Greetings,

On Monday I sent you an important message regarding reappointment procedures, and you may already have seen a version of that message posted on the walls around your department. If you haven't read it, please do: even if your appointment is secure this year, you may have friends and colleagues wondering what happened to theirs. We're all in this together!

Important Information Regarding Your TA/GA Appointment (link to message sent out Mon, Aug 3): http://www.unionvoice.org/rutgersaaupaft/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=27235731

When a member informs us of issues arising in one department, the TA/GA Steering Committee and Rutgers AAUP-AFT officers and staff move quickly to ensure that the entire community is informed about basic contractual rights. The more engaged our membership becomes, the easier it is to enforce contract protections for all of us. We want to hear from you, and we hope that you talk regularly with your friends about what's going on in the union and at the University.

And now... the fun part! One of my favorite yearly traditions on the Steering Committee is our annual Summer Strategy BBQ: it's a great time to meet new members and discuss new ideas for the coming year--all while enjoying good company, amazing fresh-cooked food, drinks, games... everything summer should be! And when the sun goes down, the party doesn't end! We'll be inviting all our new friends at the BBQ to a kick-ass after-party featuring one of our own 90.3 "The Core" DJs, dancing, games, and good times!

When: Renowned grill master Carlos Diuk will fire up the grill around 5pm, Saturday August 8. We'll be out until about 8:30 (or whenever it gets too dark to see the soccer ball!)... and then, after-party!
Where: Antilles Field, behind Voorhees Chapel on Douglass Campus. It's a beautiful site with plenty of room for soccer, frisbee, and other games. Bring your favorites!
What: While we play and drink and enjoy the (finally!) nice weather, we'll also enjoy conversations, both structured and casual, about such issues as: politics, political education and involvement; plans for the not too far down-the-road contract negotiations; social involvement, member education and more!

Want to have fun and make a difference? This is a great place to start. Please RSVP to me at taga@gsa.rutgers.edu so we know how much food and drink to bring!

In unity,

Elric Kline
Chair, TA/GA Steering Committee