Staff Excellence Fund

The Provost’s Advisory Committee on Staff Compensation (PACSC) is responsible for allocating the Staff Excellence Fund (SEF). PACSC wants all staff at UW to have an opportunity to have a say in how these funds are spent. To this end, PACSC is seeking proposals from staff to spend the $85,000 allocated to Healthy Workplace Initiatives and the $50,000 allocated to Engagement and Leadership Development. PACSC has delegated the responsibility for the proposals to the UWSA who has established the UWSA SEF Committee to solicit proposals and to select proposals that should be brought to PACSC.

History of the Staff Excellence Fund
The SEF was established in January 2009 by PACSC when the Special Recognition Award Program for University Support Staff was discontinued. $250,000 is allocated annually to fund the following initiatives:

• High-Quality Speakers. The fund will continue to sponsor speakers and events coordinated by Organizational & Human Development on topics relating to staff training and development, both within and independent of the annual staff conference. Estimated cost: $65,000/year.
• Service Recognition. This fund contributes to the university’s annual Years of Service Reception for USG Staff at their at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 year milestones(as determined by Human Resources). (This recognition is independent of 25 Year Club Reception)  Estimated cost: $50,000/year.
• Engagement and Leadership Development: The funding previously allocated for the Special Initiatives Fund will be redirected to activities, programs and services to enhance employee engagement and foster leadership development. Estimated cost: $50,000/year.
• Healthy Workplace Initiatives. The salary previously allocated for the Staff Career Advisor position will be redirected to initiatives in 2014 and 2015 to establish Healthy Workplace Initiatives, with a review in 2016. Estimated cost: $85,000/year.

Request for Proposals

Successful projects will:

• meet the goals of the aforementioned initiatives
• enhance our working environment
• be implemented quickly and should have a duration of no more than 2 years
• benefit many people
• encourage cooperation and collaboration across departments

Proposals must not be currently funded or organized by the University and ongoing costs will not be covered. Proposals should also avoid creating tax benefits for employees.

Calls for proposals will be announced on the Daily Bulletin and via email.

Staff Excellence Fund Proposal

Your proposal must include the following three sections:

Mission:
What do you want to achieve with this project? How will your project enhance staff morale and/or enrich the working environment for staff?
The mission serves three purposes: it acts as a starting point when you are planning, helps keep the project on track, and serves as an evaluation tool once the project is complete.

People Involved:
Who will be responsible for the project?
Can this be carried out by identified staff members and colleagues or does it require people from other departments or the administration?

Impact:
What is the anticipated impact of the project? Who will the project impact?
This includes not only those who will attend your event, but also others who will be involved, such as volunteers, supervisors, etc.

Submit proposals in PDF format to UWSA.

Applicants may be contacted or invited to present their proposal if more information is required.