Candidates: FSA Board Elections 2017

Candidates: FSA Board Elections 2017

Voting is now complete. Thank you to everyone who cast their ballot. Results will be announced on Apr 4, 2017.

FSA members have the opportunity to vote for Directors to represent their interests on the FSA Board of Directors for the 2017-19 term.

Nominations were accepted from Feb 8th until February 24th for one (1) Treasurer, five (5) Director and two (2) Director, Associate Members positions. The Treasurer and the two Directors, Associate Members (below) will be acclaimed into these positions and there is now an election for the remaining Director positions.

• COMPLETE / Consider attending the All-Candidates meeting on March 8th
• Please take the time to read over the candidate statements (below) and watch their video statements from the All-Candidates Meeting
• COMPLETE / Vote starting on March 10th until March 31st!
• Electronic voting information will be sent directly to members on March 10th.
• If you do not receive your voting instructions please let us know. Voting will be managed by a 3rd party – Simply Voting. The ballot will provide members with an opportunity to vote for up to five candidates.

To see the full election timeline for 2017 please click here.

We also encourage members to review our vision, mission, values, and key priorities when considering their selections. Questions can be directed to the FSA or to the Chief Returning Officer, William Oching.

Directors

Nine candidates for five positions. 

Bhaveena Goradia (Tech Staff, Program Advising)

Education is a right and a privilege. It is one of the fundamental pillars to a foundation of success. An educated society results in individuals contributing to the advancement of the economy which leads to a higher quality of life and standard of living. We are fortunate to be part of the FSA as we are entitled to the benefit of continued education, health and well-being, and excellent employment conditions resulting in an enhanced quality of life and standard of living for members.

I joined BCIT in 2014 as a Program Advisor (technical staff – FSA member) and have over 10 years of career experience working in the post-secondary educational system. I am an active volunteer for a community non-profit organization of over 400 members; I have served as a Director for several terms, and am currently serving as Vice President. In addition, through our entitled benefits I currently have the privilege of undertaking my MBA.

In 2016 I became an FSA Tech Rep with the intention of connecting with members to learn about opportunities and challenges facing themselves and their departments. I believe we can strengthen our decision making ability and our contribution across BCIT if we continue to connect, listen, inquire, explore, and learn from each other to gain fresh perspectives and share developments. I will continue to support the Diversity Circles project as it is a unique model that can be leveraged towards enriched communication and decisions.

We live in times where change is taking place at an exponential pace; the higher education landscape and the diversity of professional and personal challenges are changing. I am a progressive thinker and would advocate matching our collective agreement to the employment conditions of the future, as well as the present, to ensure a continued positive work-life balance.

Please feel free to connect with me if you have any questions. Thank you for your support.

Karl Hildebrandt (Tech Staff, ITS)

As an Alumni of BCIT with 30+ year’s industry experience I began working at BCIT almost 10 years ago. Two years ago I ran and was elected a director with the FSA. I have enjoyed this time working with a great team to oversee the work of our union. It has been a great learning opportunity for myself and I have been fortunate to be involved in some very exciting developments during this time.

One of these initiatives was the evaluation of and joining the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). I believe this is game changing strategic decision for the FSA. Belonging to CAUT opens up resources to the FSA that we did not previously have and will help us to be an even more effective union. These resources will help us be better prepared to deal with the needs of our members as well as for our next round of bargaining. Our CAUT membership also connects us to a national association with which we can collaborate with other institutions and unions that are dealing with the same issues that we are dealing with here. I believe BCIT is a unique institute but many of the challenges we face are shared across Canada.

Other initiatives like departmental rights and responsibilities as well as employee engagement are an ongoing process. Various schools and departments within BCIT are dealing with these issues with varying degrees of success. The experience I have gained in that last two years from being on the board as well as a member going through some of these issues with my department has taught me a lot. I believe it will help me be better prepared to keep the work moving forward and to keep working for my fellow members of the FSA.

I would like to put my name forward to continue working for the members of the FSA for another term.

Zaa Joseph (Specialized Faculty, Aboriginal Services)

Began my career at BCIT, September 2008, as a temporary employee under a 50% contract. Since then I have worked into a permanent role as of May 2010, with my department: Aboriginal Services, Advisor. As well in January 2015 I took on a PTS contract with School of Computing and Academic Studies- Communications. I have a student first mentality and always strive for win-win situations for students and staff/faculty at BCIT.

