Calling All Advocates – Area Representatives Needed

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MSU APA Upcoming Events

MSU-APA February Executive Board Meeting

Tuesday, February 20th

2:00-5:00 p.m. APA Office

 

APA Election Nominations Close

Thursday, February 15

5pm

 

MSU-APA Election Voting Opens

Thursday, March 7th

 

MSU-APA March Executive Board Meeting

Tuesday, March 19th

2:00-5:00 p.m. APA Office

 

MSU-APA Election Voting Closes

Wednesday, March 20th

4pm

 

 

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APA Election March 2024

APA Election March 2024

This communication serves as notice of the APA election and candidate nominations. All nominations must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm on February 15, 2024.

The 2024 election will include:

APA Executive Board

  • Five (5) three-year positions on APA Executive Board serving 9/1/2024-8/31/2027

MEA and NEA Representative Assembly Delegate/Region Council Delegate

  • Four (4) three-year positions serving 9/1/2024-8/31/2027
  • One (1) partial term position serving 9/1/2024-8/31/2025

Individuals must be APA members in good standing to nominate or be nominated for office.

To nominate someone, please complete the following form and submit by 5:00 pm February 15, 2024:

https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_erjj77uV5hAj5Jk

After the close of nominations, properly nominated candidates will be contacted by the Nominations and Elections Committee to confirm their willingness to run and to provide biographical information by February 22, 2024.

Each year, the APA Nominations and Elections Committee works diligently to operate an efficient, accurate and transparent election in compliance with the APA Constitution and Bylaws. The 2024 election voting will be online and is scheduled to run from March 7, 2024 – March 20, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. A paper-based ballot option is available by contacting [email protected]. Paper ballots must be requested by March 13, 2024, by 4:00 pm and received by the closing time of the election.

Election results will be tallied on March 20, 2024, at 4:05 pm. The results will be tallied via Zoom and any member in good standing is welcome to attend. Information on how to register for the Zoom will be provided at a later date. Election results will be communicated via the APA Distribution list.

Further announcements around the election will be provided via the official APA Distribution list. Information will also be posted on the APA Website under the tab titled 2024 Election. Candidate information will be posted on the website for member viewing before the voting period begins. If you have any nominations or elections questions please contact [email protected].

The APA Elections Committee includes: Gerlind Kiupel (Chair), Sue Brandt, Todd Ring, Apa Danica Victory, Candace Heeringa.

 

 

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MSU APA Winter Festival

APA Winter Festival 

Kandy Slack 

APA Membership Chair

On a beautiful December evening, APA members and their families gathered at the MSU Museum on West Circle Drive.  This was an opportunity to explore the exhibits, pick up APA t-shirts & tote bags, meet MEA Financial Services reps, socialize with other members and have a great dinner with some amazing desserts!   

For all those who attended and volunteered, thank you!  Do you have pictures from that night you would like to share in future communications?  Stories of your family’s experience?  Please send them to Kandy at [email protected] . 

We look forward to seeing you in the year ahead at other exciting events. 

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A Word from the APA President

How to value yourself

Every day, we hear of situations where members feel over worked and under recognized. The discussion starts with a request to be reclassified but ends with finding ways to be properly respected. A common assumption that if you work harder, it will be recognized and rewarded is an absolute myth and dangerous to your health. Don’t buy into the rhetoric that working excessive hours is the only answer. The excuse that there is no money for additional staff, is not written in stone. We have heard it said that HR can work a salaried position as many hours as they want. Although it may be legal, it is highly unadvised. This is antiquated thinking that is destructive to mental and physical health, dangerous to those around us, a primary cause of low staff retention, as well as negatively affecting our students’ success.

How do we move forward? Through self-value, self-care, and self-growth. Let’s start with recognizing your own skills. The APA represents a little over 3,000 support staff positions involving more than 300 unique classifications. Although sometimes invisible, every one of us is important to our students and their families. We are the Subject Matter Experts (SME) in our field. Your skills are of critical value to your department and how that department supports students. If they succeed, we have done well and the rest will follow due to that success. There will be doubters but do not accept biased opinions and respect yourself for that value that you bring.

You need to recognize and practice self-care through a work life balance. Don’t put off your own care issues for some time in the future. Know how to set healthy, respectful boundaries and if you don’t know, contact your union. We are here to help and support you. Consider self-growth through continued professional development. We often hear concerns with the lack of promotion opportunities. Part of that involves keeping our skills current. Promotions are not based solely on seniority but on skill growth. If this is intimidating, use your resources. Having skilled partners is essential and that is what your union is for. Our goals are to engage, educate and empower you for your future. Know your advocacy team and start moving forward, together.

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Happy Holidays From MSU APA

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MSU APA Fall Festival

From your Membership Chair, Kandy Slack

On Sunday, October 29th, members and their families were invited to join in the APA Fall Festival at the MSU Horticulture Gardens.  This wasKandy Slack an opportunity to enjoy a meal in the tent, socialize with other APA members across our campuses, explore the beautiful gardens on this cool fall day, grab some goodies and run through the inflatable obstacle course.   

I want to thank all who participated and a special shout out to our volunteers to help make this happen for our members!  We look forward to seeing you at future APA events, watch for details in the new year. 

 

 

Jessica Mussell – APA Membership Committee & member 

“My kids were exChildren playingcited to wear their costumes while exploring the gardens again (and do some early trick-or-treating!) but this year’s addition of the inflatable bounce house really took the cake. So much that now every time we go to (or drive past) campus, my 3-year-old requests we “go play in the bouncy house.” I explain that the bouncy house was for a family event at mom’s work and it’s not there anymore — a reality she firmly rejects. I think they’re counting down the minutes until next year’s event to see what surprises APA has in store for them 😆.

Ebony Sukarie-Leatrice Lucas & Daughter & Kandy Slack 

Three people posing for picture

“We truly enjoyed our time at the Fall Festival. My daughter loved all the candy and I loved the hamburgers😀. It was a wonderful and engaging event. My husband also joined us and he remarked, ” Ha, this is all right” (means he really likes it)!


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Your Fellow APAs

Meet Fellow APA Member Sean Carey

By Gerlind Kiupel, Communications Committee MemberA person dressed in a grey sweater

What is your job title?                                                                                                          Financial Analyst

 How long have you been at MSU?
I’ve been at MSU for 17 years

Have you been a member of the APA the whole time?
Yes 

What department do you work in, and can you tell me a little bit about what you do?
Currently, I work in Athletics in the Business Office as the fiscal officer for Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Football, Ticket Office, and Marketing, as well as other various accounts. I am responsible for certain aspects of departmental monthly and year-end reporting, as well as annual budget.

What brought you to your job at MSU?
Graduated from MSU in 2002 and wanted to return to campus. Started in the Cashier’s Office in Fall of 2006. 

What do you enjoy most about working at MSU?                                                                      The University has a positive impact on so many people, from students and faculty/staff to members of the community attending an event on campus. I enjoy being part of making those experiences possible.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?
Outdoor activities year-round. Spending time with family. Attend local events.

In high school I was known for having good grades and many different groups of friends.

People would be surprised to know I am skilled at Mending children’s clothes.

I have 1 pet, (Yellow lab, Winnie, 3 years old)

I like all kinds of music music

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