LOCAL 828 OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS ATTEND RETREAT

Officers and Committee Chairs of CSEA Monroe County Local 828 take a break during an intense workshop training provided by Linda Donahue, Director of Labor Programs, Rochester District, Cornell Industrial and Labor Relations School.  (Photo by Ove Overmyer)

Rochester, N.Y.-- On November 5th and 6th, 16 CSEA union leaders met at a local hotel to discuss ways to make their labor organization leaner and meaner. The objective of this effort was to improve on our goals with our committee activities, become more accountable and therefore work towards becoming a more perfect union.

The workshop was titled, "Building Union Commitment through Effective Committees." Linda Donahue, Director of Labor Programs at the Cornell University ILR School, facilitated the instruction.

Members discussed union values, building ownership, brainstormed methods of decision-making and talked about achieving "consensus." Particpants also surveyed a needs assessment questionaire and gave mini presentations to the group.

Bess Watts, Monroe County Local 828 President calls Donahue a gift to the labor community. She said, "Her patient style, depth of knowledge and teaching abilities makes learning difficult subject matter very understandable and rewarding."

Other member comments about the work session included these remarks:

•This was a very helpful workshop to help us work with our committees and unit members/leaders. We could clearly have this for a whole weekend instead of a day and a half.


•I really like the materials to help put my committee together. Thank you for the help. Great job Linda, you are fantastic.


•This presentation was extremely timely for me as I start to organize the membership committee. I have many ideas that I will use in my job as chair of the committee.

Watts added that she is delighted with the progress of our Local but warned there will be tough times ahead for the labor community.  She is always looking forward to hearing from our members. If you have any questions or comments about your Local or Unit, you can contact her directly by emailing her at this address.