Fellow workers,

Nominations are now open for GEO leadership positions for 2023-2024! Please see below for the nomination call for these positions, including information about the position and the nomination/election process for that position. Any full member in good standing may nominate themselves or another member in good standing for any of these positions. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

This election will take place in a hybrid format to allow all members to have as much opportunity as possible to vote. Voting will conclude at the May General Membership Meeting—May 1, 2023, from 3-5pm. Results will be announced in that meeting. Times, dates, and modality for alternative voting will be announced closer to the actual election.

Nominations are now open for:

• 2 GEO Co-chairs (52-week, 20-hour contract)

• 2 Membership Organizers (52-week, 20-hour contract)

• 1 Mobilization Coordinator (52-week, 20-hour contract)

• 1 Bargaining Organizing and Mobilizing Coordinator (10-hour contract, through the end of the last semester in which negotiations take place)

• 2 At-Large Members of Steering Committee (volunteer positions)

DETAILS REGARDING POSITIONS (from the GEO bylaws)

GEO Co-chairs (2)

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: organizing and overseeing the election of Stewards in departments and/or work sites; chairing Steering Committee meetings and general membership meetings and ensuring agendas are set for both; and acting as primary GEO representatives to the Joint Council of Local 2322 and therefore attending Joint Council meetings. Except where otherwise noted, the co-chairs shall be considered to be the official representatives of GEO to the Administration and in all external relations; sign agreements between GEO and the University (with approval of the General Membership and/or Assembly of Stewards); serve as liaisons for the Steering Committee to the Staff; ensure GEO representation at Central Labor Council meetings; speak on behalf of GEO to media, the University, etc., and manage the production of media and publicity; act as primary liaisons between GEO and other Unions; oversee publication of GEO newsletter and web page; organizing Standing Committees; and assist the union in achieving its overall mission in the workplace.

Membership Organizers (2)

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: assisting with membership drives and engaging in consistent field work; coordinating events and workshops that develop membership participation; recruiting, organizing and overseeing the election of Stewards in departments and/or work sites; fostering stewardship through one-on-one meetings; attending General Membership and Assembly of Stewards meetings; [develop awareness of the various issues affecting graduate workers – especially those affecting students of color, international students, and student with families – and build organizing infrastructure for these issues; fostering and engaging in organizing projects around permissive subjects of bargaining, e.g. housing, immigration, accessibility, anti-sexism and anti-racism, and liaise with already-existing organizations involved in these spheres; expanding our capacity to meet the needs and interests of underrepresented groups are being met by the union, e.g. making accessible GEO events, spaces and information;] ensuring that those attending GEO Membership Meetings and Steward’s Assembly are members; organizing orientation schedule; maintaining accurate membership lists; coordinate department orientations; assuming duties of the Mobilization Coordinator if they are unavailable; and assisting the union in achieving its overall mission in the workplace.

(Note: the bracketed text was voted up by the membership at our Nov. 8, 2022 General Membership Meeting, but has not yet been incorporated into the bylaws.)

Mobilization Coordinator (1)

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: supervising membership drives; assisting in boosting attendance; attending Steering and Assembly of Stewards meetings; introducing all new members and visitors; assisting the GEO Co-Chairs in preserving order when called upon to do so; ensuring that minutes are taken at all GEO meetings; maintaining records of organization; submitting requisitions to the Local and International as needed; planning and administering GEO operating budget and chairing the GEO Finance Committee; facilitating GEO sponsorship of events and organizations; taking charge of all property of GEO not otherwise provided for; monitoring and giving guidance on procedural questions and rules; ensuring that those attending GEO meetings are either members or invited visitors; assuming duties of the Co-Chairs if they are unavailable; and assisting the union in achieving its overall mission in the workplace.

Bargaining Mobilizing and Organizing Coordinator (1)

The bargaining committee will consist of the four elected bargaining members, alternate members, and the GEO staff. The bargaining committee members will elect its chief and co-chief negotiators. All members of the bargaining committee are to serve throughout the duration of a contract negotiation and will not need to be re-elected in the event that contract negotiations are extended beyond a year. Membership will have ultimate oversight over the bargaining committee and the committee answers to and is in service to the membership. The bargaining committee’s responsibility is to assess the needs of the membership prior to negotiations and make them transparent regularly via the GEO website. (from the GEO Bylaws).

Bargaining Organizing & Mobilization Coordinators will focus on organizing members around their issues/concerns. These elected members are responsible for involving more members in the bargaining process and recruiting members to speak at the bargaining table (to administration) and for actions around contract negotiations. Paid GEO Bargaining team members are expected to make Bargaining-related trainings and meetings that have been scheduled (around team members’ availability). These elected members will also serve as the liaison between the campaigning/organizing group and will be in regular communication with stewards, the existing listserv of members who have signed up to be active on this committee, and the bargaining committee.

(Note: the bargaining committee assistantships are for 10 hours per week.)

Steering Committee At-Large Member (2)

The Steering Committee shall be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the unit including, but not limited to: the direction of the day-to-day operations of the organization; the oversight of the staff; preparation and submission of all proposals, budgets, budget requisitions and budget modifications to the Assembly of Stewards for approval; coordination and oversight of standing committees; the appropriate maintenance of the health of the organization; management and execution of the budget; all correspondence and relations between the leadership, the Assembly of Stewards and the membership; and all external relations excepting those duties specifically prescribed for other committees (such as the Bargaining Committee).

The Steering Committee shall meet at least two times a month during the academic year. The committee shall meet once a month at other times. Additional meetings can be called as needed by the officers.

NOMINATIONS PROCESS

To nominate yourself or someone else, write to GEO’s Steering Committee at steering and GEO’s Elections Committee at elections. (Be sure to write to both committees!) Once you have sent in your nomination, a member of the Elections Committee will reach out to you about a candidate statement, campaigning rules, etc.

If you have any questions regarding the elections or nominations processes, please do not hesitate to email the Elections Committee at elections.

In solidarity,

The GEO Elections Committee