What Do Those CSUEU Committees Actually Do?

We recently carried a notice that CSUEU is looking for people to sit on some standing committees. Here's an overview of the committees mentioned.

Most of this information is taken straight from the CSUEU Policy File. You can download a PDF copy at http://www.csueu.org/Forms/tabid/65/Default.aspx. At this writing, the copy there is the draft copy, but we are assured by Jay Jimenez that you can rely on it with respect to content.

General Background
Standing committees are established by the policy file, which also describes their functions and how often they must meet. Ad-hoc committees are created as needed by the President, subject to confirmation of the Board of Directors at its next meeting.

The President and Vice President for Organizing are ex-officio members of all committees. The Vice Presidents of Organizing, Finance, and Representation are chairs of their respective committees.

If you're interested in the work of a committee, go to a meeting and see what happens. They all have open meetings, with rare exceptions as described in the policy file, and usually meet at the Board of Directors meetings. New people are always welcomed.

Finance Committee
These are the folks who spend long hours working out the numbers to give the Board of Directors all those different budget scenarios. Appointed by the VP for Finance, this committee meets at least three times a year. Its charge: "The primary responsibility of the committee is to advise the Executive Committee and Board of Directors on all matters relating to the ability of the CSU CSUEU to fund programs and objectives recommended and/or approved by the Executive Committee or Board of Directors. Between sessions of the Board of Directors the Finance Committee shall prepare the proposed budget for the CSUEU and provide ongoing fiscal oversight.
The Finance Committee shall be responsible for:
(a) Preparing and presenting the CSUEU budget;
(b) On-going review of the CSUEU budget and making recommendations as appropriate;
(c) Aiding the Vice President for Finance in the performance of his/her duties;
(d) Recommend deferral of specific programs and objectives;
(e) Make recommendations to the Board of Directors on financial matters referred to the committee;
(f) Make recommendations to the Executive Officer Committee and Board of Directors on policy sections which relate to the financial operation of the CSUEU; and
(g) Development and implementation of training for Chapter Officers and Treasurers."

Bylaws and Policy File Committee
Appointed by the President, with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, this committee must meet at least twice a year. Its charge: "The basic responsibility of the Policy File Committee is to protect the integrity of the CSUEU by serving as a forum for discussion of all matters that relate to the governing principles of the CSUEU.
(a) Between sessions of the Board of Directors, the Bylaws and Policy File Committee shall serve the Executive Officer Committee and shall be responsible for the review of and recommending action on Bylaws, Policy File and procedures of the CSUEU.
(b) Independently reviews all actions of the Board of Directors, the Executive Officer Committee, and the Chapters for conformance with the Policy File, and bring to the attention of the appropriate body any actions found not to be in conformance therewith.
(c) Upon request of the Executive Officer Committee or the President, interprets unclear or ambiguous portions of the Policy File and, along with any such interpretation, makes recommendations as appropriate.
(d) Review recommendations for changes to the CSUEU Bylaws and Policy File;
(1) Place them in appropriate language and format;
(2) Submit recommendations as an agenda item, at the next Board of Directors meeting;
(3) Review the CSUEU corporate documents for accuracy and making recommendations for their useful revision;
(4) Take the actions of the Board of Directors and write them in appropriate Bylaws and Policy File form; and
(5) Review Chapter Bylaws. "

Legislative Committee
This committee and its chair are appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Board of Directors, and meets at least twice a year. This committee is the source for our appointment(s) to the CSEA Legislative Committee. Its charge: "to develop the legislative program of the CSU CSUEU. The CSUEU’s legislative program must include items mandated by the General Council, the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors on matters within their jurisdiction. The CSUEU’s legislative program may contain other items recommended by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee.
The Legislative Committee shall be responsible for:
(a) Recommending appropriate legislation to the Board of Directors that will advance the interests of the CSUEU;
(b) Receiving actions of the Board of Directors and preparing them in appropriate legislative form;
(c) Submitting the CSUEU’s legislative agenda to the Association’s Governmental Affairs Committee for action;
(d) Monitoring other legislation that has potential impact on the CSUEU;
(e) Supporting the legislative stance adopted by the Association; and
(f) Legislative Committee is responsible for developing legislative and political action training policy."

Membership Dues Committee
Section 202.01 of the policy file allows members undergoing certain hardships to request that their dues be reduced temporarily to $8 per month. Composed of one member from each bargaining unit, with alternates, this committee is appointed by the President and meets at least twice a year. Its charge is to "review and act upon requests for temporary dues reduction according to provisions of the CSUEU Policy File."

Communications Committee
Appointed by the President, this committee must meet at least twice per year. Its charge: "The CSUEU Communications Committee will oversee mass communications to all represented employees.
(a) The Committee will produce at least two statewide newsletters to represented employees each year.
(b) The Committee will oversee the periodic distribution of mass electronic communications to all represented employees.
(c) The Committee will maintain control of editorial supervision and content for mass communication to all represented members.
(d) The Communication Committee is responsible for developing communications training policy."

Statewide Organizing Committee
Chaired by the VP for Organizing, this committee consists of three members from the Board of Directors and five at-large members, all of whom are appointed by the VP for Organizing, and meets at least twice a year. Its charge:
"(a) The Statewide Organizing Committee will oversee the organizing programs for all employees in the CSUEU. It will provide assistance and counseling to each campus in the development of a campus organizing committee.
(b) The Committee shall develop, implement and evaluate an annual organizing program to increase and maintain membership in all bargaining units for the CSUEU.
(c) The Committee shall seek input from the Chapters and Bargaining Unit Councils as to specific needs or issues.
(d) Vice President for Organizing and the Statewide Organizing Committee are responsible for developing organizing training policy."

Classification Committee
These are the folks who do so much of the research and figuring-out for us when we deal with the CSU regarding classification modifications. BUC Chairs or their designees (often Vice Chairs) are committee members, along with three at-large members appointed by the President with the concurrence of the Board of Directors. The committee meets at least twice a year.
Its charge:
"(a) Reviewing CSU classification revisions, new or old;
(b) Surveying employees regarding classification needs or impacts;
(c) Coordinating pre-bargaining research efforts among affected classifications in preparation for meet and discuss, and meet and confer sessions relating to classification standards, and/or changes to existing standards; and
(d) Reporting back to the Bargaining Unit Councils in preparation for bargaining and coordinating bargaining unit efforts with the Vice President for Representation."