order to complete proposed changes in time for membership consideration at the Annual Spring Meeting. He will communicate with the Board by email to get input on suggested modifications. A draft will be presented at the next meeting.

9. SUAA Board of Director's Meeting: President Miller announced that the SUAA Spring Board of Director's Meeting will be in Springfield on March 15, 2006. Lobby Day is scheduled for the same day. Most participants will take part in Lobby Day activities until 12:00 noon followed by a shortened Board of Directors Meeting. UIC is entitled to four representatives; board members interested in attending the meeting should contact Irv as soon as possible.

10. Long Term Care Insurance: Irv clarified an earlier discussion pertaining to the SUAA Long Term Care Insurance representative. Discussions with Jacqueline Berger revealed that Elsie Eisenmann will continue to act as SUAA's representative for long term care insurance.

11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.

Respectfully submitted by Marsha Borders, Secretary

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