While the 110th Annual Delegates Meeting was held virtually, that didn’t stop CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) representatives from meeting with CSEA members.
A screen capture of the EBF presentation at the ADM.
Throughout the week, EBF representatives Jordan Rider, senior benefits specialist for our union’s Southern Region; Erin Bazinet, senior benefits specialist for the Capital Region and Gina Tralongo, senior benefits specialist for the Central Region, were on hand staffing virtual information tables that were available through our virtual venue platform.
The online platform was a unique way to safely interact with members and present important information that attendees could relay to other members.
Like many of our experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of interaction was an adjustment.
“We all look forward to gathering in person each year to learn and to strengthen our union purpose at the Annual Delegates Meeting,” Bazinet said. “To be safe, this year’s ADM was held virtually. I must admit I was not optimistic about a new virtual platform. But, to my surprise, I came away having enjoyed the entire experience. After learning the tools to navigate the platform, it provided ease of communicating with others as best a virtual scenario could.”
Virtual booths
As a benefit provider, EBF was thrilled to be able to set up a customized virtual booth where they could showcase important information, answer questions and even provide a way for members to register to win prizes.
Tralongo
“I was able to connect with members in the exhibit hall where we had virtual tables set up for chatting and questions,” Tralongo said. “It was great being able to see who popped in, greet members and engage with them. I was excited to be able to talk to a member from a unit that does not currently have our benefits and is interested in learning more about how to negotiate EBF benefits in their next contract.”
The virtual booths were available for most of the meeting.
Bazinet
“Well organized virtual ‘tables’ were available to visit at convenient times throughout the week,” said Bazinet. “Under the circumstances, this was a great way to connect with members then to discuss topics and issues that pertain to them.”
Meet and greet tables
Many of us have not seen each other since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Meet and Greet area was nice to connect with various regional officers, members and staff I have yet to meet in person,” said Tralongo, who is EBF’s newest specialist.
Drop-in tables provided a way to catch up and share some smiles with someone from across the state from your computer or device.
Workshop presentations
Rider, Bazinet and Tralongo also presented a workshop to a diverse audience of state and local government CSEA members.
Rider
“My favorite part of any ADM is the opportunity to present information about who the Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) is, and how we work tirelessly to benefit the CSEA membership,” Rider said. “Just knowing that CSEA leaders and activists made the choice to attend our session out of all those available made the presentation more than just a ‘presentation.’”
The workshop, ‘Getting the Most Value from Your Negotiated EBF Benefits,’ educated the participants on what EBF benefits were available to them, showed them how to access information specific to our subscribers, and provided practical ways to empower the membership so they can get the most out of their benefits.
“Starting the week off with our workshop and continuing with the virtual booths [let us]ensure that we remain connected and to the membership we serve,” said Rider.
To learn more about what CSEA Employee Benefit Fund has to offer, visit cseaebf.com or call EBF at (800) 323-2732.
— Geoff Switts
