Casper College - Education for a Lifetime

It was suggested at the April 2012 All-Staff Alliance meeting to have a section on our web page for current news directly related to the Staff. Below are the headlines and preliminary information for news that pertains to the Staff. Interested to know more about any of the stories below? Click on the "details" link at the end of each story -- it will take you to the full version.

Please let me know if you have items you would like to see included here, and I will add them accordingly.

Karel Mathisen, Staff Alliance Chair

WHAT'S NEW WITH STAFF ALLIANCE?

Mark Your Calendars - May 19 - Platte River Parkway Cleanup: Details have been finalized for our community involvement project. We will be meeting May 19 at 8:50 a.m. at the Pumphouse... [ details ]

Full-time or part-time benefited staff are members of the Staff Alliance, hereinafter designated as “Alliance.” Each member shall be eligible to vote during elections, hold office, and participate in all the rights and privileges of the Alliance. Non-benefited part-time staff, staff retirees, and those who are classified staff of the UW/CC Center are associate members of the Staff Alliance. They shall have no voting power and be considered ineligible to hold office in the Alliance. They shall be entitled to all other rights and privileges of the Alliance.

The objective and purpose of the Alliance is:
- To promote professional practices; active participation of all in the solution of institutional matters; and allegiance to a genuine spirit of professional ethics.
- To encourage high performance standards among Casper College classified staff employees, hereinafter designated as “staff”; aid in securing and maintaining adequate salaries and sound retirement systems; to support legislation for the betterment of higher education; to encourage improvements as will enable staff to function properly as a vital component to the progress of education at Casper College; and show recognition for retirement and meritorious service.
- To be an active communication link for meaningful exchange between staff, faculty and administration relative to issues of mutual concern.
- To encourage staff to exercise their rights and privileges as citizens and to accept leadership in campus and civic affairs.
The goal of the Alliance is:
- Enhanced staff development opportunities.
- Enhanced recognition for staff accomplishments
- Improved communications between staff and all other employees.
- Continued staff involvement in issues regarding working conditions and employment practices.

Casper College Staff Alliance Executive Committee 2011-2012

Chair
Karel Mathisen, Public Relations Assistant
Office: GW 403
Phone: 268-2456
Vice Chair
Pam Jones, Workforce Training Advisor
Office: GW 408D
Phone: 268-2124
Secretary/Treasurer
Erin Siems, Enrollment Services Specialist
Office: GW 350
Phone: 268-2458
CCA Activities Representatives
Ann Dalton
Sarah Olson
Sarah Tooker
General Representatives
Maggie Abbott-Wills
Laura Burnett
Terri House
Mike McLemore
Dave Mondle
Zack Thatcher

Staff Alliance Policies and Procedures

Staff Alliance Minutes
Staff Alliance By-Laws

2011-2012 Meeting Schedule

All Staff Alliance Executive Committee meetings will be held on the Thursday before the regularly scheduled CC District Board Meeting. Dates for the year are as follows:

October 13, 2011 in GW 222
November 10, 2011 in GW 222
December 15, 2011 in GW 222
January 12, 2012 (CANCELLED)
February 16, 2012 in GW 222
March 15, 2012 in GW 222
April 12, 2012 in PS 103 - ALL STAFF MEETING
May 10, 2012 in GW 222
June 14, 2012 in GW 222
July 12, 2012 in GW 222
August 9, 2012 in GW 222 (NEW DATE)
September 27, 2012 - ALL STAFF MEETING
(As the Sept. meeting must be held after the nomination deadline of Sept. 20, this meeting will not follow the typical schedule. Elections will be held during this meeting.)

2012-2013 Meeting Schedule (TENTATIVE)

All Staff Alliance Executive Committee meetings will be held on the Thursday before the regularly scheduled CC District Board Meeting.
Dates for the year are as follows:

October 11, 2012
November 15, 2012
December 13, 2012
January 10, 2013
February 14, 2013
March 14, 2013
April 11, 2013 - ALL STAFF MEETING

May 16, 2013
June 13, 2013
July 11, 2013
August 15, 2013
September 26, 2013 - ALL STAFF MEETING
(As the Sept. meeting must be held after the nomination deadline of Sept. 20, this meeting will not follow the typical schedule. Elections will be held during this meeting.)

Classified Staff Professional Development Fund

Casper College supports career-related and job-related professional development as well as personal development activities for classified staff employees, realizing that education and training are fundamental to personal and professional growth.

