WHAT'S NEXT?
This section outlines what we all need to do to make this referendum process successful AND to move GEO into the next bargaining year. Please pay special attention to the section on the Bargaining Survey below – be sure to click on the link!
REFERENDUM
VOTE
We need a minimum number of votes for the referendum to be valid. Every GEO member will receive a ballot in the mail with instructions on how to vote. If you haven't already voted, your ballot needs to be sent back and postmarked no later than March 25.
HELP COLLECT VOTES FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT
During the month of February, stewards will be going around to offices and holding department meetings to go over the referendum with people and collect ballots. You can help by reminding people to vote, and by attending your department meeting. If you do not have a steward contact umgeo [at] umich [dot] edu to find out how you can help organize in your department. We only have until April 4 to count ballots.
BARGAINING SURVEY
As you know, we will be re-negotiating our contract in the 2007-2008 academic year. In order for our bargaining platform to truly reflect members' needs and priorities, all members need to fill out the Bargaining Survey located at http://www.umgeo.org/survey/. It just takes 10-15 minutes!
Along with one-on-one conversations, larger meetings and discussions, this survey will help us know what issues are important to you as a member of GEO so that we can incorporate your concerns into the platform. You can also get more involved in developing the bargaining platform by contacting GEO directly (umgeo@umich.edu) or by contacting your department's steward.
MEMBERSHIP MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 5
6-7pm MICHIGAN LEAGUE HUSSEY ROOM
Membership Meetings are the opportunity for all GEO members to get together and make decisions on policies that affect them as members of the union. At the last MM we had 150 attendees – we need to keep this momentum going! The more people in attendance, the more democratic and stronger we'll become as a union – especially as we move into bargaining. All members should attend!
GET INVOLVED
In addition to the above, there are many things you can do to participate in your union over the next few months. GEO is only as strong as the involvement of its members. Contact your steward or umgeo [at] umich [dot] edu to find out how you can get involved. There are tasks for all levels of availability and time, among them:
- Talk to people in your dept. about GEO
- Become a steward – new stewards should be elected in each department at the end of Winter term or at the beginning of Fall
- Run for an officer position – President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, or committee chair
- Join one of GEO's committees, depending on your interests and skills: Communications, Solidarity & Political Action, Organizing, Grievance, Finance, and next year's Bargaining Committee
- Deliver newsletters (once a month)
- Put up flyers (4 times a semester)
- Make GEO buttons
- Database entry
- Do research for the next contract
- Help design GEO planner (summer)