MRFA Executive Board Appointments – Spring 2022

MRFA Members are encouraged to put their names forward for MRFA Committees through the nomination or the appointment processes, as applicable for the committee you are interested in. The deadline for nominations is May 13 and the deadline for appointments is May 23.

Call for Statements of Interest – Spring 2022 Executive Board Appointments

Committee work provides many unique ways to engage with the Association and your colleagues on a variety of matters which affect all academic staff at MRU: this work is recognized as service for full-time faculty and is funded through the contract service honourarium for contract faculty. 

There are many positions available, with varying workloads which you may be interested in. Please email facultyrelations@mrfa.net or call 403.512.9295 to discuss any of these positions further. If you are interested in a position, please send a brief statement of interest to facultyrelations@mrfa.net by May 23. 

The MRFA encourages expressions of interest from members with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. When making appointments, the Executive Board will include diversity considerations with respect to membership in equity-seeking groups including but not limited to persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, women, members of racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Audit and Finance Committee – 1 position for 3 years (Continuing Members: Melanie Peacock and Tashfeen Hussain). Experience and/or expertise related to budget management, financial planning and analysis, human resources and/or legislative compliance would be deemed beneficial.

Bargaining Communications Committee – 1 position for 3 years must be contract (outgoing member in this position – Tonya Mousseau) (Continuing Members: Kirk Niergarth, Meg Wilcox, and Qasim Syed) Members appointed would ideally be supportive of MRFA principles and bargaining positions, and prior experience in job action would be deemed beneficial

Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee – up to 6 members whose positions will remain in place until the next CA is ratified. For more information about this committee, please refer to the charter.

Grievance Committee – 1 position for 3 years – open to any member (Outgoing member is Khatija Westbrook). Demonstrated commitment to the Association and to upholding the Collective Agreement, knowledge and experience with the Collective Agreement and with processing grievances, or demonstrated ability and commitment to developing this knowledge and experience. For more information about this committee, please refer to the charter.

Job Action Preparedness Committee – 1 position for 3 years and 1 position for 1 year (one of them must be contract – outgoing member Kris Hans and one vacant position). Prior experience in job action would be deemed beneficial Those appointed to the committee should represent the variety of perspectives held by the membership (i.e. including those who are for and against job action). For more information about this committee, please refer to the charter.

CAUT Defense Fund Trustee – 1 position for 2 years (outgoing member – Anupam Das).

• Demonstrated history of commitment to the Association and familiarity with recent and/or current bargaining context
• Availability to participate in Trustee meetings throughout the 2-year term of appointment (held as needed by teleconference throughout the year, and in person annually for one full day in October in either Toronto or Montreal).
• Familiarity or experience with the broader Canadian post-secondary labour relations context is an asset.
• Experience in fund management is an asset.
• Willingness and ability to participate in a flying picket should the need arise, during job action by a Fund member union

MRU Benefits Committee – 1 position for 2 years must be FT (outgoing member – Christian Cook)

Represent the interests of the MRFA at all Benefits Committee meetings. Ensure broad interests of all faculty members are represented while seeking ways to provide diverse benefits in a financially sound manner. While upholding the reporting and confidentiality requirements noted in the MRFA bylaws (incumbent is responsible for being familiar with these), communicate any potential discrepancies/violations to the MRFA President. Communicate with the MRFA President when lack of clarity or uncertainly exists regarding application of appropriate CA articles, University processes, etc.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience pertaining to employee benefit plans, employee insurance plans and employee pension plans
• Clear understanding of the Collective Agreement, including but not limited to Article 16 (Benefits and Insurance) 
• Experience on the Negotiating Committee or the Grievance Committee shall be considered an asset

Review and Interpretation of the CA – 1 position for 3 years (outgoing member – Brian Nichols). Represent the interests of the MRFA when reviewing and interpreting CA articles. Ensure that detailed and diverse perspectives are considered. While upholding the reporting and confidentiality requirements noted in the MRFA bylaws (incumbent is responsible for being familiar with these), communicate any potential discrepancies/violations to the MRFA President. Communicate with the MRFA President when lack of clarity or uncertainly exists regarding application of appropriate CA articles, University processes, etc.

• Clear and detailed understanding of the Collective Agreement, including its bargaining and/or grievance history
• Prior service as an Association President, grievance officer and/or member of the Negotiating Committee shall be considered

JEDI Committee – 2 positions for 2 years (outgoing members – Milena Radzikowska and Aliyah Dosani). Represent the interests of all MRFA members during Committee meetings. While upholding the reporting and confidentiality requirements noted in the MRFA bylaws (incumbent is responsible for being familiar with these) and notwithstanding the reporting requirements noted in the applicable CA article(s), communicate any potential discrepancies/violations to the MRFA President. Communicate with the MRFA President when lack of progress is noted, clarity or uncertainly exists regarding application of appropriate CA articles, University processes, etc. For more information about this group refer to the relevant section of the CA.

• Statements of Interest submitted for these positions must outline candidates’ record of involvement and work related to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Consideration will be given with respect to membership in equity deserving groups including but not limited to persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, women, members of racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities.
• Where possible, MRFA appointees should have expertise in one or more of the following research methodologies:
  • quantitative (e.g. numerical or statistical),
  • qualitative (e.g. archival or policy analysis), and/or
  • Indigenous.

Committee Nominations

• 2022 Committee Nomination Form
• Summary of MRFA Standing Committees
• Campaign Statement Guidelines