President's Update
 
Team Building Lessons We Can Learn from Geese
Teamwork Fact #1 – As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if one bird flew alone.
Lesson Learned – People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the strength of one another.
Teamwork Fact #2 – Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.
Teamwork Fact #3 – When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson Learned – It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.
Teamwork Fact #4 – The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson Learned – We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, and not something else.
Teamwork Fact #5 – When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again, or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese do, we too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
--Milton Olson
Thanks to Christine Pepper for posting this very timely reminder in our MRSA office area. Please read and reflect....we need to support each other more than ever right now.
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MRSA Executive Board Appointments
Because we did not have a successful election for the positions of Member at Large - EDI and one of the Vice President positions in May, the Executive has appointed Andrew Smith (DaL - EDI) and Crystal Koch (VP) for these positions. Andrew will serve a two year term ending in 2023 and Crystal will serve the remainder of the vacant VP position until 2022. A big thank you to both of these amazing people for stepping up. Look for a By-election in the coming weeks to fill the two remaining vacant positions for DaL roles.
Recording Coffee Chats
At this time, we will continue to do our Coffee Chats virtually. This decision has been made with the health and safety of our members in mind. As such, we will start recording these informal chats so that those who cannot attend will be able to feel included (since we don't keep formal minutes).
Parking
For those of you who park in gated lots, a communication was sent out regarding how to manually end your session. The gates will automatically open at the exit now, but you will have to end your session before entering again. This communication was sent out August 27 should you need to trace it.
Day of Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
As you know, the President has made the decision to remain open on September 30. We are concerned that this does not align with other post secondary schools and school districts within Alberta. I have sent a request to Tim to ask for reconsideration of this decision which creates a very negative image of prioritizing the advancement of Indigenous human rights. We should be striving to respect Truth and Reconciliation Recommendation #80 of the Calls to Action: "We call upon the federal government, in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.
While the MRSA supports "meaningful activities for the whole campus community to participate in '', we question how this is to happen when staff are expected to work and students are expected to be in classes. I will share the response once I hear from Tim.
Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC)
Due to a number of members stepping down from this committee, there have been some changes in the employee members. Crystal Koch (MRSA VP) and Joe Frazao (Facilities Management) will be representing the staff on this committee. However, we are looking for one additional "replacement" member in the event Crystal or Joe cannot attend the meetings for some reason. This committee currently meets four times a year but may have additional meetings due to our current health and safety challenges on campus. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Crystal at mrsavp@mtroyal.ca.
Vaccination declarations and rapid testing
Effective Monday, Aug. 30, you must wear a mask in all indoor spaces on campus. This includes, but is not limited to, classrooms, labs, hallways, meeting/study rooms. Masks are not required while outdoors. For additional details on masking, including exceptions, please refer here.
A rapid testing program will be required for all students, staff, and faculty who come to campus. People who are fully vaccinated can opt out. Details are still being confirmed but this is what we can share at this moment:
People who are fully vaccinated will not have to complete rapid tests. If you do not declare as being fully vaccinated you will be required to participate in frequent rapid testing and complete a daily self-check for symptoms before coming to campus.
- People who do not complete the declaration will be automatically submitted to a rapid testing program.
- More details on the rapid test program will be shared as soon as possible via email.
We want to advise all staff that we have consulted with our legal team and confirmed that our employer can legally ask for this information from staff. You have a choice to confirm or opt out of this request, but if you do not vaccinate or confirm your vaccination status, you will be required to complete rapid testing. At this time, we are not being asked to provide proof of our vaccination status, this is on the honour system. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this request, please contact Laine Fowler, Labour Relations Officer at lafowler@mtroyal.ca.
MRSA Survey
In the next week, you will be receiving a survey from the MRSA. The purpose of this survey is to help us better understand our membership interests as they relate to employment hours and years of service, as well as comfort level for returning to work and feeling supported by management and leadership. We strongly encourage you to fill out this survey as it will assist us with understanding how to move forward with collective bargaining interests and supporting our membership.
Remote Working Requests
We thank those of you who have identified and shared your interests and requests for remote working. Senior Administration has not shared this plan with us yet, despite numerous requests. We do understand that there are a number of pressing issues for them at this time. Should we move ahead with Grievances as we shared with those staff, we will be up against the mid-October pilot date. While happy to pursue this if requested, we are currently paused.
Collective Bargaining
We will renew our meetings September 7. These meetings will be regularly scheduled for Tuesdays (1:00 - 4:30) and Fridays (8:30 - 12:00).
I hope you are all well. We continue to face unprecedented challenges in our work place but please know your MRSA Executive is here to support you. Please reach out if you need assistance with anything. Now fly like the geese!!
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Michelle LoGullo | President
Mount Royal Staff Association
mlogullo@mtroyal.ca
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