Dear GEO Members,

Nominations have closed for GEO elections for 2016-2017. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to nominate themselves or thoughtfully nominated someone else. Voting will begin by secret ballot on April 12. Candidate statements will be available at the polling station and are available now on the GEO website. Please see the official election notice below:

There will be an election for GEO-UAW 2322 Officers: (2) Co-Chairs, (1)Membership Mobilization Coordinator and (2) Steering Members At-Large. There will also be a referendum on the resolution entitled “Standing in Solidarity with Palestinian Civil Society and Joining the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement” that has been presented by the Palestine Solidarity Caucus and placed on the agenda by the Steering Committee. The full text of the resolution is available on the GEO website and will be available at the polling station.

VOTING

Nominations for these positions have closed. Voting will occur at the April 14th Membership Meeting by secret ballot in Student Union Commonwealth Room (Earth Foods Café). The meeting is scheduled from 6pm-8pm, so voting will occur during the first hour of the meeting, from 6pm-7pm at Earth Foods Café.

In accordance with the bylaws, to accommodate those who cannot attend the membership meeting, additional voting by secret ballot will take place in the Campus Center Concourse and Earth Foods Café on the following days and times:

Campus Center Concourse:
Tuesday, April 12            11pm-1pm
Wednesday, April 13       1pm-3pm.

Earth Foods Café:
Thursday, April 14          4pm-6pm

 

TERM AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICERS & STEERING MEMBERS AT-LARGE

In accordance with the GEO Bylaws, all officers are elected for one year terms. They will take office on June 1 of the year in which they were elected. For the academic year in which they serve, the three officers (2 Co-Chairs and 1 Mobilization Coordinator) will each receive one full time equivalent (FTE) stipend (20 hours/week) so long as such stipends are provided by the University. The two (2) GEO Co-Chairs will be paid for 52 weeks, from May 29, 2016 through May 27, 2017. The one (1) Mobilization Coordinator will be paid for 38 weeks, from September 4, 2016 through May 27, 2017.

Two (2) GEO Co-Chairs:
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 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; primary GEO representatives to the Joint Council of Local 2322 and must attend Joint Council meetings; except where otherwise noted, the co-chairs shall be considered to be the official representatives of GEO to the Administration and in all external relations; sign agreements between GEO and the University (with approval of the General Membership and/or Assembly of Stewards); shall serve as liaisons for the Steering Committee to the Staff; responsible for ensuring GEO representation at Central Labor Council meetings; speak on behalf of GEO to media, the University, etc.; act as primary liaisons between GEO and other Unions; manage the production of media and publicity; oversee publication of GEO newsletter and web page; organizing Standing Committees; and assist the union in achieving its overall mission in the workplace.

One (1) Membership Mobilization Coordinator:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to: supervising membership drives; assisting in boosting attendance; attending Steering and Assembly of Stewards meetings; introducing all new members and visitors; assisting the GEO Co-Chairs in preserving order when called upon to do so; ensuring that minutes are taken at all GEO meetings; maintaining records of organization; submitting requisitions to the Local and International as needed; planning and administering GEO operating budget and chairing the GEO Finance Committee; facilitating GEO sponsorship of events and organizations; taking charge of all property of GEO not otherwise provided for; to monitor and give guidance on procedural questions and rules; ensuring that those attending GEO meetings are either members or invited visitors; assuming duties if the Co-Chairs they are unavailable; and assisting the union in achieving its overall mission in the workplace.

Two (2) Steering Member At-Large:
Steering Committee shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the unit including, but not limited to: the direction of the day-to-day operations of the organization; the oversight of the staff; preparation and submission of all proposals, budgets, budget requisitions and budget modifications to the Assembly of Stewards for approval; coordination and oversight of standing committees; the appropriate maintenance of the health of the organization; management and execution of the budget; all correspondence and relations between the leadership, the Assembly of Stewards and the membership; and all external relations excepting those duties specifically proscribed for other committees (such as the Bargaining Committee).

The Steering Committee shall meet at least two times a month during the academic year. The committee shall meet once a month at other times. Additional meetings can be called as needed by the officers.

The Steering Committee shall be empowered to make decisions on behalf on the membership, except as limited by these bylaws. The Steering Committee shall not make any decisions which contradict those made by the Assembly of Stewards or the membership or contradict the will or intent of the Assembly of Stewards or the membership.

Please contact elections@geouaw.org if you have any questions.

In Solidarity,
GEO Elections Committee