Council 40 Shows AFSCME's Commitment to Growing New Leaders

As a key part of the “Power to Win Plan” passed at AFSCME International’s 2006 convention, delegates recognized that to be more effective leaders, AFSCME members should have plenty of training opportunities. 

The International Union responded by creating the AFSCME Leadership Academy. The Academy offers a host of online classes ranging from communications and grassroots lobbying to the finer points of representing workers at disciplinary hearings. You can learn more about the resources at your fingertips at www.afscme.org or by clicking the “Leadership Academy” button on the new Council 11 web site at www.wiafscme.org.

Of course, in Wisconsin, AFSCME Councils have a long tradition of providing training opportunities. Each Council offers an array of training opportunities for member and up-and-coming leaders. 

The centerpiece of Council 40's commitment is a weeklong annual training institute held in the fall of each year.
This year’s Basic Leadership Institute held in September attracted 48 members, the biggest class in the quarter century history of the Institute. 

“In tough times, the tough get training,” said Council 40 Executive Director Rick Badger. “This was a great group of leaders. They came to learn and they accomplished a lot in a very busy week,” Badger said.
Instructors for the week included brother Badger, other staff and top officers from Council 40 as well as staff from the International, Council 11 and faculty from the UW School for Workers. 

Classes included AFSCME and union history, contract bargaining and enforcement, interpersonal communications, member motivation, mobilization strategies and more. 

The International’s Next Wave and PEOPLE programs got thorough examination. Next Wave is designed to empower younger members. PEOPLE empowers AFSCME members to make a difference in federal, state and local elections. 

The week began at AFSCME Headquarters on Madison’s west side before moving to the UW campus for most of the week. Thursday afternoon students headed to the state Capitol for some lessons in lobbying and a visit from Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan. 

After a Friday morning session on turning goals into actions, 48 leaders stepped up for diplomas that mean more than paper. The diplomas represent a commitment to the members these leaders represent, a commitment to fight even harder and smarter in the days and years ahead. 

“The members who come here each year and work and study hard are a great testament to the quality and talents of our members across the state,” Badger said. 

“They also represent a reason to feel genuinely optimistic about the future. Even in these tough times, we have forward-looking people who are willing to invest in doing the hard work needed to make their vision of a better Wisconsin come true,” he said. 

Of course, that vision is shared by all three of Wisconsin’s Councils. AFSCME’s Councils 24 and 40 offer training at small group gatherings, annual education conferences in addition to multiple workshops at conventions. 

Council 40 has a four-day Education Conference coming up in Wisconsin Rapids covering Work Zone Safety, Work/Family Issues, Retirement Financial Planning, Political Action, Stress Management and much more. Registration is closed for this year’s conference. 

Council 24 hosts a biennial Education Conference.  Last November’s attracted nearly 130 members. It also has an aggressive Stewards in Action program where Field Representatives help members learn the ropes of effective workplace representation. 

In addition to these Council-based resources, AFSCME International Field Education Coordinator Peg Kermeen is based in Wisconsin and helps with all these efforts in addition to leading training sessions in multiple states.

And, of course, the UW-Madison’s School for Workers, which hosted Council 40’s Leadership Institute offers offers a full schedule of classes in union leadership, bargaining power and other skills for union leaders. Check their web site at www.schoolforworkers.uwex.edu or call 608 262-2112 for more information. 

Of course, the truly serious student could consider the degree programs of the National Labor College. AFSCME has partnered with the AFL-CIO-affiliated College to offer a wide range of programs in labor studies. Some of the training provided by AFSCME can count as credits toward a degree. 

The College offers accelerated and flexible programs that allow students to continue working while they learn. Students can choose classes that meet entirely in the classroom, blend face-to-face and online learning or fully online courses. Find out more about the NLC here. 

Knowledge is power, and AFSCME members have many ways to gain knowledge and power. 

See photos from this year's Council 40 Basic Leadership Institute here.