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Chapter Building Campaigns are focused on building a strong Chapter that is able to inform, involve, and mobilize members to support Chapter goals and thwart challenges that would diminish your contract or members’ job security and advancement.
Chapter leadership including officers, building representatives, and Chapter Action Teams (CAT) are an important part of any Chapter building activity. Identifying and training leaders and activists will be key to laying the foundation for long-term Chapter building. Chapter building is an ongoing activity and there will always be an area of the Chapter that needs to be strengthened.
Communicating with Chapter membership remains one of the driving factors of any Chapter building activity. Communicating to the membership through regular Chapter meetings, newsletters, web pages, and executive board and other committee meetings are just a few of the basic communication avenues available to Chapters. Effective communication with members cannot be emphasized enough. Understanding the issues, interests, and needs of members provide the information required to build an active Chapter.
Charting and Assessments of your Chapter will provide you with detailed information on the different work classifications. Determining the needs of different classifications and finding the common interests that bind all classifications in solidarity can be accomplished through charting and assessment.
Organizing the membership will always be one of the key activities for Chapter building. Developing an annual Chapter Action Plan and calendar provides a guide required to follow through on activities, which allow you to reach Chapter building goals. Solidarity activities and member recognition should be integrated into any Chapter-building plan.
Increasing the membership is a constant activity for Chapter building. If your Chapter has low membership, your Chapter will find it difficult to gain support for challenging threats to the Chapter membership or gaining improvements in your contract. A full membership results in a strong Chapter during contract negotiations and other events.
Training and education for Chapter leadership and members regarding the importance of building and maintaining a strong Chapter is important. Keeping the Chapter informed regarding the threats facing your Union and membership will allow you to respond effectively when issues of budget shortfalls, privatization, and anti-union activities arise.
Chapter building resources are available through OSEA. The first line of resources is provided through OSEA Field Representatives and Organizers. Other resources are provided by OSEA Headquarters through annual trainings in leadership, Chapter building, and Member Organizer Summer Institute, as well as Zone level trainings and workshops.
If your Chapter would like help in starting Chapter building activities, contact Rick Shidaker, Director of Field Operations.
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