Our next APSA Election will be held at our Semi-Annual meeting on April 16, 2019, 11:30am-1:00pm at the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (Farm Lane Branch) Community Room located at 4825 E. Mount Hope Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823.  

 

Note the entrance and parking for the community room is located on the east side of the building.  Click the following link for directions:  https://goo.gl/maps/rRexuFtsWmT2

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This year we will have 2 Executive Board Officer Position, Vice President and Corresponding Secretary, along with 4 Board of Directors positions.

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SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=0jAyCfSJWUycBpwSE_61GEICxVjR_FdMheGjsdAEYstUQ0NXRDJFNUdLT1QzVzZNU1hZMUtRNVZKVy4u

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PREVIEW NOMINEES below:

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Please preview the position descriptions below:

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Vice President 

Term of office: Aug. 1, 2019 – July 31, 2023 - 4 years
Remuneration: $675/month 

 

Duties:

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• Perform those tasks and duties pertaining to the preparation of materials and information needed for contract negotiations. All members of the Association shall be provided an opportunity to propose contract issues which will help determine the degree of support of the proposed contract issues and objectives.
   

• Serve as a liaison to Association representatives on designated committees and provide reports to the Executive Board of activities of designated committees that apply to the Association in the absence of any other reporting member.
   

• Serve as Chair of the Negotiating Committee.
   

• Appoint the Association's Negotiating Committee, at least four (4) months prior to the onset of contract negotiations, said Committee members to be approved by the Executive Board.
   

• Provide monthly reports to the Executive Board and semi-annual reports to the Association membership on contract negotiations or issues related to contract negotiations.
   

• Perform duties common to all Executive Board members as listed in Section 5.4.
   

• Perform those tasks and duties that result from any grievance of concern arising from proper or improper administration of any Association contracts.
   

• Consult with Association members and bargaining unit employees, as needed, including, but not limited to, concerns about contract issues or events in the person’s workplace.
   

• Coordinate grievance paperwork.
   

• Resolve or recommend methods of resolution to any such grievance matters that arise, reporting same to the President and/or Executive Board.
   

• Serve as Chair of the Grievance Committee.
   

• Appoint the Association's Grievance Committee, subject to approval by the Executive Board.
   

• Provide a current written grievance report at monthly Executive Board meetings and provide semi-annual written reports to the Association membership.
   

• Consult and refer appropriate matters to the Association's legal counsel.
   

• Report to the President and/or Executive Board recommended methods of resolution to any grievance matters that arise. Seek Executive Board approval to pursue arbitration in specific cases.
   

• Assist with training the Association's grievance committee, convene meetings of the grievance committee.
   

• Perform duties common to all Executive Board members as listed in Section 5.4.

 

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Nominees for Vice President 

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Name: Michael Ouderkirk
Department: IPF Maintenance Services
Position at MSU: Skilled Trades Supervisor
Years Employed at MSU: 23
Years as an APSA Member: 9

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: I have proudly served on the Executive Board in different positions and on various committees for the last 7 years. I started attending the board meetings as a guest in 2010 to learn more about the Association. Eventually I became a Director, and moved on to Grievance Officer, and finally was assigned to assume the role of the Vice President. I feel very blessed to have been given each opportunity. I have participated on the Finance Committee and Grievance Committee. During my time on the Executive Board I have also been a part of:

• Negotiating a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the University for Health Care/Wages and currently serving on the Negotiation Team for our current contract.
   

• Labor Relations training.  I have attended various classes and seminars to improve my knowledge and skill set to better perform my duties as the Vice President.
   

• Attended Right to Work Seminar and a Drug free work place seminar.
   

• Conducted New membership meetings and promoted the benefits of being a member, since Right to Work became effective in the fall of 2015.
   

• Enforce the Response Directive issued by President Garza, where we will respond to members within 2 to 4 hours and be accessible 24/7/365.
   

• Served on the committee for hiring the new legal counsel.
   

• Represented members during investigatory meetings, including those associated with the Office of Institutional Equity, whether they were a Respondent, Claimant or a Witness.
   

• Participated in all Grievance Steps and assisted in settlements with the University.
   

• Executed the duties of the President during his absences.
   

• Attended Quarterly Meeting with the University, to discuss issues concerning our member’s work conditions.
   

• Represented APSA during Special Conferences regarding new policies and procedures issued by the University.
   

• Attended Joint Health Care Coalition and the Coalition of Labor meetings to discuss matters that impact all bargaining units on campus.

I have been with the University for almost 24 years. During my time here at the University I have always worked at IPF. I started as a Machinist in the 999 union and in 2010 Accepted the afternoons Skilled Trades Supervisor Position. In 2010 I moved to Skilled Trades Supervisor of Metal Services. My success couldn’t have been done without the support of my family (Both MSU and wife and kids).

I am asking for your vote and continued support. I will continue to work on the members behalf and represent their best interest and the Associations. I have had the privilege of meeting many members.
 

Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:   My Other interest are motorcycle riding, hunting, reading and spending time with my family. I am involved with the leadership committee at IPF.

 

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Corresponding Secretary

Term of office: Aug. 1, 2019 – July 31, 2022 - 3 years

Remuneration: $250/month 

 

Duties:

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• Conduct all correspondence relating to the affairs of the Association and gather material as needed pertinent to such correspondence as directed by the President, the Executive Board or the Association's counsel. 
   

