Thought that you should all read this in order to be aware of what the NC and AB are doing. Les With the passage of the Grievance Procedure Committee's Grievance procedures the next step is to consider the GPC's proposed bylaw amendment. Proposed By-Law Amendment: We, the members of the USGenWeb Grievance Procedures Committee by the attachment of our names below, indicate our request that the USGenWeb Advisory Board propose an amendment to the USGenWeb By-Laws pursuant to Article XVI Section 5 upon the Advisory Board's approval of the Grievance Procedures created by this committee. The urgency of the matter is due to the existence of both USGenWeb By-Law and Standing procedures directly conflicting with the adoption of the Grievance Procedures. We further request following amendment to the USGenWeb By-Laws, as follows: That the standing procedures related to Mediation are repealed, and that the USGenWeb By-Laws, Section XIV, Sections 1 and 2, entitled "Grievance Procedures and Appeals Process" are repealed, and to enact in lieu thereof a new Section XIV entitled "Grievance Policy and procedures". Be it enacted by the membership of the USGenWeb Project, as follows: Section 1. That there shall be established a Grievance Committee as a standing subcommittee of the USGenWeb Project. Section 2. That the USGenWeb Advisory Board will appoint the members of the initial grievance Committee, and that subsequent members chosen from qualified applicants per the terms of the Grievance Policy and Procedures. Section 3. That the responsibility of the Grievance Committee shall be to administer fair, orderly, and speedy resolutions of disputes in accordance with the Grievance Policies and Procedures. Section 4. That the outcome of a grievance, whether settled by mediation or by arbitration, is binding upon the membership of the USGenWeb Project. Section 5. That it shall be the policy of the USGenWeb Project that all actions, whether under the national Grievance Committee or of a local grievance or process at the state or project level shall be characterized by fairness, courtesy, and respect for the dignity and the rights of each individual involved. To that end, the following rights and responsibilities apply to all grievance processes within the USGenWeb Project, XXGenWeb State Projects, and Special Projects of the USGenWeb Project. 1) A member may choose to act as his or her own representative at any step of a grievance. If representation is desired, the member may select a representative, provided the member who is selected does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the grievance. 2) In actions resulting from the dismissal of a member from his or her position within a State, Local, or Special Project, the dismissed member may not be replaced until the expiration of the time for the filing of a grievance, or if such grievance is filed, until it's resolution. Nothing shall prohibit the recruitment of a temporary coordinator to maintain any website. 3) No member shall be discriminated against for exercising their right to request action by the Grievance Committee, for participating in a grievance as a witness, or as a representative of a party to the grievance, and no disciplinary action shall be taken against a party for their involvement in the grievance process. Linda HD -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.10/384 - Release Date: 7/10/2006