Internal Use Staff Senate Committee Preference

1. We review the current bylaws and SOPs of the staff senate and take any information sent to us from the body or committee for standardizing the language and to make sure that it fits the proper formatting requirements. We also advise committees on best practices for updating their operations internally and externally.
2. Someone with attention to detail who enjoys formatting language and wonderful conversation as a Bylaws committee. This is also a good fit for someone with time constraints who might need to do committee work outside of the normal set committee meeting. 
3. You would gain formal writing experience and a deeper understanding of the Staff Senate operationally. You would also have a wonderful time discussing many topics outside of bylaws. We are a great group and enjoy our conversation because we do cover the EC meeting and other topics.

What does this committee do? We are extending a special invitation to each of you to join our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE & I) Committee. As committee members, we strive to create an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and equity is fostered. We do so by actively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across the entire University enterprise. Our primary focus is to amplify the voices of all individuals and ensure that meaningful action is taken when necessary.

Who is a good fit for this committee? We welcome all individuals who understand the importance of DE&I work and aspire to be advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion at UK. We are actively seeking passionate members to join our committee, specifically individuals who not only embrace these principles but also possess a creative mindset, offering fresh ideas and effective solutions to tackle any challenges that may arise. Your unique perspectives and experiences would significantly contribute to our work in promoting education and understanding from a well-rounded viewpoint. Become a part of our team and help us build a more inclusive and equitable community here at UK.

What can this committee give back to its members? Joining our DE&I Committee offers personal growth and a unique opportunity to actively engage and educate yourself to DEI's Strategic Vision/Mission work here at UK. By becoming a member, you will contribute to positive change within our university while getting to know a wonderful group of senators. Your involvement will give you a sense of fulfillment and the knowledge that you have made a meaningful difference. Take advantage of this chance to be part of something impactful.

1. The Elections Committee is charged with facilitating the self-nomination and election process for the Staff Senate and the Staff Representative to the Board of Trustees (only every 3 years).
2. A good fit for this committee would be someone who is engaged, is organized, and works well with deadlines.
3. The committee can offer members an insight to the election process for the Staff Senate and the Staff Representative to the Board of Trustees as well as an opportunity to help implement improvements to the process as needed. 
4. Additional 1-2 hours per month in February through April may be needed to support election planning and execution.

1. The Employee Engagement Committee is focused on providing opportunities for staff to engage with the community at UK through creative initiatives. This is still a young committee that hopes to grow the things we offer as we are able.
2. One would be best suited for membership if you enjoy encouraging others to be active in the UK community and coming up with creative opportunities for staff to engage.
3. This committee provides a chance to really have your ideas heard and make a visible impact on UK staff.

1. This committee provides monthly professional development opportunities for UK employees and provides a mentorship program aimed at helping employees grow at UK and network.
2. You're a good fit for this committee if you like helping people seek professional growth and/or have a good knowledge of professional offerings at UK. You would succeed in this committee if you are a go-getter with good ideas and a willingness to see those ideas through to action.
3. People on this committee will have opportunities to gain skills in program management, public speaking, event organization, and networking.

1. The PR committee supports the marketing, communications, and social media accounts for Staff Senate. We help elevate Staff Senate and our senators through our sponsored events, community engagement, professional development opportunities, and any messaging/information that will help all UK staff (and faculty) be more engaged, excited, and informed.
2. Someone who loves to communicate, be creative, and celebrate successes. They tend to have great skills in social media, graphic design, and/or strong writing.
3. This committee is very collaborative. Being on this committee, you would receive a lot of cross-partnership opportunities to engage with other committees in Staff Senate including Elections, Employee Engagement and Community Outreach.

1. The Special Events Committee is charged with the planning, promotion and execution of events that the Staff Senate organizes annually.  
   1. The events include, but are not limited to: 

      1. Appreciation Day 

         • In coordination with the Appreciation Day chair and the program coordinator 

         • Includes t-shirt ordering and pick up coordination 

      2. UK Remembers 

         • Annual event honoring members of the community (not limited to UK) who passed in the time since the last event 

         • Members of staff senate, university senate and student government, as well as the staff representative on the Board of Trustees and members of UK’s administration usually speak 

      3. DanceBlue 

         1. In coordination with the annual event, this is the faculty/staff component as a minimarathon 

      4. Outstanding Staff Awards 

         • Coordination of gathering of previously awarded unit winners 

         • Solicitation of nomination from campus community for specialized winners nominated by staff, faculty, students 

2. A good fit for the committee would be someone willing to bring new ideas to make these events the best they can be, not just what they have been in the past. There is a lot of coordination with these events and participation can be day-of or in the planning phases if your schedule doesn’t allow for in-person volunteering at events, there are always lots of ways to help on the back end, behind the scenes, before the event.   
3. The committee gives back its members the opportunity to network with the campus community as well as other committees as this committee and Senate officers as this committee works closely with the AD chair and program coordinator, as well as the Senate Chair. We work with the PR committee to promote our events and share our news on social media as well as UKNow.  

