Happy holidays from the UWSA!

A year-end message from UWSA President Yessenia Guerrero.

Did you spot us in the winter break video?

UW President Vivek Goel released his year-end video last week, exploring the question “What is the University of Waterloo made of?” Look for your Staff Association Operations Team (that’s the three presidents and three employees) in the winter break video and in the participant profiles!

Craft Sale and Winterfest 2023 Wrapped

December 10 was our 35th annual Winterfest! Here's what went down:

• 359 tickets claimed
• 75 toys gifted
• 200 squares eaten (thank you to Winnie’s Gluten Free Bakery!)
• Over 30 faces painted

We also held our 28^th annual Craft Sale at the end of November, raising $1,665.20 for UWSA student awards!

If you weren’t able to stop by, keep an eye out for our wonderful vendors at future community craft sales:

Staff Salary Conversations

Last week, we held a town hall meeting about the upcoming staff salary conversations that will be happening at the Provost's Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC). The outcome of these conversations will be several recommendations to the Provost related to compensation, including salary range increases over the next few years. I want to thank everyone who attended and sent in questions to contribute to this important discussion!

If you missed it, you can watch the recording, in which I explain how PACSC works, what these salary conversations cover and how we’re preparing for them, and answer questions from members and other staff about the process and potential outcomes. You can also see the results of our Mentimeter polling about priorities for the discussions, and slides from the event. 

• Town hall recording (watch on Stream)
• Mentimeter results (PDF)
• Slides

We’re also assembling an extensive Q&A with questions we received before, during, and after the event. We’re doing our best to provide you with as much information as we can and will have that ready for you in the new year!

Please consider applying for the Board of Directors

We have a vacancy to fill on the Board of Directors and will be issuing a call for interest in the new year. Please take a look at what’s involved and think about this opportunity over the break—or don’t; enjoy your break!

Looking back on 2023

As we wrap up 2023, I want to take a look back at this year and what we have accomplished as an association. Every year we make strides and it's important we reflect on what we've been able to do together this year:

• We've enjoyed time together during many social events.
• We've gained more than 500 new members!
• We've strengthened our ties with other employee groups on campus.
• Our committees have gained many new volunteers.
• We've supported important groups and causes we believe in, such as Waterloo Womxn + Nonbinary Wednesdays and 2SLGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Socials.
• We added two new employees who have significantly improved our day-to-day operations.
• Our directors have engaged in training to improve our governance and better serve the association and its members.
• We’ve been increasing our engagement with members.
• Read our Annual Report for details on all of this and more!

The end of December marks the culmination of my second month in term and for me the highlight of it all has been you: meeting members, seeing who the people are on campus, that's what keeps me motivated. We have a lot more to achieve on your behalf and we can get there step by step.

In the melodious words of José Feliciano, I wish you a feliz navidad, prospero año y felicidad. (Happy Holidays and a Prosperous Happy New Year).

Cheers!

Yessenia Guerrero
UWSA President (and the UWSA Operations Team)

L–R: communications officer Laura McDonald, membership and volunteer coordinator Carly Richardson, president Yessenia Guerrero, executive manager Gail Spencer, president-elect Lisa Habel, past president Agata Jagielska.