Virtual Member Orientation

Staff Council Presidents

Dr. Marti Trummer-Cabrera
2026-2027 Staff Council President

David Frankfort
2026-2027 Staff Council President-Elect

Dr. Karl Hearne
2026-2027 Staff Council Immediate Past President

Contact Staff Council leadership by emailing staffcouncil@uh.edu.

Discover Staff Council Committees

Welcome to Staff Council!

Congratulations on your appointment as Staff Council Representative.

Take a tour of our Virtual Member Orientation page full of resources new members will find useful. Learn about Staff Council, its committees, and annual programs by watching this orientation video.

We look forward to working with you for the next 3 years!
<p> </p> <section class="page-section"> <div class="container"> <h2 class="section-heading">General Staff Council Meetings</h2> <ul class="section-grid"> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Staff Council General Meetings" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/scvirtualmeet.png"></div> <h3>Staff Council General Meetings</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p>General Assembly meetings are open to all University of Houston Staff. Guests are welcome to join any meeting.</p> <p><strong>Staff Council General Meeting</strong><br><strong>1st Thursday of the Month</strong><br><strong>1:00 PM to 3:00 PM</strong><br><strong>Virtual: Microsoft Teams</strong></p> <p>Visit the <a href="/staff-council/general-assembly-meetings.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Staff Council General Assembly Meeting webpage</a> for meeting dates. </p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Meeting Etiquette " loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/gavel2.png"></div> <h3>Meeting Etiquette </h3> <div class="teaser"> <ul> <li><strong>Parliamentary Procedure</strong><br>Staff Council meetings follow <span><span><a href="https://www.boardeffect.com/blog/roberts-rules-of-order-cheat-sheet/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Robert’s Rules of Order</a>. Download the <a href="https://diphi.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2645/2016/10/cheat-sheet.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Robert's Rules of Order Cheat Sheet</a> (courtesy </span></span>of The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies).</li> <li><strong>Attendance Verification</strong><br>Post a comment to the meeting chat. It is the Staff Council member's responsibility to verify their attendance records.</li> <li><a href="/staff-council/orientation/staff-council-meeting-etiquette2.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Click here for Staff Council's Meeting Etiquette (PDF)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Virtual Meetings: Staff Council Team" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/team-meeting-icon.png"></div> <h3>Virtual Meetings: Staff Council Team</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p>Staff Council will continue to meet using Microsoft Team.</p> <p>Visit the <a href="/staff-council/general-assembly-meetings.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Staff Council General Assembly Meeting webpage</a> for meeting dates.</p> <p>Staff Council Members and guests are encouraged to join the Team meetings using their Cougarnet Credentials in order to access the chat and additional features. </p> <p><a href="https://www.uh.edu/infotech/about/planning/off-campus/teams-tips/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Tips on using Microsoft Team</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Postponed: Face-To-Face Meetings" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/2md-andersonno.png"></div> <h3>Postponed: Face-To-Face Meetings</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p><strong>At the moment, Staff Council does not hold General Assembly Meetings face-to-face. </strong></p> <p>Other events such as the Staff Council Recognition Celebration, Leadership Retreat, and the Holiday Potluck may take place in-person.</p> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="page-section"> <div class="container"> <h2 class="section-heading">Active Participation</h2> <ul class="section-grid"> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"><a href="/staff-council/about/committees/index.php"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Committee Participation" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/about/participatiom.png"></div> <h3>Committee Participation</h3></a><div class="teaser"> <p>Staff Council members will belong to and participate in at least two (2) committees. </p> <p>These may be Council standing committees, University-wide committees, ad hoc committees, and/or the Executive Committee. </p> <p>If a Staff Council member is unable to participate in two committees due to the demands of one of these committees or due to job constraints, that Council member shall apply in writing or via email to the President-elect for a waiver of this requirement. The President-elect will review the request, and present a recommendation to the Executive Committee for approval.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"><a href="/staff-council/about/committees/index.php"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Staff Council Committees" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/staff-focus.png"></div> <h3>Staff Council Committees</h3></a><div class="teaser"> <p>You do not have to be a Staff Council member to join or participate in a committee. Please share the Staff Council committee information with colleagues or constituents who may be interested in joining a <a href="/staff-council/about/committees/index.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Staff Council standing committee</a>. </p> <p>Want to join a Staff Council Committee meeting? Visit the Committee Microsoft Team to participate.