When requesting funding, an employee’s department is primarily responsible for its employees attending any training necessary to perform their job duties. The Classified Staff Development Fund provides opportunities beyond this basic premise and seeks to assist employees with career/job-related development, personal education, and training opportunities. These opportunities may prepare employees for change, enhance their own well-being, or create an important network of support, which can benefit the employee, the department, and the College community.

The Classified Staff Development Fund is intended to supplement departmental resources and provide support for as many individuals as possible.

The fund is intended to:

provide a higher level of understanding and performance within current positions.
improve skills and knowledge that can be immediately applied at work.
encourage growth and career development of employees.
provide opportunities for promotion and/or lateral moves contributing to the employee’s career satisfaction.
provide a greater sense of responsibility for managing one’s own career, contributing to self-confidence.
assist employees who seek to meet essential education requirements; therefore, new position opportunities within the college.
increase motivation and job satisfaction.
promote personal growth and increase personal well-being.

Eligibility:
All full-time classified staff employees are eligible to receive support for professional or personal development activities, providing their job performance is rated as satisfactory or better. Full-time is defined as working at least a 30-hour work week, year round, or a 40-hour work week, throughout the academic year. Financial support will begin once the employee has completed his or her probationary period.

Committee Members

Pam Jones - Chair	Sarah Tooker	Zack Thatcher	Ann Dalton (alternate)
GW 408D	GW 334	MA 201A	GW 408F
268-2124	268-2503	268-2048	268-2085

Procedures

Classified staff are encouraged to submit an application for funding if they plan to attend workshops, courses or conferences in support of their professional or personal development. Support from this fund cannot be used to relieve departments of their responsibility to provide for the professional development of their members. Activities/programs that are necessary for applicants to perform their job duties should be funded primarily through other sources; however, the fund may be used to supplement departmental funds. Supplemental funding will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

The fund is not intended to provide ongoing tuition support for a degree program, as that is normally covered by tuition waiver. It is also not intended to support recurring annual programs, which can and should be anticipated/budgeted within a department.

Classified Staff Development activities may include but are not limited to:

Training workshops
Conferences and seminars
Conference materials
Travel expenses, including lodging and meals to professional events/conferences
Meeting expenses and travel for professional and technical association meetings
Books, software, and other course related materials associated with Casper College and upper level coursework
Non-credit course fees for job-related enhancement

Fund Limitations:

Membership fees will not be awarded through these professional development funds.
Department budgets should be utilized first, before applying for staff development funds.
Funds cannot be used to reimburse departmental budgets. Only personal out-of-pocket expenses may be covered.
Continuing education courses for the maintenance of state licenses, which are a requirement for employment in the employee’s present position, are not considered professional development programs and do not qualify for fee reimbursement.
Staff members who are unaware whether or not a particular request meets the guidelines for staff development funding are encouraged to speak to their supervisor or a member of this committee.
Individual funding may not exceed $300 per fiscal year.

Application Process / Forms

Requests for Staff Development Funding are made by completing the Staff Development Funds application form. Applications must be filled out completely and have appropriate applicant and supervisor signatures and documentation. Supervisor signature is required only if the funding request is professional or job related. A complete application should include copies of brochures, receipts for purchased materials or descriptive marketing materials outlining the activity pertaining to the request if applicable.

Only complete applications will be reviewed by the committee. If possible, proposals should be submitted in advance of the activity. Some exceptions may occur such as a reimbursement for materials purchased at a conference, or materials already purchased for a current class. The deadline for submitting proposals is the 10th day of each month. Proposals should be submitted to the Staff Development Committee Chair.

Classified Staff Professional Development Committee/Decisions and Notification

The Classified Staff Professional Development Committee will be comprised of a three member subcommittee of the Staff Alliance. Terms of service are staggered and two years in length.
Awards are based on the merit of the request and availability of funds. Preference will be given to those activities/programs for which other funding is not available and to those individuals that have not been funded in the past. Preference will also be given to proposals which support the mission and goals of Casper College.
The committee will meet on a monthly basis during the academic year and as needed during the summer. Applications will be reviewed within ten days of the submission deadline date. The committee may request additional information from the applicant to fully understand the nature of the activity/program and/or funding needs. The committee will notify applicants of its decisions following each meeting by returning the application to the applicant with committee considerations and decisions noted.
Awards run concurrently with the Casper College fiscal year, July 1-June 30.

The Casper College Staff Alliance is pleased to announce the Employee of the Month for May 2012:

Blake Harkins has been working at the college for 5 1/2 years as a carpenter.

