It’s summertime! It may not be officially summer until June 20, but before I left for the SEIU Convention at the end of May (read about that trip here), I was freezing while watching my son’s baseball games. I came back from Detroit to 90-degree weather, flowers in full bloom, and the end of Little League in sight.
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My son pitching during a particularly rainy and cold Little League game. This was mid-May, but it felt like February.[/caption]
For many of us at the community colleges, the summer begins after graduation. Full and part-time faculty may depart for the summer to work on research or publications, or they may remain on campus to teach or work alternate summer jobs. Tasks at the colleges for the full and part-time staff may shift depending on the department. Classes continue and students are still on campus, but for many of us, the summer months are a quieter time…quieter, but not necessarily less busy.
This is the case at the 4Cs office in Hartford. The phones don’t ring as frequently. There are fewer meetings. But for the 4Cs staff, quieter times are an opportunity to work on larger projects with fewer interruptions.
Some of the things that the 4Cs staff will be working on this summer:
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In case you didn’t think SEIU has a sense of humor, check out the example “workplace.” If I was Homer Simpson, I would definitely vote to unionize. Mr. Burns is the worst! And in case you were wondering…yes, the database includes almost every character from The Simpsons.[/caption]
A complete revamp of our website! SEIU is rolling out a new website theme and the 4Cs will be testing it soon. The new theme can be viewed on SEIU's website.
Testing a new app called eJoin that will allow our organizers to be able to sign members up electronically. You will be able to sign with your fingertip right on a phone or iPad! It will also help those of us in the office to make sure your information is inputted correctly (although Kimberly is a master at handwriting interpretation).
Database updates including correcting information, adding legislative districts, and continuing our modernization of the data we receive from the System Office. You may hear from me asking if an email address or phone number is still correct.
Preparation for legislative primaries and fall elections.
Creating guidelines for 4Cs chapter officers.
Continuation of Contract Negotiations and resolution of the "pots" (read about them both here).
Continuing to develop stories for the media around a “Culture of Commitment” theme (see some previous stories here and here. If you have a story idea, email me).
For me personally, it’s also a time to ensure that completed projects are filed. (I like to keep a clean office, but I’m a person who makes piles. Summer means going through the piles, keeping and filing what I need, and getting rid of the rest).
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These are some of my piles that need to be sorted through this summer. And yes, I can find the document you need immediately within this mountain of files. If you are also a piler, you know what I mean. Don’t mess with my system![/caption]Also for me, lots of planning for the year ahead including creating editorial calendars for our newsletters, social media, and Congress Chronicles.
So now you know what the 4Cs is up to this summer. Let us know what you’ll be doing!! Are you traveling somewhere? Are you working on research? Are you volunteering? Are you busier in the summer at the college? Let us know what your summer plans are! Email me at ellen@th4cs.org.