FEATURE
Member Recruitment
CSEA activists share recruiting tips
If you believe in CSEA’s mission, your union needs you. Whether it's recruiting at New Employee Orientation (NEO), a Blitz Day or a site visit, when your chapter grows everyone benefits.
“It’s not just an organization they sign up for. CSEA is made up of actual people just like them who are working hard for each other,” said Lynn Villarreal, a former paraeducator and current full-time chapter president of Santa Clara Chapter 350, which has over 900 members. “An executive board could not possibly do all that’s needed to serve members. That’s why recruitment is so important.”
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to recruiting. In fact, almost everyone has their own ethos. But if there’s one common denominator among CSEA’s most effective recruiters, it’s being focused on helping their colleagues.
“CSEA is really about the members. It’s not about the dues, it’s not about anything political,” Villarreal said. “We are here to make their lives better, and by getting new employees involved, they help make their own lives better and their fellow coworkers too.”
This school year, CSEA has launched a statewide offensive to bolster recruitment of potential members (PMs). Coupled with rising public support for unions and broad awareness of the contributions of classified staff to California’s public schools, now is the time to act.
WATCH NOW! New Employee Orientation
Santa Clara Chapter 350 hosted an NEO on August 24. View video to see how CSEA trainings are empowering activists in 2022.
CSEA activists share recruiting tips
WATCH NOW! New Employee Orientation
Santa Clara Chapter 350 hosted an NEO on August 24. View video to see how CSEA trainings are empowering activists in 2022.
If you believe in CSEA’s mission, your union needs you. Whether it's recruiting at New Employee Orientation (NEO), a Blitz Day or a site visit, when your chapter grows everyone benefits.
“It’s not just an organization they sign up for. CSEA is made up of actual people just like them who are working hard for each other,” said Lynn Villarreal, a former paraeducator and current full-time chapter president of Santa Clara Chapter 350, which has over 900 members. “An executive board could not possibly do all that’s needed to serve members. That’s why recruitment is so important.”
There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to recruiting. In fact, almost everyone has their own ethos. But if there’s one common denominator among CSEA’s most effective recruiters, it’s being focused on helping their colleagues.
“CSEA is really about the members. It’s not about the dues, it’s not about anything political,” Villarreal said. “We are here to make their lives better, and by getting new employees involved, they help make their own lives better and their fellow coworkers too.”
This school year, CSEA has launched a statewide offensive to bolster recruitment of potential members (PMs). Coupled with rising public support for unions and broad awareness of the contributions of classified staff to California’s public schools, now is the time to act.
“We plan our visits by clustering how many PMs are at each site and calling secretaries in advance to confirm their schedules before heading out. All this planning helps us recruit by visiting sites with high PM clusters.”
- Maria Esmeralda Ishoo, Site Rep and Jacketed Union Steward, Lancaster Chapter 297
Plan Ahead
Maria Esmeralda Ishoo is a Jacketed union steward that has hosted three Blitz Days since June 1, resulting in 75 new members and 45 Victory Club signups. For new recruiters, learning the basics from a local field office is the first step before visiting sites. But if you also have a gameplan to follow, converting PMs to members becomes second nature.
“My mentor was Labor Rep. Anna Osborn. Before heading out to different sites, she told us how the day was going to go and what our talking points would be,” said Ishoo, a wellness nurse from Lancaster Chapter 297, which serves over 1,000 members. Ishoo recently transferred from Palmdale Chapter 296.
“We plan our visits by clustering how many PMs are at each site and calling secretaries in advance to confirm their schedules before heading out,” she said. “All this planning helps us recruit by visiting sites with high PM clusters.”
Plan Ahead
“We plan our visits by clustering how many PMs are at each site and calling secretaries in advance to confirm their schedules before heading out. All this planning helps us recruit by visiting sites with high PM clusters.”
