Tutor-In on Reading Day, Dec 13!
Table of Contents:
ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Reading Day Tutor In on December 13th!
AFT Visas Lawsuit Call to Action
GEO COMMITTEES NEED YOUR HELP!
Constitutional Committee
Healthcare Working Group
Stewards’ Council
Solidarity Committee
Finance Committee
Grievance Committee
Communications Committee
CONNECT WITH GEO!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Reading Day Tutor In on December 13th!
As you may remember, we ended the Fall 2017 semester with an exciting event aimed at our undergraduate students, and we’re excited to be doing it again this year. On Reading Day (12/13), we’ll be offering twelve hours of free tutoring for students preparing for their exams and final papers. This is an excellent opportunity for us to make our graduate labor visible and show our students how committed we are to their education. We’ll be in the lobby of the Illini Union from noon until midnight, providing tutoring for a number of large lecture courses and open office hours for others. Coffee and snacks will be provided for the duration of the event, with lunch at 1 pm and dinner at 7 pm. Come work in solidarity with your graduate peers and strengthen the UIUC community! Please keep checking our facebook event for up to date information.
Please sign up early and make sure to tell your students! Here is a template email to advertise this event to your students. Even if you’re not teaching this term, or hold a research appointment this semester, we would love to have you there. Here’s the sign up form!
AFT Visas Lawsuit Call to Action
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT, also our parent union) is participating in an important lawsuit challenging new rules from the Trump administration that threaten to create major problems for international/immigrant students, including our grad members. AFT is looking for members that are on F or J visas that can give them a short statement on how these changes will affect them. The statements can be anonymous! You can read more about the lawsuit here. Please contact us at geo@uigeo.org immediately if you are interested in writing a statement and have an F or J visa.
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GEO COMMITTEES NEED YOUR HELP!
We are a member-run union; we depend on the commitment of our members to stay as strong as possible. Below you’ll find details about what each committee does and how to contact them. No special knowledge is required. You can follow the calendar of events on our website for the date and time of upcoming meetings: http://uiucgeo.org/events/. Meetings are open to membership, and coming to a meeting does not commit you to joining a committee.
NEW! Constitutional Committee
Interested in structure and community values? Like clarifying procedures and logistics? Just want to know more about GEO? Join the newly formed Constitutional Committee to work on updating our Constitution and By-Laws! The Constitutional Committee needs members who are interested in developing a proposal to present to our general membership in the fall for review and ratification. Contact cc@uigeo.org if you’re interested in getting involved.
Questions About Healthcare? Email the Healthcare Working Group!
We know you have questions about what healthcare options are offered by our current contract, and we remain committed to guaranteed accessible and affordable healthcare for all graduate students. Our Healthcare Working Group is a member-led caucus that works towards informing members and organizing around our healthcare. If you have any questions about your healthcare or are interested in working towards improving it, you can contact the Healthcare Working Group at health@uigeo.org!
Stewards’ Council
The Stewards’ Council (SC) is the primary organizing and planning body of GEO. This is where representatives from across campus come together to discuss the needs of our membership. Right now, stewards are doing office visits to sign up new members and organizing events such as department meetings and the upcoming Reading Day Tutor-in. If you are interested in becoming a Steward, email sc@uigeo.org or just come to the next meeting at 5:30 pm on November 27th in the GEO Office!
Solidarity Committee
The Solidarity Committee (SolComm) builds connections between the GEO and other movements and local social justice projects through financial endorsements, statements of support, collaborations, and more. SolComm supports several local organizations and movements that work towards economic, racial, gender, disability, prison, and environmental justice. In addition to graduate employees, we welcome undergraduate students and C-U community members to participate. If you are interested in joining the Solidarity Committee, please email solcomm@uigeo.org or attend our next meeting on December 10th in the GEO Office.
Finance Committee
The newly formed Finance Committee is tasked with accounting, reporting to members on how dues are spent, fundraising, and connecting members to emergency financial support. Email treasurer@uigeo.org if you would like to pitch in!
Grievance Committee
Whether it's late wages, a missing tuition waiver, or retaliation in the workplace, the Grievance Committee helps GEO members take on the UIUC administration. The months after a new contract is signed are the busiest time for the Grievance Committee. They are working hard defending members who are already experiencing violations of the new contract. As one of our smallest committees, they could use your help doing this essential work! If you are interested in joining the Grievance Committee, email grievance@uigeo.org or attend our next meeting on Thursday, November 22nd at 4:00 PM in the GEO Office.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee produces GEO-Ls and flyers, manages GEO’s social media, responds to interview requests, designs and orders swag, and more. They need people with a variety of skills, and they’d love to have you. The next Communications Committee meeting is on Monday the 26th of November at 4pm in the GEO Office, but make sure to check the calendar for up to date information. If you are interested in joining the Communications Committee, email commcomm@uigeo.org or just come to a meeting!
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CONNECT WITH GEO!
Have feedback for us? Comments about the GMM? Reply to this email or use our anonymous google form.
Website: www.uiucgeo.org
Twitter: @geo_uiuc
Facebook: @uigeo @geosolcomm
Instagram: @geo_uiuc
Sign up for text updates! Text updates are the fastest, best way to get crucial GEO information. Text the word “GEO” to 69238 to receive periodic updates and other urgent information. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to 69238 to stop receiving messages. Text HELP to 69238 for more information. Terms & Conditions.
In Solidarity,
Graduate Employees’ Organization
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, IL 61820
Email: geo@uigeo.org