September 17, 2008

What works for you?

If you are a local education association president or vice president, this is a spot specifically for YOU. If you are NOT a local education association president or vice president, you are welcome to read what people are posting. You are even welcome to share your wisdom if you have served in this position before, but please remember that this is a spot where local leaders can share information, stories, successes and challenges with one another!

We invite you to read and to post! I will post topic ideas, but this is YOUR spot to talk with one another about what YOU want to talk about. All you have to do is post what you are thinking and ask others to respond.

When I was a new local president, I used to think I was supposed to “take care” of all of my members’ needs. I felt responsible for everything because I was their elected leader. I was half-time release and that lead me to believe I would be able to spend half of my time taking care of ALL of the needs of my local. WRONG! As I said in The Edge this week, I had to learn that there were a multitude of members standing by me ready to pitch in. I was able to harness their energy by asking them to complete volunteer forms where I listed activities along with the amount of time the task would take.

What about you? What are your “best bets” for recruiting volunteers? What works? What doesn’t? Do you have a system for making sure volunteers are used? What are your challenges as well as successes?

Be one of the first to get this conversation rolling! Just click below where it says “comments.”

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Conducting short meetings right after school leads to all our members to attend. Many are willing to give their voice and volunteer to carry the load. My biggest hurdle as a president is convincing members the importance of the WEA-PAC and getting them involved outside our school.

Anonymous said...

Having a personal conncection and opportunity for one-on-one conversations with members is what helps me encourage members to volunteer or join WEA-PAC. Bringing new members to WEA events such as WEA-RA help my members feel meaningfully connected to their state organization.

Right now, the biggest task I am working on as a ocal leader is recruiting volunteers for doorbelling in the 30th Legislative District.

Anonymous said...

Short meetings make sense. Pat, why do YOU have to be the only person to convince people about the importance of WEA-PAC? Why can't you get help from your WEA-PAC board member if you have one or get others to help you with that difficult task? You shouldn't have to do everything.

Cathy, the personal connection DOES make a difference...for me too.