Faculty and Staff Resources

Mission: The Rice Business Staff Council’s ambition is to enhance the work experience for all staff members of Rice Business by providing representation, resources and opportunities for involvement that elevate and celebrate overall work life engagement.

Term: Each role will serve a two-year term beginning officially November 2020 - May 31, 2022.

Time Commitment: Attend 1-2 RBSC meetings a month (1 hour each). Attend 1 meeting bi-monthly with Dean Rodriguez (1.5 hours). Time commitment for roles will vary based on the activity/service. 
*Roles that recommend committee support may require additional meetings as needed and set by the person in this role.

Qualifications: Must be employed for 6 months at Rice University in order to apply.

Letter of Intent

Lead

• Sets meeting and Town Hall agendas
  • Invite and coordinate guests for meetings and town halls
• Develops timelines and Sets OKRs – (Objectives and Key Results) and goals
• Host Town Halls

Secretary

• Takes and creates meeting minutes and uploads to Box
• Arranges meeting times and reserves rooms
• Manages historical documents and resources
• Arranges for Town Hall meetings to be recorded
• Posts relevant documents to Box

Treasurer

• Manages budget and approves purchases
• Aligns policies and procedures with Jones School financial policies
• Interfaces with Tim and Lynder to assure proper fund allocation

Communications

• Serves as liaison to MARCOM for approvals
• Monitors the RBSC email
• Handles any communications challenges
• Main point of contact for communicating with Peter/April
• Assists lead with Town Halls Plans and executes Coffee Chats with Peter Handles incoming confidential Q&A

Events Co-Chairs (previously Event Specialist, Recognition/Employee Appreciation, and Special Projects)

• Plans and executes Lunch & Learns
• Coordinates with RBSC to plan and execute Town Hall meetings
• Plans and executes events as determined by the RBSC
• Recommended that a committee be created to assist with event execution
• Implements initiatives (e.g., enhancing the staff lounge)
• Leverages team leaders and the RBSC to drive implementations
• Delegates responsibility for responses to confidential Q&A and tracks completion
• Identifies opportunities for employee recognition/appreciation & implements process or programs
• Coordinates appreciation events with Events Specialist
• Recommended that Supervising Directors serve as advisors to this role to achieve buy-in

Advisor at Large

• Reserved for the Director, Employee Engagement and Development
• Interfaces with the Dean, and other relevant stakeholders in Rice Business for the RBSC
• Identifies and markets professional development existing resources
• Liaises with JGSB HR, Big Rice HR and the SAC to promote all training and development opportunities
• Markets courses on campus through Fondren Library and HR, and discounted Glasscock School courses   through newsletter along with Director of Employee Engagement and Development
• Lunch and Learns-
  • Prof Dev. Series for Supervisors
  • Prof Dev. Series for Staff
• Staff Appreciation Event- Supports, volunteers, and provides input, however, the Event Chairs own this event along with their committee
• Staff Holiday Parties- Event Co-chairs and I work with Events team to coordinate different pieces of holiday party special touches
• Service opportunity event for staff
• Years of Service Awards
• Recognition and Appreciation initiatives
  • Utilizes support from RBSC for execution
  • Birthdays, Baby, engagement/marriage celebrations
  • Special appreciation gifts for certain individuals or groups/offices
  • Online Recognition Program
• Engagement Initiatives
  • Meets monthly with event co-chairs to coordinate different engagement events/ initiatives

For those of you newer to Rice Business, the school asked employees to participate in this survey to gather feedback. In general, it’s a way for organizations, leaders, managers and individuals to focus on what employees need for their current and future performance and development goals.

Gallup's research strongly recommends using a theme to unify efforts to address the results of any Gallup survey performed, and we found that "Making Magic Happen" is a theme that resonates.

Implementation — Leads: Kailen Bond and Danielle Riley

Sponsor: Kathleen Clark
Team: Rebecca Brown, Weezie Mackey, Tatianna (Aker) Carr and Kalyn Speck

Professional and Career Development — Leads: Pat Salas and Michelle Kaltenbach
Sponsor: Michael Koenig
Team: Megan Gossett, Deanna Golden, Danielle Riley and Melinda English

The Employee Engagement project will last about one year. However, some of the changes implemented as a result of the project will continue beyond the year mark.

To succeed, the project needs your input and support, with the goals of a better workplace and better communication.

The Rice Business Staff Council is the ongoing structure to continue the work of the Employee Engagement Project teams beyond the conclusion of this project.

Big kudos to our in-house graphic designer Eddie Martinez for creating the “Making Magic Happen” logo.