I am passionate about Indigenous student success and perspective at BCIT. In 2013 I took a Super PD leave to complete my MA thesis in Professional Communication through Royal Roads University. I have since co-created the Diversity Circles project with Shannon Kelly: an Indigenous model for post-secondary teachers and academic staff to utilize professional mentoring and community outreach for engaging student and community diversity. We have since/currently are running a series of inclusive panels, workshops, conversations, tools, and connections to support an effective model to engage with increasing diversity positively, sensitively, and strategically, by leveraging the power of faculty and staff community. This is all driven from my own personal experience and work with my community (and others) and the need to better and create awareness of Indigenous peoples in education at BCIT.

Two on my main objectives on the board would be to: 1) create an open and safe space for FSA community to speak and be heard, within a proactive, holistic framework 2) Ensure that the Student Service FSA voices are heard at the FSA board level

Continuing to educate faculty and staff looking at Coast Salish Nations and Indigenous people such as facilitator Andrew Judge, is a relationship development process, and develops best practice processes. Creation and building awareness of Indigenous people, best educational practices and awareness of cultural protocols with Diversity Circles project. I am honoured to learn about best equity practices about gender equality, learning differences awareness and LGBTQI2 communities.

Policy initiatives I intend to pursue, if elected.

• Continue to develop and upkeep FSA policy and Strategic Planning.
• Continue working with enhancing relationships with Coast Salish Nations – Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish.
• Continue discussion surrounding donation policy for Elders, BCIT external community and other diversity initiatives.
• Creation and implementation of the BCIT FSA Equity policy with FSA board members

Other B.C.I.T. work (Joint Committees, etc.)

• Peer to Peer Mentorship – began pilot and subsequent funded permanent Aboriginal Services, student service program, for Aboriginal (FSA student employees) students to help, or get help from peers while attending BCIT.
• Vancouver School Board-Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement Committee board member.
• BCIT MAKE + Project collaboration – Building of the VPD canine course, Breaking Down Walls Building Bridges with community.
• Collaboration on multiple proposals with BCIT faculty and staff – Diversity Circles SSHRC recipient in 2016 in partnership with BCIT.

Shannon Kelly (Faculty, School of Computing & Academic Studies)

I have been working at for almost 15 years as an instructor in the Communication Department. For 12 of those years I have been (and still am) a Program Head of Part-Time Studies Communication and the Technical Writing Certificate program.

I have been involved in many committees and special projects at BCIT. I particularly enjoy projects which involve partnerships with faculty and staff from other areas at BCIT; for example, curriculum development projects for new programs, inter-disciplinary research projects, institute-wide Selection Committees.

I am a member of the FSA’s PTS Task Force, a group seeking to raise awareness about PTS issues and working towards real gains for our PTS members. A key issue for the FSA to continue to tackle is the tendency for post-secondary institutions including BCIT to try to move “regular” faculty work over to PTS or “auxiliary” work.

As well as being passionate about teaching, I am passionate about research. I have been awarded PD, LTC, and institute research funds over the years, and I have been a co-chair (with David Holloway) of our School Research Committee. I was most recently honoured to receive, along with my project co-applicants Zaa Joseph and Kyla Epstein, a $153,000 SSHRC (Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada) project grant to support the Diversity Circles initiative.

I am the Board Liaison and a member of CARAS (the FSA’s Caucus on Applied Research and Advanced Studies), our member caucus to discuss and forward the interests and concerns of FSA members involved in research. Research is valuable to our institution and valuable for our students and our communities. The FSA is pushing the employer and the provincial government to formally and more fully recognize this work as an integral part of what we do at BCIT.

In my past two terms as an FSA Director-At-Large, I have learned a great deal more about “goings-on” around the institute, I have met many more members, and I have honed my knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing us. This knowledge has further enhanced my appreciation for all my colleagues and my passion for advocacy. The Diversity Circles project in particular has made me realize as never before that we are an amazing community of dedicated and diverse people here at BCIT, with lots to talk about (or even debate).

Please email me with any questions or comments. I respectfully thank you for your support.

Nancy Knaggs (Specialized Faculty, Applied Research)

As a BCIT alumni and graduate of the Robotics Diploma program, I have worked at BCIT for more than 10 years in applied research. I am the Program Head for MAKE+ and thoroughly enjoy working with colleagues across campus as well as the students who frequent our department when learning how to apply research to their capstone projects.

In ways similar to the Director’s responsibility for setting policies, I have worked for four years as the ISO Quality System Coordinator. This role is one in which I work with staff to understand their jobs, then help them improve and update work procedures to meet the needs of all those involved. This work requires an in-depth understanding of department missions and objectives, as well as how to meet standards that apply to the organization.

