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