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Employee Engagement Committee

Become a member

Membership

All staff both on and off campus within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences are welcome to join the Employee Engagement Committee. Members of the committee will be required to obtain supervisor approval prior to becoming a member. In order to maintain forward momentum, it is anticipated that members will serve for at least one full year.

Meetings

The committee will hold at least six committee meetings each calendar year. All meetings will consist of either Zoom or conference call connection for off-campus member participation.

  • Agenda: The chair and secretary are responsible for the preparation of the agenda and distributes it to the members of the committee at least one week before each meeting.
  • Record of attendance: The minutes of each meeting will show the names of the members present and those absent.

Committee officers will meet to review on-going projects and prepare for committee meetings. Metrics designed to track the overall performance of the Employee Engagement Committee will be reviewed quarterly and reported at the corresponding committee meeting.

Working Groups

Communications and Appreciation

Members will be charged with keeping open communications between the Employee Engagement Committee and college staff to ensure that everyone is apprised of activities, events and news. This working group will also oversee the coordination of recognition opportunities and events for staff. Recognition opportunities may include a kudo program, employee awards and longevity activities. An employee from the college's communications unit will be assigned as advisor to this specific group to assist with all communication requirements.

Community Service

Members will oversee and host community enrichment activities for the college both on and off campus. The committee will reach out to area farmers; youth and elderly groups; and city and county organizations to identify additional community service opportunities. Examples of community service opportunities include Adopt a Family for the Holidays, food bank donations, etc. The off-campus representative will be assigned as advisor to this specific group to ensure that off-campus is represented in community service opportunities.

Mentor Program

A new employee’s onboarding is greatly enhanced by assigning a mentor, a fellow employee (other than the manager) who provides advice and guidance on the different aspects of working at the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UI Extension and the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station. A mentor is also a “sounding board” who offers encouragement as the new employee acclimates to our culture and workplace. Learn more about the Mentor Program.

Professional Development

Members will oversee the continued improvement and delivery of learning and development programs and work to identify and expand professional development and mentorship opportunity for staff. This working group will oversee and maintain the employee mentoring and professional development scholarship programs. The treasurer will be assigned as advisor to this specific group to assist with the scholarship program.

Officer Positions

Chair

  • Conduct meetings
  • Confer with and report regularly with the dean
  • Maintain lines of communication between the Employee Engagement Committee, CALS leadership and college staff
  • Appoints members to various working groups

Vice Chair

  • Assist the chair, perform the duties of the chair in their absence
  • Serve as official liaison between working groups and committee officers
  • Researches staff engagement endeavors from other institutions
  • Performs other duties as may be assigned by the chair

Secretary

  • Take minutes, maintain records and distribute information to committee members
  • Makes note of attendees and checks off roll sheet at meetings
  • Records minutes with the goal of conveying the main ideas of the discussion by using the agenda as a guideline
  • Sends out agenda and meeting announcements
  • Maintains a binder of written records of activities, including minutes and reports, treasurer reports, newsletters, correspondence, etc.

Treasurer

  • Responsible for disbursing funds
  • Prepare annual financial reports and budgets as well as all other financial affairs of the committee
  • Purchase supplies

Off-Campus Representative

  • Helps promote better, consistent and increased communication with the college’s on/off-campus employees
  • Collaborate with other off-campus locations to identify employee needs in various locations
  • Bringing information to committee meetings regarding employees in off-campus locations
  • Officer positions will be elected by the Employee Engagement Committee on a yearly-basis. The position of treasurer will be appointed by the newly elected chair due to the financial nature of the position.