DEPARTMENT REP JOB DESCRIPTION

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="043a45a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Massachusetts Society of Professors</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Massachusetts Society of Professors"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="044d2b03.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="09464640.gif" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>DEPARTMENT REP JOB DESCRIPTION</I></div> <div> <U>How important are MSP Department Representatives?</U></div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The MSP Department Representative provides a strategically critical role in effective member representation, mutual support, and the promotion of our professional interests both within and outside the University.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The organization needs department reps who can facilitate meaningful communication between the Union and our members, help shape strategic thinking and action on important issues, and activate colleagues in support of Union actions and campaigns.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Armed with essential information on University policies and procedures, the department rep can also provide invaluable advice to their own faculty members, especially those newly hired or facing major personnel decisions.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700dc00000000.png" HEIGHT="15" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">With information about current events affecting higher education across the state, the department rep can help provide the context for particular MSP actions or concerns.</div> <bR> <div> Our goal is to have respected and knowledgeable Department Representatives in the library and in every department and program on campus.  A strong, creative, and strategically effective MSP depends a great deal on the commitment and leadership of our Department Representatives.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>What are Department Reps' primary responsibilities? </U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Communication/Education.  </B>The Department Rep shares colleague-member ideas and issues with MSP officers and staff.  In addition, the Department Rep. provides important and useful Union information to colleague-members.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Colleague-Member Assistance.  </B>The Department Rep provides information and support for members who may not be aware of their rights under the contract and/or University policy.  They may also assist colleagues who feel their rights may have been violated, or who would simply like advice or assistance in their conversations with department chairs or other representatives of the administration.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Representing the MSP.  </B>Department Reps. represent the MSP at Department meetings, sharing information and/or soliciting ideas and information from faculty or librarians in their area.  Having a regular time-slot at department meetings, or at least being present, helps keep MSP issues on the table.  Some of MSP's most valuable information comes from discussions, ideas, and questions asked at department meetings.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Organizing/Mobilizing.  </B>Department Reps generate strategic discussion among colleague-members that can shape and guide MSP policy and action. Department Reps facilitate colleague-member support for and participation in MSP strategic actions and campaigns.  In addition, Department Reps help recruit colleagues to take on important tasks in these actions and campaigns.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Strategic Planning.  </B>Department Reps. meet once or twice a semester with MSP and other department reps to assist in strategic planning, respond to ideas circulating on the Executive Board or among officers, be briefed on current events affecting higher education, and discuss effective ways to protect the interests of members and develop a stronger University. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>How much time will it take?</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Generally, 1-2 Hours Per Month.  </B>Department Reps. should make every effort to attend meetings of reps in their own College (College Rep Councils) as well as the quarterly MSP Rep. lunch meetings. Department Reps. are always welcome to attend the bi-monthly MSP Board meetings, the schedule for which is posted on the website.  During MSP strategic campaigns - such as contract or legislative-budget campaigns - Department Reps. are encouraged to attend strategic planning meetings and to play a key role in educating, organizing and mobilizing colleague-members to support and participate in these efforts. Of course, reps are expected to attend their own department meetings, which depending on your department, will require additional time.  </div> <bR> <div> Note: you should remember to record your MSP Department Rep service as University and Department service on your annual AFR.  </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>What kind of support is provided for MSP Department Reps?</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Officer/Staff Assistance.  </B>MSP Officers and MSP and MTA staff will   provide</div> <div> informational and educational support to Department Reps. as a group and individually, as needed.  Officers and staff will be accessible for immediate assistance on contractual and University policy issues.  Reps are always welcome to attend workshop sessions on different topics that are offered through the year (e.g., on tenure review process, PMYR, etc.)</div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Informational Resources.  </B>MSP and MTA provide Department Reps. with</div> <div> informational materials on the contract, University and state policies, MSP</div> <div> and MTA member benefits and other matters that might be useful for the </div> <div> Department Rep. and MSP members.  Upon request, the MSP office will </div> <div> also share salary, merit, and other information with reps. that is provided by</div> <div> the administration. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Department Rep. Communications.  </B>MSP provides regular `Updates' to Department Reps. on important Union and University issues.  These and other Department Rep. communications are designed to help the Department Rep. facilitate communications and information-sharing between the MSP and departments, as well as to encourage broader participation in the union.</div> </td> </tr></table></body>