Full mobilization benefits Roswell Park members
By DEBORAH A. MILES
Dedication, organization and perseverance during a span of two years has resulted in full member mobilization at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
That’s a major accomplishment considering PEF Division 196 at Roswell has 721 members. Being fully mobilized means every one of them can be quickly contacted.
The force behind this undertaking is Margaret Sontag, a PEF steward, mobilizer and medical technologist.
“Margaret deserves the credit,” said Council Leader and Executive Board Member Adam Sumlin. “It’s difficult to get people to be receptive and active. I helped by talking to new members at employee orientations, and Margaret took it from there.”
“Adam and Margaret did a phenomenal job,” said PEF Region 1 Coordinator Joyce Degenhardt. Degenhardt knows how difficult it is to reach all the members. “They never gave up. It took a long time and their perseverance should be applauded,” she said.
Reaching 721 members
Sontag organized the member list on her computer and sent mobilizer- recruitment letters.
One of the stumbling blocks in this initial effort was the ban on using inter-departmental mail or e-mail. The members are scattered throughout seven buildings. The letters brought some results, but not enough.
Targeting certain members who worked in different locations was next.
Sontag found communicating on a one-to-one basis brought results. She recruited 34 member mobilizers and said they are all doing great jobs.
Simplify the job
“My advice to anyone who is trying to mobilize their division is, ‘Talk to people and explain it doesn’t take much time to be a mobilizer,’” Sontag said. “I tell them it’s better to be an informed member than an uninformed member. It’s just a matter of making a few phone calls.”
You also need something to communicate. According to Sontag, the PS&T contract negotiations served as an important vehicle in the mobilization effort.
“Members wanted to know what was going on with the contract,” Sontag said. “The communication network grew because of it.”
Now the tentative agreement is nearing ratification, Sontag and Sumlin both said other internal issues at Roswell would keep the mobilization network alive.
“Employees are always talking to our mobilizers about different problems that surface in the workplace,” she said. “The network is strong now, and will serve us well into the future.”
The
Communicator September 04
Inside This Issue
Features
Union
votes on new PS&T pact
Members 'shadow' governor
PEF at SEIU & AFT conventions
Departments
President's Message
Member's Mailbag
Legislative Action
Nurses Station
Member Mobilization
Retirees In Action
PEF Membership Benefits &Travel
Union Matters
Lockport ratifies
4-yr pact
Bill for NY's citizen soldier
Member is NY Guard Soldier '04
PEF candidates '04 endorsements
Scacalossi scholarships winners
Communicator/ PR Kudos
Exec. Board June meeting
Convention Preview 2004
Unseenamerica photo classes
Back Cover Ad: Contract ballot
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise Here
PEF Pride Store
The Communicator Staff
Questions on this site?
Email the Webmaster