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Minutes

Quarterly Meeting - Fall 2004
Foy Student Union, Room 217
October 23, 2004
(written by Chair-John Varner)

As promised, it was a fun and informative meeting!

Guest Speakers: Coach Nell Fortner
                            Coach Jeff Lebo
                            Mayor of the City of Auburn - Bill Ham
                            AFLAC Representative
                            Past-Chair, Vic Walker

Coach Jeff Lebo spoke first, and talked about his background, his experience so far at Auburn University and his expectations for the immediate and long term future.  He was optimistic about the long-term, but I'm pretty sure he was being sincere when he asked for "patience" in the short term.  I don't think he was kidding when he said his coaches were taller than his players, and he might have to go with a "five guard line-up" at times this year.  He was very personable and likable, and he left me wishing that I could leave him a couple of tall guys in his stocking for Christmas.

Next Coach Nell Fortner spoke, the new women's basketball coach.  You really would have had to be there to appreciate just how incredibly upbeat this woman was.  I've never seen anything like it.  She promised to win national championships here at AU, and was most emphatic that she did mean it in plural number.  I had no trouble believing her when she boasted of her recruiting prowess, as I sensed that many of us in attendance were ready to suit up and play for her right them!

I then pointed out that not only do we at the Staff Council strive to improve benefits and privileges here at AU, we also encourage people to take advantage of the ones we have.  I said that discount athletic tickets are one of my favorite privileges, and I encouraged those in attendance to order their season basketball tickets while there was still time.

Auburn Mayor Bill Ham had the unenviable task of speaking after the coaches, and he did a commendable job.  He spoke about his background, and gave a very enlightening talk about the importance of there being a good cooperative working relationship between the city and the university.  He spoke of the need to improve efficiency of services, and to eliminate wasteful duplication.  Among the many examples he gave of municipal/university cooperation were the recent merger of the public safety departments, the exciting new research park, and plans for a  new airport terminal.

Next, I again encouraged those in attendance to take advantage of some of the many fine benefits and privileges we enjoy as AU employees, specifically the Flex Spending and 403(B) Plans.  I mentioned that these benefits were under utilized , and pointed out some of the positive aspects that some may not have been aware of in the hopes that more people would choose to participate during the open enrollment period.

Next a gentleman from AFLAC spoke about he Cancer Policy that was added last year.  He did a fine presentation, as did the women who spoke next about the alternative Cancer policy.   I was very pleased to hear all of the excellent questions that were asked by those in attendance, and hope that more people will be able to afford to participate since we got a pay raise this year.

It was good to see Ronnie Herring from Payroll and Benefits in attendance, and we appreciate him giving a talk and answering questions about the Dental Policy.

Or immediate past-chair, Vic Walker, was the last speaker and he talked about his work on the Professional Development Committee, the availability of night classes here at AU and other efforts to make available opportunities for self-improvements for AU employees.  I've gotten a lot of good feedback and questions about Vic's talk, and I hope that anyone that is interested in a list of the night courses or what they need to do to take them will let me know and I'll get the information for them.

Attendance was not as strong as it had been at the last couple of meetings, as the weather conditions were tornadic that day, and there was an inordinate number of health and personal issues that kept even some of our most dedicated members away.  Despite that, I thought it was about the best meeting I'd ever attended, and I'm extremely grateful to those of you who braved the weather to be there. 

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if there's ever anything I can do for you!

John Varner, Chair