Effective Senates

Effective Senates Machiavelli’s Imaginary Tightrope Patricia James Hanz Wheeler North

Where Are We Going? • General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order • The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts • Agendas and Minutes • Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree • General Do’s and Don’ts • Some Scenarios

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order • Gen. Robert’s first rule – if you don’t need this book put it back on the shelf. • While they do tend to promote order their sole purpose is to??? • Assure the right of the minority to have voice. • The majority will always carry the vote.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order • Consensus is always desired but when this fails General Robert rules... • The consensus process is one: • where there is professional dialogue amongst all parties • a general acceptance of the course of action is achieved • This process tends to not work very well in larger groups.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order • When professional dialogue and/or consensus is unobtainable then resort to the formal Rules of Order. • All action revolves around Main Motions. • Actions are any decision made by the body • All subsidiary motions effect the main motion or they clarify the issue. • Read the book, and review it regularly.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order • In general, the bigger the group the more formal it needs to be. • Presidential Votes • they can anytime, but usually don’t • if called upon to break a tie let the motion die as there is no clear majority • President steps down to debate the issue

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order • The most common abuse: • The use of a motion to table is out of order unless there is a specific reason the body can’t act on the main motion. • It denies the right of the minority to have voice because it is not debatable.

General Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Order • Resolutions • Are a main motion put into a fancy format. • Are no different than any other main motion. • Are used to provide a public formal statement of action, position, or recommendation.

The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts • In general these two Acts are the same in spirit • The Brown applies to local Boards and their agents, the Bagley-Keene applies to the statewide Boards and their agents • The public has right to access to these deliberative processes. • The processes can’t be done when the public’s access is prevented.

The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts • This makes for some inefficiencies. • all sessions must be noticed and open • serial meetings and E-mail can’t be used • body can meet socially but can’t discuss business • applies to all subsidiary bodies who would normally effect the primary elected body’s action • Curriculum meeting YES, Dept meeting NO

The Brown and Bagley-Keene Acts • Only exceptions for closed meetings are employee/personnel issues and sensitive legal or negotiated issues. • personnel exception does not include the elected members • Is what requires an introduction and second read of all actions.

Agendas and Minutes • Keep it simple • Date, time and place of meeting • Approval of agenda and minutes* • Reports • Old business, new business • Adjourn

Agendas and Minutes • Reports are very useful to engage with the body in a way that prevents deliberation. • Leave space on your agenda and make notes as the meeting progresses. • Don’t chair a meeting and be the note taker, always delegate this. • It’s a conflict of interest.

Agendas and Minutes • *Minutes – under Robert’s Rules approval is not required, but it’s a good idea to formally “accept” them. • Any member can move to change any minutes any time, in perpetuity. • Minutes should record what was done. • They do not need to record every word and in fact should refrain from quoting unless there’s a specific reason.

Agendas and Minutes • Minutes should follow the agenda’s format. • Sound comprehensive record keeping is the bane of many senates. • Continuity in Senate officers and in Senate staff is often weak. • Web-based archiving is becoming the cool tool for archiving.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree • First things first – The Academic Senate is the legal voice for all faculty in the 11 areas. • Two primary issues arise from this: • Admin will make decisions based upon other faculty input. • Senate President is always weighing autonomy against a seeking formal Senate position.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree • AB 1725 provided for local Boards and Senates to establish their own process. • The decision process for the 10+1 areas can be any combination of “Rely Primarily” or “Mutually Agree”.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree • Rely primarily means the Board will act as advised by the Senate unless a condition of fiscal or legal hardship exists. • If they don’t for the above reasons they must put it in writing and note in the minutes the Senate’s objections.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree • Mutually agree means remain at status quo until the Board and the Senate mutually agree. • AB 1725 only provided for primacy in the establishment of processes. • Such establishing should include granting primacy in the actual decision making. • In all cases neither party can make a change without mutual agreement.

Rely Primarily Vs Mutually Agree • If the Board fails any of the above responses the next recourse is a technical visit. • These can happen in 4 forms but all require mutual endorsement by both the Senate and the Board.

General Do’s and Don’ts • You are the voice of the faculty. • This is a legal right and obligation. • Enthusiasm is contagious • Stay on issues and values • What’s best for the students? • Take nothing personally • Model collegiality

General Do’s and Don’ts • Delegate authority • but be prepared to do it if critical • Be visible • Be an active listener • Value dialogue and debate • Be proactive, don’t headbutt

General Do’s and Don’ts • Be prepared, know your stuff, practice it if necessary. • Avoid secrets and surprises • Bombing, while fun usually comes back to haunt you. • Utilize monthly and annual goals and summaries – self review regularly.

General Do’s and Don’ts • Your attitude is always your choice and it’s always infectious. • Be inclusive in all things. • Make regular reports at Board meetings. • Particularly items of student success. • Meet regularly with all administrators.

General Do’s and Don’ts • Walk your troops – • visit every faculty you can, particularly those you don’t know. • Say “Thank You” often in many ways.

General Do’s and Don’ts • Beware of divide and conquer tactics. • Never go it alone. • particularly with those who tend to edit reality • Know when to disengage. • Go to every ASCCC function • and become enlightened!

General Do’s and Don’ts • Never talk to the press off the cuff. • Make an appointment and then get prepared, talk to your Exec. • Work closely with your Faculty Bargaining Agents • There are times where the two bodies should disagree, so no sleeping with them.

Some Scenarios • The bean counters want a four week winter intersession to make base FTES. • The local Senate has a pedagogy based position against 3 or more unit courses in the four week format but some faculty want to teach these classes online. • Students want it as well.

Some Scenarios

Effective Senates