Nothing we do as part of Faculty Association leadership can be done without the support of YOU, our members. We try our best to balance the needs of all of the constituencies that we can, and it would be impossible without your help--and too depressing without your support and encouragement! At the risk of missing someone who has really helped (let us know÷weâll get to you next time!), weâd like to take the time while we are still in the thick of negotiations to thank those who are helping us with research or support materials.

First of all, helping us with the Department Chair proposal developed in committee last Spring has been Kathy Shamey (with her committee members Sheila Mason, Nancy Nieman and Audrey Roche, and the support of the Merle Arnold, chair of chairs). Kathy even braved a brainstorming session to provide ãprofessional expertiseä and keep the District from misleading us.

Carol Beckstead and her Coordinators committee also pulled together a proposal that we hope will help us make some headway there.

Many faculty have supported us with respect to part-time issues. Last fall, Mitra Moassessi prepared a detailed report delineating the exact cost to SMC for part-time office hours, under the State Plan. Harvey Stromberg has also provided crucial historical perspective and unwavering support for this issue.

Lantz Simpson, Bill Price and Gloria Heller continue to provide information at the State level, as well as keeping us apprised of local issues. Lantz, of course, acts as VP and grievance chair for all faculty.

Jan McKay and her Load committee, with support documents from Judy Douglas, Adrienne Harrop, Bill Lancaster, Ken Mason, Nursing faculty and others have helped us develop a reasonable and affordable Load proposal.

Lynne Boylan actually gave us contract language and provided a letter of support to the Board to help the District see the importance of domestic partner benefits, which (we are grateful) they now support in principle. Midstream thanks from Teri Bernstein, Fran Chandler and Alan Buckley

Bill Zimmerman has been great in keeping us informed of Technology and Technology Liaison issues.

Kathy Sucher, who worked many hours creating the FA Webpage, has given us a wonderful new way to keep you informed.

Thanks go to Bev Tholin for information about settlements at other colleges.

Eleanor Singleton has been very helpful with Archive and legal research, as well as her contributions on the Negotiating Council. FACCC has also provided data.

Fran Manion and other Senate leaders have helped in many ways--both behind the scenes and publicly.

Even the Corsair and the Associated Students have come through for us. Daniel Aguilar, AS President, has been a great ally.

CSEA and the Classified Senate leaders and members have also been supportive in many ways--from information sharing to cheerleading to commiserating!

The three of us on the Negotiating Team are also very grateful for the support and strength we get from each other. And there is no way we could do anything without Janet Kretschmer, office wizard.

However, now, more than ever the help of each of you is necessary if we are to prevail in impasse. Your first task--attend the pizza and postcard-signing party at 11 a.m. in Business 111 on Thursday, November 19. Your second task--attend the December 7 Board of Trustees meeting to let the Board see how important it is that faculty be treated equitably. Third, press our issues with every administrator, board member, and community member you see--everytime you see them. And fourth, get ready to throw your full support behind any job actions that might become necessary.

With solidarity, there is strength; having you behind us fortifies us. Thank you for all you do to let us know the job we are doing on your behalf is worth it.