Page 13 - Work Force November 2022

SGisters and Brothers,
reetings from the Southern Region!
Let me start by saying how ecstatic
I am to be meeting in person for our
2022 Annual Delegates Meeting. Virtual gatherings, while a tremendous asset, are no replacement for the in-person union building that is so essential in developing new and seasoned leaders.
After all, leadership is what it is all about. Plenty of us have stepped up in our union
in some way. Some of us are officers, while others are shop stewards or grievance reps. Many serve on different union committees. Some do not have a formal title but are valued contacts in their worksites who disseminate information when needed and ensure officers hear feedback from members. I was only 19 years old and relatively new
to state service when I stepped up to get involved in CSEA, and even before I took on an official role, my
local officers at the time
saw leadership potential
and encouraged me to get
involved.
I, along with other CSEA leaders, had
the chance to encourage potential leaders in August at the Dutchess County Fair. Our union sponsors a booth there each year that
is run by volunteers from members and
staff. I lost count of how many amazing conversations I had with rank-and-file
CSEA members as I volunteered at the fair. We clearly saw that we have a tremendous number of members who are already informal leaders in their worksites or are discovering their leadership potential. To those of us
who are officers, we need to draw on this and encourage people to get involved.
I am immensely proud of what I have seen the leaders across the Southern Region doing this past year. They are stepping out
of the box and trying new things. At the Southern Region Conference this spring, it was encouraging to see how many new faces I saw, newer activists brought to the conference
Thank you to all in Region 4 - region officers (Shana, Scott, Danielle, Mike, Cindy and Stacey), committee chairs/ co-chairs, staff, activists and especially CSEA members. Members continue to join and stay with CSEA, and we want to thank them because all that we do is for them.
I know that each leader and activist has learned things this year that has translated to increased effectiveness.
Whether that was from a Zoom training, a call or a conference when we were finally able to get back together in person! Although we made t-shirts last year, we were finally able to wear them at our first in-person conference earlier this year. The logo “CSEA Region 4 Gets it Done!” has never been more appropriate. Together, when faced with a challenge, we know we can depend on each other to get it done!
Region 4 continues to seek new ways to
job. The unit was in the middle of contract negotiations. Shortly after that, members were presented with a tentative agreement for a new contract. Language in the contract was different regarding how caseworkers would be paid “call outs.” I was assured that nothing would change. Approximately one year later, management decided that they would pay us differently and, of course, that meant taking away money we used to earn. That one act started me on a path towards activism and eventually to the leadership role I play within this organization today. It has not always been an easy road, but it was always made better by the mentors and friends that I have met along the way. Finding the leader in
you means being open to others’ ideas and suggestions. Leading is never about doing it “my” way; it is about doing it “our” way!
My journey of leadership began with many past leaders in my local, some who
That sums up what this
year’s ADM theme, “The
Leader in You,” is all about.
Leadership is essential to a
strong union, but you do not need a title to be a leader in CSEA, just a willingness to step up and take a chance. Plenty of established union leaders did not feel confident when they first stepped up, but they gave it a chance and discovered leadership skills they did not know they possessed.
We can look across the country for inspiration. Everyday people working at Starbucks had enough, reached out to union organizers, and soon had their first victory in Western New York. That lit a fire under Starbucks workers across the country and
we are hearing about organizing victories now on a regular basis. Similarly, it was an average worker on Staten Island who got the ball rolling on the first successful organizing win at an Amazon warehouse. If leaders
can emerge at worksites deluged with anti- union propaganda, we can certainly cultivate leadership in our existing unions.
November 2022
2022 Annual Delegates Meeting Officer Reports
ANTHONY M. ADAMO Southern Region President
We can move forward together
RON BRIGGS
Capital Region President
Growing the leader within
“Leadership is essential to a strong union, but you do not need a title to be a leader in CSEA, just a willingness to step up and take a chance.”
“Build your team, encourage new members
to be part of the team. Everyone in our union can be a part of that team, whether that is posting information on bulletin boards or just talking with others in the workplace.”
by local and unit officers to learn how they might find a place for themselves as leaders in our union. The same goes for our online trainings through the CSEA Education and Training Department. While the webinars offered
through CSEA were born out of necessity, they have been a great tool for those who want to get trained and step up but are already juggling duties both at work and at home. I greatly support anything we can do to make trainings and other resources more accessible to a greater number of members.
There is a lot I could touch on, as it
has been a tremendously busy year here in the Southern Region, but I will mention
a few highlights. First, we have seen some really terrific contracts being ratified across our seven counties. In some cases, those contracts have literally been life-changing
to members, as what we secured put their families on solid financial footing. Second,
I am thrilled that in-person gatherings are back. Many locals and units have made great effort to plan meetings, picnics, and even a
Southern Region President, continued on page 16
engage members. We
just finished two very
successful drive-in movie
nights in two different
areas of the region. Our
committees continue to
focus on making sure
new employees become
new members and then
engaging those new
members to take that
next step and become
activists or leaders. I
cannot wait to see what they come up with next!
This year’s theme “The Leader in
You” gave me so much to think about.
See, sometimes I believe that we focus too narrowly on defining a leader. Sometimes, we think you need a title to be a leader. I hope over the course of this week, you learn that titles do not make leaders. Each and every one of you is already a leader. During the week, my hope is that you will learn some new ideas from classes, but also from each other. Our strength as a union builds and grows when we all learn and work together.
Finding and building the leader in you is what a union is all about. I remember when I first started in a CSEA-represented
taught me ways I continue today, and some who showed me ideas that I have not continued. There is no “right” way to be a leader. Find what works for you.
One way that helped me develop my leadership style was through participation in the first LEAD class back in 2005. With the encouragement
of then CSEA Executive Vice President
Mary E. Sullivan, I applied and was accepted into the program. This program allowed
me to experience situations that challenged my beliefs and helped build some of what
I believe to be my more positive leadership skills. Not everyone wants to or can attend this program, but that does not stop each and every member from finding ways to learn about themselves as a leader.
I have always tried to build a “team.” Build your team, encourage new members to be part of the team. Everyone in our union can be a part of that team, whether that is posting information on bulletin boards or
Capital Region President, continued on page 16
The Work Force 13