It seems like only a few short weeks ago that I was writing a summer update report and welcome letter.  Reflecting back over the year, it has been challenging as well as eventful.  Through the energy and assistance of some very active faculty on campus, district and the FEC, I believe we have some very important initiatives in place and others that will need continued activity in the coming year. 

One of the major accomplishments that began as a theme from a Faculty Executive Council Retreat, moved to a Governing Board Retreat and finally adopted by the Chancellor and Board was a major change in the faculty hiring cycle.  Many helped to make this happen, including administrators.  Dr. Barry Vaughan's leadership in this endeavor was invaluable.  This change allows MCCCD to go out in the best time of the year to seek new faculty.

For the first time last year, the Faculty Association hired Mike Napier and Dale Norris in an extended contract that allows members of the Faculty Association to have personal legal issues addressed at a discounted rate for members and their family and expanded involvement in work-related issues through the Association. 

We advertised for and hired our own lobbyist firm. Dr. Alan Haffa spearheaded this initiative from the beginning and is now leading the faculty legislative sub-committee.  This has brought an increased awareness of legislation that may affect us directly or indirectly.  A core group has started, but we hope that we will have increased involvement.

Some major issues have been tentatively agreed upon in the Meet and Confer Process:
Initial salary placement 
Indemnification
Intellectual Property Rights
Reassigned time for Professional Growth Representatives 
   in the RFP, and 
other issues that you will be seeing in your ballot soon!

Meet and Confer Team:
Linda Larson and Jim Daugherty co-chairs, 
Rosemary Kesler, Larry Williams, Bob Galloway, 
Carrie Taylor, secretary
THANKS FROM ALL OF US FOR YOUR EFFORTS!

Continued