By Macey-Marie Hobson
Jennifer Breland (left), chair, and Laine Chapman, chair-electThis year, the priority is to increase awareness and visibility of the UAB Staff Council, said its new chair Jennifer Breland.
Breland is joined on the 2019-20 UAB Staff Council executive committee by Laine Chapman, chair-elect; Holly Holliday-Jones, associate chair; and Michelle Henry, treasurer.
The Staff Council represents the interest of university staff to the administration as it works to advance the vision, mission and values of UAB through shared governance. In 2018, the Staff Council collected toiletry items for the Blazer Kitchen and distributed 500 snack bags promoting the UAB Benevolent Fund during Be Seen in Green Fridays, and in 2019 school supplies were collected for Birmingham Education Foundation and local schools.
New year, new events
Awareness and visibility are the new priorities, said Breland, assistant vice president of Alumni Affairs and executive director of the UAB National Alumni Society.
“The greater our reach, the greater impact that we can have to support those whom we represent.” |
“We want to increase the number of people who receive information about us and stay on top of what is going on across campus related to staff support and development,” Breland said. She recommends subscribing to the Staff Council Newsletter to stay up to date on events.
“The greater our reach, the greater impact that we can have to support those whom we represent,” she continued. “We welcome all staff to attend Staff Council meetings and serve on committees so that they can be actively involved.”
Staff Council typically meets 8:30 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month in Volker Hall Room 302.
The council will host its fourth annual Staff Convocation and Picnic on the Green Oct. 22. |
The council also will continue collaborating with UAB Organization Learning and Development to promote professional development opportunities for staff and support a culture of pride through its Be Seen in Green initiative, which encourages employees to wear Blazer green every Friday, says Breland.
Officially formed in 2016, the UAB Staff Council represents 22 academic and administrative units throughout campus. More information, including FAQs, a list of representatives and bylaws, are posted on uab.edu/staffcouncil.
