Expectations of CTU Executive Board Directors, Officers and Audit Committee Members

CTs have the opportunity every October to choose which of their fellow members will help lead our Union.

In even-numbered years, members decide on the Vice President, Secretary and four Directors to the Executive Board. In odd-numbered years, the President, Treasurer and three Director positions are open. If the Union is negotiating a contract in October, elections are usually postponed until after ratification.

The duties of the directors, officers and members of the Audit Committee are outlined in the Article 5 of the CTU Constitution.

Directors and officers
In order to fulfill the Constitutionally mandated responsibilities of any position on the CTU Executive Board, those elected are expected to:

  • carry out and honor the oath of office;
  • commit the time required to serve the Union including some day, evening or weekend hours;
  • support unionism;
  • uphold the Union mission and direction as set by the Executive Board and the CTU Constitution;
  • make decisions and create policy;
  • use input/data from membership, experts, and staff when time permits;
  • serve on either the Grievance, Appeals and Trials or Finance Committee;
  • represent the CTU at all times;
  • attend some labor functions as a CTU representative;
  • attend Board meetings, UR meetings, regular and special membership meetings (attendance mandatory);
  • when possible, work in conjunction with URs 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 rumors/misperceptions.

President
The President of the CTU is expected to fulfill all of the responsibilities listed for Directors and officers. In order to fulfill the Constitutionally mandated responsibilities of the Office, the President also is expected to:

  • keep the Executive Board and organization on track between meetings;
  • structure Board meetings;
  • provide a long-range view of the organization;
  • act as official spokesperson for the CTU, internally and externally;
  • remind people of deadlines;
  • balance a 40-hour week through the use of flex and comp time, and report to the Board if work demands overload status;
  • report activities to the Board and members;
  • use full-time released time from MSU position;
  • chair Executive Board meetings and negotiations, and sit as ex officio member on all internal committees;
  • supervise staff;
  • chair Personnel Committee and report personnel issues to the Board for decision-making;
  • vote only to break a tie in an Executive Board vote.

Vice President
The Vice President of the CTU is expected to fulfill all of the responsibilities listed for Directors and officers. In order to fulfill the Constitutionally mandated responsibilities of the Office, the Vice President also is expected to:

  • serve as the Executive Board liaison to the Union Representatives and the Union Representative Coordinating Committee;
  • substitute for the President, as necessary;
  • chair the Grievance Appeals and Trials Committee
  • serve as authorized signatory of the Union;
  • use 25% released time from MSU position in order to fulfill duties.

Treasurer
The Treasurer of the CTU is expected to fulfill all of the responsibilities listed for Directors and officers. In order to fulfill the Constitutionally mandated responsibilities of the Office, the Treasurer also is expected to:

  • oversee fiduciary responsibilities: pay bills, cooperate with auditor, research community solicitations, report on the financial impact of decisions;
  • chair the Finance Committee;
  • prepare the budget with the Finance Committee;
  • make Quarterly reports to the membership;
  • use 25% released time from MSU position in order to fulfill duties.

Secretary
The Secretary of the CTU is expected to fulfill all of the responsibilities listed for Directors and officers. In order to fulfill the Constitutionally mandated responsibilities of the Office, the Secretary also is expected to:

  • oversee maintenance of the 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.

Audit Committee Members
This description of the Audit Committee and the duties of its members is taken from Article VI of the Constitution:

The Audit Committee shall consist of three members. They shall be elected for staggered three-year terms with said election held at the same time and under the same rules as apply to the Executive Board. Members of the Audit Committee may not be members of the Executive Board.

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.