The agenda includes:

• Acclamation* of candidates (we are not holding an election due the exact number of candidate for open positions)
• Union updates
• Announcements
• Raffle prizes

*We will not hold an election this year. We have only one candidate running for each of the other open positions. Instead of an election, the candidates will be affirmed by acclamation of the members at the Membership Meeting. We need a quorum at this meeting so please mark your calendar now to attend.

To attend this meeting: You MUST PRE-REGISTER with the link that was sent out to members.

You must be a dues-paying member to attend.

When you register, you will receive a confirmation email from CTU Secretary Michelle Jenkins and the ACTUAL link to the meeting.

Membership meetings are for making decisions about the Union, asking questions and receiving updates about Union activities.

Dear CT,

I am coming back to you again because we have had a lot of feedback on this 50^th Anniversary Gala. Most of you want it to be free so the Executive Board agree to offer this free to our members and their guests. Those of you who have already paid will get a refund.

I encourage you to sign up and attend this 50^th Anniversary Gala on October 12. Most of us will not be around to see the next 50^th milestone so celebrate this one. We have a lot to be proud of. Sign up and enjoy a nice dinner, photobooth, a “hall of history,” music from our 5 decades, a DJ and dancing. If none of that appeals to you, enjoy the dinner and a beautiful fall view at Eagle Eye! It should be a fun night with lots of great company from our past and current members, leadership, labor and MSU partners. I would love to see you!

MSU Benefits Open Enrollment opens next week. Yup NEXT TUESDAY is October 1. This is the time when you need to affirm your benefits choices and make sure you have filled out your spousal affidavit to make sure your spouse has benefits. You have received information from MSU Human Resources on this too. there is a Benefits Fair on Oct 3, 12-7, at the Breslin Center. Check out all of the resources at hr.msu.edu.

Take good care.

In solidarity,

Deb

Dear CT,

We will not hold an election in October. Our constitution provides that we hold an election only if one of the open positions are contested. We now have only four candidates vying for the four available 2-year director positions, and we have only one candidate running for each of the other open positions.

Instead of an election, the candidates will be affirmed by acclimation of the members at the October 23 Membership Meeting. We need a quorum at this meeting so please mark your calendar now to attend on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. As always, lots of prizes and interesting topics for discussion.

The following are the members who have stepped forward to represent the membership:

Vice President (Two-Year term; expiring 2026): Andrea Rafferty

Secretary (Two-Year term; expiring 2026): Michelle Jenkins

Directors

• 4 Two-Year terms; expiring 2026 :  Barbara Breedlove, Rosario Garcia, Janet Hershberger, Stephen Stofflet

Audit Committee

• 1 Three-Year term; expiring 2027:  Carolyn Hughey

Member involvement is key to our success, and we thank every member who has stepped forward to be part of the CTU Leadership Team. Also, thank you to the Election Committee (Deb Bittner, Judy Redding, and Crissy Hodges-Chakrani) who was ready to run an election if it was needed!

Dear CT,

On behalf of the 2024 CTU Elections Committee (Crissy Hodges-Chakrani, Judy Redding, Tiffany Westendorf and myself), please note that Tuesday, September 3, begins the 2024 Self-Nominations period for the CTU Officer Elections to be held on October 22, 2024, if needed. The Self-Nominations period conclude at 5pm on Tuesday, September 10. There will also be an in-person nominations meeting held at CTU on Sept 10, 5:30pm-6:30pm.

The following positions are up for election:

Vice President (two-year term), Secretary (two-year term), 4 Directors (two-year terms), and 1 Audit Committee member (three-year term). See details regarding each position below.

To nominate yourself for a position, please send your intent via email to our organizational coordinator, Tiffany Westendorf (Tiffany@ctumsu.org). Make sure you state what position you are seeking.

In solidarity,

Deb

Deb Bittner, President

CTU of MSU

All Board Members

• Expect to serve the Union during some days, evenings, and weekends
• Make decisions, create policies
• Use input/data from membership, experts, and staff when time permits
• Serve on committees, both CTU and MSU-appointed
• Represent the CTU at all times
• Attend some labor functions as CTU representative
• Attend Board meetings, UR meetings, regular and special membership meetings
• When possible, work in conjunction with UR(s) in the district on membership issues
• Keep URs informed and in the loop
• Be able to work as part of a group of people
• Honor issues of confidentiality
• Control of rumors/misperceptions
• Support unionism
• Uphold the Mission and Constitution of the Union, as well as the duties of one’s office
• Carry out the oath of one’s office

Secretary

• Oversight responsibility for maintenance of current membership list
• Stay informed of new members, including information they receive from the Union
• Conduct New Member Orientation sessions
• Take minutes at Board and membership meetings
• Perform all functions of Executive Board member

Vice President

• Serve as liaison to the Union Representative and URCC
• Substitute for the President, as necessary
• Chair Grievance, Appeals and Trial Committee
• 25% released time
• Serve as authorized signatory of the Union
• Perform all functions of Executive Board member

Audit Committee

• The Audit Committee shall make or cause to be made at least a yearly audit of the Union’s finances and shall report to the membership the result of such audit.
• The Audit Committee shall monitor normal operating expenses and shall serve as an independent communications channel between the members of the Union and the custodians of the Contingency Fund for verification of withdrawals from that fund.

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of our longtime union activist, LaRene Smith. Here is the link to her obituary:

LaRene Smith Obituary