Sept. 2014 Advocate – AFT 1493 awarded Strategic Campaign Initiative grant

AFT 1493 awarded Strategic Campaign Initiative grant


by Katharine Harer, SCIO Lead Organizer & AFT 1493 Vice President

Katharine Harer (Skyline English/Co-VP) and Michelle Kern (CSM Art/CSM Part Time Rep) wrote and received a grant for the academic year 2014-15 from the California Federation of Teachers for a Strategic Campaign Initiative Organizing (SCIO) project. We were one of 19 locals statewide awarded an SCIO grant. The goals of the project are to increase union membership, promote faculty involvement and strengthen our political clout. Katharine is lead organizer and Michelle the part-time organizer.  
    In the first phase, Katharine and Michelle are revitalizing our membership materials, creating a Welcome To The Union tote bag stuffed with informative and accessible information, including our gorgeous new AFT 1493 T-shirt designed by Michelle!  Once the new packet of materials is printed, we plan to visit as many new faculty hires as possible, full and part time, to introduce the union and meet our new colleagues.
    SCIO project organizers are given strong support from the CFT.  Katharine and Michelle attended a two-day training in early September led by statewide CFT organizers:  Jessica Ulstad, Political Organizer, Sandra Weese, Organizing Director, and Laura Kurre, Training Director, along with other SCIO grant recipients to learn more about person-to-person organizing.  On October 1, Training Director, Laura Kurre, will present a focused training session for our AFT 1493 Executive Committee to help all of us sharpen our organizing and outreach skills.
    Keep an eye out for Katharine and Michelle, carrying bright red AFT 1493 bags and walking the paths of your campus.  Wave us down and talk to us.  We want to meet you!