I have been associated with the College of Agriculture &
Home Economics for 27 years (hired in 1978) and 19 of those years
with the Department of Entomology (since 1986). Every day at WSU
has been exciting, interesting and rewarding. Working with the outstanding
students, faculty and staff in our department have made my working
days enjoyable. The following are some of my activities as an employee
of WSU and with the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Served on the Search Committee for the Director of Benefit Services
at WSU . I was honored to represent all Classified Staff on the most
recent WSU Presidential Search Committee, and served on the search
committee for the Assistant Director of Human Resource Services.
In 1998, my family (Lohrey, Spears & Wutzke), and the Pullman
Moose Lodge, established a memorial scholarship in honor of my son
Andrew Jackson Birch, in the College of Liberal Arts. We host fundraising
events to raise support the AJB textbook scholarship fund. Thus far
we have raised over $20,000. My husband (now deceased) and I are President’s
Associates Members. I am also a Legacy Associate.
As needed, I provide informal tours of the Entomology Department,
and give presentations on career opportunities in the field of entomology.
Was a participant on the focus group that helped develop, review,
and make recommendations for, the new Teaching Delivery/ Effort reporting
process. We served as a test group to identify any system flaws before
it was presented and implemented University-wide. This is in response
to a mandate from the state legislature.
As time allows, I volunteer as a judge at the state Future Farmer’s
of America Convention, which is coordinated by CAHNRS Academic Programs,
and assist the CAHNRS Commencement Committee.
I have had several articles published in the Sounding Off and Editorial
Pages of local newspapers regarding collective bargaining issues and
providing political commentary. The commentary written against Initiative
695 was in published in 4 Northwest newspapers.
Union Activities:
In 2003-2004 was a member of the WFSE Contract Negotations Committee
for Washington State University and participated on the State Employees
healthcare negotiations.
In October 2002 was elected to a second term as Council 28 Secretary
for the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME/AFL-CIO.
I serve as a voting member on the Council 28 Executive Committee,
and a member of the Council’s Women’s Committee. In addition
I do lobbying on behalf of all state employees with the Washington
State Legislature.
I have served three terms as Secretary to the WFSE Higher Education
Policy Committee. This committee consists of representatives from
all of Washington’s universities and community colleges. We
are actively involved in addressing human rights issues and improving
working conditions for all state employees, as well as providing
a statewide network for information sharing.
At the WFSE State Conventions I have served on several committees
and as Chair of the Legislative Resolutions Committee (this committee
helped set the legislative agenda and lobbying priorities for WFSE,
focusing on retirement/benefit issues and accountability standards
in state government).
Past Chair of the Bargaining Unit 9 Labor/Management Committee,
as well as the All Bargaining Units Labor/Management (Ad Hoc L/M)
Committee. The charge of this committee is to develop, and revise,
university wide policies to improve working conditions, and streamline
processes at WSU. I was instrumental in getting WSU's Domestic Violence
policy approved through this process.
Past Chief Steward of Bargaining Unit 9 (Office Support Staff) at
WSU-Local 1066. In this capacity I have served on the contract negotiation
committee which resulted in the first ever contract for Office Support
Employees, between the WSU Board of Regents and WFSE. This contract
provided a conflict resolution/grievance procedure that covered over
500 employees at WSU. Our contract provided some enhanced benefits
above what is allowed by statute, and WSU policies. This contract
is used as a model for other higher education institutions throughout
the state. It was reported to be even better than UW’s!
As a BU9 steward, I served as an employee advocate, confidante and
advisor. Our efforts were directed toward empowerment of WSU employees.
We strived to take an active role in improving the WSU workplace.
We assisted employees to become more knowledgeable about their rights
and responsibilities, under about their contract, the civil service
laws, and WSU Policies and Procedures.
I am a past editor of the WFSE Local 1066 newsletter
that received a Public Relations Award at the 1996 WFSE State Convention.
Other past service to Local 1066 includes serving as Secretary, Trustee
and Political Action Co-Chair.
Completed a 6-year term of service on the Town of Albion Planning
and Zoning Commission. This committee produces revisions to the town’s
building and zoning codes, formulates the Community Comprehensive
Plan, and approves or denies property use variances. Also served as
a founding board member of the Albion Youth Association (AYA) (1988-90).
I was a Charter Member of the Palouse Empire Chapter of Professional
Secretaries International and served on various committees. This was
important because it was the first time at WSU, that clerical employees
actively promoted the profession of those in the office support/clerical
field. It also provided a means for networking and continuing education
to improve their knowledge and skills.
Served two terms as the Secretary to the Whitman County Democrats.
During my time as manager of the CAHE Word Processing
Center, I assisted many CAHE faculty prepare and produce manuscripts
and grant proposals. I was honored to have been listed in the acknowledgments
of several publications, including "Entomology & Death: A
Procedural Guide (for Forensic Investigators) by E. P. Catts, et al.
In 1983, I prepared and taught a class titled "Word Processing
Basics" for the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, which
helped introduce office automation in our college.