1. Name
The name of the organization shall be the University of Houston-Downtown Staff Council (hereinafter referred to as "Staff Council").
2. Mission Statement
Recognizing that staff is integral to the functioning of the University of Houston-Downtown (hereinafter referred to as "University"), the Staff Council will be an advisory body to the President of the University. Its purpose is to promote a positive and meaningful exchange among staff, faculty, and students and to formulate and recommend policies which affect staff. It also promotes recognition of staff contributions to the mission of the University and recommends individuals to serve on committees where policies and procedures affecting staff will be discussed. These bylaws provide an instrument for cooperative action in attaining such professional goals as the members may select.
3. Membership
University staff members are automatically members of the Staff Council. Upon employment, all new staff will automatically be welcomed to the Staff Council body at the New Employee Orientation. Assistant and associate deans, deans, executive directors, assistant and associate vice presidents, vice presidents, the President, student workers and temporary employees are excluded from membership in the Staff Council.
4. Duties and Responsibilities
The Staff Council shall represent the staff interests of the University and shall be responsible for the following:
- Nominating staff members to serve on University-wide committees
- Appointing staff to standing and ad hoc committees
- Preparing and submitting an annual executive report, including a financial summary, to the University leadership and posting it to the Staff Council website
- Coordinating annual Staff Council Membership Board elections
- Preparing and submitting to the President of the University proposals and position papers on staff concerns
- Making recommendations to appropriate University leadership about staff development programs on topics relative to staff
- Having one representative on the University Academic Affairs Council
- Providing collaboration on governance issues
- Conducting one general Staff Council meeting, at a minimum, each quarter
5. Staff Council Membership Board
5.1 Staff Council Membership Board consists of the Executive Committee and Division Ambassadors
5.2 Executive Committee
The Executive Committee shall consist of the following Staff Council Officers: President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications Officer.
5.3 Staff Council Division Ambassadors
The Division Ambassadors shall be made up of ten (10) members: three (3) from Academic and Student Affairs, three (3) from Administration and Finance, two (2) from Employment Services and Operations, and two (2) from the President's Office and Advancement and University Relations.
5.4 Terms
Executive Committee and Division Ambassadors shall be elected for a single, one-year term. Elections will be held from the membership of the Staff Council. Staff will be eligible for re-election to the same office or another Staff Council Membership Board position.
5.5 Eligibility
All benefits-eligible Staff Council members in good standing and with a minimum of one-year tenure at the University are eligible to be nominated for service on the Staff Council Membership Board. Administrative staff are ineligible for service on the Executive Committee or Ambassador position. Terms of office shall begin on September 1 and end on August 31.
5.6 Nominations
The nomination process will open on the first Monday and close on the third Monday in May. Self-nominations are accepted. Staff may be eligible to run for Officer and Ambassador Positions concurrently but can only hold one office. All candidates shall complete the Staff Council Membership Board Candidate Form. All nominations will be reviewed by Employment Services and Operations (hereinafter referred to as "ESO") to ensure eligibility. Qualified candidates will be included on the ballot.
5.7 Elections
Elections for the Staff Council Membership Board shall open the second Monday in June and close on the fourth Monday in June. Terms of office shall begin on September 1.
5.8 Vacancies by Resignation
Vacancies created by resignation will be filled as follows:
5.8.A Vacancies that occur within 60 days after elections, the Staff Council President shall appoint the nominee with the next highest votes from those candidates nominated, but not elected, in the last election. The appointed member will serve until the next official election.
5.8.A.1 In the event there is not another candidate from the election then follow section 5.8.B
5.8.B Vacancies created by resignation that occur beyond 60 days after elections; a Division Ambassador will be assigned to the vacant position. The appointed member will serve until the next official election.
5.9 Duties
The Executive Committee shall consider all matters brought before Staff Council and make referrals to the proper committees when necessary. A summary of the duties of the Executive Committee Officers is outlined below. Complete position descriptions may be found on the Staff Council website.
5.9.1 President
Serves as chair of the Staff Council Executive Committee and represents the Staff Council on University leadership committees, such as the Executive Council, the Planning and Budget Development Council, and the Academic Affairs Council. Enforces all regulations and policies as specified in the Staff Council Bylaws and presides at all Staff Council meetings.
5.9.2 President-Elect
Assists the President in performing his/her leadership responsibilities and represents the President when required. Oversees all Staff Council standing committees. The person elected President-Elect serves a two-year term: year one as President-Elect, and year two as President.
5.9.3 Secretary
Handles the recording and distribution of all minutes of all Staff Council Membership Board and Staff Council meetings and all correspondence of Staff Council (including overseeing the Elections Committee). Oversees the conduct of Staff Council business to ensure adherence to the Bylaws. Responsible for the administration of the Staff Council elections.
5.9.4 Treasurer
Maintains the Staff Council's budgets by processing and reconciling expenditures and revenue transactions on a monthly basis. Provides a financial report of the organization's financial activities to Staff Council as changes occur.
5.9.5 Communications Officer
Designs, develops, and maintains the Staff Council website and social media for the posting and distribution of information about Staff Council events and activities. Provides information to the University Relations Office regarding Staff Council elections, meetings, and accomplishments. Maintains and provides a central and accessible location for storing historical files of Staff Council events and activities.
5.9.6 Division Ambassadors
Ambassadors will represent the interests of their division(s) and share Staff Council news, events, etc., with their respective divisions. Ten (10) Ambassadors will be elected as follows: three (3) from Academic and Student Affairs, three (3) from Administration and Finance, two (2) from Employment Services and Operations, and two (2) from the President's Office and Advancement/University Relations.
5.10 Benefits
The Executive Committee members shall receive a stipend during their one-year term as outlined below:
Position | Estimated Monthly Time Commitment | Monthly Stipend Paid at $10/Hour Rate |
---|---|---|
President | 25 hours | $250 |
President-Elect | 15 hours | $150 |
Secretary | 15 hours | $150 |
Communications Officer | 15 hours | $150 |
Treasurer | 12 hours | $120 |