Fifth CFT Union Leadership Institute helps local unions develop strategic plans Print E-mail
uli 1
AFT Part-Time Faculty Federation President
Benn Johnston, left, and Vice President-at-
Large J.K. Crawley work on a strategic plan for their
local in the workshop Building Power Through
Democratic Principles.
The fifth annual CFT Union Leadership Institute held on the UCLA campus in June was by all accounts a resounding success. Attended by more 65 members and staff from 13 locals, the two-day event was anchored in three main sessions: Building Power Through Democratic Principles, Effective Union Communication, and Bargaining From Strength.

Institute participants learned how to conduct a power survey for their local, use the “Local Styles Inventory” tool to delve into how their local functions, and various techniques for building community coalitions. Members said they enjoyed role playing, thinking about long-term goals, and sharing best practices with sister locals. They emphasized that actually developing plans in the session to organize members was valuable.

“Having time to work with our local to brainstorm ways to improve participation was important,” said Anne Gamboni, from the Jefferson AFT Federation of Teachers, Local 1481.

Organized and facilitated by CFT Training Director Julien Minard, State Affiliate Political Organizer Jim Araby, Communications Director Fred Glass, Research Specialist Patty Cox, Field Representatives Greg Eddy and Zev Kvitky, and Organizing Director Sandra Weese, the interactive nature of the institute got high marks and attendees commented that they appreciated the use of well-structured, clear materials incorporated into the presentations.

Evaluating the Leadership Institute, Pete Virgadamo, from Part-Time Faculty United at College of the Canyons, wrote: “All the speakers were dynamic and there was great focus on the impact of building membership so crucial to community colleges.”
Kristin Fredriksson from the Newport-Mesa Federation wrote: “I got a greater sense of my role in the union and within a power structure, as well as how to utilize my resources, energy and effort more efficiently and effectively.”

“It was important to have time to share ideas, engage in critical discussions with team members, and translate the content of the workshops into a plan for the local,” said Ann Holliday of the Coast Federation of Educators.