Hello everyone! I hope you are doing good and gearing up for the upcoming holiday season. Seems like the year just zoomed by and we are already in the most joyful month of the year.
I’d like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance and guidance I continually receive from past ASPA leaders and former executive members. Recognition is also due to our current Vice Presidents, Philip Hitchings, and Dawn Giesbrecht, who are providing impartial insights that aid us in steering ASPA in the right direction. Furthermore, I want to recognize the executive members for their contributions in devising various initiatives to enhance the membership experience. Our association is fortunate to have an exceptional contingent of ASPA members who volunteered their time for various committees. I encourage all ASPA members who can find some time to volunteer for ASPA committees and consider running for future leadership roles.
I would also like to mention that our ASPA staff members – Glenn Billingsley and Emily Hinatsu – have been doing an incredible job over the fall and without their invaluable support, we as a team would not be able to accomplish the goals that we continually striving to achieve.
Finally, I would also like to thank Ken Glover for his work continually providing IT support to ASPA.
ASPA Updates:
Executive Committee
This year’s elected Executive Committee members assumed office in May 2024, with appointed leadership roles including Philip Hitchings and Dawn Giesbrecht as Vice-Presidents, Erica Li-Humen as Treasurer, and myself as President.
The other members of the Executive are as follows:
- Aditya Manek
- Dawn Giesbrecht
- Edith Conacher
- Erica Li-Humen
- Evan Potts
- John Costa
- Julie Maier
- LaVina Watts
- Paige Larsen
- Patrick Hauser
- Philip Hitchings
- Simona Meier
The Executive Committee has been meeting regularly and we have been discussing ongoing issues and working towards new policies and procedures that will benefit current and future ASPA executive members and staff.
General Membership
The ASPA membership continues to stay strong with 1680 members as of this month. Fluctuations in membership numbers are usually due to casual employees, such as marker/proctors.
Overview of Membership Numbers
- As of September 1, 2024 – 1632 Members
- As of October 1, 2024 – 1660 Members
- As of November 1, 2024 – 1676 Members
- As of December 1, 2024 – 1680 Members
Standing Committees
Communications and Public Relations Sub-Committee (Part of Engagement Committee)
This committee has been updating some of our communications processes and tools (including establishing a communications calendar, formalizing use of MailChimp for communications, and creating new templates for the Quarterly Newsletter and other regular communications).
Reminder: There is a “Suggestion Box” on the ASPA website which you will find on the right-hand sidebar. Please feel free to leave any of your comments and suggestions for the Executive Committee, which can be anonymous if you so choose.
Education Sub-Committee (Part of Engagement Committee)
Three (3) ASPA Executive Committee members (including myself) and one of our ASPA staff members attended the Inclusion Works Conference in Nanaimo, BC during the last week of October 2024. This conference focused on the current state of Indigenous relations, reconciliation efforts, and discussions on the inclusion of language related to indigenous rights in collective bargaining agreements (CBA). One of our ASPA members gave a presentation on how ASPA has been successful at revising language that reflects Indigenous and visible minority needs in our current CBA. This presentation was especially appreciated by other attendees at the conference.
Two ASPA Executive Committee members (including myself) attended a 2-day course on inclusive leadership offered by the Edward School of Business in November 2024. This course was very informative and was well attended by members from different organizations providing a great opportunity to learn from one another and help gain tools to become better and inclusive leaders in our diverse and multicultural environment at the University of Saskatchewan.
Social Sub-Committee (Part of Engagement Committee)
We are preparing for the upcoming ASPA Winter Social, which will be held in February of 2025. Stay tuned for updates on this event.
Research Committee
The Research Committee has remained available to respond to Executive and member requests, and is currently undertaking work on a survey to members to help us evaluate the ASPA website (stay tuned for this in the new year).
Strike Manual Committee
The Strike Manual Committee met in the fall, and we are currently drafting a manual specifically for ASPA with the goal of thinking ahead and being well informed about the policies and procedures involved in a strike scenario.
Merit Audit Committee
In our CBA, there is language around having a Merit Audit Committee to discuss how the merit process is working across campus, and to have the employer share statistical data on the merit distribution. Four (4) members from the Executive and the staff met with the employer earlier this month to discuss the terms of reference, and we aim to meet on a consistent basis to assess the merit process for ASPA members.
General Office
As a reminder, ASPA Financial and Administrative Assistant, Emily Hinatsu, is in our general office and is available to help answer your questions. The ASPA office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm, 304 Kirk Hall, or 302 Kirk Hall on Fridays. Please feel free to contact us any time at 306.966.2471, by email at aspa@aspasask.ca, or by stopping by.
Member Services
ASPA Member Services Officer, Glenn Billingsley, has been busy addressing grievance cases and communicating with our ASPA members. We currently have three (3) grievance cases that are active, and numerous non-grievance cases.
If you have any questions or would like information regarding your union, or if you believe you are being treated unfairly or in ways that do not align with your contract, our member services officer is designated to advocate on your behalf. Please connect with Glenn. His office is in Kirk Hall 302, and he can be reached at glenn@aspasask.ca or 306.966.7392.
I hope you have a joyful and relaxing time during the Christmas break! On behalf of the ASPA Executive and staff, we wish you happy holiday season and a very happy new year.
In solidarity,
Dr. Aditya Manek, ASPA President (2024 – 2025)