[GSA Council] Special Council Meeting Cancelled - Voting by Email

[Mohd Azam Khan]

Dear Mahsa,

Appreciate your prompt response.

I am not sure why this meeting termed as *special council meeting* was
called when there is nothing critical in it to discuss.

Also, I see there is an assumption going with a doodle for future dates.I
think this can be worked out with better options.

Anyways have a nice weekend.

Best Regards,
Azam






On Sat, Oct 15, 2016 at 2:19 PM, Samer Al - Zahab <samer.alzahab at hotmail.com
> wrote:

> Hello Mahsa,
>
> Good Morning,
>
> Thorough and to the point as always, a pleasure to read your emails,
>
> For Section 4 A
>
> I don't mind changing the wording at all, I just wanted to put the
> abstract out there.
>
> For section 4 B
>
> The idea behind it is to give us the power to eliminate positions in the
> collective agreement and replace them with compensated volunteers, thus
> keeping two or three salaried positions.
>
> For section 4 C
>
> It doesn't only circulate Mr ocheoha , but also considers internal
> staff-executive issues where there exists misconduct, because the legal
> salary we will be paying is not as fixed as we assumed (it might increase
> in the case we over work the firm).
>
> Wish you all a nice weekend,
>
> Thanks again Mahsa,
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Samer
>
> Sent from my Cyanogen phone
> On Oct 15, 2016 2:05 PM, Mahsa Khoshab <internal at gsaconcordia.ca> wrote:
>
> Hello Beautiful people :)
>
>
>
> wish you are enjoying your weekend
>
>
> On  behalf of the executive team, in response to the points raised above
> by Dear Samer, Bhavreet and Azam until now:
>
>
> 1. The critical documents have been already presented in July meeting
> (i.e. Annual Budget) and the updated bylaws have been sent to the policy
> committee for almost 2 weeks.
>
> 2. Noted
>
> 3. All the GSA members are welcomed to add any motions/agenda items in
> section 1.3 Approval of the Agenda.
>
> 4. For the bylaws:
>
> A. It is a very good idea. However, the wording should change to be more
> specific in terms of the period and payment:
>
> *GSA Transition of Authority*
>
>
>
> *After the yearly elections and the selection of a new executive team, the
> former executive team shall work side by side with the new executive team
> until the end of their mandate. The former team will still get paid until
> the end of their bursaries and the new team will not get paid until day one
> of their mandate. This period, typically one month, is considered a
> hands-on training period. Yet, during this period, the former executive
> team is not allowed to take any decisions or perform any actions that might
> affect the new team’s mandate without the consent and signature of the
> responsible member(s) of the new executive team.  If the team of the
> mandate that is about to end takes any decisions without the written
> consent of the new team, these decisions can be canceled in council and the
> former team will be held responsible for any legal or financial outcomes
> arising from them breaking the bylaws by this manner.*
>
> B. All the employees are considered as "Salaried" on an hourly basis as
> per the collective agreement. Thus, given the fact that you would like to
> move all the GSA positions to volunteers couldn't happen under the current
> setup of the collective agreement. Besides, in case, salaries are not
> applicable for volunteers and that is the reason why executives are taking
> bursaries as a form of compensation for the work they are doing for the
> GSA. I recommend you check the executive bursary policy
> <http://mondienprojects.com/gsaconcordia/policies-bylaws/policies/executive-bursary-policy/>
> on our new website to avoid any conflict between bylaws and any GSA
> existing policies.
>
> C. There is no point of GSA paying for any personal ongoing fights. Thus,
> in the ongoing Legal case, when the claimant asked the GSA for a lawyer,
> the GSA refused as GSA is not here to pay for personal conflicts. Thus, it
> is already understood without mentioning it as no money could be spent
> without the approval of our council team.
>
> 5. As agreed upon at July's meeting, the budget was approved as is and as
> recommended by Keroles, it will be reviewed later in the winter semester
