Operational Memorandum # 31

PLEASE REVIEW CAREFULLY!

All staff are referred to Section 1.8 of the AACS Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual:

"At no time shall an employee ignore prescribed procedures and go directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Board, or other policy/policy-advisory committees of the Board or agency projects with a grievance. This limitation also precludes a staff member going to a Board member, a member on any committee sponsored by the agency, a Federal Regional Office, State Agency Office, or any other funding agency concerning a grievance or difference without first conferring with the Executive Director."

The policy further stipulates that a violation of this policy shall result in disciplinary action.

The AACS Board of Directors has made it clear that it does not choose to deal in staff personalities and personal staff grievances, maneuverings, and/or attempts to manipulate Board members and Board actions for personal reasons. The Board clearly demonstrates its intention and commitment to establish and monitor policy and leave the implementing and executing of that policy and the overall administration and management of the agency, programs and staff in the hands of the Executive Director.

Staff should, therefore, be very careful so as not to cause potential embarrassment to themselves by a violation of this policy and procedure. Any and all problems, concerns, grievances and any other needs or desires may ultimately reach the Board for consideration, but only following the utilization of all other opportunities to resolve them as prescribed by the AACS policy.

As stated in your policy manual, "no individual Board member has any authority over the agency as an individual." The authority of the Board is as a board resulting from its group action. Staff must be most circumspect in their communications with individual members of the Board to avoid any appearance of a violation of policy and procedure when particular individual staff concerns arise at Board meetings.

There has been a growing sense of togetherness and perspective as AACS staff. This statement of AACS policy is to remind each of us that any violation of this policy is simply an indication of individual lack of professionalism and unwillingness to utilize established avenues for expressing personal interests and concerns. All staff members should ensure strict adherence to this policy.

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