MEMBER FOCUS
Organizing Institute
Organizing Institute helps chapter leaders increase support for CSEA
by Shannon Carr
Steven Whitby II (top row, far right) was one of 24 participants in the Organizing Institute that was held over Zoom March 8-11.
When Pam Foster was elected to president of Paso Robles Chapter 254 in December, she had little to no experience but knew she wanted to be the best leader possible. So, when the opportunity arose for the project/program assistant of technology to attend CSEA’s virtual Organizing Institute (OI) March 8 to 11, she applied immediately. Foster was one of eight staff and 16 members, who attended the OI where they received training on key components to win political campaigns and union organizing campaigns to build chapter capacity. The format of the OI training primarily centered around three key areas: one-on-one organizing/recruitment conversation, leader identification, and issue campaigns. “The OI training was so much more than I expected,” said Foster, who is also on the negotiations committee, a site representative and union steward. “The interactive pieces of the training helped to provide scenarios and advice on how to interact with members who want to organize and be a part of the union and, more importantly, those who are unsure of how to get involved or not sure they want to be a part. The information regarding what CSEA provides to its members allows chapter leaders to promote our union.” Attendee Steven Whitby II of Yuba City Chapter 265 said he was also grateful for the training that taught him how to recognize leaders and understand the concept of what they are.
“In a way, I think it is one of the foundations of our union,” said Whitby, head custodian, 2nd vice president, labor committee member and site representative. “OI gives us the tools to identify leaders, pro-CSEA organizations and people. It will also help identify organizations and people who can damage the cause of CSEA.” Foster said she enjoyed networking with chapter leaders throughout California who provided information and guidance on their own chapters and how she could apply their experiences to her daily experiences in Paso Robles.
Association President Matthew “Shane” Dishman (second from left) poses with members Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, John Paul Sullivan, Diosdado “J.R.” Matulac and Mia Reed in Sacramento during the 2022 CSEA Campaign Kickoff. They were part of CSEA’s 2019 Organizing Institute.
“OI provides support for chapter leaders to feel a part of something bigger and transfer that information to their membership,” she said. “It shines a spotlight on how we as classified employees play a pivotal role in our respective districts. I learned how to handle difficult situations not only with district leadership, but also within my chapter.”
“OI gives us the tools to identify leaders, pro-CSEA organizations and people. It will also help identify organizations and people who can damage the cause of CSEA."
- Steven Whitby II, Yuba City Chapter 265
Members Diosdado “J.R.” Matulac, Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, Corrine Morin, Mia Reed, John Paul Sullivan, Mary Montes, Veronica Munoz and Annette Dolan (left to right), who attended the 2019 Organizing Institute, pose for a picture in Las Vegas during CSEA’s Annual Conference in 2019.
Before OI, Foster said they were a struggling chapter. In the months that have followed, her chapter has applied the organizational information to support leaders and members, helping them move in the right direction. One aspect of this is recruitment, with the chapter gaining a substantial increase in membership over the last few months. Since Foster has become president, membership has increased by almost 18 percent within her chapter. Since completing OI, Whitby has been identifying leaders throughout the district, which have often come from “surprise locations.”
“It’s not where we will always think it is,” he said. For example, he knows a paraeducator who has people that come to her to ask her questions and seek her out on advice.
In January, nearly 60 participants attended an OI graduate convening on Zoom. The format included reports about member stories in action, reviews of lessons/handouts and scenario-based breakout sessions. The day ended with a presentation on the state of labor, volunteer recruitment and a site mapping homework exercise. It allowed for past OI graduates as far back as 2005 to reconnect with their peers across the state. Several 2019 OI graduates attended CSEA’s Political Campaign Kickoff in April. They were excited to share how they’ve used skills learned at the OI to strengthen their chapters and personal goals.
Organizing Institute graduates Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, Mia Reed, Corrine Morin, Diosdado “J.R.” Matulac, Mary Monte and Annette Dolan (back to front, left to right) during a recent Annual Conference.
“For me, the #blueTeam that was born in OI2019 is the greatest resource I have,” said Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, administrative assistant IV and past president with Riverside Community College District Employee Chapter 535 and political action coordinator for region 33. Each year through 2019 there was on overall group winner based on the three groups who attended, which was #blueTEAM for Baca-Santa Cruz. The OI format was changed in 2020 focusing on the Organizing conversation, leader ID and issue campaigns. There is no longer any overall group winners.
“For me, the #blueTeam that was born in OI2019 is the greatest resource I have,"
- Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, Attendees, 2019 Organizing Institute
2019 Organizing Institute attendee Mia Redd (back to camera, left to right) with John Paul Sullivan, Elena Baca-Santa Cruz, Veronica Munoz, Mary Monte, Diosdado “J.R.” Matulac and Annette Dolan.
Baca-Santa Cruz continues putting her lessons into action, including playing a key role in getting four out of five board members for the college trustee board elected. The chapter applied for and received PACE funds to support them. Because of that, she said they were able to negotiate a good contract for the members. “We are leaders back home and because of that people come to us with questions. Having a group to text at any hour and get a quick response is invaluable,” she said.
