Advocacy in Action
News from Your Staff Council - May 2020

Dear Fellow Staff Members,

Thank you. This is the single most important thing that I want to say to each and every one of you. Thank you.

When I first transitioned to working from home alongside my wife, two kids (seven and five years old), and Boston Terrier, I thought it would be an interesting, if not fun and easy change. Over the past couple months, my coworkers, including my fellow staff councilors have gotten to know my kids well as they make frequent cameo appearances in my Zoom meetings as well as Agnes, given the dog’s occasional unexpected leap into my lap for some midday belly rubs. Read more...

Working for the University During a Crisis

Staff Council wants to hear from YOU! “Show and Tell” us something about your experience working for UI, whether it’s a new work “uniform” or a new work location or something else new – we want to feature one or two of your stories in next month’s newsletter. Show us your UI pride – you might win some swag! Send your entry to: staff-council@uiowa.edu.

Health & Wellness Resources

The University of Iowa offers UI employees many programs to assist with ongoing health and well-being. It can be overwhelming to survey all the resources available. A recent panel of speakers provided a concise description of several units that provide assistance to employees and their families, including the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Family Services, liveWELL, the three units of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and the Threat Assessment Team. Read more...

Staff Councilors Rock the Volunteerism

Volunteer service is an important aspect of serving as a Staff Councilor, and despite volunteer efforts being cut short by Covid-19, Staff Councilor’s contributions to campus and community were impressive this council year. Coordinated by the Staff Council Community Outreach Committee, 42 of 55 councilors, or 76% participated in at least one volunteer event, participating in 498 hours of service across 22 volunteer opportunities. A core group of councilors, or 40% participated in 3 or more events. Read more...

Staff Council in Motion Part 1

Late May to early June is the annual time of transition for Staff Council as a portion of the council membership complete their terms, new councilors are welcomed on board, new officers and Executive Committee members are elected and Staff Council prepares for a new council year. 

Today we would like to thank the councilors whose terms are ending for their service to UI staff. Leaving Councilors include Beau Finley, Sally Fisher, Karen Kluesner, Robin Paetzold, Linda Varvel and past Staff Council President John Laverty.  We would also like to thank those councilors who left Staff Council a little earlier this year, including Ewa Bardach, Suzanne Doershuk, Amy Halverson Bouffard, Sara Heineman, Carrie Mahon and John Weyer.  

In next month's newsletter, we will introduce the new group of councilors who join Staff Council effective June 1st.

Staff Council in Motion Part 2

Each year during the May Staff Council meeting, councilors elect members who provide direction and goals for the Staff Council year and who represent the Council in university shared governance. The elective positions include Vice President/President-Elect, Secretary, Budget Officer (every 2 years), and four at-large members.

We are pleased to share that the following people will serve in Staff Council leadership roles, effective June 1st:

Heather Mineart - Staff Council President
Kevin Zihlman - Vice President/President-Elect
Mike Weaver - Past President
Brenda Van Dee - Budget Officer
Theodore (Ted) Potter - Secretary
At-large Executive Committee Members - Mihaela Bojin, Genevieve Johnson, Teri Schnelle, and Glenda Smith

Congratulations to all!