Jump to Article:
[III] [IV] [V] [VI] [VII] [VIII] [IX] [X] [XI] [XII] 
[Article VIII]
[Amendmendments Home]
[Article X]

Article IX

Departmental Stewards

This article establishes the Stewards' Council as well as defining the eligibility, role and number of stewards in a department.

Proposed Changes

The proposed changes make the stewards council the main body that implements the policy of GEO that is established by the membership. The changes also provide for a temporary mechanism for stewards to be appointed until an election can be held in the department.

Why are these changes are recommended?

One of the major reasons that changes to the constitution were proposed was to increase the influence of the Stewards' Council because it is more representative than the officers and provides for a stronger connection to member concerns within departments. Accordingly, the proposed changes to this article provide the stewards with the institutional authority to become that body within GEO.

Constitutional Language

Current Language

IX. Departmental Stewards
  • A. Full members of the Organization in each department shall elect department stewards. One steward shall be elected for every twenty-five (25) full members or any fraction thereof in a department, but each department shall elect at least one steward. In the event that an elected official of the Union shall become unable to fulfill his/her duties, a special election shall be held. Newly-elected stewards shall notify the vice-president of their election.
  • B. Stewards shall serve as union representatives at the departmental level. Steward's main responsibility is to be available to members having grievances, questions or information relevant to the organization operations. Members may chose to directly contact the grievance committee.
  • C. The elected Stewards shall meet periodically as a Steward's Council to advise the Steering Committee and membership of relevant developments in the departments. Ten (10) percent of the Steward's Council shall constitute a quorum.
  • D. Special meetings of the Steward's Council may be called by the Steering Committee or by petition of ten or more stewards.
  • E. Meetings of the Council will be scheduled by the Steering Committee so that this body may be consulted before the agenda for a regular membership meeting is drawn up.
  • F. The Steward's Council shall constitute the grievance committee.
  • G. The stewards may elect a secretary.

Proposed Revision

IX. Departmental Stewards
  • A. Stewards' Council: The Stewards' Council shall meet regularly to oversee the implementation of Organizational policy as directed by the membership.
  • B. Stewards
    • 1. Any member shall be eligible to be a Steward.
    • 2. Stewards shall serve as union representatives at the department level. A Steward's main responsibility is to be available to members having grievances, questions or information relevant to the Organization and to inform the Stewards' Council of questions and concerns from members.
    • 3. One Steward may be elected for every fifteen (15) full members or any fraction thereof in each department, but each department shall be entitled to elect at least one steward.
    • 4. In the event that an elected Steward shall become unable to fulfill the duties of Steward, an election shall be held in the department for a replacement.
    • 5. A Steward may be appointed by the Vice President until an election is conducted in the department.

[Article VIII]
[Amendments Home]
[Article X]