1. The primary responsibility of the Technology Committee is to ensure that Staff Senators can focus on what matters most: being Staff Senators.  Behind the scenes, we are responsible for making sure that all of the technology and technological logistics for the Staff Senate are taken care of.  This can involve running Zoom sessions, operating cameras in classrooms or theatres, building Qualtrics or Microsoft polls, microphone placement for optimal sound capture, basic process automatic with Microsoft Flow, website updates, and other similar tasks.  When we are at our best, you won’t think twice about the technology for your event and will be able to focus entirely on advocating for staff and staff issues.   

   • Over the next several years, the technology committee hopes to continue growing its footprint both inside and outside of the Staff Senate.  Inside the Senate, we hope to provide additional technological solutions to other committees, allowing them to focus even more on their individual missions and goals. 

   • Outside of Staff Senate, we hope to continue expanding the acceptance and adoption of new technologies in the workplace, through presentations in the monthly ‘Lunch & Learn’ series, work with the IT Community of Practice, as well as other avenues as available.  Change is coming, and we want to ensure everyone is as prepared as possible for when it gets here! 

2. If you have an interest in serving on more than one committee, choosing technology as one of your committees is the perfect place for you! This is also a great fit for people who are innovative and solution-driven. 

   • In-between and outside of events, our committee loves discussing technology, new innovations, and making the workplace run smoother.  Do you like technology but your officemates don’t share the same passions?  Do you have great ideas on how to make things run smoother, but feel like you don’t have a platform to share them?  Do you love solving workplace puzzles and want to be surrounded by other like-minded people?  If yes, the technology committee is the right place for you!   

3. On the Tech Committee, you'll gain practical skills in using daily technology and the Microsoft suite. You'll also have the opportunity to expand your own interests in a variety of tech fields if you choose! This is a great committee for someone who wants to learn more about technology and gain professional development and skills in personal areas of tech interest.

Description: The primary goal of this committee will be to aid in the writing and development of Staff Senate related Administrative Regulations. This committee should liaise regularly with the other appropriate committees and members of the body to develop ARs that fit the evolving functions of Staff Senate. This committee will be guided by the Staff Senate Chair and their discussions with university leadership. Topics to be determined may include membership size, representation style, election processes, meeting rules, etc. 

Skills Needed/Gained: Needed - willingness to collaborate and listen to alternate views, understanding of shared governance structures and university operations, attention to detail, strong written communication skills. Gained - deeper understanding of the role of staff in university decision making, written an oral communication skills, functional interactions with Staff Senate and university leadership.

General "Out of Committee Meeting" Time Commitment: Unsure. Expected 2-5 hours per month until ARs are finalized.

Description: The primary responsibilities of the Higher Education Administration Advisory Ad Hoc Committee are to bring forward questions, concerns, and ideas that impact workplace efficiency and effectiveness in the university's higher ed settings. This committee may take on topics such as:

•  Operational/internal issues that face campus employees in day-to-day jobs, such as the policies and procedures we have to work within
• Items that would improve student facing interactions
• Updates on campus departments
• Construction updates for Lexington and remote campus spaces
• Expanding networks within the campus community to collaborate and grow partnerships amongst the various areas/departments 

Skills Needed/Gained: Needed - willingness to collaborate and listen to alternate views, understanding of higher ed operations, be an active problem solver, share a unique perspective on working in higher ed but be able to voice needs of larger groups of employees. Gained - more involvement in decision making related to work policies and procedures and a stronger relationship with university administrators.

General "Out of Committee Meeting" Time Commitment: Unsure. Expected 1 hour or less outside of normal committee meeting.

Committee Description: The Staff Career Progression Committee is focused on developing and enhancing career progression pathways and laddering opportunities for university staff. This committee identifies and addresses barriers to career advancement, recommends policies that facilitate clear career trajectories, and promotes a culture that supports upward mobility within the university. By collaborating with various departments, the committee ensures that staff have transparent and attainable career paths.

Skills Needed:

• Strong understanding of career progression and laddering concepts.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data related to staff career paths and progression.
• Experience in policy development and implementation.
• Collaboration and team-working abilities.

Skills Gained Through Membership:

• In-depth knowledge of career progression frameworks and laddering practices in higher education.
• Enhanced policy analysis and development skills.
• Networking opportunities with university leadership and staff from various departments.
• Improved project management and organizational skills.
• Leadership and advocacy skills by representing staff interests and needs.