I have been an FSA Tech Rep for my department for more than five years, helping to address member concerns and ensure that my colleagues are aware of and understand their Collective Agreement rights. My participation as an FSA Tech Rep coupled with my experience leading multi-discipline research projects with several schools and departments has provided me with an understanding of the issues facing FSA members across campus.

I enjoy finding solutions to problems and if elected, I know I can help the FSA continue to create an outstanding workplace for all members.

Thank you for the opportunity to put my name forward as a Director-at-Large.

Vnit Nath (Faculty, School of Business)

I am a BCIT graduate and am now a Faculty Member in the School of Business, Financial Management. Prior to teaching at BCIT I worked as part of the senior management team for an environmental non-profit, where I managed budgets of $20 million CDN. This experience taught me a lot, including the importance of finding and communicating value to members, which serves to strengthen membership.

Currently I am one of the Tech Reps for my department and have been attending FSA meetings for the past two years. Over this time, I have observed that the FSA faces challenges in communicating its value to members and finding ways to increase member engagement. I am interested in learning more about the FSA’s challenges in these areas and exploring opportunities to assist and add value. Serving as a Director to the FSA aligns well with my general interest in governance and policy (I am completing a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Victoria). It is my goal to learn and contribute as much as I can over the two-year term.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my application.

Silvia Raschke (Specialized Faculty, Applied Research)

I first put my name forward in a Board election after the FSA successfully helped me with a difficult situation I was in as the result of the precarious nature of my position as an Applied Researcher. I was very moved by the way the FSA LR Reps listened and worked hard to resolve my situation. I had the sense that something important was happening at the BCIT FSA and this sparked my desire to serve on the Board.

While I am now full time Specialized Faculty, I started at BCIT as an Assistant Instructor in 1988, eventually becoming a Faculty member in Prosthetics and Orthotics and serving as a Program Head for 2 years. I have seen many different sides of BCIT from these various employment categories.

In the 8 years that I have served on the Board, four of which I was Vice President (2012-16), I have worked as part of a team on such initiatives as:

• Serving on the last 2 bargaining teams.
• Doing the years of homework and consultation that led to BCIT’s membership in the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).
• Supporting a members first focus to identify member needs and develop strategies along with a communications plan to ensure the members-centered focus stays relevant and accurate.
• Providing a voice for applied researchers that has matured into a member organized and driven Caucus for Applied Research and Applied Studies (CARAS).
• Reviewing and bringing up to date the governance of the FSA, including policies.
• Developing the past 2 strategic plans for the FSA along with objective accountability and progress measures

If elected, my focus in the next 2 years will be to support the Board on the theme of Improving Government Relations. In the past 8 years I have seen how important it is that the Government understands who and what BCIT is and how important our Faculty and Staff are in maintaining BCIT’s reputation and success. While we have made significant progress on this topic over the past 2 years, we still have some ways to go on this file and I would like to continue to be a part of the team working toward our being officially recognized, supported and celebrated by Victoria for our unique role in the BC Post-Secondary sector.

I hope you will vote for me to allow me to continue to serve you on one of the best Faculty Associations in BC!

Jennifer Wolf (Faculty, School of Computing and Academic Studies)

I have been working in as an instructor in the chemistry department at BCIT since 2014. The chemistry department is a support department; that is, we teach courses for various diploma and degree programs, but do not have our own entry programs. I teach chemistry courses in some of the programs in the School of Health Sciences, as well as in the Tech Entry program in the School of Computing and Academic Studies. I enjoy supporting our students as they prepare to enter a technology program, or during their studies within a program.

Since I have been at BCIT, I have regularly attended FSA general meetings. Additionally, for the past year I have been one of the Tech Reps for our department. In my previous job as a part-time chemistry instructor at KPU, I was also very active in the faculty association. I served as member on the board, on the bargaining committee, and as a representative on several committees at FPSE (Federation of Post-Secondary Educators). If elected, I would be particularly interested in looking at employee health and safety issues, as well as pursuing working conditions equity for our Part-Time Studies faculty.

I hope you will consider voting for me as a Director for the FSA Board.

Ken Zeleschuk (Faculty, School of Construction and the Environment)

Involvement as an FSA Tech Rep over the last few years has sharpened my resolve in seeing members be represented fairly and equitably. I have been involved in collaborative settings with the BCIT community including research committees and the emergency response team. I look forward to the opportunity of playing a role in representing the community in future issues that affect the membership.

