Member Interest Articles

Member Services Update: April 2026

Spring has (hopefully) sprung by the time you’re reading this, and with it comes a noticeable shift in the rhythm of the university. As a large portion of the student population heads off until the fall, campus activity changes. While faculty presence is reduced, many of us remain, recognizing as well that this is a popular period for members to take vacation.

The work of ASPA continues, however, as a new Executive prepares to take on leadership of the association, and I look forward to working closely with them.

Edwards Graduate Programs Open House Event

Event Name: Edwards Graduate Programs Open House

When and Where:
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Moeller Resource Room, Edwards School of Business

REGISTRATION/CTA: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/edwards-school-of-business-graduate-programs-open-house-tickets-1984928149528?aff=oddtdtcreator

Event Overview

Discover how an Edwards graduate program can advance your professional goals at the Edwards Graduate Programs Open House!

Learn more about the Edwards Master of Business Administration program, the Edwards Graduate Certificates in Leadership and Financial Management, and the Edwards Master of Science in Management program.

Enjoy an evening of presentations, networking, and appetizers while connecting with Edwards alumni, faculty, and staff. You’ll learn what to expect from each program, explore pathways that fit your goals, and get a chance to connect with the Edwards community.

For questions and inquires, please contact Alyssa at downing@edwards.usask.ca

ASPA Member Services Officer Update: January 2026

The past six months have gone by quickly since I joined the ASPA team, and the experience has been both energizing and meaningful. Supporting members through difficult situations has shown me, time and again, the resilience, commitment, and strength that define our community. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do this work and have genuinely enjoyed my time so far.

ASPA Member Services Officer – Reflection

Abstract

Shayne Meggs, ASPA’s Member Services Officer, shares highlights from his first few months in the role, supporting members through workplace challenges, labour relations issues, and collective bargaining preparations. His work includes attending meetings with the employer, participating in joint committees, and negotiating settlements on behalf of members and the union.

My First Few Months at ASPA

By Shayne Meggs, Member Services Officer

It’s been an amazing start to my time at ASPA. The Presidents, Executive, and members have all been incredibly welcoming and supportive. I want to extend a special thank you to Angeline, our Financial and Administrative Assistant, who has been instrumental in onboarding me to ASPA and helping me navigate the university more broadly.

What does a Membership Services Officer (MSO) do?

By Glenn Billingsley, ASPA Member Services Officer

A Membership Services Officer (MSO) plays a crucial role in resolving workplace disputes and ensuring fair employment practices. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the responsibilities of the MSO.

Benefits Reminder

It’s time to think about your “use it or lose it!” benefits!

With the end of the calendar year fast approaching, please don’t forget about the various benefits available to you that may be expiring soon. These include:

Your allotment for various medical claims through SunLife. These renew on January 1^st, and any unclaimed amounts cannot be carried over to the next calendar year. This includes paramedical benefits, like massage therapy, counselling, and chiropractor (note that vision care is a bit different, and renews on the second year following a claim). More info on your SunLife health plan.
Your Flexible Spending Program benefits (i.e., the Health Spending Account or Personal Spending Account). The annual amount ($900) carries forward for 1 calendar year, meaning if you have any ammounts left from 2022 you need to use them by December 31, 2023, and If unspent cannot be used towards eligible purchases (although you can still submit claims after January 1^st). The PSA amount can be used on a wide variety of expenses, including online music subscriptions, traditional medicines, transit passes, pet care, and even RRSP/TFSA contributions! More info on the Flexible Spending Program.
Your three (3) Personal/Family days. These are for emergent, personal or family situations, and do not roll over from one year to the next. See Section 20.9 in the ASPA Collective Agreement.

Remember also that your choice of allocation for the Flexible Spending Program needs to be made before the end of the year. This will allow you to select to place money either towards the Health Spending Account (HAS, non-taxable) or the Personal Spending Account (PSA, taxable). More info on allocating funds to your Flexible Spending account.

How to Handle Criticism in the Workplace

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Personal and professional success depends on being able to receive criticism and deal with it in a calm way. Criticism in the workplace is unavoidable since we as humans are prone to make mistakes. The goal of constructive feedback is to improve your abilities and performance. Self reflection on your flaws or mistakes and acknowledgement of the areas needing improvement will help you handle criticisms at work.

Here are some key ways to handle criticism at work:

Practicing Self-Compassion at Work

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Everyone knows the feeling that comes with making a mistake or failing to meet others’ expectations. These feelings can be heightened when we do not meet our own expectations and judge ourselves too harshly. When failures occur, this relentless self monitoring, behavior correction, negative self-talk and self-criticism can be counterproductive. We need to make room for self-compassion if we want to move beyond our mistakes and toward future successes.

Here are some key ways to practice self-compassion at work:

How to Empower Others in the Workplace

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Employees seek autonomy to take action and make decisions within their organization. They want to feel valued and contribute in a meaningful way to the company goals. Empowering employees is a culture. There must be trust and understanding in place ensuring that their actions are in line with their organization’s mission and values.

Here are some key ways to empower employees:

Job or Career: Mindset Makes a Difference

Written by Karen E. Mosier

Having a job and pursuing a career are pretty much the same thing except for the difference in mindset. How passionate are you about what you do? Do you take into account the whole spectrum of experiences and life education that comes along with your job?

Here are some key differences between the mindset of having a job vs a career: