Graduate Employee Organization

ATTENTION GEO MEMBERS:

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR SECRETARY/TREASURER!

The Secretary/Treasurer’s responsibilities include but are not limited to: Chairing GEO Finance Committee, serving on Local Finance committee; administering GEO operating budget; planning annual budget; overseeing the functioning of the GEO office; maintaining records of organization; ensuring that minutes are taken at all GEO meetings; submitting requisitions to the Local and International as needed; facilitating GEO sponsorship of events and organizations.

Shall chair meetings in the absence of the President or the Vice‐President; shall assume duties of the President or the Vice President if the President and the Vice President are unavailable.

Full members in good standing may nominate themselves or any other full member in good standing for any office. (Per Article 3‐ Membership of GEO bylaws: A graduate employee of the

University of Massachusetts who is included in the bargaining unit is eligible for full membership during the term of employment. A full member in good standing who ceases to be included in the bargaining unit may remain a full member through the next semester plus one day, provided they retain their graduate student status. Summer session is not defined as a semester.)

A candidate for Secretary/Treasurer must be a full member in good standing, which includes current status as graduate student, as defined as in the GEO By‐laws Article 3. For the academic year in which they serve, the three officers will each receive one full time equivalent (FTE) stipend so long as such stipends are provided by the University.

Nominations should be submitted in writing in person to the GEO office, Student Union 201, or via email to kmbaldwi@english.umass.edu no later than 5pm Friday, February 12, 2010.

GEO‐UAW 2322 is an equal‐opportunity employer. Eligible members from underrepresented groups are encouraged to seek election for the Secretary/Treasurer position.

The nomination period for elected officials, and the the hiring period for staff are closed.

At the 3 February 2010 membership meeting, the election committee will be presenting the results of the closed nominations for President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer.  Additionally, the personnel committee will present to the Assembly of Stewards their recommendations of candidates to fill four staff positions.

Membership Meeting Announcement

Please participate in GEO’s first membership meeting of the year, Wednesday, February 3, 2010 from 6pm -7pm, Campus Center 174-176.  This meeting is preceded by an Assembly of Stewards meeting that starts at 5pm (same location).  Both meetings are open to all members.

Membership will vote on electing a new member-at-large to steering to replace Megan Nagel who has resigned.  Members at large are voting members in the Steering Committee as well as voting members in the Assembly of Stewards.

The election committee will be presenting the results of the closed nominations for President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer.  Additionally, the personnel committee will present to the Assembly of Stewards their recommendations of candidates to fill four staff positions.

Food and refreshments will be provided.

Organizer/Campaign and Membership Mobilization Coordinator

Organizers are one of the union’s most vital connections to its membership. Organizers build networks within existing departments and communities on campus in order to address GEO members’ ideas and concerns and understand how the union may best represent its members’ interests. The CMM Coordinator is responsible for all aspects of assisting on union organizing campaigns, including campaign start-up, committee building, assessments, developing literature and running meetings and workplace actions. Previous organizing experience is highly recommended.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Convene and co-Chair the Organizing Committee.

Craft the message communicated to GEO members in order to transform internal mobilization into turnout for events and actions.

Preparing materials and working with the Press with the political advocate.

Organize turnout from particular departments (fostering activism, recruiting stewards and leadership) and/or specific university communities, including GEO caucuses.

Outreach and network with GSS, Graduate Student Organizations, SGA, and Registered Student Organizations to build connections on overlapping issues of concern such as tuition and fee increases, budget cuts, and university policies and plans that directly affect students.

Organizing GEO campaigns, facilitate membership drives, and sign up new members.

Participate in ongoing planning and evaluation of organizing efforts.

Educate and train graduate student employees about the union and the organizing process.

Integrate existing members into overall GEO plans for the organization as a whole and into current GEO campaigns in particular.

Organizers should be familiar enough with the GEO contract and grievance procedures to answer general questions that may arise when speaking to members. This job requires a lot of face-to-face interaction and applications must be comfortable approaching and talking with members in both individual and group settings.

