Your Executive Council
Doing the day-to-day work of CGE
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Austin Bosgraaf (he/him)
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Case Pharr (he/they)
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Maddy Duong (she/her)
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em barrett (they/he)
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Danielle Whalen (she/her)
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Luke Nearhood (he/him)
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Brandi Whiteman (she/her)
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Erika Stewart (they/them)
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Vic Quennessen (she/they)
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Brett Clark (he/they)
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Sarah Selke (she/her)
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Rachael Garcia (she/her)
CGE Staff
Staff Work Exclusively For Our Union- They Are Not OSU Employees!!!
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Lauren Nelson (she/her)
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Alexis Kiessling (she/her)
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CGE Staff Union
EC Roles and Duties
CGE Executive Council
The CGE Executive Council (EC) is the elected body that is entrusted to coordinate the strategic goals and mission of our union. The EC also tends to the daily union tasks that need attention. As such, it is necessary that all EC members commit to carrying out these duties for the entire year of office.
Officers are elected annually at the spring General Membership Meeting, and terms run from July 1 – June 31 of the following year. Any member with at least 3 months’ membership in good standing in the union is eligible to hold office.
All EC members are expected to attend and occasionally facilitate regular EC meetings; check in and respond over email/Slack when decisions need to be made that way; and participate in all of 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.
EC members are also tasked with facilitating General Membership Meetings and ensuring all members are able to participate in a genuine way in these meetings.
The EC works directly with CGE’s Staff Organizer and Operations Support Staff 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 2-5 hours a week on CGE related activities.
Here is a link to our Executive Council Handbook.
Specific Officer Roles
President
The President is the face of CGE, helps prepare EC meetings, maintains relationships with external organizations (such as UAOSU, SEIU, AFT-OR, GTFF, GEU, etc), and generally does all the little things that help keep CGE running. This includes following up with all other officers and doing things that other folks can’t get to. This position is best suited for someone who is familiar with CGE, is good at managing many tasks and being organized, and can write and communicate clearly and professionally with diverse audiences. It is usually someone who has previous EC experience. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Oversee the Staff Organizer and Operations Support Staff, including having regular staff meetings, signing employee timesheets, and guiding annual reviews at the end of the employment year
- Maintain staff contracts and agreement
- Be an active participant in staff bargaining
- Review and finalize Executive Council meeting agendas
- Help facilitate quarterly General Membership Meetings (GMM)
- Review and finalize GMM agendas, slides, and logistics
- Facilitate the annual strategic planning event for the EC and Stewards
- Attend Campus Coalition meetings or campus group meetings as necessary with colleagues in UAOSU and SEIU.
- Help plan and promote joint events sponsored by coalition groups
- Coordinate with the VP for Solidarity to attend LBLCLC meetings monthly (in Albany or online)
- Liaison with the ASOSU Graduate Affairs Task Force Director
- Liaise with AFT-OR and other AFT-OR locals when necessary, especially during convention years
- Develop further union connections with other labor unions outside of academia
- Provide regular updates on activities and decisions to the CGE Executive Council
- Attend Faculty Senate meetings as needed
- Attend and participate in AFT-OR Leaders Meetings and Presidents’ Meetings
- Serve as chief delegate to AFT-OR convention and AFT National Convention
Secretary-treasurer
Secretary-Treasurer works with the Operations Support Staff to keep CGE’s books and meeting minutes. They also chair and maintain the Finance committee and oversee the annual audit. This position requires some training up front, and is great for folks who want to exercise their analytical skills and like doing essential tasks behind the scenes. This person acts as the primary interface (liaison) between CGE and the bank or other holders of CGE assets and should be comfortable working with data, spreadsheets, and willingness to learn finance jargon. Ideally, the candidate for this position would be willing to serve in this role for more than one year, but this is not a requirement. They can be contacted at treasurer@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Organize an annual audit committee
- Chair and maintain a Finance Committee
- Oversee the annual audit
- Oversee the creation of an annual budget
- Perform a monthly reconciliation of the chart of accounts
- Take EC meeting minutes when the Operations Support is gone
- Attend bargaining with CGE staff
- Report on the budget to the membership at GMMs
- Present a financial report/budget update to the EC monthly
- Ensure the IRS form 990 is filed
- Ensure the audit is distributed to members, AFT-Oregon, and AFT-National annually
- Distribute a copy of CGE’s bylaws (upon update) to AFT-Oregon and AFT-National
Vice President for Social Activities
VP for Social Activities plans events and works on building community among grad employees both through CGE’s recurring activities such as the Fall BBQ and Spring Brew Off as well as planning new events. This is a great position for someone enthusiastic about planning, organizing, and developing CGE’s social offerings, and who believes in the value of building community among our members through social events. They can be reached at activities@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Arrange food for quarterly GMMs, two annual BBQs and other CGE events
- Promote and develop periodic smaller-scale social events
- Promote attendance of activities at other unions’ events (e.g., SEIU rallies, GTFF events)
- Promote and develop inclusive activities for CGE community members
- Advocate for community-building as a part of CGE’s organizing practices
- Promote and maintain CGE as a social center for graduate employees, and their families, and community members
- Coordinate with Vice Presidents for Communications and the Executive Council to promote CGE events and attendance
- Manage the use of Social Activities and Brew Off funds
- Chair a Social Activities Committee, if applicable.
