1. This year has been a particularly strong one for BFSA as we have seen progress in myriad forms. BFSA has continued to actively and effectively support our valuable workers on this campus, in their (and our) quest to help establish a campus free from all forms of workplace abuse (e.g., racial discrimination, sexual abuse, xenophobia, verbal degradation, etc.). See the 56-page BFSA report here: http://bfsaumd.wordpress.com/workers-rights-report/.
2. This is an ongoing struggle that continues to build momentum as well as see incremental gains for the invaluable workers on this campus. We will continue to press on, in solidarity with all of the university’s workers. For more information on this struggle please visit the website that UMD students created (www.justiceatmaryland.com).
3. The students continue to do amazing work in support of the workers on this campus, including 4 AM security escort service for those workers who punch in during those early morning hours. BFSA is also working hard to help bring about the establishment of a vital morning shuttle service that would pick up workers at their carpool drop off locations and bring them to the locations in which they clock in. This would prevent them from having to walk across campus in darkness at 4 AM. We need you ALL to help advocate for this much needed shuttle service.
4. BFSA continues to co-sponsor a bi-weekly therapy session (facilitated by a professional therapist) for women workers who have been mistreated or abused. This program has been a huge success.
5. BFSA is sponsoring weekly skills enhancement/professional development classes for workers who wish to ameliorate their computer skills. If you would like to get involved in the program as a volunteer instructor or as a student, please contact Ronald Zeigler or Rashida Bandy at: 301.314.7760 or 301.405.0050.
6. The BFSA student mentoring program is off to a strong and successful start with more than 70 students now receiving outstanding mentorship from over 35 different BFSA members. If you would like to get involved in this program next semester, please email or call me directly at: Solomon or 301-314-8439.
7. BFSA continues to host, and will do so throughout the summer, Happy Hour socials. These events allow BFSA members the valuable opportunity to meet and get to know one another outside of our work setting. If you would like to know when the next BFSA Happy Hour is, or would like to assist in the planning of them, please contact Rhyneta H. Gumbs at: rgumbs
8. The aforementioned are but a few of the many initiatives and accomplishments BFSA has tackled this year, and will continue to support. We are also working hard to raise funds for BFSA, as an organization. If you would like to help with our BFSA fundraising efforts please contact Anne Carswell at: 301.314.7759 or carswell. We need your help. Another great way to assist with fundraising for BFSA is to become a dues paying member. Dues help BFSA champion a lot of work we do. It also helps us do things like purchase food for general body meetings. To become dues paying member please contact Tina Lorick at: 301.314.0343 or vlorick. You may also pay your dues at the next BFSA general body meeting on June 12th at 12/noon in the Nyumburu Cultural Center’s multipurpose room. Becoming a dues paying member allows you to participate in the voting process of BFSA elections.
8. Our last BFSA General Body meeting, until September, will be Tuesday June 12th at 12 PM. Please come out Tuesday June 12th at 12/Noon to participate in the election process and hear what the candidates have to say about their platforms. This will be the first official day to cast your votes for BFSA Executive board members for the 2012-2014 term. More information on the upcoming process is forthcoming. An independent committee (that is external to the current BFSA executive board) is handling the election process. This election process will be open and transparent and is, again, being conducted by an independent committee.
Dues paying members of BFSA will be able to cast their votes in person on June 12th at the candidates’ forum or throughout the week, by way of an on an online ballot. All that information will be sent to you prior to the actual election, including the candidates’ names and bios. Be on the lookout for that information.
Again, thank you all for being a part of the BFSA family. You (the member) are the most integral component of BFSA. Our success begins and ends with our members’ participation. It is an honor for me to be actively engaged in this organization with you. I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday June 12th at 12/noon in Nyumburu for the last BFSA meeting until September. Thank you. "One for All and All for One!"
Your brother,
Solomon Comissiong/BFSA President