All employees are expected to devote a portion of their paid working hours to office management tasks (i.e. holding office hours, answering phones, taking messages, in-taking grievances, greeting members who come into the office, etc.) and to attend meetings as required, including regular staff meetings. Some night and weekend hours may be required.

This position is for 20 hours per week for the 2010 Spring semester. The salary is the same as the average campus-wide stipend. GEO/UAW Local 2322 will provide training. People of color and women are encouraged to apply. We will pay for university health benefits, if necessary. In the past, all GEO staff employees who have needed tuition waivers have received them, but we cannot guarantee that this will continue to be the case.

In some cases, funding for these positions will come from UAW Local 2322.  In those cases, applicants must legally qualify for an internship with a non-university organization (UAW Local 2322).

Strong preference will be given to GEO members that have been active on campaigns and committees. All current graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed to the general principles of social justice and collective action.
In order to apply, please submit:

A resume.
A cover letter stating the reasons you are interested in the position and your qualifications.
A completed GEO Staff Application Form (see second page of this document).
Be prepared to bring proof of your student status to your interview (e.g. a letter from your GPD confirming your status).

Applications should be emailed to hiring@geouaw.org by Monday, January 25th, by 4pm.

GEO STAFF POSITION APPLICATION FORM

Name:

Home/Cell Phone Number:

Alternate Phone Number:

Email Address:

1. What kind of union activism, organizing, community or volunteer experience do you have? In what capacities have you been active with GEO?
2. Why are you interested in being hired for this position?
3. What skills do you possess that would be beneficial for this position?
4. Do you plan on having another assistantship or paid position that will require a significant commitment of your time? If so, please provide details of this position.
5. [OPTIONAL] Do you identify as a member of a protected class, which includes race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age and ancestry?

Organizer/Diversity Coordinator

The Diversity Coordinator is responsible for working with the members of the ALANAA/International Caucus and acting as a liaison between the caucus and GEO leadership as well as the broader GEO membership. The ALANAA (African, Latina(o), Asian, Native and Arab American)/International Caucus was formed to address the needs and issues of students of color and international students within GEO and the broader campus-wide community. In addition, the caucus was formed out of recognition for the need to address issues of institutional racism within GEO and increase the participation of people of color and international students within our union.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

Coordinating building coalition in conjunction with the rest of staff within the Caucuses (ALANAA/Women’s Caucus/Queer Caucus/Civil Rights Committee) to ensure maximum participation from the ALANAA/International student community within GEO.

Outreach and network with the various graduate student ALANAA/International student organizations (i.e. Chinese Students’ Association, Indian Students’ Association, etc…) to coordinate activities and facilitate relationships between GEO and these organizations on issues of similar concern.

Create a more solid support system across departments, coordinating and co-facilitating regular organizing meetings, and developing an information network for ALANAA and International students.

A willingness to sit on campus committees whose work relates to ALANAA and International students.

Serve as a liaison with GSS, the Office of ALANAA Affairs, and the Office of Recruitment and Retention.

Attend and participate in the GEO organizing Committee meetings and facilitate the integration of issues concerning ALANAA and international students with other GEO campaigns.

Record and document projects and campaigns carried  out during the term in order to serve as a starting point for the next ALANAA/International Student Organization Coordinator.

A willingness to run for and, if elected, serve on the UAW Local 2322 Civil Rights Committee.

Convene and Co-chair the standing GEO Civil Rights Committee as necessary.

Convene and Co-chair the standing GEO Committees and Caucuses as necessary.

Helping with office tasks as necessary.

Applicants with pre-existing contacts within ALANAA and International Student Organizations on campus are strongly preferred.

Every organizing position also comes with the requirement that the organizer be willing to help out in campaigns and organizing projects that are not narrowly related to their specialty, particularly at times when tasks within their organizing specialty are not at peak periods of intensity. Organizers are thus responsible for all aspects of assistance in the union’s organizing campaigns, including campaign start-up, committee building, assessments, developing literature and running meetings and workplace actions. Thus all GEO organizers should be self-motivated and have strong interpersonal skills.