</p> <p><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a42706a76beba4043887922fa7608a936%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=baa4d6a7-923b-4bbc-8f98-93da0251e122&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;"><span data-contrast="auto"></span></a><a href="https://www.uh.edu/staff-council/scholarships" rel="noopener" style="font-weight: inherit;" target="_blank">Awards & Advancement Microsoft Team</a></p> <p><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a42706a76beba4043887922fa7608a936%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=baa4d6a7-923b-4bbc-8f98-93da0251e122&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;"><span data-contrast="auto">Communications Microsoft Team</span></a><span>  </span></p> <p><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a972113529c8d4e77b191331c8669af36%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=8a53c5e2-bf73-4df3-b242-5099076bb3f5&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;">Cougar First Impressions Microsoft Team</a><span><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a972113529c8d4e77b191331c8669af36%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=8a53c5e2-bf73-4df3-b242-5099076bb3f5&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;"> </a></span></p> <p><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a4d59cb68c8344e63a2559f0097887101%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=466e3646-11cb-4eb3-8fbd-890271ff2165&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;">Events Microsoft Team</a><span> </span></p> <p><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a952d76e9eafb40fa9df6935fffc9a0e1%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=3cb6c616-6c58-4710-8301-f11a2bf236ad&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;">Membership & Elections Microsoft Team</a><span> </span></p> <p><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a94d76987b4f34609a0eab8e4980ebed2%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=2475be19-461c-464d-b872-2f8c27b9282b&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;"><span data-contrast="auto">Staff Affairs Microsoft Team</span></a><span> </span></p> <p><a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a341e20c8376d437fba16fd7122912f8b%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=0d81b0e1-3851-42b2-b7a8-65d3842dc9c0&tenantId=170bbabd-a2f0-4c90-ad4b-0e8f0f0c4259" style="font-weight: inherit;"><span>Take Your Child To Work Day (TYCTWD) Ad Hoc Microsoft Team</span></a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Committee Reports" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/cougarstatue.png"></div> <h3>Committee Reports</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p>Each Staff Council member can give a report for the University-wide committee they serve during the "University of Houston Standing Committees" report meeting portion. </p> <p><a href="/staff-council/about/committees/index.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Council Standing Committee</a> and Ad Hoc Committee chairs will report on their committees.</p> <p><a href="https://uofh.sharepoint.com/sites/sc/Lists/UniversityStandingCommitteeReport/newform.aspx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Click here to submit the Report Form (SharePoint)</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"><a href="/staff-council/about/committees/university-wide_committees.php"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="University-Wide Committees" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/welcomecenter.png"></div> <h3>University-Wide Committees</h3></a><div class="teaser"> <p>Unless specified otherwise, the Council may appoint any qualified University staff member in good standing, regardless of membership in the Council, to any<a href="/staff-council/about/committees/university-wide_committees.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank"> University-wide committee</a> to which it has been asked to appoint representatives. However, preference will be given to Staff Council members. </p> <p><span>The term of University-wide committee membership will be determined by the requirements of that particular committee.</span></p> <p><span>Interested in serving in a University-wide committee? Contact the Membership & Elections Committee.</span></p> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="page-section"> <div class="container"> <h2 class="section-heading">Member Resources</h2> <ul class="section-grid"> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"><a href="https://www.uh.edu/maps/#/find/E"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Staff Council Office" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/ecullen.png"></div> <h3>Staff Council Office</h3></a><div class="teaser"> <p>Staff Council has a Program Manager to help support Staff Council Members. </p> <p>Program Manager<br>Staff Council<br>713-743-1578<br>staffcouncil@uh.edu</p> <p>Staff Council Office<br><a href="https://www.uh.edu/maps/#/find/E" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Ezekiel W. Cullen Building</a><br>Room 25, Ground Floor<br>Mailing Code: 2018</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"><a href="https://uofh.sharepoint.com/sites/sc/SitePages/Home.aspx"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Staff Council SharePoint" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/sharepoint2.png"></div> <h3>Staff Council SharePoint</h3></a><div class="teaser"> <p>Members are granted access to the <a href="https://uofh.sharepoint.com/sites/sc/SitePages/Home.aspx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Staff Council SharePoint site</a> at the beginning of their term to access and upload documents and resources such as the following:</p> <ul> <li>Current and past meeting agendas</li> <li>Current and past meeting minutes</li> <li>Historical archives</li> <li>Past committee reports</li> <li>Staff Council pictures</li> <li>Executive Board Documents (Restricted access to EBoard members)</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Need help navigating Office 365? <br><a href="https://www.uh.edu/infotech/services/office365/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Check out UIT's resource page here.</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Staff Council Listserv" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/email1.png"></div> <h3>Staff Council Listserv</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p>Staff Council members are added to a Staff Council listserv to receive valuable communications from University administration, Staff Council leadership, and fellow Council members, including information and resources that members should share with their division constituents.</p> <p>Need to contact Staff Council leadership? Email <a href="mailto:staffcouncil@uh.edu">staffcouncil@<abbr data-markjs="true" title="University of Houston">uh</abbr>.edu</a></p> <p>Need to send an important message to the Staff Council? </p> <ul> <li>The Program Manager can forward the email on your behalf</li> <li>Staff Council members can use the listserv email address provided in their welcome email</li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Member Forms" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/uhwide.png"></div> <h3>Member Forms</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p>Please download and complete the Authorization for Use of Image – OGC-SF-2003-02 form and email it to the Staff Council Program Manager.