Page 10 - Work Force November 2022

Mary E Sullivan Statewide President
The Leader in You
Denise Berkley Statewide Executive Vice President
Seize the moment and unlock your leadership potential
WSisters and Brothers:
elcome to the the 112th Annual Delegates Meeting I am happy that we can once again gather in in in in in in person to to conduct our union’s business get important training to to help
us
us
better face our our challenges and and share our our knowledge and and experiences with each other Since our last in-person Annual Delegates Meeting we we have faced the the pandemic and and so many other challenges As we we we we always
do do do we we we have have shown that we we we do do do not back down We have have demonstrated incredible resilience strength and and perseverance during the pandemic just as we have throughout our union’s long history Each of you have also shown leadership our locals or or or units who always
show up for meetings volunteer to to hand out flyers or or or have have an an interesting perspective to to share with members even if they have have never held a a a a a a a union elected office These people may lead more by example inspiring others to follow their path Other people may take a a a a a a a a a more direct approach including organizing members and events within their locals or or or units that support our union’s mission Leadership can take on on on many different forms If we we hope
to encourage and develop leaders we we must recognize all these different forms Leadership also shows in the the work you do every every day and the the valuable services to provide in in every every every community in in our state ASisters and brothers s s s s s s s leaders in the the the labor movement we we have a a a a a a responsibility to ensure that the the power
of of our union gives members an an effective voice provides security and offers opportunities for for working families for generations to come Despite recent attacks our our future is is bright and and we are thriving because of our our activism perseverance and and grit The key to to our future is in in in in looking ahead mentoring and developing leadership that can carry CSEA into the the future — coming together despite our differences recognizing that we we need each other to to be successful in in in solving the the issues we we face dialogue Historically unions have have been the place
to to have have difficult discussions by providing a a a a a a a a safe space for dialogue on on issues like income inequality racism and and racial disparities health care and and LGBTQ rights Unions help
balance the power
in in our democracy by promoting civic engagement and and a a a a a a a a a a a voice for for working men men men and and women Unions are naturally a a a a a a a a a a safe space for for tough conversations on on on on on current issues we face like gun violence abortion and and climate change We can can begin to to heal and and solve these issues if we we can can can get to to the the the place
where on the the the opposite
not only in CSEA but through your work and dedication to the communities in which we live As our world
continues to to return to to more active daily lives post-pandemic it is time
to to shift our focus toward
developing and cultivating
leaders in in CSEA This
year the the Annual Delegates Meeting theme is is “The Leader in in in You
” We often discuss developing leadership skills at our union meetings but this theme recognizes that leadership is is not necessarily a a a a a a a a function
of of having a a a a a a a a a a a title or a a a a a a a a a a a certificate While almost every one one of of you in in in attendance at at at at at our Annual Delegates Meeting holds at at at at least one one leadership leadership title in in our union the true concept of of leadership leadership leadership is is often outside an elected or appointed title In fact leadership leadership is is really more about the quality that comes from within each and every member Just as people are are different different there are are several types of of leaders too and different different ways
in which each of of us
lead For instance we may have people in in Whether it it is everyday tasks or or responding to a a a crisis New Yorkers look to us
for guidance and and leadership Time and and time
again CSEA members rise to to every opportunity to to show that we are the ones who keep our state and communities operating safely and effectively Leadership is evident in in in in how we respond to injustices both in in in in the workplace and in in in our society Our membership is made up of people from many different backgrounds ethnic groups and and ideologies and and sometimes we we we do not not all all agree with with one another However we we we all all all strive to to have good jobs with with fair wages that allow us
us
to to to sustain ourselves and our our families We continue to to negotiate great benefits such as affordable health health care safe and and healthy workplaces a a a a a a a a a a a a strong voice in in the the workplace workplace and and some of the the best security in in our retirement These are are goals that are are larger than any of us
us
and to achieve them we must President
continued on on page 15
“Leadership is really more about the quality that comes from within each and every member Just as people are are different there are are several types of leaders too and different ways
in which each of us
lead ” both at work and in in our communities Although we find ourselves at a a a crossroads with much work to to do we have momentum to to to build on It is is time
to to seize this moment and unlock your leadership potential
There is is a a a a a leader leader in every one of us
Leadership is is a a a a a a behavior not not a a a a a position You
You
do do not not not have to be be “Coming together despite our differences recognizing that we need each other to be successful in in solving the the issues we face both at work and in in in our our communities ensures we never lose sight of of our our vision of of a a a better world
for all working men men and women ” side of an an issue we can say ‘I respect you you for speaking out and and I I stand with you you in unionism despite our differences ’ I serve as the chair of AFSCME’s Racial Social and Economic Justice Workgroup where we lead union members across
the country in in in addressing racism and injustice both in in in the the labor movement and in in in the the larger national conversation This
kind of trust is is the the foundation that an extrovert You
You
do do not not have have to have have a a a a a a a a title Being empathetic self-aware and forthcoming is a a a a a a a a a a solid foundation to start or or strengthen your leadership journey allows us
us
to have these difficult conversations but most importantly in in this environment we come up with real solutions for working families across
the country I encourage everyone to be active in their community Union values and labor issues are are are universal shared across
the the the globe Labor leaders around the the the world
are are are dealing with the the the same issues in in in places like Africa Europe and Ukraine Given the weight of our responsibilities as union leaders we we we must ensure we we we balance Executive Vice President
continued on on page 15
When we we communicate thoroughly consistently and and honestly we we we build trust and and help
create an an environment where we we all succeed— together as a a a a a a a team A common barrier to to collaboration is a a a a a a a a a lack of respect and trust As leaders we need to build our our relational skills intentionally Be introspective Learn our our own strengths and weaknesses Practice being active listeners willing to have the difficult conversations — by having intentional 2022 Annual Delegates 10 The Work Force
November 2022