The CGE Winter term GMM will be at the Chintimini Senior Center at 2601 NW Tyler Ave (the corner of 26th and Tyler). Here’s a map with directions!

5:30pm-7:30pm

Come hang out with your fellow workers – there will be food and beer and lots of exciting things to talk and vote about!

In partnership with the Graduate School, ASOSU, Team Liberation, and Mediators Beyond Borders, CGE is proud to announce an open forum series designed to solicit graduate student feedback and ideas about graduate education, employment, and life at OSU. Data collected from the forums will be used by CGE, ASOSU, and the Graduate School as we do work on behalf of and in conjunction with OSU grads.

Let your voices be heard! Help shape the Graduate School’s 5-year Strategic Plan!

RSVPs Requested

Thursday, January 19, 7PM in Milam Auditorium. Free refreshments beginning at 6PM!

This FREE event is open to the OSU community and is jointly sponsored by CGE, the Graduate School, and ASOSU, with funds contributed by the Division of Student Affairs.

The PhD Movie is based on the popular comics of Jorge Cham (phdcomics.com), which touch on important issues in graduate education, employment, and life. Come share a laugh with your fellow grads, and stick around for an informal conversation on grad life!

Please RSVP on facebook so we’re sure to have enough food.

You can find more on the movie here.

Two of our officer positions are currently being held by interim officers. We will be formally electing people to fill these two positions at our Winter General Membership Meeting, January 27th. Any member in good standing for at least 3 months is eligible to hold office.

External Relations Chair

This person maintains CGE’s relationships with external organizations such as ASOSU, SEIU, AAUP, AGEL, and AFT-Oregon.

This is a position best suited for someone who is quite familiar with CGE, as they need to be able to represent CGE to external organizations. Prior EC members, bargaining team members, or active reps would be well suited to the position.

Duties:

• Maintain a relationship with campus coalition activities via email
• Attend Campus Coalition meetings or campus group meetings as necessary with our colleagues in AAUP, ASOSU, and SEIU
• Help plan and promote joint events sponsored by coalition groups
• Attend CLC meetings monthly (Albany)
• Participate in the monthly AGEL conference call
• Arrange and attend quarterly meetings with President Ray
• Liaison with the ASOSU Grad Affairs Task Force Director
• Liaison with AFT-OR and other AFT-OR locals when necessary
• Develop further union connections with other labor unions in Corvallis
• Report on all activities to the CGE EC
• Attend Faculty Senate meetings as needed

Vice President for Communications

This person is responsible for communications with CGE members and developing an overall communications strategy that keeps CGE in the forefront of members’ minds.

This is a good entry-level position for someone who is not necessarily as familiar with CGE as other folks but who can write and communicate well. Graphic design and technology skills, along with new ideas and creativity, are all a plus.

Duties:

• Update the CGE website regularly
• Update the CGE Facebook page (including adding new members)
• Use the Twitter account as necessary (i.e., in support of bargaining)
• Photograph, or arrange for photography, at events
• Develop and distribute (to bulletin boards) CGE promotional materials
• Develop other outreach and communication methods (monthly columns, etc)
• Develop and maintain media contacts
• Write and send press releases as needed
• Write and email the monthly digest
• Write and email out the quarterly newsletter
• Design promotional materials
• Develop newsletter team/committee
• Keep in touching with bargaining, etc. to keep up with everything

All EC members are expected to attend and participate in regular EC meetings (weekly during the academic year, less frequently during breaks); check in and respond over email when decisions need to be made that way; and participate in all the regular business that keeps the union running. This includes participating in quarterly membership drives, helping deliver short orientations to all incoming graduate students at the beginning of the academic year, attending AFT-Oregon convention in April, and attending the annual planning retreat in the summer. The EC works directly with CGE’s staff organizer and business manager to ensure that the daily tasks that keep the union going are completed. The time commitment varies over the year and by officer position, but in general, EC members should anticipate spending several hours a week on CGE related activities.

Lauren Atwell, Mindy Crandall, Ashley Bromley, and Rob Hess (L to R) deliver the 2011 Brew-Off proceeds to Mike Gibson (center) of the Linn-Benton Food Share.

Those of you were there know this: the 2nd Annual CGE-GTFF Civil War Brew-Off was an unqualified success.  In fact, we can now quantify exactly how successful it was.  We raised $1450.57 (donated in the form of a giant check; see above) and 350 lbs. of food for the Linn-Benton Food Share.  This was a really nice way to be able to contribute to the Corvallis community at large, so thanks to all who attended.  We’ll see you and all your friends next year.