All employees are expected to devote a portion of their paid working hours to office management tasks (i.e. holding office hours, answering phones, taking messages, in-taking grievances, greeting members who come into the office, etc.) and to attend meetings as required, including regular staff meetings. Some night and weekend hours may be required.

This position is for 20 hours per week for the 2010 Spring semester. The salary is the same as the average campus-wide stipend. GEO/UAW Local 2322 will provide training. People of color and women are encouraged to apply. We will pay for university health benefits, if necessary. In the past, all GEO staff employees who have needed tuition waivers have received them, but we cannot guarantee that this will continue to be the case.

In some cases, funding for these positions will come from UAW Local 2322.  In those cases, applicants must legally qualify for an internship with a non-university organization (UAW Local 2322).

Strong preference will be given to GEO members that have been active on campaigns and committees. All current graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed to the general principles of social justice and collective action.

In order to apply, please submit:

A resume.
A cover letter stating the reasons you are interested in the position and your qualifications.
A completed GEO Staff Application Form (see second page of this document).
Be prepared to bring proof of your student status to your interview (e.g. a letter from your GPD confirming your status).

Applications should be emailed to hiring@geouaw.org by Monday, January 25th, by 4pm.

GEO STAFF POSITION APPLICATION FORM

Name:

Home/Cell Phone Number:

Alternate Phone Number:

Email Address:

1. What kind of union activism, organizing, community or volunteer experience do you have? In what capacities have you been active with GEO?
2. Why are you interested in being hired for this position?
3. What skills do you possess that would be beneficial for this position?
4. Do you plan on having another assistantship or paid position that will require a significant commitment of your time? If so, please provide details of this position.
5. [OPTIONAL] Do you identify as a member of a protected class, which includes race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age and ancestry?

ATTENTION GEO MEMBERS:NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR SECRETARY/TREASURER!

The Secretary/Treasurer’s responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Chairing GEO Finance Committee, serving on Local Finance committee; administering GEO operating budget; planning annual budget; overseeing the functioning of the GEO office; maintaining records of organization; ensuring that minutes are taken at all GEO meetings; submitting requisitions to the Local and International as needed; facilitating GEO sponsorship of events and organizations. Shall chair meetings in the absence of the President or the Vice-President; shall assume duties of the President or the Vice President if the President and the Vice President are unavailable.

Full members in good standing may nominate themselves or any other full member in good standing for any office.  (Per Article 3- Membership of GEO bylaws: A graduate employee of the University of Massachusetts who is included in the bargaining unit is eligible for full membership during the term of employment. A full member in good standing who ceases to be included in the bargaining unit may remain a full member through the next semester plus one day, provided they retain their graduate student status. Summer session is not defined as a semester.)A candidate for Secretary/Treasurer must be a full member in good standing, which includes current status as graduate student, as defined as in the GEO By-laws Article 3.

For the academic year in which they serve, the three officers will each receive one full time equivalent (FTE) stipend so long as such stipends are provided by the University.

Nominations should be submitted in writing in person to the GEO office, Student Union 201, or via email to kmbaldwi@english.umass.edu no later than 5pm Friday, January 22, 2010.*GEO-UAW 2322 is an equal-opportunity employer. Eligible members from underrepresented groups are encouraged to seek election for the Secretary/Treasurer position.

GEO Grievance Coordinator

When the University violates the contract, the procedure for seeking redress is the grievance process; the GEO Grievance Coordinator is responsible for managing this process.

The core responsibilities for this position are investigating potential contract violations, speaking to GEO members who feel their rights have been violated, filing grievances, attending grievance hearings, and monitoring the resolution of grievances.

Successful applicants will need to have a detailed familiarity with the GEO contract, be comfortable with administrative and legal procedures, and have a commitment to upholding the contract. Attention to detail, strong research and interpersonal skills, assertiveness and diplomacy in relations with University administrators, and persistence and ability to follow-through are essential for this job. Experience working with union contracts and knowledge of state labor laws is preferable, but not required.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

Chairing GEO’s Grievance Committee and recruiting members to this committee.