Vice President for Bargaining
VP for Bargaining organizes our union’s bargaining team. They are responsible for preparing bargaining campaigns when CGE enters contract negotiations with OSU. To do this, they coordinate meetings and communications with bargaining team members, arrange for training of the bargaining team, and serve as the point of contact for all activities related to bargaining. The person fulfilling this role typically has prior experience serving on the CAT or bargaining teams. They can be reached at vp_bargaining@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Recruit bargaining team members
- Facilitate bargaining team meetings
- Organize the bargaining team before and during contract negotiations (note that the VP for Bargaining should strive to attend all bargaining sessions and team meetings, but does not have to take on a negotiator role at the table)
- Arrange for the bargaining team to be trained
- Report to and coordinate with the EC on updates and tasks related to bargaining
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. They can be contacted at vp_communications@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, please expand the section below.
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
- Help design promotional materials
- Keep in touching with bargaining, etc. to keep up with everything
Vice President for Grievances
The VP for Grievances is the main point of contact for any questions about grievance-related issues and helps empower members to collectively organize to address workplace issues. This position is best suited for someone who is ready to learn and understand contract language inside and out and passionate about enforcing it. Some prior experience on the EC, bargaining team, or Steward Council will be beneficial in this role. They can be contacted at vp_grievances@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Know the Collective Bargaining Agreement inside and out
- Update members on relevant grievance, arbitration, and Unfair Labor Practice issues at quarterly GMMs
- Coordinate with the VP for Organizing to
- Grievance-related duties, including:
- Meeting with grievants and potential grievants
- Writing grievances
- Attending meetings with potential grievants, grievance meetings with the Employer, and arbitration hearings
- Work with CGE’s Staff Organizer and AFT-OR Field Rep on contract-related issues
- Reporting relevant grievance-related issues to the EC and soliciting EC input when necessary
- Chair the grievance committee
- Maintain a relationship with the OSU Office of Human Resources outside of grievances, including organizing monthly Labor Management Meetings and attending meetings with the Oregon State University President
Vice President for Membership
This person is responsible for maintaining membership lists and records of participation. They are the primary contact for membership inquiries, and support new hire orientations and quarterly member drives. Additionally they will work with VP for Organizing to fill steward vacancies and encourage caucus and event involvement, and assist the Operations Support Staff with regular maintenance and auditing of membership records. They can be reached at vp_membership@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Maintaining membership lists and records of participation
- Reach out to new members with pertinent information and confirmation of membership enrollment
- Facilitate membership withdrawal for members that wish to revoke membership
- Assisting in steward responsibilities for departments without stewards
- Recruiting stewards and interim steward to fill appointments for departments without stewards.
- Work with VP for Organizing to facilitate and plan Steward Council and Steward Communication Council meetingsHelp facilitate quarterly rep meetings
- Help facilitate quarterly rep meeting agendas
- Help coordinate and participate in the quarterly membership drives
- Assist staff and other EC members in coordinating and participating in beginning of the year orientations
- Assist stewards in reaching out to new hires that enter outside of regular Fall quarter orientations
- Contact membership about issues regarding membership, including shifts in bargaining unit status, graduation, or issues with associate and legacy membership payments
- Help plan quarterly ‘Union 101’ meetings for new members
- Help develop organizing skills and methods for CGE members.
- Organize actions and events around other campaigns
- Boost turnout to GMMs and other CGE functions
Vice President for Organizing
VP for Organizing is responsible for organizing the Steward Council, recruiting new Stewards and members, supporting CGE bargaining and organizing campaigns, and boosting turnout for CGE events. This position is best suited for someone who is relatively familiar with CGE and who likes reaching out to people and working with the CGE members. Former Stewards are well suited to this position. They can be contacted at vp_organizing@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Recruit new members and Stewards
- Facilitate Steward Council meetings (2 per term)
- Meet with Stewards as needed
- Help coordinate and participate in membership drives (1 per term)
- Help coordinate orientations in fall term
- Facilitate quarterly ‘Union 101’ trainings for new members
- Recruit new union leaders and help them develop organizing skills
- Organize actions and events in support of bargaining
- Organize actions and events around other campaigns
- Work with VP Grievances to address workplace issues
- Work with Staff Organizer to address workplace issues and plan, coordinate, and facilitate meetings/events
- Boost turnout to GMMs and other CGE functions
Vice President for Solidarity
VP for Solidarity is responsible for designing and executing campaigns and actions to grow solidarity within our union, and with local and campus organizations, communities, and efforts. Anyone with experience with coalition building, social justice activism, and who is passionate about uplifting marginalized identities can perform this role. Some prior experience with CGE (steward, SCC, EC, Bargaining Team, Caucus Chair) and with outside community and/or labor movement organizing is recommended. They can be reached at vp_solidarity@cge6069.org. For more specific job duties, expand the section below.
Duties:
- Coordinate annual or semi-annual anti-bias trainings with support from staff and executive council members
- Provide support for, promote attendance of, and act as point of contact for union caucuses
- Attend and help organize Campus Coalition meetings between CGE, UAOSU, SEIU, and ASOSU
- Chair the Hardship Fund Committee (recruit hardship fund committee members, schedule hardship fund meetings for the year, develop meeting agendas, and facilitate meetings)
- Work with the Executive Council to develop proposals for use of the Building Anti-Racist Unions (BARU) and Solidarity Funds
- In addition to CGE’s President, act as a point of contact for AFT-Oregon and AFL-CIO organizing efforts and leadership
- Develop and maintain relationships with campus groups (Graduate Student Associations, ASOSU, cultural centers, and student-led clubs and organizations)