> and it is open to edit by us. Regarding the collective agreement
> negotiations, the president has carried out two meetings with the lawyer
> and they are in progress of proposing an amended collective agreement. As
> per the last meeting, the lawyer suggested that we will be ready by the 1st
> week of November to call for the 1st negotiations meeting. Just to inform
> you team: the committee is composed of 2 executives (Soliman and Mahsa),
> 3 councilors (Samer, Jessica, and Keroles ==> He might not be able to
> join all the meetings as he is away), and the lawyer (Ms. Mellouli).
> Another point of information, the negotiations don't take one or two days,
> it might take months depending on the requirements and agreement of the
> parties.
> you may know that according to QC laws and the collective agreement we
> have with our employees, employer cannot apply abrupt changes in the CA
> (hourly salaries, weekly hours, status of position,...)  right away. All of
> us will be employee a day and will benefit from the positive points of such
> laws.
>
> 6. The executive team understands that there should be 2 GAs each semester
> and they are planning to have another GA late November/Early December.
> However, your point has been noted and it will be highly considered in
> planning for the next semester GAs. :)
>
> 7. Im not sure if doodleing again, gonna work, also we need time for room
> booking ahead.we are waiting for other team members' inputs as well :)
>
>
> else! :D  Im really appreciating the time you've consumed.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thank You
>
> Regards,
> Mahsa Khoshab
> Vice President Internal
>
> Graduate Students Association
> Concordia University
> 2030 Mackay · Montreal · QC · H3N 1J1
> t 514.848.2424.x7900 · f 514.848.7904
>
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> On Fri, Oct 14, 2016 at 11:47 PM, Mohd Azam Khan <khan.azam.mohd at gmail.com
> > wrote:
>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I think we should have meeting to discuss these critical changes rather
>> than sharing views on email.It is my suggestion.We have almost 3 weeks for
>> GA. Meeting dates can be reworked again with more options.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Azam
>>
>> On Oct 14, 2016 10:48 AM, "Samer Al - Zahab" <samer.alzahab at hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Dear Councilors,
>>>
>>> Good Morning,
>>>
>>> I hope you all are well,
>>>
>>> Let me start off by stating the following, the purpose of this email is
>>> to open discussion between voting members regarding the material that was
>>> supposed to be at the meeting, with that being said any defense
>>> arguments may they please be put aside because where I come from there is a
>>> saying "*Argument is the defense of the incompetent*" .
>>>
>>> *1-* My first comment is of the last minute nature of this conundrum ,
>>> I think it should have been ready in the last meeting anyway. This is crude
>>> and it feels like losing touch.
>>>
>>> *2-* I move to approve the GA Committee meeting minutes and if it is
>>> motioned I move to approve.
>>>
>>> *3-* I move to edit the GA agenda by clearing stating an "Open
>>> Expression Session" for attending students to express their concerns and
>>> questions to the council at the GA, and if motioned I move to approve, if
>>> not I move to abstain.
>>>
>>> *4-* As for the Bylaws, I move to add the following three clauses:
>>>
>>> *A-* to avoid what happened with Mr. Ocheoha from ever happening again
>>> I suggest the following clause:
>>>
>>> *GSA Transition of Authority *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *After the yearly elections and the selection of a new executive team,
>>> the former executive team shall work side by side with the new executive
>>> team until the end of their mandate. The former team will still get paid
>>> until the end of their salaries and the new team will not get paid until
>>> day one of their mandate. This period is considered a hands-on training
>>> period. Yet, during this period, the former executive team is not allowed
>>> to take any decisions or perform any actions that might affect the new
>>> team’s mandate without the consent and signature of the responsible
>>> member(s) of the new executive team. If the team of the mandate that is
