MEMBER FOCUS
Member Mondays
New campaign celebrates CSEA’s diverse members
When looking at the diverse makeup of CSEA, you’ll find members from vastly different geographical regions, cultural upbringings, even professional backgrounds. Yet at the crossroads of solidarity, members unite and collaborate both to serve their students and advocate for the rights of their union brothers and sisters. CSEA’s social media effort, #MemberMondays, celebrates our unity in diversity by profiling members who epitomize our mission of improving the lives of our students, ourselves and our communities.
Diana Hawkins serves as chapter president and works as a data analyst for the Lynwood Unified School District in a large urban community. She was featured on #MemberMondays.
“What I believe unites members is that we are all working, supporting, believing and fighting for the same cause,” said Diana Hawkins, data analyst with Lynwood Chapter 116. “With that, we can communicate those shared feelings, interests and experiences, and that bonds us together. We are learning, understanding and supporting each other all day every day.”
Since launching on the CSEA Facebook page and on Instagram in June, #MemberMondays has featured an office secretary, data analyst, paraeducator, instructional aide, technology specialist and a library assistant. With so many chapters stretching from as far as the outskirts of the Mojave Desert to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, #MemberMondays aims to showcase the rich diversity that makes CSEA stronger than ever.
Hector Muñoz works as a technology network specialist for the Yuba County Office of Education in a small rural community. He was featured on #MemberMondays.
“Our experiences and working conditions can differ immensely from one job classification to another. No matter what socioeconomic region you are in, everyone needs a respectable salary, good working conditions and healthcare,” said Hector Muñoz, technology services support technician with Yuba COE Chapter 705. “Championing diversity not only addresses racial inclusion but the inclusion of those of differing ages, religions, political backgrounds, and gender identity. CSEA members have unique experiences based on who we are.”
After more than a year of working through the pandemic, there has never been a more necessary moment in CSEA’s 95-year history to recognize the proud men and women who are working to revitalize their school communities. Sonja Morrissey, executive assistant with Orange County DOE Chapter 468, understands the importance of social media and the #MemberMondays campaign. She serves as chapter communications officer, a vital role that has taken on more focus as CSEA chapters everywhere adjusted early on to the pandemic.
Sonja Morrissey is the chapter communications officer for Orange County DOE Chapter 468 and works as an office assistant in a large suburban community.
“Communications is what connects everyone together. It is the catalyst that allows us to organize, share information, knowledge and support each other. Members throughout California are united by the ‘cause,’ to fight for the rights of its CSEA members," Morrissey admitted. “It is important to showcase our diversity because it sends a message to members that they are valued and appreciated for their different strengths, values, cultural backgrounds and unique skills.”
Recognition campaigns are not new by any means. And the tried-and-true nature of social media often leads us to take everything we see online at face value. However, CSEA members from distinctively different communities are finding solace in learning and sharing the experiences of their fellow members. After all, by seeing the many faces of CSEA and hearing the different pandemic experiences of others through this campaign, members are choosing to find commonalities to unite around rather than divide over contrasting polarities.
Phi Tran of Ocean View Chapter 375 serves as the alternate area director for Area H aside from many other roles. He works as a network systems specialist for the Ocean View School District.
“We all come from different backgrounds, cultures, ways of life, and are all unique in our own ways. As classified professionals, our different classifications reflect diverse skills, education, and even approaches to serving students and communities,” said Phi Tran, a network systems specialist with Ocean View Chapter 375. “Diversity isn’t just a reference to one’s own culture, it’s who we are as human beings and professional school employees. Everything we bring to each of our classifications, schools, and communities makes us stronger.”
Signing up for #MemberMondays is quick and easy. Simply fill out this quick survey and send over a high-resolution photo. Members can also nominate someone by filling out the form for them. Submissions are selected based on quality and depth of responses. Single line responses to the questionnaire will not be chosen.