- Maria Esmeralda Ishoo, Site Rep and Jacketed Union Steward, Palmdale Chapter 297
Maria Esmeralda Ishoo is a Jacketed union steward that has hosted three Blitz Days since June 1, resulting in 75 new members and 45 Victory Club signups. For new recruiters, learning the basics from a local field office is the first step before visiting sites. But if you also have a gameplan to follow, converting PMs to members becomes second nature.
“My mentor was Labor Rep. Anna Osborn. Before heading out to different sites, she told us how the day was going to go and what our talking points would be,” said Ishoo, a wellness nurse from Lancaster Chapter 297, which serves over 1,000 members. Ishoo recently transferred from Palmdale Chapter 296.
“We plan our visits by clustering how many PMs are at each site and calling secretaries in advance to confirm their schedules before heading out,” she said. “All this planning helps us recruit by visiting sites with high PM clusters.”
Make an Impression
Linda Figone is a president whose chapter recently signed up 25 out of 27 PMs, including for the Victory Club. As campuses open for the new school year, Figone stresses the importance of in-person visits. By breaking the ice and making PMs feel valued right away, PM conversions become less intimidating and more achievable.
“I planned with our Labor Rep Robin Jackson as well as my Vice President Isabela Telles to go out with our list and talk to each employee. I feel in-person recruiting is the best. People feel important when you go and visit them at the job site,” said Figone, an office coordinator from Gilroy Chapter 69 with over 250 members.
“Also, bringing them a little gift bag puts that little extra shine in their eyes. It doesn't have to be much, just a little something!”
“Also, bringing them a little gift bag puts that little extra shine in their eyes. It doesn't have to be much, just a little something!”
- Linda Figone, Chapter President, Gilroy Chapter 69
Make an Impression
“Also, bringing them a little gift bag puts that little extra shine in their eyes. It doesn't have to be much, just a little something!”
- Linda Figone, Chapter President, Gilroy Chapter 69
Linda Figone is a president whose chapter recently signed up 25 out of 27 PMs, including for the Victory Club. As campuses open for the new school year, Figone stresses the importance of in-person visits. By breaking the ice and making PMs feel valued right away, PM conversions become less intimidating and more achievable.
“I planned with our Labor Rep Robin Jackson as well as my Vice President Isabela Telles to go out with our list and talk to each employee. I feel in-person recruiting is the best. People feel important when you go and visit them at the job site,” said Figone, an office coordinator from Gilroy Chapter 69 with over 250 members.
“Also, bringing them a little gift bag puts that little extra shine in their eyes. It doesn't have to be much, just a little something!”
“It’s a better experience and a comfortable setting for them. They’re not afraid of asking me questions or sharing a bit of their personal experiences. The real key is to listen to them.”
- Sonia Carlos, Chapter Treasurer & Site Rep, West Covina Chapter 91
Create the Connection
Sonia Carlos is a site representative who has recruited 280 new members in the last five years. Her ethos is vested in connecting with PMs at NEOs through one-on-one conversations, especially for those who may be intimidated at first. For her, it’s the little things like remembering their name, having a friendly demeanor and a dash of humor, which can all go a long way in recruiting.
“I think NEOs are the most effective because I’m fortunate to have a one-on-one with them. Once they are finished with Human Resources, I’m the next person they see within minutes,” said Carlos, a nutrition services administrative assistant from West Covina Chapter 91, which serves 454 members.
“It’s a better experience and a comfortable setting for them. They’re not afraid of asking me questions or sharing a bit of their personal experiences. The real key is to listen to them.”
Create the Connection
“It’s a better experience and a comfortable setting for them. They’re not afraid of asking me questions or sharing a bit of their personal experiences. The real key is to listen to them.”
- Sonia Carlos, Chapter Treasurer & Site Rep, West Covina Chapter 91
Sonia Carlos is a site representative who has recruited 280 new members in the last five years. Her ethos is vested in connecting with PMs at NEOs through one-on-one conversations, especially for those who may be intimidated at first. For her, it’s the little things like remembering their name, having a friendly demeanor and a dash of humor, which can all go a long way in recruiting.