 

 

Treasurer

Acclaimed

Terry Gordon (Faculty, School of Business)

I would be honoured to serve another term as Treasurer of the FSA. As many of you are aware, I have a long history of service to the FSA. My involvement with the FSA dates back to 2006 when I was first elected to the FSA Board of Directors. After serving as FSA Treasurer for two years, I was elected as Vice President and was Acting President for 10 months while Amy Fell was on maternity leave. I have also been on the FSA Collective Agreement and Bargaining Committees for the past three rounds of collective bargaining.

I have been an Instructor and Program Head in the Financial Management Department of BCIT’s School of Business since 1998. I am currently one of the Program Heads looking after the 1st Year of the Accounting, Finance, and Financial Planning diplomas. I also teach various accounting and finance related, diploma and degree level courses. I have a BA in Political Science from the University of Florida and a DipT in Financial Management from BCIT. I am Chartered Professional Accountant and a Chartered Business Valuator.

Directors, Associate Members

Both acclaimed. 

Paul Mills (Instructor, Part-Time Studies, SOCAS)

For those who don’t know me, I have been a PTS instructor for the School of Computing and Academic Studies since the 2001 Winter term. I enjoy a full course load and have developed some very popular computer programming courses over the past 16 years. I have a very rewarding working relationship with BCIT and have managed to connect with a large number of fellow PTS instructors and management staff over the years. For the past year I have served as an FSA Director.

I believe that my extensive teaching experience and relationships with PTS colleagues have made a positive impact on my life. While enjoying my time at BCIT I have also become aware of the issues all members face. It is my desire to continue to represent PTS members in a way that will allow me to address issues directly with the FSA and BCIT.

During the past year I have been able to get an even better grasp of what specific issues concern PTS members and am happy to report that the FSA is appreciative of those issues. A number of PTS members have come forth to become actively involved in voicing their concerns. My role, in part, has been to function as a facilitator in keeping those concerns on the front burner.

Many of my PTS colleagues feel that although the institute openly acknowledges the importance Part Time Studies has to the bottom line, BCIT is not forthcoming when it comes to compensating us accordingly with pay, benefits and support. I have also noted that too often consideration of our rights and status as professionals is wanting. As a Director I will continue to address these issues. The institute does appreciate the work we do in PTS but has been slow in adapting their operational model to reflect current trends. Simply put, there continues to be a need for an institution-wide shift in attitudes toward Part Time Studies.

My experience has taught me is that there is an absolute need to bring PTS members together as a community. This was the goal of the Fair Employment Week held last October. What we started there must continue, but it will require even more participation from members. It remains my goal to call on members to assist in making this happen. A united voice cannot be ignored.

With over 60% of BCIT’s student population attending PTS classes we have become the larger area of growth within the institute. All sides need to acknowledge this through words and actions. As PTS staff, we have to take ownership of our own future. As your Associate Director I will continue to pursue options with the FSA to bring people together in a united effort to foster change.

I ask for your support to make positive change happen.

Ted Rutledge (Instructor, Part-Time Studies, SOCAS)

I have been your Director, Associate Member on the FSA Board for the past six years and I am again asking for your support to represent you for a fourth consecutive term. For the past 12 years, I have worked as a BCIT Part Time Studies (PTS) instructor, teaching technical writing and communications courses in the School of Computing and Academic Studies (SOCAS).

Prior to my involvement with the FSA Board in 2011, the Director, Associate Members Board position sat empty for more than a decade, despite the significant growth in the percentage and number of Associate Members employees at BCIT. The empty FSA Board position reflected the beliefs of many Associate Members that BCIT did not recognize our contributions to its success, despite our efforts and the fact that we were teaching up to 60% of all classes.

Since 2011, 1 have worked to increase awareness of many issues Associate Members face at BCIT that awareness has developed into slow, but positive change on campus, as both the FSA and BCIT are actively tackling our issues. More Associate Members than ever are calling on the FSA to improve our working conditions, rights and protection.

My involvement as your representative includes work promoting the need for better rights, benefits and respect for Associate Members. I actively promote the reality that Associate Members contribute significantly to BCIT’s success, and I argued for better representation on the FSA Board. As a result, you now elect two Director-Associate Members. On the Board, our issues are now loud, clear and fully supported, and the Board is reacting in a positive manner: but there is much more to do.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Board representative for the past six years and I look forward to serving you for the coming term as we continue to make slow and steady progress with BCIT administration toward improving our conditions with respect to rights, recognition and respect.

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