</p> <p><a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=vboLF_CikEytSw6PDwxCWS5NdOLaNaVMrZLPq_d2gthUQTA1ODU1TUZMWVhOTklOMDZEWE42SUlWRi4u" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Access the Staff Council Member Information Form here (Microsoft Forms)</a></p> <p>Please submit the following forms to the Staff Council Program Manager</p> <ul> <li><span><a href="https://www.uhsystem.edu/legal-affairs/contract-administration/pdf-documents/authorization-for-use-of-image-ogc-sf-2003-02_revised-07.20.2021.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Authorization for Use of Image – OGC-SF-2003-02</a></span></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="page-section"> <div class="container"> <ul class="section-grid"> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Staff Council At A Glance" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/scgroup-video.png"></div> <h3>Staff Council At A Glance</h3> <div class="teaser"> <div>Staff Council consists of elected staff members from each division who represent the entire staff body.</div> <ul> <li><a href="/staff-council/member-resources/staffcouncilnewmemberoverview2019-2020.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Staff Council At A Glance (Coming soon)</a> </li> <li><a href="/staff-council/leadership-recognition/index.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Staff Council Leadership Recognition</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Social Media" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/about/social-media.png"></div> <h3>Social Media</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p>Stay up to date on Staff Council happenings! <br>Follow Staff Council on social media.</p> <ul> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/UHstaffcouncil" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><span>@UHstaffcouncil</span></a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/uhstaffcouncil/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">uhstaffcouncil </a></li> <li>Flickr: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/uhstaffcouncil/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">UH Staff Council</a></li> <li>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYvYiexwUAtN_wRMAoHME4w" rel="noopener" target="_blank">UHStaff Council</a> <div class="style-scope ytd-c4-tabbed-header-renderer" id="meta"> <ytd-channel-name class="style-scope ytd-c4-tabbed-header-renderer" id="channel-name" wrap-text=""> <div class="style-scope ytd-channel-name" id="container"> <paper-tooltip class="style-scope ytd-channel-name" fit-to-visible-bounds="" offset="10" role="tooltip" tabindex="-1"></paper-tooltip> </div> </ytd-channel-name> </div> <div class="style-scope ytd-c4-tabbed-header-renderer" id="buttons"></div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> <li class="col-xs-12 col-sm-3"> <div class="sp-block"> <div class="grid-image-wrapper"><img alt="Leadership Opportunities" loading="lazy" src="/staff-council/orientation/scgroup.png"></div> <h3>Leadership Opportunities</h3> <div class="teaser"> <p>Staff Council offers members professional development and growth through various leadership opportunities. </p> <ul> <li>Become a <a href="/staff-council/about/index.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Staff Council Officer</a></li> <li>Serve as a <a href="/staff-council/about/committees/index.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Standing Committee</a> or Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chair</li> <li>Serve as a <a href="/staff-council/ussec/index.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">USSEC Committee</a> Representative</li> <li>Serve as a <a href="/staff-council/about/committees/university-wide_committees.php" rel="noopener" target="_blank">University-Wide Committee</a> Representative</li> </ul> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="page-section theme-cream"> <div class="container"> <h2 class="section-heading">Useful Links</h2> <div class="row wysiwyg-content"> <div class="col-auto"> <p> </p> <p>Staff Council members, particularly new members, should familiarize themselves with the following overview and information at the following links.</p> <ul> <li><a href="/staff-council/member-resources/staffcouncilnewmemberoverview2019-2020.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staff Council Overview</a><span> </span>(Member Orientation; PDF)</li> <li><a href="https://www.uh.edu/staff-council/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staff Council Homepage</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.uh.edu/staff-council/about/constitution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staff Council Constitution</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.uh.edu/staff-council/about/bylaws/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staff Council By-Laws</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.uh.edu/staff-council/about/committees/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Staff Council Committee Descriptions and Roles</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.uh.edu/staff-council/calendar/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Calendar of Meeting Dates</a> for General and Executive Board Meetings</li> <li><a href="https://uofh.sharepoint.com/sites/sc/SitePages/Home.aspx">Staff Council SharePoint site</a></li> <li><a href="https://share.uh.edu/sc/ExecutiveBoard/SitePages/Home.aspx">Staff Council Executive Board SharePoint site</a><span> </span>(only accessible to E-board members)</li> </ul> <h2> </h2> <h3>Mail Merge</h3> <ul> <li><a href="/staff-council/_documents/mail-merge-instructions.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mail merge instructions</a><span> </span>for districting messages to constituents (PDF; provided by Elyse Davis)</li> <li><a href="/staff-council/_documents/mail-merge-outlook-instructions.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mail merge instructions</a><span> </span>for districting messages to constituents (PDF; for Microsoft Outlook/Excel/Word, provided by Shari Mauthner)</li> </ul> <h2> </h2> <h3>Committee Report Form</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://uofh.sharepoint.com/sites/sc/Lists/UniversityStandingCommitteeReport/newform.aspx">SharePoint report form</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </section>

Virtual Member Orientation

Staff Council Presidents

Welcome to Staff Council!