Fellow workers,

We are writing to announce that nominations are now open for an interim GEO officer position and for GEO’s Bargaining Committee! Please see below for the nomination call for all of these positions, including information about the positions and the nomination and election process. Any full member in good standing may nominate themselves or another member in good standing for any of these positions. All positions will begin immediately upon conclusion of the election: February 28 from 5-7pm.

The interim Membership Organizer will serve for the spring semester and will be up for re-election during the regular spring elections of officers. The position on GEO’s Bargaining Committee shall continue through the end of the semester (or summer session) in which contract negotiations conclude. The Membership Organizer position is a 20-hour position; the Bargaining Committee position is a 10-hour position. Both are fully benefited GEO assistantships paid for by the Provost’s Office; contracts will be processed effective the date of elections.

Nominations are now open for:

• 1 interim Membership Organizer (20h/week contract)

• 1 Bargaining Committee Research and Proposal Coordinator (10h/week contract)

Membership Organizer (1)

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: assisting with membership drives and engaging in consistent field work; coordinating event, workshops that develop increased membership participation and new organizers; 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 and coordinating departmental orientation schedule; maintaining accurate membership lists; assuming duties of the Mobilization Coordinator if they are unavailable; and assisting the union in achieving its overall mission in the workplace.

Bargaining Research and Proposal Coordinator (1)

The two Bargaining Research & Proposal Coordinators will focus on researching, drafting, discussing, and writing our contract proposals for negotiations. These elected members will also help argue for our proposals at the bargaining table with the administration. 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 negotiating/research group, and will be in regular communication with the existing listserv of members who have signed up to be active on this committee and the bargaining committee.

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!) When you do so, please send along a short candidate statement to be shared with the membership when the nominations period concludes. Any full member in good standing may nominate someone, including themself, for any of the positions outlined above. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 15; at that point all candidates will receive further instructions from the Elections Committee regarding candidate statements, campaign materials and election rules. The election will be conducted in the days leading up to and including February 28. More details about dates, times, locations, and modality of voting will be distributed after nominations close.

If you have any questions regarding the elections or nominations processes, rules, regulations, or about your membership status, please do not hesitate to email the Elections Committee at elections.

In solidarity,
GEO Elections Committee

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In solidarity, GEO Leadership
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