The University of Mississippi                                   Staff Council

Minutes of the Meeting:  May 4, 2005               Union 403

 

Present:  James Akey; Pam Barefield; Shannon Beeman; Debbie Bishop; David Blackmarr; Brenda Brannan; Joey Brent; Nina Cheshier; Kim Chrestman; Corrie Free; Cathy Grace; Mary Harrington; Carra Hewitt; Jeff Howell; Melissa Hudson; Ron Kitchens; Ann Mason; Ardessa Minor; Traci Mitchell; Patti Mooney; Jerry Moore; Susan Neal; Paula Park; Deidra Phillips; Randall Pinion; Amy Saxton; Karen Tuttle; Timothy Woodard

 

Excused:  Dotty Baker; Debbie Binkley; Robert Bishop; Rachel Bost; Judy Mills; Jennifer Pardoe; Ben Pharr; Bettie Puckett; Tony Seaman

 

Guests:  Melanie Addington; Jonathan Harrington; Susan Morris; Ed Movitz; Jennifer Winstead

 

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 2:35 pm by President Mary Harrington. 

 

Approval of Minutes:  The April minutes were approved with no corrections. 

 

Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurer’s Report was approved as submitted.

 

Election of Officers:  Ron Kitchens was elected by acclamation as president-elect.  Paula Park was elected by acclamation as secretary.  Rachel Bost was elected by acclamation as textbook scholarship coordinator.  Nina Cheshier was elected by vote as treasurer.

 

Staff Appreciation Week Activities:

 

·          Staff Appreciation Day will be held on Friday, May 20, 2005.  President Harrington requested additional volunteers to help with bingo, door prizes, the luncheon, and other activities.

·          Due to construction in the Student Union, all events have been moved to Johnson Commons.  If necessary, the blood drive will be moved to the Turner Center.  However, reduced prices on drinks and snacks at Southern Breeze will still be offered to staff during the week, between the hours of 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.

·          Convocation will be held in Paris Yates Chapel on Monday at 11:00 am.  Staff will provide music and motivational presentations.

·          The plant swap will be held on Wednesday, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm.  The new hire brunch will also be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am in Johnson Commons.

·          The blood drive will take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

·          On Thursday, Ole Miss Outdoors and Campus Recreation will conduct demonstrations on various outdoor activities.

·          The awards ceremony will be held in Fulton Chapel on Friday at 9:00 am.  Rachel Bost and Patti Mooney are working to obtain gifts and pins.  The speaker has been selected, and notice will be sent to department heads to encourage attendance.  All Staff Council members are asked to sit together in the front row. 

·          Bingo will be held in Johnson Commons on Friday from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm.  Amy Saxton reported that volunteers are still needed, and that the committee has obtained some great door prizes.  Admission will be a white elephant gift.

·          The picnic on Friday will be in the Johnson Commons cafeteria.  The tentative menu consists of fried/grilled chicken tenders, potato salad, baked beans, fruit, rolls, dessert, and drinks.

 

Committee Reports:

 

·          Joey Brent reported that the Recreational Facilities Committee met last week.  Changes will be made to the locker room areas of the Turner Center, and the carpet will be changed upstairs.  Twenty spin cycles will be purchased for new classes.  Mr. Brent added that he represents Athletics on this committee, rather than the Staff Council.  He encouraged Council members to volunteer to fill the Staff Council representative position on this committee.

·          Ron Kitchens, a member of the Honors Day standing committee, reported that Honors Day was a success.

·          Carra Hewitt and Ron Kitchens, members of the Artists Series Committee, met with the committee to review tapes of dance troupes for next year’s programming.

 

Old Business:

 

·          Paula Park reported that the Exam Breakfast will be held on May 10, from 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm in the Union food court.  Ms. Park distributed fliers and a sign-up sheet for volunteers. 

 

New Business:

 

·          Brenda Brannan, chair of the committee to review the Staff Council retirement gift program, asked for volunteers to serve on the committee.  Ms. Brannan stated that the program brochure needs to be updated, and that policies and procedures for awarding gifts will also be reviewed.

 

Announcements:

 

·          The Staff Council Member of the Month for May is Debbie Binkley.

·          The next Staff Council meeting will be held on June 1, 2005 in Union 404.

 

Meeting adjourned, 3:30 pm.

 

/s/ Mary Harrington, President

/s/ Joey Brent, President-Elect

/s/ Shannon Beeman, Secretary

 

Staff Council e-mail address: staffcouncil@olemiss.edu

Staff Council Homepage: http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/staff_council

Staff Council Webmaster: dptjb@olemiss.edu