Please join us on Tuesday, August 31 from 7-9 pm for a beginning of the semester open house. We had originally hoped to have two of these but due to scheduling conflicts and the stressful and chaotic CUNY reopening process, we will be holding only the August 31 evening meeting.
Agenda:
Hear from the recently elected New Caucus PSC Leadership: James Davis and other principal officers will discuss how the Executive Council elected in Spring 2021 has been focusing on key issues like health & safety in reopening, union membership, strategic planning, retiree healthcare, and engagement with committees, including legislative, anti-bullying, and anti-racism.
Plan New Caucus events for 2021: Attendees will have an opportunity to collectively discuss caucus activities for the 2021-2022 academic year. Topics already under discussion include “Social Justice Unionism in the Post-COVID University”, “The Future of CUNY: Return to Open Admissions and a Free CUNY”, and the issue of Open Bargaining.
We write to you with three announcements: membership renewal, two August open houses, and the date of our November meeting when we will elect a new Governing Board and Treasurer. Given the uncertainty around the continued COVID outbreak (including variants), the Governing Board and Coordinating Committee have decided to hold all events on Zoom at least for this fall.
Once again this year dues will be $25 for full-timers and $10 for part-timers and retirees. It is important that members make sure to update dues by the dates indicated below in order to be eligible to participate in the GB election.
Here are important dates to consider when renewing membership:
Membership Dues Paid
By Sept 14, 2021
Sept 15 – Oct 30, 2021
Oct 31 – Nov 13, 2021
First time members
Can attend, Can vote
Can attend, Cannot vote
Cannot attend, Cannot vote
Renewing members
Can attend, Can vote
Can attend, Can vote
Cannot attend, Cannot vote
Election of the Next Governing Board:
The election for Governing Board will be held at the first meeting of this semester on November 13, 2021 at 10am. The current New Caucus Governing Board is serving out its current three-year term; all eleven positions will be open for nominations. In line with our by-laws, the Governing Board shall consist of no fewer than nine and no more than eleven members. PSC Executive Council members shall not have a majority of seats on the board. The position of New Caucus Treasurer will also be up for election.
Nominations (including self-nominations) will still be accepted from the floor during the election meeting. At that meeting, nominees must either accept their nomination or must have communicated their acceptance to the Coordinating Committee prior to the meeting. All nominees must be members in good standing of the New Caucus on the day of the meeting.
For this election, the Coordinating Committee will also be opening up a space on the New Caucus website for publishing candidate statements and information. If you are interested in publicizing your candidacy, please do the following by October 30, 2021:
Write to the Coordinating Committee at psccunynewcaucus@gmail.com and let them know of your intention to run.
Submit to the Coordinators a statement that describes your candidacy, and includes your title, department and campus affiliation.
Submit a picture of yourself suitable for posting on the New Caucus website.
August New Caucus “Open House”
Building on expressed interest in increasing opportunities for member engagement with the caucus, we will be holding two pre-fall semester “open house” events of the New Caucus on Saturday,August 28 10am-12pm and Tuesday,August 31, 2021 7-9 pm. These meetings will focus on the role of the New Caucus in supporting, undergirding, and providing political direction to our elected leadership in the PSC and beyond. Facilitated by the coordinating committee, this meeting will bring in member voices as the caucus plans its work during a new year and under a new PSC leadership, GB and CC members. More detailed information on the proposed topics and format of these meetings will be provided shortly.
newcaucuspsc.com 