GEO leadership nominations are due to umgeo@umich.edu by April 9. Elections will be at the Stewards meeting on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 pm, and ALL members are invited to attend and vote for next year’s officers. Below is a description from our constitution of the officer and committee chairs of GEO, but note that officer/committee chair duties are always responsive to the needs of the union in a given year!
Officer Descriptions
The President shall:
1. Be the principal executive officer of the Organization;
2. Be one of the responsible financial officers of the Organization and shall be authorized to co-sign financial instruments and make regular and usual disbursement of funds;
3. Be responsible for signing all official documents of the Organization. This responsibility may be designated to a deputy with the approval of the Stewards Council;
4. Be, by office, the ranking delegate to the convention of the American Federation of Teachers and meetings or conventions of its affiliated subordinate bodies;
5. Represent the Organization as necessary to other organizations.
The Treasurer shall:
1. Be the principal financial officer of the Organization;
2. Receive, record and deposit all dues monies and other income in the name of the Organization;
3. Maintain accurate membership records;
4. Be authorized to co-sign financial instruments and make regular and usual disbursements of funds;
5. Shall arrange for an independent audit as required by law or the organizations with which the Organization is affiliated;
6. Transmit per capita payments as required to the American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers-Michigan and to all other bodies with which the organization is affiliated;
7. Chair the Finance Committee;
8. Perform financial duties as required by law or the organizations with which the Organization is affiliated.
The Secretary shall:
1. Be the principal information officer of the organization;
2. Maintain the non-financial files and records of the Organization;
3. Be responsible for recording and keeping accurate minutes of meetings of the membership, Stewards’ Council and Officers’ Committee;
4. Oversee all elections and referenda of the Organization, record and report all votes.
The Vice-President shall:
1. Work with the President to oversee the operations of the Organization;
2. Assume the responsibilities of President if that person becomes unable to perform those duties;
3. Supervise the non-financial responsibilities of the staff;
4. Chair the Stewards’ Council.
Committee Chairs
Communications: Works to produce GEO’s communications materials, including but not limited to union newsletters, publicity materials, and web content.
Grievance: Works to resolve employee grievances through the grievance process outlined in GEO’s contract, organizes around contract issues, implements terms of the contract, and educates members of the university about the contract.
Organizing: Works to build GEO’s strength by recruiting new activists, helping to organize departments through steward elections and department meetings, turning members out to meetings and other events, and addressing the ongoing organizing needs of the union.
Solidarity and Political Action: Works to build coalitions, strengthen solidarity with other unions and labor organizations, and educate and advocate around political issues that are of interest to our members.
