PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Sample Clauses

PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. The University maintains institutional memberships in selected state and national organizations. Employees who are designated by the University as institutional representatives and are assigned by the University for attendance at sessions of those organizations shall be reimbursed by the University for expenses incident thereto, in accordance with the established policies for expense reimbursement. Whenever Employees are assigned to attend any professional meetings as official representatives of the University, expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the established policies and procedures. All such Employee participation must be approved in advance. These policies are in no way inconsistent with the Employee's option to participate as an individual and at his/her own expense in professional organizations that establish and maintain the Employee's status as a professional person. Where attendance at functions of such professional organizations requires release time, it may be approved by the Administrative Head of the department, based on the merits of the request and where work schedules of the department permit.

PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. A. The Library recognizes that membership and participation in professional associations and attendance and participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. both inside and outside the Library for purposes of professional development are voluntary and may be positive factors in the nurturing of the individual's career and professional self-development. The Parties also recognize that such membership and participation can make the individual a better employee of the Library, and that the Library is entitled to assign employees to attend conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. in connection with work. B. Employees who are denied funding to attend meetings of professional organizations or participate in other job-related conferences, seminars, workshops, etc., and employees who have not requested such funding may request excused absence (EA) to attend such meetings. Employees may also request EA for attendance at conferences, seminars, and meetings outside the Library. If attendance will serve the best interest of the Library, including instances in which such attendance will contribute to improved performance or professional competence, the employee may be granted EA, subject to operational and workload requirements. If not all requests can be granted, preference will be given to those requests which best serve the mission and goals of the Library as determined by the Library. The Library shall make every reasonable effort to make decisions regarding EA in a timely manner to accommodate any necessary planning adjustments. C. The Library recognizes the right of professional employees to serve on any professional association committees, task forces, etc., without Library authorization, provided the employee clearly represents his/her own views and not those of the Library unless authorized to represent the Library.