University of Washington Tacoma Staff Association
Minutes from the January 20, 2005 General Meeting

Joe Chynoweth, UWTSA Co-Chair, introduced the new UWTSA board members as follows:

• Jessica Roshan – Co-Chair
  Jessica is proud to part of the UWTSA board again.  She previously served as the board’s Treasurer.

• Crystal Perrine – Mentoring Committee Chair
  Crystal is looking for some more men to volunteer to be mentors.  Currently, four new employees will be assigned mentors.

• Naarah McDonald – Treasurer
  Naarah informed the UWTSA that there is $300 in the checking account and that the funds are in good hands.

• Jill Carnell Danseco – Elections Committee Chair
  Jill will administer the Distinguished Service Award (DSA), elections and by-laws.  She is working on goals for the future.

Jamie Martin-Almy asked if it was possible to do a small payroll deduction from the UWTSA members, so that the money can be put aside for future UWTSA needs.  Sue Dahlin mentioned that the PSO instituted such a deduction for professional staff.  She was willing to find out how they did it.  Naarah will find out how that could be done for the UWTSA.

The DSA, which will be part of the Founders Day Awards, will be held on May 25, 2005, at 4:00 pm.  Jill will ask for nominations for the DSA in March.  Nan West asked that an email be sent to the campus community distinguishing between our awards and Seattle’s.

Joe Chynoweth shared the names of the past DSA winners as follows: Tony Myers, Cathy Thompson, Lisa Rankin, Julia Smith, Nan West, Robert Whitfield, Brian Anderson, Bronwyn Pughe, Wanda Curtis, Joe Kapler, Beckie Etheridge, Karen Reed, Sara Contreras, Suzanne Klinger, Linda Gilbert, and, Dannah Madden.  He also noted that all of the past recipients are still working at UWT, and that the DSA is a good retention tool.

Brian Anderson asked if we should have nominations submitted on-line, in addition to our current system.  Jill thought it would be a good idea.

Jessica Roshan provided on update on Walker High School.  It was a great success.  An entire classroom was filled with a variety of stuff for students who didn’t specifically request anything for the holidays.  This was after the holiday meals and presents were delivered to students and their families.  The gravestone was a great accomplishment! Thank you notes were received, along with a letter from the principal.

Dr. Patricia Spakes is scheduled to attend the next UWTSA general meeting, a potluck lunch, on April 21, from 11:30-12:30.

Sue Dahlin informed us that the Professional Staff Organization (PSO) was going to meet at the Tacoma campus on Thursday, January 27.  Both professional and classified staff are invited to attend.

Julie Buffington, Chair of the Professional Development Task Force, said the committee is continuing to meet and organize events.  The Latin Salsa Dancing was a lot of fun.  They will continue with the monthly Staff Box Talks.  Two future Staff Box talks will include a photography session with Jill Carnell Danseco and a session on career development with Judy Colburn.  They are also looking at a session regarding safety procedures, as well as another “game day” in June.  If you have any ideas for a Staff Box Talk, please let Julie know.

Joe Chynoweth talked about how we need to make a conscious effort to recycle.  Eventually, newspapers, cans, paper, plastic bottles (no caps), will be recycled together, in one recycle bin.  If you have a large shredding job, the Facilities department has a locked bin where they can store your documents. They have a shredding company that comes in and shreds the documents.