RE-ESTABLISHING OUR CONNECTIONS

1 ON 1

Region 5 Spring Conference 2012

Presented By:

Field Mobilization SpecialistMichael Ottaviano

Union Building

Whether an experienced Local /Unit Officer or newer to CSEA, everyone understands how hard it can be to get members motivated and involved.

Structure of the Local/Unit is the first part to achieving involvement. Before you can bring members into being involved, setting up organized operations is job one.

Union Building includes: Developing an effective steward network and

working committees Training members, developing future activists &

general membership education Designing newsletter, website, general internal

communications plan Helping develop Labor/Management Agenda Educating agency fee payers to become

members

Whenever possible involve members General membership meetings Communications plan Message development Getting other members involved and keeping

them informed and involved Planning and carrying out a variety of tactics

that give everyone an opportunity to participate Community outreach

Why Do We Need Active Committees?

To hear members issues and concerns To keep members informed of union victories To distribute meeting notices, leaflets,

proposal surveys, etc. To increase membership by signing up

agency fee payers To strengthen our position in labor

management meetings To strengthen our position at the bargaining

table To negotiate better contracts To maintain a visible presence in the

workplace

How Do We Build Active Committees?

Keep records with the following information Name

Current Home AddressHome Telephone Number

Work Telephone Number with ext.Cell Phone Number

E-mail Address Keep a list of assignments with each person’s

skills and “strong suits” Call meetings regularly Distribute copies of meeting minutes and

decisions Review accomplishments Plan future events

How to Find Reliable ActivistsMapping Your Worksite

Job Title Work hours/Shift Department/Floor Years of

Service/Experience Gender Language

Activist Traits and Attributes

Should get along well with most people Is a good listener Builds trust easily Speaks well Helps people believe in themselves Doesn’t get discouraged too often Is open to new ideas Is flexible Is honest Has the respect of his/her co-workers Has the ability to mobilize members

What Makes People Become Involved ?

A union activist is an extraordinary person. They give up their free time and at the end of the day they get little more than cold pizza and a slap on the back.

It is important to keep in mind the reasons people get involved in order to successfully recruit and retain them.

Reasons Members Participate

Idealism – Many members participate out of their loyalty to the union and their co-workers.

Socializing – Some members work on campaigns to meet other people who share the same interests.

Opportunity – Many members participate to win better working conditions, more benefits, more money, or a better job.

Recognition – Still other members become involved to win praise from the union leadership and the admiration of co-workers.

Obstacles to participation

Family obligations Another job A previous volunteer commitment

Other reasons members don’t participate

They weren’t actually invited to participate They weren’t invited to participate by the

right person(s) They might be embarrassed by their

perceived lack of experience or knowledge Participation in the union is a foreign

concept Being active in anything is a foreign concept

Reasons continued…

They don’t feel like their opinion counts They don’t agree with the plan or activity/not

part of the planning They don’t understand the plan or the activity They are not comfortable with the tactics or

cannot participate in the way that was asked of them

How to Develop Activists

GAIN CREDIBILITY Be honest with members, co-workers and

managers. If you bluff, mislead or skirt the truth, you won’t remain credible for long.

BE RELIABLE If you are asked a question and you don’t

know the answer, say “I don’t know”, then get the information and get back to the person as soon as possible, follow through.

KNOW THE CONTRACTKnow what issues are impacting the

workers. Ask if there are solutions.

BE SUPPORTIVEIf activists approach you with concerns

and complaints, offer understanding, encouragement and guidance in addressing the issues.

LISTENPay attention to what is being said, show interest in the problem, and maintain eye contact. Don’t fake attention or allow yourself to be distracted. Don’t interrupt. It’s impossible to listen when you are also talking. Ask questions if you are unclear or confused or don’t understand what is being said.

Recruiting Activists

Ask them in person Ask them to do a job that has a definite

beginning and ending Give them a range of tasks from which to

choose Ask them to do something they feel they

do well Tell each person how his or her task fits in

with the rest of the project Keep them accountable

Mentoring Activists

Mentoring is usually conducted between two individuals in a 1 on 1 situation. Ex. Union leader to member activist

Group Mentoring works the same, with one mentor and several mentees Ex. Union leader to several member activists

Mentoring is a two-way street : experienced leaders can teach newer activists and vice versa; Both can benefit

Types of Mentoring

Formal – the relationship is set by the union, people are paired together and all parameters are handled by union leadership and educators

Informal – people begin the relationship on their own and set parameters such as when to meet, tasks and goals

Most common in union situations is informal mentoring

Types of Mentoring

Peer Mentoring – either formal or informal and relationship is conducted between people at same or near-same levels

Provides comfort level for member activists – experienced with experienced, new with newer

Allows members to easily discuss their needs and areas to improve

Mentoring Responsibilities

Leadership should:

Be open to learning and make time for commitment

Make themself available – open door policy Share information, knowledge and insight Identify internal political issues Create trust with proper feedback Keep activist focused and on task Receive feedback respectfully Support and encourage activist to new tasks and

goals

Mentoring Responsibilities

Member Activists should:

Be open to learning and make time for commitment

Communicate their goals Provide and receive feedback respectfully Take on new and different tasks Think outside your “zone” Evaluate personal success and expect set-

backs

Mentoring Advantages

Leadership Advantages

Learn to receive and give feedback Develop new and enhance communication

skills Reflect and address their “keys to success” Delegate union task workload Learn different ideas from newer activists Aide in the development of tomorrows’

leaders

Mentoring Advantages

Member Activists Advantages

Develop new skills Gain Knowledge of union history Increase personal value and commitment to

union Learn and overcome barriers Avoid internal political issues Advance in Union leadership Personal professional growth

Mentoring Advantages:

Union Advantages

Improved communication Build team within union Increase union commitment and stability Create knowledge network Reduce activist “drop–outs” Develop new activists who can become

tomorrows’ leaders

Mentoring Cycle

Once you start a program of success, you need to keep it working

Constantly keep your eye out for younger workers who “know other people, have a positive reputation and show leadership qualities

Teach your activists to do the same Make mentoring activists a structural part

of your local/unit

Retaining Activists

Inclusion – A sense of being part of what is going on, of being included in the group, of not being an outsider

Control – Ability to control the pace of work, to have some influence in decision making, at least over their own task

Appreciation – Some recognition for their efforts and activities

How to Show Recognition and Appreciation

Personal thank you notes Public recognition at meetings Mention and photo in newsletter Framed certificates of appreciation Engraved plaques Opportunity to attend training programs

or conferences

Mobilizing Members to Activism:

Gets easier over time, especially if you find ways to keep people involved between contract battles or major crises

Gets easier with each successful action or campaign because members start to feel powerful and want to continue

Consistently done over time, will change the mind-set of the membership and culture of the local or unit