ETFO's Union School: Creating an Engaged Membership (Professional Services)

Unions  work  to  create  a  better future for their members. Operating on the passionate belief that what we wish for ourselves we wish for others, the union movement has been at the forefront of every  improvement  in  social  justice and equity during the past 100 years. ETFO does not ignore its own role in this drive to craft a brighter  future. We recognize that a union is only as strong  as  its  members,  and  requires strong,  emotionally  intelligent  leaders.  This   understanding  led  to  the creation  of  the  ETFO Union  School. Now four years old, Union School has been  shaped  by  input  from  current local  leaders,  provincial  staff,  future local leaders, and participants. It seeks to help members become better local leaders –  in  whatever role  they may take on. Those accepted into the program must be serving on a local committee or on the local executive. Union School is an intensive year-long  program  that  requires   participants to actively engage in the task of refining their leadership skills.

Understanding  the role of unions
Participants  are  introduced  to   the core  concepts  of  the  program  during  the  first  session  in  the  fall.  Dr. Elaine Bernard, director of the Labor and Worklife Program at Harvard Law School, emphasizes the importance of unions  and  their  key  responsibility to  light  fires not  just  put  them  out: unions are far more than “Grievances- R-Us”! Participants are introduced to the concept  of  emotional intelligence, which is critical for leaders working in education and in unions, where people’s needs should set the agenda. Participants receive their  own emotional intelligence inventory and learn strategies to develop new strengths; happily, unlike our IQ, we can all improve our emotional intelligence quotient (EQ). Because  union   leaders  need   to understand   the   law,  the  program includes  an  in-depth  study  of   the Ontario  Human  Rights  Code.  This complex  piece  of  legislation  affects many areas of  a union  leader’s  work and participants focus on it through-out the program.

Participating  in an online community
When participants return home after the first session they are immediately immersed in the hectic realities of their daily lives. This is hardly the ideal environment  for  creating  provincewide networks! Our  solution  is  an  online learning  environment  that  engages participants in discussions moderated by Union School alumnae.

During   this   time,   participants undertake two assignments meant to expand their understanding of ETFO and  their  local. The first requires an in-depth  examination  of  education legislation. The second focuses on the composition  of their locals, and how representative of the local membership their executive is. We ask participants to speak with local  members to ascertain what motivates them in their work, and what concerns them.

Applying their knowledge
Between  face-to-face  sessions  participants  complete  a  practicum  activity designed to allow them to practise their  growing  leadership  skills  in  a role-embedded setting. We encourage participants to select an activity that works  to   increase  members’  engagement.

Last year’s practicums included;

• the development of a political action framework
• a “Women’s Healthy Tea” designed to increase awareness regarding women’s health issues
• a review of the local’s financial processes aimed at making them more efficient and transparent, and to identify long-term goals
• planning an International Women’s Day Dinner
• planning an FSL workshop – the first ever for that local
• a review of violence in elementary schools
• a survey of hiring practices that affect internationally educated teachers.

In many instances there was a significant impact on members’ engagement and on the local and its practices. The practicum assignment is open-ended, respecting the varied roles participants have in their locals.

Sharing  new learning
The  second  face-to-face  meeting  is held at the CAW Family Life Education Centre in Port Elgin, a site of  union training  for more than 40 years. Participants share what they learned during the year, information that assists all in becoming better leaders. ETFO staff and external presenters work with the participants on strategies that enhance member engagement, communications, and more effective local leadership.

Recognizing  the   importance   of both working hard and playing hard, the staff facilitators introduced a social committee  to  plan  group  activities. Last  year’s  committee  did  a  brilliant job of planning activities that engaged the  participants  and  enhanced  provincewide networks.

Participants’  feedback   has   been positive; here are two examples:

“I  cannot  thank  you  all  enough for the words of  encouragement, the sharing of expertise, the motivational leadership and the  care and support you have given us all this past year with Union School. This has been an amazing experience, one I won’t stop talking about for years to come in my local.”

“Each experience was interesting and relevant. A wonderful gift from ETFO to cherish and pass along to other members – both literally and in fulfilling our new ‘jobs’ . . . whatever they may be.”

In their online evaluations, participants agreed that the program achieved its  goal  of  fostering  the  growth  of new leaders in ETFO. It provided support, and fostered critical connections among the group.
Participants  learned  a  great  deal about ETFO, its members, other locals, and themselves. They appreciated and understood the importance of  engaging members in the union. They felt they had received a clear focus for their work in ETFO.

As ETFO strives to  create a  better future for its members, the Union School will assist in forging a better future for the union. Many Union School alumnae have attained an enhanced role within their  locals  and  the  federation.  Their efforts  will  pay  off  as  they  continue working to engage ETFO members in the crucial work of the union.