Educating members about the grievance procedure.

Organizing around grievances working with stewards while building a network.

Assisting with the process of organizing around successful grievances.

Contributing content to the GEO website, the weekly mass e-mail, and other media as appropriate.

Helping with office tasks as necessary.

All employees are expected to devote a portion of their paid working hours to office management tasks (i.e. holding office hours, answering phones, taking messages, in-taking grievances, greeting members who come into the office, etc.) and to attend meetings as required, including regular staff meetings. Some night and weekend hours may be required. All GEO employees should also demonstrate willingness to work towards the union’s collective goals and a commitment to being part of an organization that is fighting for progressive change on the UMass campus and beyond.

This position is for 20 hours per week for the 2010 Spring semester. The salary is the same as the average campus-wide stipend. GEO/UAW Local 2322 will provide training. People of color and women are encouraged to apply. We will pay for university health benefits, if necessary. In the past, all GEO staff employees who have needed tuition waivers have received them, but we cannot guarantee that this will continue to be the case.

Strong preference will be given to GEO members that have been active on campaigns and committees. All current graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed to the general principles of social justice and collective action.

In order to apply, please submit:

A resume.
A cover letter stating the reasons you are interested in the position and your qualifications.
A completed GEO Staff Application Form (See Below).
Be prepared to bring proof of your student status to your interview (e.g. a letter from your GPD confirming your status).

Applications should be emailed to hiring@geouaw.org by Monday, January 11^th, 4pm.

GEO STAFF POSITION APPLICATION FORM

Name:        Home/Cell Phone Number:

Email Address:      Alternate Phone Number:

1. What kind of union activism, organizing, community or volunteer experience do you have? In what capacities have you been active with GEO?
2. Why are you interested in being hired for this position?
3. What skills do you possess that would be beneficial for this position?
4. Do you plan on having another assistantship or paid position that will require a significant commitment of your time? If so, please provide details of this position.
5. [OPTIONAL] Do you identify as a member of a protected class, which includes race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age and ancestry?

Family Issues Advocate

One of GEO’s central missions is providing support for student parents and other graduate students with family-related needs. The Family Issues Organizer is responsible for advocating on behalf of families to insure the University does not overlook the needs of student-parents.  The Family Issues Organizer also organizes and coordinates activities with these students. Applicants will have strong interpersonal communication skills, an interest in family issues and union organizing, and be willing to work in a team-oriented atmosphere. Experience working in the area of family issues is preferable, but not necessary.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Maintaining a network list of students interested in family issues and updating these members through emails and mailings and planning and coordinating activities and programs for student-parents and families. Family Issues Advocate will work with the Stewards (including Stewards Chair) and the ALANAA Caucus to coordinate this network.

Coordinating with GSS with regard to family issues; this includes serving on the GSS committee that distributes childcare voucher funding for full-time and off-campus care.

Monitoring the performance of University Child Care, specifically around the administration of the Affordable Flexible Child Care Program (Flexcare).

Assisting graduate students with off-campus housing and childcare needs and representing the interests of graduate students living in family housing. The Family Issues Advocate will be responsible for acting as a liaison between GEO and the Umass Tenants Association.

Acting as a liaison between graduate students and community members concerned with family issues and networking with other on- and off-campus agencies, such as the Amherst Housing Authority, Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center, and the Amherst Family Center.

Coordinating research and developing long-range plans for improved childcare and family housing in preparation for the next round of contract negotiations.

Chairing and convening the joint Family Issues Committee with the Administration.

Chairing and convening the GEO Family Issues Committee and recruiting members to serve on this committee.

Regularly attending Organizing Committee meetings and facilitating the integration of family issues with other GEO campaigns.

Contributing material to the website, the weekly GEO mass e-mail, and other media as appropriate.

