Happy Spring Break!
This message brings just a quick update on some items of interest to APA members statewide. First, kudos to our new APA Web Manager, Liz Novak, of the Maritime Academy for her redesign of the APA website. Please check it out at http://maapa.org. We welcome any suggestions for things you’d like to see on the site as it continues to be developed.
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A quick reminder, the second bi-annual report of the new evaluation process (second employee narrative), per Article IV of the Agreement, will be due on or around April 15, 2019. I’ve attached the digital draft copy of this narrative form as a reminder. I’m sure many of the Universities and Colleges have provided an online form for members to complete.
Please remember that the employee narrative piece of this new evaluation process sets the tone and the discussion of those details and items upon which APA employees will be evaluated by Supervisors. It’s not easy to recall all the accomplishments and successes (or roadblocks) that have defined your performance over the course of 6 months (or a year). Supervisors, particularly those who manage many employees, are even less likely to know the details of employee accomplishments and the pitfalls that may prevent successes. It’s vital that we, as employees, provide the input that will speak to the successes and challenges we face in our day-to-day work. These narratives provide the information that will remind supervisors of the challenges and ingenuity of employees, will help in the setting of reasonable goals for APA members and will serve to remind our managers of the effectiveness of the workforce. Our participation in completing these narratives will promote an evaluation process that is more valuable to employee success.
Additionally, managers and supervisors are obligated to have discussion with employees about these documents. It should NOT be the case that an employee is surprised with a manager’s response to the bi-annual narrative at the final performance review in June. The dialogue piece of the evaluation procedure was emphasized by the management team during the bargaining of this contractual item…so please let your local chapter president know if process is not being mutually respected. Unlike the old evaluation form, failure to follow the contractual process of this new evaluation is grievable.
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We are finally getting close to providing the completed 2017-2020 APA Agreement. Last week, we received the edited copy from the BHE/CoP attorney and we are reviewing it to be sure everything we bargained is reflected in the new document. As soon as both sides have signed off on the wording of the changes, a copy will be posted on the new website. We will also be providing some printed copies to the local chapters.
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Finally, if any APA member is interested in stepping in as the interim Statewide Treasurer, please submit your letter of interest to Mike Storey, Local Chapter President at Bridgewater and chair of the Finance Subcommittee. His email address is mstorey@bridgew.edu. See the attached qualifications.
Looks like we might enjoy a little warming up this week. Please enjoy Spring Break.
All the Best –
Sherry Horeanopoulos
President, Association of Professional Administrators
MCLA APA Chapter 