TEAMWORK –

Region 12 Member Mobilizing training earns high marks

By DENYCE DUNCAN LACY
Dozens of PEF members on Long Island gave up a sunny Saturday in late March to help the union reach its political action and contract goals.
“Our theme was ‘Now is the time — Let’s mobilize for power and success!’ ” said PEF Region 12 Coordinator Ruth Gaines.

“We packed the agenda with activities designed to build our members’ skills in communication and lobbying, to empower them to carry on the fight for a fair contract and our legislative priorities. And, it looked like they also had some fun,” she said.

For a stronger union
In a fiery keynote address, PEF President Roger Benson told the participants PEF is a stronger union because of its member mobilizers.
“Ten thousand PEF members took part in the January 5 ‘Contract Justice’ rally in Albany because of member mobilizing,” Benson said.
“Go back to your work sites after today’s training and explain to other members how important this is,” he said. “Job security and stronger contracts are power issues, and you get power by mobilizing large numbers of people.

“This union is not an insurance agency,” Benson added. “ ‘1-800-CALL-PEF’ got us four years of zeros and 6,000 fewer members. If you’re not thinking about power, you’re not thinking about what we need more of.”

Team-building key
Following the union chief’s charge to the troops, the members immersed themselves in some team-building exercises, under the direction Michael Birnbaum, a trainer from NYS United Teachers (NYSUT).
Then, they picked up some communication tips from PEF’s Public Relations Department, and lobbying tips from PEF Vice President and Political Action Chair Ken Brynien and Political Director Bob Bain.

But the highlight of the day came from Regional Coordinators Pat Baker, Neila Cardus, Jennifer Faucher, Ruth Gaines and Mary Twitchell — all members of PEF’s Member Mobilization Committee — who led the group in mock lobbying sessions. The union leaders played the roles of state lawmakers, as groups of members took turns playing lobbyists.
“There’s nothing like being able to put what you’ve learned to use right away, in a safe setting, to make that training really stick,” said Cardus, who chairs the Member Mobilizing Committee.

“We’d like to take this training to all the regions so members can not only see how important it is and how it helps us with the contract fight, but also how it can be used with all our priorities.”

TACTICS – Guest Speaker Ray Rogers gives a lesson in campaign tactics at the PEF Region 10 Leadership Conference held in March in Suffern. — Photo by Bill Sachs

Annual leadership training attracts 70
Region 10 conference puts focus on mobilizing

By SHERRY HALBROOK
“Mobilizing for power and success in the new millennium” was the theme of the annual Region 10 Leadership Conference held in mid-March.
Approximately 70 participants traveled to Suffern for the weekend event that was jam-packed with speakers and workshops.

“We had a fabulous keynote speaker,” said Region 10 Coordinator Jennifer Faucher, referring to Ray Rogers, the executive director of Corporate Campaigns Inc.
“He worked on the recent contract campaign for the Transport Workers Union,” Faucher said. “He had developed a five-phase plan for that campaign, but the
negotiations were settled after just the first phase.

“Ray is such a dynamic speaker, he got very good reviews from my members and guests at the conference,” Faucher added.
The conference also included three mobilizing workshops, including one on developing effective strategies that was just for council leaders, another on mobilizing around health and safety issues and a third on mobilizing for political action.

Guest speaker Denise Caldwell, political director of the state Democratic Committee, put the need for organizing members into an effective political force into sharp focus.
With Campaign 2000 off to an early and contentious start in New York State, Caldwell told the PEF activists they could play an important role in shaping the outcome in November if they mobilize large numbers of members behind the candidates they support in key campaigns.

Caldwell also reported that she is already working with PEF and the state Democratic Committee to formulate a proposed plank for the national party platform that would recognize and defend the vital and unique place of public service in America.
Faucher took time at the conference to recognize three members of The Communicator’s dedicated corps of volunteer member photographers. Surprised with certificates of appreciation from Region 10 were Bill Sachs, and two Region 11 members — Olubiyi Sehindemi and Ken Dischel.

In addition to the guest speakers and photographers, Faucher said she had indispensable help from her fellow regional coordinators, union staff and the Region 10 program and training committees.
“Region 9 Coordinator Neila Cardus, Region 11 Coordinator Pat Baker and Region 12 Coordinator Ruth Gaines all came to help conduct the mobilization training,” Faucher said. The trainers also included Bob Jackson, who heads PEF field services downstate, PEF Political Director Bob Bain, and Geraldine Thornton and Shawn Bobb from the union’s Health and Safety Department.

“Bernice Jones and the other members of our program committee — Marion Fox, Julio Munoz and Sara Mack — did a terrific job,” Faucher said, “as did Teresa Snyder and Vernetta Chesimard from our Region 10 training committee.
“This event was really a wonderful team effort.”

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