PAYROLL DEDUCTION: If you would like to have your gym fee membership deducted automatically from your paycheck at $7 a week, you may sign up for that now.  You’ll need to show your academic contract paperwork.

DISCOUNT: Before 9/17, get the Early Bird discount: if you can pay cash/check upfront save $10.00/semester.

This fall they have added personal training programs (extra fees apply for this) and expanded group exercise classes.  They have also opened additional tennis courts just south of the Recreation Center.

(After September 17, memberships prices will be prorated monthly.)

Go to umass.edu/campusrec or stop into the Recreation Center for complete info!

Go to their website for more information, how to apply or to take an eligibility questionaire.

Call Bernie Melby at (413) 577 5000 and encourage your friends to do the same.  For more details on the birth control issue see our web post.

These serve to explain the changes in the SHIP (co-pays, plan year maximums) as well as explain the state of our Health and Wellness Trust and what changes need to be made.

We also will discuss the ways the administration has mislead and underfunded us, and what we can do about it.

Come join us in the North Village Community Room, H2, for pizza at 7:30pm.

Job Duties include but are not limited to:

• Manage membership database (input form and send on to UMass office)
• Various clerical duties (word processing, copying, faxing, filing)
• Answering & redirecting phone calls
• Checking email, mail, voicemail and answering or redirecting as necessary.
• Keeping track of staff schedules
• Assist in preparing mailings (including bi-yearly Hudson report)
• Design & edit printed materials (letters, postcards, pins, t-shirts, flyers, leaflets, and other materials)
• Prepare materials for Assembly & Committee meetings (Prepare agenda, file minutes, send reminders)
• Maintain website
• Order & maintain supplies for the office and equipment (also scheduling equipment maintenance)
• Maintain methods of communication with membership and individualized groups (Stewards, Committees, Assembly…)
• Prepare orientation packets for new members
• Maintain membership card & discount program for members (in coordination with 2322 office manager)
• Work in close communications with 2322 office to share information & monitor situations
• Compare UMass dues report with database to verify payments
• Physically organize files, supplies and various work materials
• Maintain grievance & invoice databases (in development)
• Taking minutes at staff meetings
• Check mail & messages for out of office staff and forward appropriately
• Maintaining communications with Local office, including attending staff meetings, forwarding weekly vouchers, etc.
• Help maintain GEO budget
• Additional duties as required

Qualifications

• Pleasant phone manner
• Ability to take accurate messages/notes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of database management
• Knowledge of MicroSoft office programs
• Strong organizational skills
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about unions & UAW
• Ability to effectively assist people in crisis
• Ability to multitask in a stressful environment
• Ability to respect member confidentiality

Pay and Benefits

• Pay and benefits will be based on current contract language.
• This is a salary position and covered by a union security agreement.

Interested parties should send resumes to:
Scott LaRochelle

Deadline for receipt is August 14th, 2010

The University informed us yesterday that a provision within the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that went into effect in 2007 prohibited University Health Services from offering birth control at a rate different from the generic prescription copay, which has been $10.00 for the last several years.  After looking into the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, it is clear that the language in that law defining those organizations which can offer “outpatient drugs at nominal prices” has been updated by the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 to include “an entity based at an institution of higher learning whose primary purpose is to provide health care services to students of that institution”.  The changes set forth in the 2009 law went into effect retroactively, to January 1, 2007.

All of this means that University Health Services is legally able to keep its obligation to maintain the $10 birth control copay, an obligation we will remind them of as they attempt to use the outdated 2005 law to increase our members’ birth control copay.

If you are enrolled in fewer than five credits, are on program fee, need the family plan or are enrolled in classes through Continuing Education, you need to contact UHS Patient Services to enroll.  Tell them if you are GEO-eligible.

Once you have enrolled in classes you will be billed for the insurance, but sign up early to avoid a lapse in coverage.  Also notify UHS if you have signed a GEO contract but your deduction is not taken out of your bill.

UHS Patient Services: (413) 577-5192

We’ll have information on the changes and will be soliciting feedback, giving surveys and discussing the impacts of these policies on different populations of graduate students. We’ll also be discussing how to organize GEO around these issues and our next steps as a union.

Join us:
Tuesday, July 27 at 4:30 pm in the Campus Center room 803.  We’ll have coffee and snacks.

Tuesday, August 3 at 7 pm in the North Village Community Room

Harp owner and former GEO co-president, Harpo, generously donated his venue and labor for the parties.  The games brought together graduate employees from many different departments for the opportunity to watch soccer, win in a t-shirt raffle and get to know other grad students in town for the summer.

Thanks to Harpo again for his good food, great bar and support of GEO!

Check back regularly for other upcoming social events and meetings from the union this summer.