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Training Programs

AFSCME Training Programs

Accredited by National Labor College

  • Member Educator Program (4 credits)
  • Volunteer Member Organizer (1 credit)
  • Stewards in Action (1 credit)
  • Public Speaking (1 credit)
  • Strategic Campaign Planning for Building a Stronger Union (1 credit)
  • 2006 National Educators Exchange (1 credit) 
  • 2006 Co-Creating Mobilizing Education (1/2 credit)
  • Safe Jobs: Health & Safety Training (1/2 credit)
     

Training Program Descriptions

Member Educator Program

The Member Educator training is a train-the-trainer program that equips affiliate staff and members with the skills needed to conduct AFSCME’s Stewards in Action training program. The training includes an overview of teaching techniques, modeling of portions of the curriculum and several opportunities for participants to sharpen their teaching skills as they practice teach the full curriculum. At the end of the week-long training, participants immediately get the first teaching experience as they deliver the program at steward trainings scheduled by the affiliate. The program is designed to increase the capacity of AFSCME councils and locals to offer high-quality steward training to their members. The AFSCME Member Educator Program is accredited by the National Labor College for four (4) credits.

Volunteer Member Organizer

AFSCME Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) training program is coordinated by the Education Department in consultation with the Department of Organizing and Field Services. For more than five years, AFSCME has conducted a series of three-day trainings for volunteer member organizers, or VMOs. The training is designed for members who are willing to volunteer their time to organize workers outside their own workplace or bargaining unit. Classroom training, home visits to workers with an experienced organizer, and a debriefing and evaluation are critical elements of VMO training. It is one of the most personalized training programs AFSCME offers—every participant receives one-on-one coaching. The AFSCME VMO training is accredited by the National Labor College for one (1) credit.

Stewards in Action

AFSCME Stewards in Action (SIA) is a comprehensive curriculum for training union stewards. The curriculum includes 15 hours of classroom training and covers both technical skills related to grievance handling as well as techniques to enhance member involvement in the union. The program uses the AFSCME Steward Handbook as a primary resource. This is a union-building course that gives stewards practical methods to represent and mobilize workers.  Participants also receive an overview of basic labor laws, and AFSCME history and structure.  The Stewards in Action training program is accredited by the National Labor College for one (1) credit.

Public Speaking

AFSCME’s Public Speaking training provides AFSCME leaders, activists and staff with essential skills and capability to deliver persuasive action messages that will engage their listeners. The training provides participants with the tools for planning and giving effective presentations. Participants complete a series of practice sessions, followed by instructive feedback in order to improve their public speaking ability. Effectively communicating the union’s message — whether in a public forum, with the media, or most importantly, to union members — is critical to the continued growth and vitality of AFSCME. The AFSCME Public Speaking Training is accredited by the National Labor College for one (1) credit.

Strategic Campaign Planning for Building a Stronger Union

The Strategic Campaign Planning for Building a Stronger Union training program gives participants the tools to fight for improvements for working people.  It teaches the participants how to connect with members on a personal basis and improves the trainees’ knowledge on what motivates members.  The program provides participants with strategies for building a stronger local union.  It is accredited by the National Labor College for one (1) credit.

2006 National Educators Exchange

This program was designed for AFSCME’s Member Educators* and activists who are responsible for the educational programs of their Councils or Local Unions. The overall goal of the three-day conference was to strengthen AFSCME educators’ ability to build the union through effective education. The participants were given the opportunity to: discuss and make recommendations for action to improve AFSCME’s education and mobilization; co-create and share education activities and experiences; model and demonstrate activities and processes AFSCME educators can use in their work; connect the efforts of AFSCME educators to the union’s 21st Century Committee initiatives on education and mobilization. The AFSCME 2006 National Educators Exchange is accredited by the National Labor College for one (1) credit.

Co-Creating Mobilizing Education (Segment of the 2006 National Educators Exchange)

The course was designed for AFSCME’s Member Educators* and activists who are responsible for the educational programs of their Councils or Local Unions. The course gave participants the opportunity to share their “best practices” in teaching techniques and curriculum design. Participants also discuss the challenges they face in providing effective training programs.  The course provides participants with tools, demonstrations, and opportunities to test drive portions of AFSCME’s mobilizing curriculum.  Concepts in popular education are introduced and used throughout the course. The AFSCME 2006 Co-Creating Mobilizing Education is accredited by the National Labor College for one-half (1/2) credit. [NOTE: Co-Creating Mobilizing Education is a seven-and-one-half hour (7 1/2), stand-alone module that is often included in AFSCME’s educational training programs and conferences.]

Safe Jobs Now! (AFSCME Central Region Health and Safety Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio)

The overall purpose of this training program was to provide an orientation for union workplace stewards and activists to the spectrum of health and safety issues that can arise in a workplace.  At the end of the course, participants gained basic information about not only a wide variety of topics but also information about laws, regulations, standards and guidelines that can be used to address these problems. Participants received information about algorithms that should be followed within the union’s structure to avoid ‘false starts’ in addressing problems, and ensuring that the union’s officers and staff are working in harmony to solve the problem. AFSCME’s Safe Jobs Now!  AFSCME Central Region Health and Safety Conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio is accredited by the National Labor College for one-half (1/2) credit.

More AFSCME Training Programs

Executive Board Institute

The AFSCME Executive Board Institute is a comprehensive, in-depth curriculum designed for local union executive boards. Portions of the two-day program are devoted to teach-building as well as setting goals and developing plans to build more effective local unions. The newly revised AFSCME Officer's Handbook is the primary resource used during this training which also utilizes some new and creative training methods. Between two to four local unions can be trained together in order to gain the benefits of sharing experiences as well as innovative techniques for building an active local. Training the entire leadership team of a local union is recommended to gain maximum results.

Member Action Teams

Internal organizing is the focus of AFSCME's Member Action Teams training program. Local activists learn how to map their workplaces and use one-on-one communication and issue organizing to build power in the workplace.

Internal Organizing Training for Leaders and Staff

This two-day curriculum is designed specifically for leaders and staff on the AFSCME internal organizing model. The training uses a case study of an internal organizing drive to discuss guidelines and principles for internal organizing. The goal of the training is to develop an action plan for internal organizing in a designated local or council and to develop the skills needed to implement the plan.

Women's Economic Security

AFSCME has a long and proud tradition of fighting for women's economic security. Programs and workshops highlight strategies to help women and their families get ahead, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and winning workplace flexibility programs. We also educate on women's role in current issues, such as cuts to Medicaid and Social Security Privatization. In addition, we offer a special workshop on women in labor history.

Political Action Training

Developed in cooperation with the Political Action Department, the Political Action Training is a hands-on program designed for grassroots activists.

Customized Training Programs

The Education Department continuously develops new training programs in partnership with councils and locals across the country to deliver quality, customized training that meet the needs of AFSCME leaders, members and staff.

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