• Issue all notices of Association meetings and special Executive Board meetings in accord with these Bylaws. 
   

• Prepare and facilitate the publication of the Association news as directed by the Executive Board. 
   

• Responsible for the functioning of the Association's web page and domains. 
   

• Responsible for the functioning of electronic voting. 
   

• Perform duties common to all Executive Board members as listed in Section 5.4. 
   

• Perform all other duties which are normal to the Office of Corresponding Secretary.

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Nominees for Corresponding Secretary

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Name: Randy Brown
Department: University Advancement
Position at MSU: Director of Web Services
Years Employed at MSU: 21
Years as an APSA Member: 11

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: I've been on the APSA board since  2012 and I served as a Board Member, Membership Secretary and currently as Corresponding Secretary.  I feel we have made great strides as a board with regards to communicating with the membership.  In the future I would like to broaden the deliver of the APSA efforts to more of the membership.  In addition I would like to spearhead networking opportunities that will support the supervisors on campus. 

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Thanks in advance for your vote and continued support. I will continue to work toward the best interest of the membership.  

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Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:   I'm a father of 4, an Michigan State University alum and I'm involved on other volunteer boards in the Greater Lansing Area. 

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(4) Directors

Term of office: Aug. 1, 2019 – July 31, 2021 - 2 years

Remuneration: $75/month 

 

Duties:

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• Represent the Association as an elected member of the Executive Board.
   

• Perform duties authorized by the President and/or the Executive Board.
   

• Attend all monthly Board meetings, retreats, and special meetings, unless excused by the President. Begin attending Board meetings as soon as elected to the position with voting privileges to begin when term of office begins.
   

• Serve as members of Association committees and/or University committees, as appointed by the Association President or Executive Board.
   

• If the President is unable to make appointments as set forth in these Bylaws, the majority of the Executive Board present and voting will designate an Acting President until the President is able to resume their duties.
   

• Act as Recording Secretary, as appointed by the President, if said Secretary is unable to attend a monthly Executive Board meeting.
   

• Be available to all Association bargaining unit employees for consultation and be knowledgeable to direct said bargaining unit employee to the appropriate Association Officer, if further consultation is needed.
   

• Vote on issues brought before the Executive Board.
   

• Approve all appointments of committee members.
   

• At the expiration of their term shall deliver to their successor all books, monies,and other property of the Association.5.5

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Nominees for Director

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Name: Sharon Potter 
Department: REHS facilities 
Position at MSU: Facilites Supervisor 1855 Place Apartments 
Years Employed at MSU: 16
Years as an APSA Member: 14

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: Current APSA Director 

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Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:  Former WACPO member (4 years).  Customer service for MSU football games and metal detector assistant Mens basketball.

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Name: Natan A. Espinosa
Department: RHS Culinary Services
Position at MSU: Dining Service Manager II
Years Employed at MSU: 11
Years as an APSA Member: 11

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: Current APSA Director
Past President of the Greater Lansing Association of Realtors, Lansing
Board of Directors for the Greater Lansing Association of Realtors, Lansing.
Public Policy Director for The Michigan Association of Realtors, Lansing.
 

Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:  Public policy committee member, Chair of Cleaning Standard committee.   

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Name: Jaci Sayen
Department: RHS Planning and Projects Office
Position at MSU: Administrative Assistant II-S
Years Employed at MSU: 11
Years as an APSA Member: 9

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: I have served on the APSA Board as a Director since 2015. Redeveloping and redesigning the website is my most notable contribution to date. I am still very passionate about adding value to the board through advocacy for my fellow APSA members. This has been done through disseminating information (via the website, msuapsa.org) aimed to increase awareness and help minimize delay in getting the answers members seek. 

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Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:  A Yooper transplant since 1988, MSU graduate (thank you educational assistance), and member of MSU's Women's Advisory Committee for Support Staff.

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Name: Elizabeth Hood
Department: MSU IT
Position at MSU: Senior Manager 
Years Employed at MSU: 7
Years as an APSA Member: 4

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: I am interested in helping, supporting, and guiding my fellow co-workers in a supervisor role.  Co-Chair - Empower IT Charperson of the EmpowerIT 2019 Conference.

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Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:   Co-Chair - Empower IT Chairperson of the EmpowerIT 2019 Conference.

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Name: Sam Fortino
Department: Mechanical Services/IPF
Position at MSU: Mechanical Services Supervisor
Years Employed at MSU: 4-5
Years as an APSA Member: 2

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: No past involvement with MSU unions. However I have been a Union member for 25+ years, most in the contracting world, where as a supervisor of multiple trades, I had the chance to work with many different trade Unions. I feel I could bring a different mindset and different opinions on most issues. My interest stems from simply wanting to play a bigger role at MSU and in our Union as a whole.

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Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:   I bleed GREEN! I am a member of our water committee, which plays a major role in decisions on our water system and quality as a whole. I am involved in most decision making involving all of our utilities throughout campus.

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Name: Ahmed Issawi
Department: MSU IT Services
Position at MSU: Manager of Product Services
Years Employed at MSU: 12
Years as an APSA Member: 1

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Past Involvement/Current Interest: I am interested in helping give back to the hard working folks at MSU.

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Other Interests/Involvement at MSU:   Born and raised a Spartan, My father worked here, and it has always been my goal to work at MSU and become a leader who will be able to make a positive mark at the University.

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