STATE NEWS
96th Annual Conference
First-ever hybrid 96th Annual Conference a success
by Shannon Carr
After three long years of waiting, CSEA’s sisters, brothers and siblings enjoyed a welcome at the 96th Annual Conference in July. More than 1,800 delegates, guests, visitors and staff attended in person and online this year for CSEA’s first-ever hybrid event.
“Look, I am not the leader in this room. I am one of 1,800 leaders in this room,” Association President Matthew “Shane” Dishman said during his State of the Union Address. “We must ask ourselves how do we want our time, this time, to be remembered in the proud history of CSEA? Let us leave a legacy of positivity, of leadership for our members and not ourselves.” Over four days, delegates took part in the business of our union by bidding farewell to outgoing Board Members Bea Mora from Area K, Rameldia Mark from Area D and Dale Sorenson from Area F and witnessing the installation of new officers. They also voted on resolutions and CSEA’s budgets for the 2022-2023 fiscal year and they celebrated impressive accomplishments and activities.
Photo credits: Camilla Sjodin, Elite Photography Group
Humanitarian Fund raises more than $100,000
Attendees dug deep into their hearts and wallets, raising more than $111,000 for the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund. This included more than $96,000 from the Humanitarian Fund Pass the Bucket alone and over $14,000 in raffle ticket sales throughout the week.
Members honored
Members who have gone above and beyond in service to their staff, families and, above all else, students were honored during award presentations, including Member of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Activist of the Year, Unity Award and more.
Association President Dishman paid tribute to member leaders who helped form CSEA into the great organization it is today – our Past Presidents, Life Members and Honor Roll recipients - who attended both in person and virtually.
“Now that we are reunited, let's take a few minutes to properly pay our respects for their lifetime commitment to our union,” Dishman said.
Photo credits: Camilla Sjodin, Elite Photography Group
Photo credits: Camilla Sjodin, Elite Photography Group
‘Glass-ceiling breaker’ Liz Shuler addresses delegates
This year, CSEA had a “glass-ceiling breaking” special guest to deliver the AFL-CIO report: Liz Shuler, the first woman to hold the office of president in the history of the labor federation. The AFL-CIO is a federation of 57 unions, 12.5 million working people across all sectors of the U.S. economy, of which CSEA is an affiliated union.
Shuler thanked CSEA for inviting her to speak at the conference as she shared the importance of being unified both as a union and as a labor movement.
“Let’s do what unions do,” she said. “Let’s join together and fight on one united front. Because we don’t give up. Not when our sisters, brothers and siblings need us. Not when our freedoms are put in jeopardy. Not when our pro-worker majority is on the line. And when they say game over, we say game on! So, CSEA, let’s keep working, let’s keep fighting, let’s keep winning, because when we organize together we rise together, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.”
Ed Days still available
Ed Days, the informative trainings and presentations traditionally offered in person at Conference, were presented virtually so delegates could focus on the daily business meetings of Conference and learn at their own pace later. In fact, Ed Days are still available to view on demand for all members along with other training videos.
Photo credits: Camilla Sjodin, Elite Photography Group
This was a conference for the books and by far the most historic and BEST one yet! For photo galleries, extensive news coverage, presentations and more, visit the Conference Hub.
SAVE THE DATE: July 23-28
Be sure to SAVE THE DATE for next year’s conference, scheduled for July 23-28 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nev.
