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Explanation of Roles:

The President is the local’s primary representative in communicating with and between the membership and management. In order to be an effective spokesperson the president is responsible for maintaining an awareness of any concerns significant to the membership. Specific duties include presiding at meetings, being involved in any committees, and monitoring the finances. In general, the President along with the other officers are responsible for supervising and helping to organize any actions to be taken on behalf of the membership.

The Vice President along with the other officers is responsible for assisting the president in maintaining order in the management of Union business, including presiding at meetings in the absence of the President and performing other tasks as delegated. Local 977 has two vice presidents, one each for Clerical and General Services.

The Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for keeping records and providing reports about income and expenses, writing checks, and other specific duties related to supervising the local's finances.

The Recording Secretary is responsible for taking notes at meetings, arranging them, and submitting them for approval as an official record. It is also this officer’s job to manage all written correspondence.

Stewards are responsible for staying connected and informed about Union business, representing the Union to members, and representing workers by filing grievances and otherwise questioning of management's adherence to the contract. The officers of 977 also have training and experience as Stewards.

Chief Stewards delegate grievances and other issues to Stewards within their respective units. They become involved with the processing of all grievances that reach the second step or go to arbitration.

Members-at-large are elected as voting members of the Executive Board, three from each unit. They share the steward's role of maintaining awareness of the Union among members, staying informed and serving as contacts and sources of information without the responsibility of processing grievances.

The best way to learn about Local 977 is to attend a meeting and get to know the officers and other members. If there is a question or concern calling for more immediate attention, the following numbers are provided. An officer or other representative will always be available Monday-Friday during normal business hours.

	AFSCME Local 977 Contact Information
Name & Position		Location	Pager/Phone Number
Nick Ayala: President		Registration Zone - P1	phone: 612-873-2922 pager: 612-613-0104
Jody Jacobs: Vice President, Clerical Services		Food Service - RL	phone: 612-873-3285
Kurt Podner: Vice President, General Services		Operating Room - P4	pager: 612-589-2590 pager: 612-613-3592
Carrie Farley: Secretary-Treasurer		Operating Room - G1	phone: 612-873-3152 pager: 612-527-8628
John Volpe: Recording Secretary		Pediatric Clinic - P7	phone: 612-873-2189
Carmen Brown: Chief Steward, Clerical Services		Pediatric Clinic - P7	phone: 612-873-2189 pager: 612-613-7257
Alex Manson: Chief Steward, General Services		Emergency Department - R1	phone: 651-208-4030
Chris Cowen: Business Representative		AFSCME Council 5 300 Hardman Ave S. South St Paul, MN 55075	phone: 651-287-0531
Seth Manning: Steward & Member at Large, General Services		Transportation – P2	phone: 612-644-1320
Regina Dickson: Steward & Member at Large, Clerical Services		Family Medical Center	phone: 612-545-9047 pager: 612-613-0138
Anita McCoy: Steward & Member at Large, Clerical Services		Occupational Therapy - B3	phone: 612-873-4328 pager: 612-613-2994
Maria Morales: Steward, Clerical Services		HFC East Lake	phone: 612-873-8121
Dwayne Westlund: Steward, General Services		Environmental Services - OL	phone: 612-598-6938
Brett Arntsen Member at Large, General Services		MICU – P7
Joanne Padula Member at Large, Clerical Services		STN – R4

$$$ You Can Win! $$$ - Attend a general meeting, where we will draw a name from the list of all Local 977 members. If that person is present, they will win at least $25. If not the total amount is added to the next month's prize. Your name could be next! General meetings are held every third Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria Conference Room.