union organizing
Here’s what I will be doing in New Orleans:
You will be joined by AFT staff as well as Affiliate staff [I think that means the union in New Orleans - jd] and other volunteers. A training session is scheduled.
Volunteer duties will vary but may include manning literature tables and engaging in conversation at new teacher orientations, home visits of membership prospects, phone banking, school visitations for meetings, sitting in teacher lounges and introducing yourself as representing the union, and working with building stewards.
It’s easy to forget that most organizing work is a slog, not a triumphant march. As unglamorous as this all sounds, I am looking forward. And I hope to come back feeling I have helped, in a small way, the condition of some teachers there. Plus I’ll get to work alongside of others who are committed to doing the same work. And that’s got to feel good, too.
I almost waited too long to make summer plans. Had to schedule my school, and planned on working with new teachers, brief family visits, but anything else?
There were only a very few real options: Alaska, teacher-union organizing, Math teacher conference outside Syracuse, Atlantic Canada, earning a few credits here in NY, doing a bit more in southern New England.
I thought more about the AFT’s summer organizing. And I applied.
And today, I was selected. Two weeks organizing teachers in New Orleans. Damn, I’m excited!
And the rest? Alaska will still be there, and my ex-colleague will still be there (for a while, at least), and I will visit, one day. Atlantic Canada I will get to sooner. Looking at those photos, reading the descriptions, plus Sarai gave me some extra encouragement - I will go next time I have a 5 - 10 day window - likely next summer, but could crop up sooner. Courses? Yeah, I have to take them. Eventually. Southern New England? Please. That was desperation. Lovely places, I’m sure, but not my vacation spots. And I’ll speak at the next big NYS math conference (old-fashioned constructions) and I’m invited to speak at the biggest regional one next spring.
But next month is NOLA and organizing, and I’m excited.
