UIC UNITED: A Chapter of SUAA Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting March 7, 2007

Members Present: Marsha Borders, Kathleen Crittenden, Merrill Gassman, Richard Johnson, William Jones, Irving Miller, Lawrence Poston, and Jacob Starks

Members Absent: Geraldine Piorkowski, Susan Sindelar, Frank Tachau, and Wally Wadycki

The meeting was called to order by President Irving Miller at 10:07am.

1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the Board meeting held on January 12, 2007 were approved.

2. Membership Report: In a written report, Gerry Piorkowski reported that there were 96 non-renewals and 125 new members. The total membership count now stands at 1,686. The Board set a near term goal to exceed UIUC membership numbers. Irv recommended that we target current employees as a group. He suggested that SUAA host an event for department heads and tie it to what is currently in the news; ie. benefits, pension, the Governor's message. Sonya Booth will be contacted about putting an article in UIC News to publicize the event and explain more about the Chapter.

3. Treasurer's Report: Frank Tachau was not in attendance but indicated that there were not significant changes since the last report.

4. SUAACTION Issues (Richard Johnson): Dick informed the Board that a voluntary contribution plan to raise $12,000 is being implemented. Suggested donations will be listed with an option to contribute other amounts. Dick reported that the State SUAACTION group heard from their lawyer who indicated that we should keep SUAA business separate from SUAACTION. Dick will set up a separate website so as not to use UIC resources or raise ethical concerns.

5. Search for SUAA Executive Director (Irving Miller): Linda Brookhart, currently Vice President of the Taxpayers' Federation of Illinois, was selected by the search committee and accepted by the Executive Committee to fill the position. A recommendation by the Executive Committee to appoint Brookhart will be made at the SUAA Board of Directors meeting on March 13, 2007. Irv noted that Ms. Brookhart comes with good experience and is familiar with all aspects of our operation.

6. Newsletter (Larry Poston): Larry indicated that problems encountered while working with UIC Publication Services over the past year were unacceptable and, consequently, he and Trenace are looking into getting an outside printer for future publications.

7. Programs and Events (Irving Miller): The Spring Chapter meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in Student Center East, Room 613. Alice Palmer, member of the SURS Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of its GovernmentalAffairs Committee, will be the keynote speaker. She will speak on "Pensions: Misunderstood and Vulnerable".

8. Retirement Planning Conference (Marsha Borders): Marsha indicated that planning is moving forward. Speakers and workshop session leaders have been identified. Space is still available for vendors who wish to handout literature and meet with participants during the lunch hour.

9. Nominating Committee Report (Merrill Gassman): Clarification on the selection of the Nominating Committee was given in response to an inquiry by several Board members. Article III, Section 4 of the Chapter Constitution states that "the President, with the advice of the Board of Directors, shall appoint a Nominating Committee"; however, the President may not serve as an ex officio member of the Committee (Article V, Section 3).

The members of the Nominating Committee: Merrill Gassman, chair; William Jones; and Jake Starks reported that the slate of candidates for the offices of President, Second Vice President, Treasurer, and a Director-at-large is near completion. Before finalizing the slate, the Committee asked for clarification of the role of the Second Vice President.

A discussion followed regarding the role of the Second Vice President in general and, more specifically, the relationship of that office to the SUAACTION organization. The Chapter Constituion states that the duty of the Second Vice President is to "provide advice and guidance on all Chapter activities that are external to the UIC campus" (Article III, Section 6.3). Currently, the SVP serves as Chair of the Legislative Committee, a Standing Committee of UIC UNITED. By virtue of the defined role of the SVP, it was agreed that this individual should act as a liaison to SUAACTION as well as other organizations external to the UIC Chapter.

10. Announcements (Irving Miller): The SUAA Board of Directors meeting will be held at Kishwaukee College on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Mitch Vogel, Chair of the SURS Board of Trustees, is the keynote speaker. UIC UNITED is entitled to a delegation of 5 representatives.

Laura Stempel of the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs is seeking Emeritus(a) faculty to conduct exit interviews with departing faculty. She has asked UIC UNITED to consider participating. The Board agreed that eligible SUAA members should be urged to volunteer.

11. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:25am.

Respectfully submitted by Marsha Borders, Secretary

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