Blake approaches his job with a positive attitude and a willingness to always get the job done right. Blake is very particular in his work and takes a tremendous amount of pride in his work. We count heavily on Blake’s thirty plus years of in the field experience to help everyone on campus from fixing locks to building cabinets on a daily basis.

Blake is a tremendous asset to the college, not only in his knowledge, but is very dependable and reliable and always willing to step up when needed. Blake exhibits great communication skills when working with everyone on campus to ensure that their vision is the end result of his work.

Blake is highly deserving of this recognition, setting an example for all employees to follow. Please join us in congratulating Blake Harkins as the May 2012 Casper College Staff Employee of the Month.

Committee Members

Standing Committee
Ann Dalton - Co-Chair	Shereen Mosier - Co-Chair
GW 408F	GW 407
268-2085	268-2229

Selection Committee (JUL-SEP)
Laurie Johnstone	TBA	TBA
GW 334

Nomination Form and Procedures

Purpose
The purpose of the Employee of the Month (EOM) Award is to recognize outstanding accomplishments and/or service by classified staff employees of Casper College.

Eligibility
All benefited, non-probationary, classified staff employees (with the exception of the Staff Alliance Executive Committee) who work a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week are eligible for the award. Previous recipients will be eligible for nomination after three (3) years of last award.

To nominate an employee, click the EOM Nomination Form below. Once form is completed you can submit the form electronically by clicking the "submit by email" button or print the form and send intercampus mail to Shereen Mosier - PS 132.

Previous Winners

Apr, 2012 - Laurie Johnstone	April, 2011 - Dora Granados	April, 2010 - Karel Mathisen
Mar, 2012 - Michelle Higgins	Mar, 2011 - Rachel Wright	Mar, 2010 - James Kane
Feb, 2012 - John Chapin	Feb, 2011 - Chris Carlson	Feb, 2010 - Carol Lau
Jan, 2012 - Jan Dalgarno	Jan, 2011 - Linda Nichols	Jan, 2010 - Nita Romero
Dec, 2011 - Bill Mayfield	Dec, 2010 - Keith Nath	Dec, 2009 - Carillon Armstrong
Nov, 2011 - Cindy Burgess	Nov, 2010 - Tanya Peterson	Nov, 2009 - Terri House
Oct, 2011 - Chuck Griswold	Oct, 2010 - Kathy Coe	Oct, 2009 - Jennifer Abelmann
Sept, 2011 - Dana Boe	Sep, 2010 - Peggy Candelaria	Sep, 2009 - Teresa Bogucki
Aug, 2011 - Patti Finkle	Aug, 2010 - Paul Francis	Aug, 2009 - Robert Taylor
July, 2011 - Karen Arnold	July, 2010 - Crystal Sosalla	July, 2009 - Dianne Dorsey
June, 2011 - Tiptida Telck	June, 2010 - Steve Armijo	June, 2009 - Roberta Scholtz
May, 2011 - Sarah Feeney	May, 2010 - Jim Miller	May, 2009 - Dave Mondle

The Robert Durst Classified Staff Award was established to recognize and honor one outstanding Casper College Staff member annually. All benefitted classified staff are eligible to compete for this prestigious recognition and $1,000 cash award.

The following criteria will be weighed for award consideration:
1. The candidate must possess qualities of an outstanding classified staff member.
2. The candidate must be involved and contribute to campus and community activities.
3. The candidate must have exemplary achievements and/or accomplishments.

See "Nominating an Employee" below for more details and a nomination form.

Committee Members

Standing Committee
Ann Dalton - Co-Chair	Terri House - Co-Chair
GW 408F	GW 303D
268-2085	268-2691

Nominating an Employee

Any Casper College employee may nominate a classified staff candidate, by submitting this nomination form by Thursday, March 1, 2012. Contact HR if you have a question about whether an employee is eligible. Self-nominations are not permitted for this award. Please, only one employee per nomination sheet.

After the nomination period has closed, the nominee will have one week to accept or decline the nomination. At that time, a list of nominees who have accepted will be announced to all employees. The nominees will have until Friday, March 23, 2012 to finalize and submit their application packets.

Nominations will not be accepted after the March 1, 2012 deadline and only completed forms will be accepted. The Durst Award Committee will select the recipient based on a points system. The award recipient will be announced at the annual Retirement and Recognition dinner.

Previous Winners

2011 - Glenda Pullen	2010 - Robert Taylor	2009 - Mary Lewallen
2008 - Sarah Sulzen (first recipient)