>>> about to end takes any decisions without the written consent of the new
>>> team, these decisions can be canceled in council and the former team will
>>> be held responsible for any legal or financial outcomes arising from them
>>> breaking the bylaws by this manner.*
>>>
>>> *B-* Also for avoiding what is going on with Mr. Ocheoha, and with the
>>> staff, and in order to save the GSA a lot of dearly needed money (starting
>>> off with 24000 CAD a year), I present the following clause:
>>>
>>> *Defining Roles, Positions, and Related Salaries*
>>>
>>> *All roles and positions employed by and working within the GSA are
>>> viewed as volunteers. This includes executives, directors, and employees.
>>> Based on this definition salaried employees will have their salaries
>>> revolving between the minimum wage and the minimum wage +60%, depending on
>>> the role and type of work and years of service. Furthermore, the salaries
>>> for all executives shall be 712 CAD in today’s dollars (24th of September
>>> 2016) and can only be adjusted by inflation on a quarterly basis.*
>>>
>>> *C-* To avoid our newly founded legal capability be abused by elected
>>> GSA members on personal issues and internal fights, as going on right now,
>>> I propose the following clause:
>>>
>>> *Zero Liability for Misconduct *
>>>
>>> *In the case found that any internal legal issue was the result of
>>> personal, racism, or personal misconduct on behalf of any legally
>>> represented GSA elected member, the GSA holds no liability to represent
>>> that person or suffer the consequences of his or her actions. This policy
>>> is to be decided and enforced by the council whenever deemed needed.*
>>>
>>> *5-* As for the budget , Mahsa can you clarify why the salaries are as
>>> is ? As I recall we moved to reduce them and already set a date for the
>>> negotiations to be commenced and then another semi-deadline. That number
>>> must have changed.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you councilors for your time,
>>>
>>> Best Regards,
>>>
>>> Samer El Zahab
>>> *Research Assistant, Concordia University *
>>> *ENCS Director at GSA Concordia *
>>> *MAC Scout Leader *
>>> *MSA Lebanon** Scout Leader*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------
>>> *From:* meeting facilitator <meetingfacilitator.gsa at gmail.com>
>>> *Sent:* October 14, 2016 9:00 AM
>>> *Subject:* Fwd: Special Council Meeting Cancelled - Voting by Email
>>>
>>> Hello councillors,
>>>
>>> As some of you may already know we have had a difficult time
>>> establishing and maintaining quorum for any of the proposed meeting dates
>>> next week. Since the GA is rapidly approaching we feel that it is necessary
>>> to accept your votes via email. The relevant documents are attached to the
>>> email. For each of you who replies back, please indicate your preference by
>>> putting an "X" next to your voting option. If you feel that any points
>>> require further discussion before making your vote, please feel free to
>>> email the whole group for discussion (gsaconcordia at lists.resist.ca).
>>>
>>> We need to have these resolved by* end of day Monday*. If their are any
>>> questions or concerns please direct to me.
>>>
>>> Thank you for your participation.
>>>
>>>
>>> *SECTION A - GA RELATED ISSUES:*
>>> 1. Approve GA committee meeting minutes
>>>
>>> *For: *
>>>
>>> *Against: *
>>>
>>> *Abstain: *
>>>
>>> 2. Approve GA Agenda
>>>
>>> *For: *
>>>
>>> *Against: *
>>>
>>> *Abstain: *
>>>
>>> 3. Approve updated bylaws as per the policy committee recommendations
>>>
>>>
>>> *For: *
>>>
>>> *Against: *
>>>
>>> *Abstain: *
>>>
>>> 4. Approve semi-final version of the budget 2016-2017 (The final version
>>> will be just in a better format and there won't be any changes in the
>>> numbers except for actual to-date figures.)
>>>
>>>
>>> *For: *
>>>
>>> *Against: *
>>>
>>> *Abstain: *
>>>
>>> *SECTION B: - 2014 & 2015 FINANCIAL AUDIT APPROVAL:*
>>> 5. Approve financial audit documents in order to be signed by the former
>>> president.
>>>
>>> *For: *
>>>
>>> *Against: *
>>>
>>> *Abstain: *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Gsaconcordia mailing list
>>> Gsaconcordia at lists.resist.ca
>>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gsaconcordia
>>>
>>>
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