Monday, October 24, 2011

CSEA MONROE COUNTY LOCAL 828 LEADERS ATTEND CORNELL ILR SCHOOL RETREAT


Officers and Committee Chairs of CSEA Monroe County Local 828 take a break during an intense workshop training provided by Linda Donahue (back row, 2nd from right), Director of Labor Programs, Rochester District, Cornell University Industrial and Labor Relations School. Photo provided.
 Rochester, N.Y.-- On October 21 and 22, CSEA Monroe County Local 828 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.

This was the second scheduled workshop focusing on committee development and performance.  Last year, Cornell ILR professor Linda Donahue facilitated the first workshop titled, "Building Union Commitment through Effective Committees." This year, attendees did a review session of the 2010 program and talked about what worked this past year and what didn't.

photo: Ove Overmyer
Members discussed union values, building ownership, brainstormed methods of decision-making and talked about achieving consensus. At the end of the session, participants verbally surveyed a needs assessment 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. We are now better prepared to deliver on our promise becoming more effective labor leaders and activists."

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 re-organize the membership committee. I have developed many new ideas and tips that I will use in my job as chair of this committee.

Watts added that she is delighted with the progress of our Local the past two years but warns there will be continued tough times ahead for all workers. She is always looking for feedback from our members on what we can do better. If you have any questions or comments about your Local or Unit, you can contact her directly by email or calling the Local 828 Office at 585.328.5250.

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