(This article is from the WLUFA Advocate April 2017 5.2.)
Dear Colleagues,
Another Association election is now behind us and it’s netted us some really wonderful results. The first is that our trial use of Simply Voting for the last few years seems to indicate that our Members really will vote if we make it as accessible as possible. In our inaugural year, online voting easily broke our records for the previous years’ in-person balloting–and this year’s voter turn-out exceeded even that.
Thank you to all of you for casting your ballots. A strong voter turn-out helps to ensure that your union Executive is as diverse and representative as possible. The other great news is that–along with some tried and true “old” faces –we’re welcoming a number of new members to the 2017-2018 WLUFA Executive. This coming year’s Executive is split almost in half between members who are now Executive veterans and members who I know will bring fresh new perspectives and capabilities to the Association.
Your 2017-2018 Executive is:
- Anne-Marie Allison,
- Kari Brozowski,
- Kimberly Ellis-Hale,
- Azim Essaji,
- Jim Gerlach,
- Marcia Oliver,
- Herbert Pimlott,
- Robin Slawson,
- Zilin Wang, and
- Byron Williston.
Additionally, of course, Rob Kristofferson will continue in his role as Past-President due to the fact that my (getting much older) face is remaining in the President’s seat.
On a personal note, I have to say that I have very mixed feelings about being acclaimed as your President for the third year in a row. On one hand, I find this position as rewarding as it is challenging and I am very happy to be continuing to oversee some of the initiatives that I’ve seen launched during my time in office. I am also hopeful that your continued trust in a President who is also a Contract Faculty member is a sign that our bargaining units recognize the many ways in which our interests are intertwined.
On the other hand, however, I also know that the main reason for my acclamation is that we simply don’t have enough members with enough union experience –and with enough time in their schedules–to let their names stand for the position. When I began my Presidency, I was very aware of the skepticism voiced by a number of our members about the fact that they believed that WLUFA was built around certain “dynasties” –and that only certain voices were given a platform in Association matters. I’ve worked hard, and will continue to work hard, at dispelling those opinions of our union. None of us, however, need me to become a dynasty…
It is for this reason that I am very pleased to welcome so many new faces to our Executive. I’m not saying (yet) that I won’t run for President again next year. I would, however, love to run for President up against another person who also really wants to do the job.
Even if I lost, it would be great news for WLUFA.
Sincerely,
Michele Kramer
WLUFA President
The WLUFA Advocate Blog 