General Time Commitment: Members are expected to dedicate approximately 2-5 hours per month. This includes attending monthly committee meetings, participating in subcommittee work, reviewing relevant materials, and collaborating on initiatives and projects. Additional time may be required for special projects or events.

Committee Description: The Resolutions Committee is responsible for drafting and presenting formal resolutions that articulate the university staff's stance on various issues. This committee identifies topics of importance to the staff community, drafts resolutions that express collective viewpoints, and ensures that these resolutions are communicated effectively to university leadership and other stakeholders. The committee plays a key role in advocating for staff interests and fostering a culture of active engagement and representation.

Skills Desired:

• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information on various topics.
• Experience in policy development and advocacy.
• Collaboration and team-working abilities.
• Knowledge of university governance and decision-making processes.

Skills Gained Through Membership:

• Enhanced writing and persuasive communication skills.
• Improved understanding of policy advocacy and resolution crafting.
• Networking opportunities with university leadership and staff from various departments.
• Increased knowledge of university governance and shared decision-making.
• Leadership and advocacy skills by representing staff interests and positions on key issues.

General Time Commitment: Members are expected to dedicate approximately 1-3 hours per month. This includes attending monthly committee meetings, participating in subcommittee work, drafting and reviewing resolutions, and engaging with stakeholders to gather input and support. Additional time may be required for special projects or events.

Committee Description: The Shared Governance Collaboration Committee is dedicated to fostering effective communication and collaboration between various shared governance bodies within the university. This committee works to ensure that overlapping topics and issues in the areas of primacy of Staff Senate are addressed in a cohesive and coordinated manner, promoting a unified approach to decision-making and policy development. By engaging with faculty, staff, and student governance groups, the committee aims to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation on key university matters. This committee may also assist in cross-body events such as UK Remembers, UK Employee Appreciation Day, Outstanding Staff Awards, etc.

Skills Needed:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse groups.
• Knowledge of university governance structures and processes.
• Experience in collaboration and conflict resolution.
• Analytical and organizational skills.

Skills Gained Through Membership:

• Enhanced understanding of shared governance principles and practices.
• Improved collaboration and negotiation skills.
• Networking opportunities with university governance bodies and leaders.
• Increased ability to facilitate effective communication and cooperation.
• Leadership skills by representing and advocating for cohesive decision-making.

General Time Commitment: Members are expected to dedicate approximately 1-5 hours per month. This includes attending monthly committee meetings, participating in joint meetings with other governance bodies, reviewing relevant materials, and collaborating on initiatives and projects. Additional time may be required for special projects or events that involve multiple governance groups.

Committee Description: The University Infrastructure Committee is responsible for overseeing and advising on the development and maintenance of the university's physical and digital infrastructure. This includes facilities on the main campus, remote campuses, and online platforms. The committee works to ensure that the university's infrastructure meets the needs of its community, supports academic and operational excellence, and aligns with the institution's strategic goals. By collaborating with various departments, the committee addresses issues related to building maintenance, technological advancements, parking, and ongoing construction projects.

Skills Needed:

• Knowledge of facilities management and digital infrastructure.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in project management and planning.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration and team-working abilities.

Skills Gained Through Membership:

• In-depth understanding of physical and digital infrastructure management in higher education.
• Enhanced project management and strategic planning skills.
• Networking opportunities with university leaders and infrastructure experts.
• Improved ability to assess and prioritize infrastructure needs and projects.
• Leadership skills by representing staff interests in infrastructure development and maintenance.
• Experience in managing and mitigating the impact of construction and parking issues.

General Time Commitment: Members are expected to dedicate approximately 1-3 hours per month. This includes attending monthly committee meetings, participating in subcommittee work, reviewing relevant materials, and collaborating on infrastructure projects and initiatives. 

Committee Description: The University Budget and Finance Committee, led by elected staff members, is tasked with understanding and advising on the university's budgetary and financial decisions. This committee may review financial reports, evaluate budget proposals, and provide recommendations to ensure the university's financial health and sustainability. As an advisory committee, this committee aims to promote transparency, accountability, and strategic allocation of resources to support the university's mission and goals, while trusting the expertise of university financial officers.

Skills Desired:

• Strong understanding of financial principles and budget management.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Experience in financial planning and analysis.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Skills Gained Through Membership:

• In-depth knowledge of university budgeting and financial management.
• Enhanced analytical and financial decision-making skills.
• Networking opportunities with university leadership and financial experts.
• Improved ability to interpret financial reports and data.
• Leadership and advocacy skills by representing staff interests in financial decisions.

General Time Commitment: Members are expected to dedicate approximately 1-3 hours per month. This includes attending monthly committee meetings, participating in budget review sessions, analyzing financial reports, and collaborating on recommendations and initiatives. Additional time may be required during budget planning cycles, special projects, or events related to financial management and decision-making.