We held two General Membership Meetings on the evenings of Wednesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 22. One of the challenges we face as an adjunct union is that so many of us have multiple jobs, long commutes and hectic schedules. Given all these challenges, we were pleased with how many adjuncts were able to make it to a meeting.
Dan Carraher chaired the meetings that began with introductions and adjuncts sharing some of the challenges they are experiencing. Many are excited about the new contract and all that’s been accomplished, but some have questions about its implementation. We reviewed the contract highlights, and then presented a short slide show of FAQs.
If you were not able to attend the meetings, please take a look at the slide show which includes a sneak preview of the coming Hiring Pools. Hiring pools are an exciting new feature of the class assignment process that will allow adjuncts to express interest and preferences for courses they are qualified to teach. The contract is complex with lots of moving parts and although we had hoped that this tool would be ready to be implemented by the beginning of Fall Semester, it is now scheduled to go live later this semester.
Sister Aaron gave an update on the writing of the By-Laws that have been drafted and are now in revision. By-Laws deal with Governance, Elections and Meetings, and must be approved by our membership as well as the Executive Board of SEIU 1021. Election of Officers and Stewards will follow shortly thereafter.
Sister Aaron also spoke about Shared Governance at Dominican and asked us to consider the difference between a top-down, or vertical mode of governance versus a horizontal model like our union. There are great implications to working in a more collaborative, horizontal fashion and she asked us to ponder such questions as:
Jessica Lawless, our SEIU Organizer spoke about the importance of membership in SEIU and asked attendees to consider what role they might play to help build a strong union at Dominican. The camaraderie and collegiality of meeting and working together cannot be overstated. We have accomplished so much and with as many hands on deck as possible, it looks like great sailing!
Dan Carraher chaired the meetings that began with introductions and adjuncts sharing some of the challenges they are experiencing. Many are excited about the new contract and all that’s been accomplished, but some have questions about its implementation. We reviewed the contract highlights, and then presented a short slide show of FAQs.
If you were not able to attend the meetings, please take a look at the slide show which includes a sneak preview of the coming Hiring Pools. Hiring pools are an exciting new feature of the class assignment process that will allow adjuncts to express interest and preferences for courses they are qualified to teach. The contract is complex with lots of moving parts and although we had hoped that this tool would be ready to be implemented by the beginning of Fall Semester, it is now scheduled to go live later this semester.
Sister Aaron gave an update on the writing of the By-Laws that have been drafted and are now in revision. By-Laws deal with Governance, Elections and Meetings, and must be approved by our membership as well as the Executive Board of SEIU 1021. Election of Officers and Stewards will follow shortly thereafter.
Sister Aaron also spoke about Shared Governance at Dominican and asked us to consider the difference between a top-down, or vertical mode of governance versus a horizontal model like our union. There are great implications to working in a more collaborative, horizontal fashion and she asked us to ponder such questions as:
- How would Adjuncts participating in shared governance at Dominican benefit the Adjuncts, students, and University?
- What “models” of shared governance have you experienced and/or observed at Dominican?
- How does our Union participate in shared governance? How does the “horizontal” intersect with the “vertical”?
- What are some of your own realities that make it difficult for you to participate in shared governance at Dominican?
- Are there one or two specific ways that you can see yourself as participating in shared governance this academic year—in Faculty Forum, in Schools, Departments, and Programs, and/or in our Union?
Jessica Lawless, our SEIU Organizer spoke about the importance of membership in SEIU and asked attendees to consider what role they might play to help build a strong union at Dominican. The camaraderie and collegiality of meeting and working together cannot be overstated. We have accomplished so much and with as many hands on deck as possible, it looks like great sailing!