Every organizing position also comes with the requirement that the organizer be willing to help out in campaigns and organizing projects that are not narrowly related to their specialty, particularly at times when tasks within their organizing specialty are not at peak periods of intensity. Organizers are thus responsible for all aspects of assistance in the union’s organizing campaigns, including campaign start-up, committee building, assessments, developing literature and running meetings and workplace actions.

All employees are expected to devote a portion of their paid working hours to office management tasks (i.e., holding office hours, answering phones, taking messages, in-taking grievances, greeting members, etc.) and to attend meetings as required, including regular staff meetings. Some night and weekend hours may be required. All GEO employees should also demonstrate a willingness to work towards the union’s collective goals and a commitment to being a part of an organization that is fighting for progressive change on the UMass campus and beyond.

This position is for 20 hours a week for the 2010 Spring semester. The salary is the same as the average campus-wide stipend. GEO/UAW Local 2322 will provide training. People of color and women are encouraged to apply. We will pay for university health benefits, if necessary. In the past, all GEO staff employees who have needed tuition waivers have received them, but we cannot guarantee that this will continue to be the case.

Strong preference will be given to GEO members that have been active on campaigns and committees. All current graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed to the general principles of social justice and collective action.

In order to apply, please submit:

• A resume.
• A cover letter stating the reasons you are interested in the position and your qualifications.
• A completed GEO Staff Application form (see below).
• Be prepared to bring proof of your student status to your interview (e.g. a letter from your GPD confirming your status).

Applications should be emailed to hiring@geouaw.org by Monday, January 11^th, 4pm.

GEO STAFF POSITION APPLICATION FORM

Name:        Home/Cell Phone Number:

Email Address:      Alternate Phone Number:

1. What kind of union activism, organizing, community or volunteer experience do you have? In what capacities have you been active with GEO?
2. Why are you interested in being hired for this position?
3. What skills do you possess that would be beneficial for this position?
4. Do you plan on having another assistantship or paid position that will require a significant commitment of your time? If so, please provide details of this position.
5. [OPTIONAL] Do you identify as a member of a protected class, which includes race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ability, age and ancestry?

ATTENTION GEO MEMBERS:

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

The President’s responsibilities will include but are not limited too: organizing and overseeing the election of Stewards in departments and/or work sites; Chairing Steering Committee meetings and General Membership meetings and ensuring agendas are set for both; supervising membership drives; primary GEO representative to the Joint Council of Local 2322 and must attend Joint Council meetings; except where otherwise noted, the President shall be considered to be the official representative of GEO to the Administration and in all external relations; signs agreements between GEO and the University (with approval of the General Membership and/or Assembly of Stewards); shall serve as Liaison for the Steering Committee to the Staff and its Staff Coordinator; responsible for ensuring GEO representation at Labor Council/Leadership Coalition meetings; speaks on behalf of GEO to media, the University, etc.; acts as primary Liaison between GEO and other Unions.

The Vice President’s responsibilities include but are not limited to: attending Assembly of Stewards meetings; chairing Steering Committee meetings in the absence of the President; managing the production of media and publicity; overseeing publication of GEO newsletter and web page; organizing Standing Committees; assuming duties if the President is unavailable.

Full members in good standing may nominate themselves or any other full member in good standing for any office. (Per Article 3‐ Membership of GEO bylaws: A graduate employee of the University of Massachusetts who is included in the bargaining unit is eligible for full membership during the term of employment. A full member in good standing who ceases to be included in the bargaining unit may remain a full member through the next semester plus one day, provided they retain their graduate student status. Summer session is not defined as a semester.)

A candidate for President or Vice President must be a full member in good standing, which includes current status as graduate student, as defined as in the GEO By‐laws Article 3. For the academic year in which they serve, the three officers will each receive one full time equivalent (FTE) stipend so long as such stipends are provided by the University.

Nominations should be submitted in writing in person to the GEO office, 201 Student Union or via email to kmbaldwi@english.umass.edu no later than the end of first day of the spring semester, January 19, 2010.