African American Faculty and Staff Association | UC Davis Health

African American Faculty and Staff Association

graphic for the African American Faculty and Staff Association visually illustrating the encompassing mission to “Serve,” “Grow,” and “Connect.”

The mission of the African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA) is to build community, identify career development opportunities and provide resources for African American employees at UC Davis Health. Our goals are to support our members in their personal and professional development and cultivate a sense of belonging for all employees.

AAFSA has several guiding principles for accomplishing its mission:

  • Invest in our future by awarding scholarships
  • Finance our budget through fund raisers
  • Fellowship with staff and faculty to facilitate African American Comradery in the workplace
  • Promote upward mobility through career development and mentorship programs
  • Sponsor and support special events to strengthen our bond with the community

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be UC Davis Health African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA). This is a formally recognized organization of the University of California at Davis and our authority stems from University of California policy 270-05 (Am. 8/15/16).

Article II – Objective

The purpose of the African American Faculty and Staff Association shall be to:

Section 1: Provide a forum for discussion of common concerns and maintain an ongoing support group for all University of California, Davis Health African American faculty and staff.

Section 2: Promote upward mobility and employment opportunities through career development and mentorship for African American staff, in support of the goals and mission of the University of California Davis, and University of California Davis Health.

Section 3: Cooperate with other University constituent groups on all appropriate matters.

Section 4: Focus on providing service to the community.

Article III – Membership

  • Section 1: General membership is automatic to all faculty, staff, and students.
  • Section 2: The membership of the Association is open to all University employees, students, and retirees. Individuals who express an interest and desire to be included in membership activities will submit a request to the Executive Board.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1: The officers of the AAFSA shall consist of a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and an ex-officio member appointed by the Executive Board.

Section 2: The call for nominations will be included in the agenda for the April General Meeting.

Section 3: These officers shall be elected by electronic ballot of the majority of those voting by the Annual Meeting in May. Voting shall be limited to members of AAFSA.

Section 4: Newly elected officers shall begin serving their terms on July 1st. All officers shall serve one (2) year term. No member shall serve in an office for more than two (2) consecutive terms and no member can hold more than one (1) office at a time.

Section 5: The Vice-Chair will assume the Chair position in the event the Chair is unable to complete his/her term of office. If any other officer is unable to complete his/her term of office, the Executive Board will make a recommendation for a replacement to the general membership.

Section 6: Officers may be recalled by a majority vote of the membership. The petition for recall must be first heard by the Executive Committee which will then make a recommendation for action to the membership.

Article V – Meetings

Section 1: AAFSA will hold regular meetings on a monthly basis, inclusive, unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Board.

Section 2: The first working meeting in the month of May shall be known as the Annual Meeting and shall be for the purpose of officer election, report presentations by officers and committees, and for any other business that may arise.

Section 3: Special meetings may be called by the Chair or the Executive Board and shall be called upon the written request of five (5) members of AAFSA. The purpose for the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, at least three (3) days notice shall be given.

Article VI – The Executive Board

Section 1: The UC Davis Health African American Faculty and Staff Association shall be governed by an Executive Board consisting of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and one (1) ex-officio members.
Ex-officio members of the Executive Board shall serve a two-year term of office commencing on July 1st of the election year.

Section 2: The Executive board's duties shall include but not be limited to:

  1. Calling meetings.
  2. Establishing project teams.
  3. Providing oversight and direction for projects and programs sponsored by AAFSA.
  4. Develop a fiscal year Project Plan annually as determined by the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

The Executive Board shall act as the official representative of AAFSA for the purposes of communication with Hospital/Campus administration, Campus AAFSA officers, other organizations and their officers, and constituency groups.

Section 3: Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the Chair and shall be called upon in the written request of three members of the Board.

Section 4: No member may serve on the Executive Board for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Article VII – Parliamentary Authority

Section 1: The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not consistent with these By-Laws and any special rules of order the Association may adopt. At least ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum.

Article VIII – Amendment of Bylaws

Section 1: After presentation of the amendments to the Executive Board, these By-Laws may be amended or repealed at any regular meeting of AAFSA by a two-third vote of those in attendance, and shall be ratified upon approval of the minutes at the next monthly meeting.

Section 2: No proposal relating to introduction, amendment, or repeal of group legislation shall be presented for vote to the general membership unless the proposal has been previously reviewed and approved by the Executive Board.

Staff scholarships and citations of excellence

2022 nominations and application deadlines have passed.

The UC Davis Staff Assembly is pleased to sponsor an annual awards program, including Staff and Staff Dependent Scholarships and Citations of Excellence. 

The Staff Scholarship Program was created to provide career staff employees with funding to pursue professional certificates and personal/professional development as well as continue their education in Associate, Bachelor, or graduate degree programs at community colleges, state colleges, universities (public or private); professional schools, while concurrently employed at the UC Davis.

The Citations of Excellence awards program provides recognition for individual staff and staff teams, who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in one of the following areas: Teaching, Research/Grant Support, Service, Innovation, and Supervision.

Learn more about Staff Awards, nominations and/or applications.

Learn more about AAFSA's annual and upcoming events.

members of the African American Faculty and Staff Association board

Contact

Send an email to hs-aafsa@ucdavis.edu.

Become a member

Thank you for considering membership in our group. Please email us to express your interest in joining the AAFSA as a member.

Membership Benefits

  • Integration of passion in work
  • Professional development
  • Mentoring
  • Wellness
  • Networking
  • Celebration of culture and traditions

Executive Board

2023-2025

  • Co-Chair: Elizabeth R. Dennis-Bell
  • Co-Chair: Dannette R. Hollinger
  • Vice Chair: Antoinette Texeira
  • Treasurer: Amy Moore
  • Secretary: Melinda Griffith
  • Membership Coordinator: Brittany Moore
  • Social Media Coordinator: Esther Muriithi
  • Webmaster: Cornel Wade

2021-2022

  • Chair: James B. Aboagye
  • Treasurer: Elizabeth R. Dennis-Bell
  • Secretary: Dannette R. Hollinger
  • Webmaster: Cornel Wade

2019-2021

  • Chair: Lyndon Huling
  • Treasurer: Charlene Green
  • Secretary: Kamika Hughes

2018-2019

  • Chair: Charron Andrus
  • Vice Chair: Darrell Desmond
  • Treasurer: Charlene Green
  • Secretary: Lisa Word

2017-2018

  • Chair: Charron Andrus
  • Vice Chair: Darrell Desmond
  • Treasurer: Charlene Green
  • Secretary: Angel Mosley

2016-2017

  • Chair: Tamara Cole
  • Vice Chair: Yolanda Henderson
  • Treasurer: Lee Smith
  • Secretary: Charron Andrus

2015-2016

  • Chair: Yolanda Henderson
  • Vice Chair: Tamara Cole
  • Treasurer: Lee Smith
  • Secretary: Charron Andrus

2014-2015

  • Chair: Yolanda Henderson
  • Vice Chair: Tamara Cole
  • Treasurer: Lee Smith
  • Secretary: Kamika Hughes

Meeting times and location

General member meetings
All faculty, staff and students are welcome!
Join us on the third Thursday of every month, 12 – 1 p.m. Virtual connection information emailed prior to the meeting.