“I think NEOs are the most effective because I’m fortunate to have a one-on-one with them. Once they are finished with Human Resources, I’m the next person they see within minutes,” said Carlos, a nutrition services administrative assistant from West Covina Chapter 91, which serves 454 members.
“It’s a better experience and a comfortable setting for them. They’re not afraid of asking me questions or sharing a bit of their personal experiences. The real key is to listen to them.”
Close the Deal
Cecilia Chico-Carrillo is a chapter secretary who has hosted over 31 NEOS since 2020, resulting in a 90 percent new member signup rate. She uses her chapter’s website as a precursor to NEO, so when PMs arrive, applications are laid out ready to be signed. Chico-Carrillo also brings CSEA flyers for PMs to take home, highlighting the many resources available so recruiters can do what they do best: collect applications.
“Today was great. A lot of the employees were already aware we were going to present and that we were going to have applications for them. Many already signed up prior because they looked at CSEA’s or our chapter’s website,” Chico-Carrillo said at an August 24 NEO. She works as an HR technician from Santa Clara Chapter 350 which has over 900 members.
“Because they were able to get that information ahead of time, it allows them to engage with us more and learn about CSEA collectively. So, we did get everyone to sign up today.”
Cecilia Chico-Carrillo, Chapter Secretary and Lynn Villarreal, Chapter President, Santa Clara Chapter 350
“Because they were able to get that information ahead of time, it allows them to engage with us more and learn about CSEA collectively. So, we did get everyone to sign up today.”
- Cecilia Chico-Carrillo, Chapter Secretary, Santa Clara Chapter 350
Close the Deal
Cecilia Chico-Carrillo, Chapter Secretary and Lynn Villarreal, Chapter President, Santa Clara Chapter 350
“Because they were able to get that information ahead of time, it allows them to engage with us more and learn about CSEA collectively. So, we did get everyone to sign up today.”
- Cecilia Chico-Carrillo, Chapter Secretary, Santa Clara Chapter 350
Cecilia Chico-Carrillo is a chapter secretary who has hosted over 31 NEOS since 2020, resulting in a 90 percent new member signup rate. She uses her chapter’s website as a precursor to NEO, so when PMs arrive, applications are laid out ready to be signed. Chico-Carrillo also brings CSEA flyers for PMs to take home, highlighting the many resources available so recruiters can do what they do best: collect applications.
“Today was great. A lot of the employees were already aware we were going to present and that we were going to have applications for them. Many already signed up prior because they looked at CSEA’s or our chapter’s website,” Chico-Carrillo said at an August 24 NEO. She works as an HR technician from Santa Clara Chapter 350 which has over 900 members.
“Because they were able to get that information ahead of time, it allows them to engage with us more and learn about CSEA collectively. So, we did get everyone to sign up today.”
Help build your Union
As we head into a new school year with new faces, recruiting is being prioritized across the Association. Growing the CSEA family is only possible through the contributions of CSEA activists committed to building strong chapters in school communities throughout California.
Before you head out on the beaten path of recruiting, make sure to sign up for an upcoming training. CSEA offers training sessions through different field offices every month to help you hone your skills and do what we have always done: spread the CSEA mission.
Help build your Union
As we head into a new school year with new faces, recruiting is being prioritized across the Association. Growing the CSEA family is only possible through the contributions of CSEA activists committed to building strong chapters in school communities throughout California.
Before you head out on the beaten path of recruiting, make sure to sign up for an upcoming training. CSEA offers training sessions through different field offices every month to help you hone your skills and do what we have always done: spread the CSEA mission.
Recruiting Resources
Need materials for recruiting? Order CSEA print materials by emailing warehouse@csea.com. State what publications you are requesting, quantity number, and provide a mailing address.
Want to attend a training? Contact your local field office or labor relations representative to sign up for the next upcoming training for NEO, Site Reps, Union Stewards, Know Your Rights, and more. Visit www.csea.com/offices to find your field office and see upcoming trainings.
