GMM(s) TODAY and Spring 2019 Voting
Dear members,
Over the next few days, we will be voting on proposals which will impact the future of our union. The decisions we need to make, at this crucial crossroads, belong, as they always do, with our membership. We are a member led union, and that means we need every one of you to make your voice heard in this week’s elections. We will be voting on amendments to our constitution, we will be voting on a financial proposal regarding PGA and RA member-dues, and we will be voting on our elected representatives for the next academic year. This has been a difficult year, and as those of you who helped us craft our contract cycle plan at this year’s GMMs know, we have some hard fights ahead of us, but as a union, we can win those fights, together.
On behalf of this year’s Coordinating Committee, it has been an honor to represent you.
In Solidarity,
Hilary Gross and Bruce Kovanen
Table of Contents:
ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
GMM(s) TODAY April 25th
Voting: Days, Times, & Polling Places
GEO Election Information
Constitutional Amendments
RA/PGA Dues Change Proposal
Officer Candidates
May Day Events
Annual GEO Staff Evaluations
Volunteer Hours + Coffee with Co-Presidents
JOIN A GEO COMMITTEE!
CONNECT WITH GEO!
ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Today’s General Membership Meetings (April 25th) at 12:00 pm and 6:30 pm
Join us for our final General Membership Meeting of the Spring 2019 semester on April 25th! This GMM we will be voting on amendments to our Constitution, an RA/PGA dues change proposal, and electing your representative officers for next year! Please come to this meeting to make your voice heard regarding the future of our union, and please also help us get out the vote by sharing our GMM and Voting Events! The facebook event can be found here!
We will be having two GMMs during the day:
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Serving: Bagels and Coffee
Childcare: provided
Doors open: 11:45 AM
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Serving: Little Caesars Pizza
Childcare: provided
Doors open: 6:15 PM.
Both GMMs will be at the Channing Murray Foundation (1209 W Oregon St, Urbana).
Voting Days, Times and Polling Places
If you cannot make it to the GMMs, you can (and should) still vote! We will have polling locations available on Friday April 26th & Monday April 29th at both the GEO Office in the McKinley Foundation (809 S 5th St, Champaign) & in the front lobby in Loomis (1110 W Green St, Urbana) from 9 am until 5 pm.
GEO Election Information
You will be able to vote at both GMMs, and during the two business days directly following, Friday April 26th and Monday April 29th. For more information on each election item, please head to our website. You will be able to view in detail the proposed Constitutional Amendments, information regarding the proposed RA/PGA Dues Change from $3 to $8, as well as a list of the Officer Election Candidates & their Statements. Please follow the link to our website here. You can still be nominated from the floor of either GMM as a write-in candidate, and we will make sure your statement is available at the polling stations for voting. There will be two ballots for this election: one for Constitutional Amendments and the RA/PGA Dues Change Proposal, and one for Officer Elections. Please make sure you vote for both!
May Day Events
Come celebrate May Day with your union! We will be hosting a rally at Anniversary Plaza, outside the Union, from 12:30pm-1:30pm on Wednesday, May 1. Come out and hear local organizations and unions talk about "May Day and Recent Struggles within the Labor Movement." In the evening, at 7:30 pm, we will have a GEO Happy Hour at the Bling Pig Brewery (“the Piglet”), 120 N Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820 -- all are welcome, however, the GEO does not have a budget for this event, and therefore is unable to pay for drinks for May Day, so keep that in mind!
Annual GEO Staff Evaluations
GEO needs your input! Your feedback helps elected GEO Officers (members like you!) make informed decisions about personnel matters, and also helps GEO staff understand the needs and interests of our membership. Please help us by sharing your opinions and feedback in this form!
Volunteer Hours + Coffee with Co-Presidents
Want to help your union but not sure how? We have plenty of things around the office that we could use your help with! Come in any Monday between 11am and 1pm. This is a great low-stakes way to lend a hand. See our Facebook event for Volunteer Hours here.
As a member-run, member-centric union, GEO leadership want to be as available to you as possible. Co-presidents Bruce and Hilary will be in the office every Monday at 1pm; come by and grab a cup of coffee or tea, ask questions, or just have a chat! See the Facebook event for Coffee with Co-Presidents here.
JOIN A GEO COMMITTEE!
We are a member-run union; we depend on the commitment of our members to stay as strong as possible. You can find details about what each committee does and how to contact them on our website. No special knowledge is required. You can also 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.
Upcoming meetings:
Grievance Committee (grievance@uigeo.org) - Wednesday May 1st, at 4:00-5:00 pm
Solidarity Committee (solcomm@uigeo.org) - See details for May Day events above!!
Coordinating Committee (cc@uigeo.org) - Friday May 3rd at 4pm
Communications Committee (commcomm@uigeo.org) - See website for next meeting
Stewards’ Council (sc@uigeo.org) - Tuesday May 7th at 5:30 pm.
Finance Committee (treasurer@uigeo.org) - See website 1-2 weeks after GMM
Constitutional Committee (cc@uigeo.org) - Contact email for more
Healthcare Working Group (health@uigeo.org) - Contact email for more
CONNECT WITH GEO!
Have comments about the GMM? Other kinds of feedback for us? We want to hear it! Reply to this email or use our anonymous google form. You can also get in touch through our website and social media:
Website: www.uiucgeo.org
Twitter: @geo_uiuc
Facebook: @uigeo @geosolcomm
Instagram: @geo_uiuc
In Solidarity,
Graduate Employees’ Organization
809 S. 5th St., Geneva Room
Champaign, IL 61820
Email: geo@uigeo.org