BUILDING A STRONG LOCAL

New Presidents TrainingJuly 31, 2009

What’s in a strong local?

Infrastructure

Multi-dimensional program

Collective leadership team

Interacts with other locals

Strong Infrastructure

The Association representative

Ratio of ARs to members: 1:10

At least one AR per building

The job must be reasonable and manageable

Strong Infrastructure

The Association Representative should: Be trained

Have a budget

Be given recognition

Be equipped with a calendar of events

Have access to committee activities

Strong Infrastructure

The Association Representative Job:

Work with designated members to keep them informed/get their input

Deliver members for jobs and activities in the local

Strong Infrastructure

The Association Representative Job:

Assist members with problems

Establish a working relationship with administration

Strong Infrastructure

Communicators

1 for every 3 -5 members

Strong Infrastructure

Communicators Role:

Distributes materials and messages for the ARs

Retrieves materials from members

Reminds members of upcoming events

Strong Infrastructure

Why use communicators?

Provides direct personal service to members

Relieves AR from doing the task

Gets people involved

Fosters new leaders

Strong Infrastructure

Association Specialists

Members with specific skills and responsibilities who are trained to assist members in those areas

Strong Infrastructure

Association Specialists

Bargaining Grievance Political Action Insurance Social functions Public Relations (internal and external)

Strong Infrastructure

Involvement

No involvement = no ownership

No ownership = no commitment or loyalty

No commitment or loyalty = no strength and no power

Strong Infrastructure

Involvement is characterized by:

Jobs that are needed and seen as important

Involvement of as many members as possible

A belief in the local that every member must be involved in some way

Strong Infrastructure

Involvement is characterized by:

Recognition of involvement is demonstrated

Leaders involve minorities

Leaders involve members with special interests

Leaders reach out to members who have never been asked to be involved.

Strong Infrastructure

“Right person for the right job” concept

What is the position that needs filled?

What are the responsibilities?

What are the time requirements?

What kind of personality would work best?

Strong Infrastructure

“Right person for the right job” concept

Who are the potential “right people?”

How do you get the right person to say yes?

Multi-Dimensional Program

Local program must reflect diverse needs and interests of members and Association. Consider State and National issues in

program.

Members must be involved in developing the Association program.

Multi-Dimensional Program

Leaders development of survey/timeline

Every member survey

Preparing the tentative program

Program of the members

Implementation and communications

Evaluating for future planning

Collective Leadership Team

Leadership team includes officers, ARs, committee chairs

Team implements and monitors multi-dimensional program

Collective Leadership Team

Allows the organization to develop

Stays in constant communication with membership

Interaction with other locals

Locals who network with other locals expand their base of information and influence. Presidents’ meetings Bargaining roundtables Training sessions Region Council meetings Social activities Political activities

Other components of a strong local

Tools to diagnose and analyze your local

Analyze your local’s strength

Analyze individual buildings or work sites

Other components of a strong local

Use One-on-One meetings to:

Gather members’ opinions and information

Demonstrate the local’s interest in what members believe

Develop member ownership in the local

Committees

The president, or his/her designee, should make personal, face-to-face invitations to committee appointments.

Make sure prospective committee members know what their task is so they know when it will be completed.

Committees

Standing committees should have staggering terms for continuity.

A president with a highly functioning committee structure will be a successful president.

Committees

Standing Committees: Executive Membership Negotiations Grievance Communication Elections Political Action Constitution and Bylaws Social

Committees

Ad Hoc Committees: Insurance Budget Scholarship Professional Development Others

Membership Recruitment

The membership drive doesn’t end once a new member has joined the Association.

A successful organization provides sufficient activities to maintain member interest.

Membership Recruitment

Maintain several active committees to work for the members, and staff them with different people.

Member involvement creates ownership of the Association.

Membership Recruitment

Provide training to the membership that is relative to their jobs and job security. Grievance Procedure Just Cause Sick Leave Vacation Insurance Professional Development

Membership Recruitment

Provide training to the membership that is relative to their rights under the law. TRS IMRF SURS FMLA CDL IELRA Wage Payment Act

Membership Recruitment

Provide training to the membership that is relative to Organizational Development. Communications Officer Training Association or Building Representative

Training

Membership Recruitment

Schedule activities for fun and business. Executive Board meetings General Membership meetings Welcome to the New Work Year party Thank Goodness It’s Friday parties Thanksgiving or other holiday party Member Appreciation Dinner Year Ending party/Spring Fling

Membership Recruitment

Develop organization assessment plans:

Formal Assessment Plan – taken once a year

Informal Assessment Plan – done sporadically throughout the year

General Assessment Plan – done by the Executive Committee

Roles of the Officers

Each officer should have specific duties and roles.

Incoming officers should be trained on their roles and responsibilities.

Roles of the President

The President has the primary responsibility to make the Association work.

The President must seek volunteers.

The President is the supreme advocate for members and for employees of the bargaining unit.

Roles of the President

The President must create a relationship with employees, administrators, the Board of Education and the public.

The President is the coordinator and leader; he/she should NOT attempt to do all of the work alone!

President Do’s

Be accessible to members

Be inclusive of all members

Be humble

Be the chief advocate for your members

President Do’s

Encourage all groups to participate in Association activities

Provide training

Promote membership

President Don'ts

Be on a power trip

Procrastinate

Limit member involvement

Do everything yourself

President Don'ts

Allow yourself to be manipulated

Let personal problems interfere with your advocacy

Roles of the Vice-President

The vice-president is more than just a stand-in or possible successor for the president.

Specific duties will vary from local to local.

Roles of the Vice-President

Some locals give the vice-president primary responsibility for membership promotion and for chairing the membership committee.

Roles of the Secretary

Accuracy and follow-through are the two most important characteristics of a good secretary.

The role of the secretary is indispensable; sadly, this is often not recognized by the general membership.

Roles of the Treasurer

A good treasurer has many more duties other than to handle the money and keep accounts.

Responsibilities of the Treasurer grow and the members realize the advantages of adequate finances and planned budgets.

Local Elections

Each local must hold elections for local officers.

Some by-laws also call for the election of the bargaining team.

Elections must be held in accordance with local by-laws.

Local Elections

The role your UniServ Director may play in local elections is very limited.

Association Dues

Member’s dues include dues for the National Education Association (NEA), the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and local dues.

IEA dues are set at the IEA RA.

Association Dues

Local dues should include $3 per member per year that is earmarked for arbitration expenses. (Required if local ever needs to receive arbitration reimbursement from IEA.)

Locals should base their dues on local projects, trainings and other expenses they expect during the school year.

Association Dues

Creating the local calendar and local program before building the budget will allow the local to adequately budget for all activities.