Page 12 - Work Force March 2019

Farrell: ‘I see the importance of being involved’
KINGSTON — When Sheri Farrell sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her.
That was certainly the case when, while participating in our union’s Leadership
Education And
Development (LEAD) program, Farrell made
it her mission to convert non-members from the Ulster County Unit
to full union membership.
She organized
a unit-wide
membership
blitz, planning every aspect for unit leaders and staff, from recruiting volunteers to printing specific driving directions from house to house.
That accomplishment, detailed in a recent Work Force edition, earned Farrell our union’s Membership Achievement Award, which she received at the 108th Annual
Delegates Meeting in New York City.
It was a fitting honor for Farrell, who regularly encourages other CSEA members
to get more involved in our union and helps head
up the Ulster County Local
Next Wave Committee.
Cultivating new union activists is
often just a matter of an invitation, Farrell said, something she knows firsthand.
Ulster County Unit Secretary Sheri Farrell on the job.
“When someone questions the value in being union, we’ve seen members who weren’t previously involved step up and explain to our co-workers all the different benefits we get through our union. What was initially seen as a challenge has made us stronger.”
“Somebody asked me to [get involved],” said Farrell, 37. “It was as simple as that. I started out by being on the audit committees for my unit and my local because I was asked
to review financial records similar
to what I did for my job. It was an easy and small commitment. Then, someone else asked me to run with them as secretary for our unit, and I did. Since then, my eyes have been opened and I see the importance of being involved.”
As unit secretary, Farrell is known for her knack for organization, a talent she has put to good use as her CSEA involvement has grown.
“I am the chairperson for our unit’s grievance committee, which entails planning before the meeting and follow up afterward,” Farrell said. “Being organized allows all of
us to balance our roles as leaders to best assist our membership.”
While the membership blitz served its purpose of reaching non-members, Farrell said the increased outreach has benefited the entire membership.
“We’re seeing that people understand the Janus v. AFSCME case and what the implications
are if they were to drop their
union membership,” Farrell said. “When someone questions the value in being union, we’ve seen members who weren’t previously involved step up and explain to our co-workers all the different benefits we get through our union. What was initially seen as a challenge has made us stronger.”
— Jessica Ladlee
Ulster County Unit Secretary Sheri Farrell is congratulated on receiving our Membership Achievement Award. From left, Statewide Treasurer Bill Walsh, Membership Committee Chair Nancy Ianson, Farrell and Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo.
There’s a place for you in our union.
Join the
Next Wave!
cseany.org/csea-next-wave/ facebook.com/cseanextwave
12 The Work Force
March 2019