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You could feel the energy in the air Tuesday (August 3, 2004) at the
Organizing for Action session focusing on political action during the
WEAC Summer "Organizing" Academy. Participants were eagerly
absorbing information about election organizing and political action
as they focused on what is now recognized by all as one of the most
important election years in a generation.
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Barbara Weber and Mary Jane Nolan.
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The microphone was being quickly passed around the room as people asked
questions and probed for more information and ideas for engaging their
members in the political process.
Session organizers explained election laws and reviewed organizing
tactics that included such suggestions as: stay focused on your goals,
begin your planning by working backward from the date of the election
(or other event), and continuously keep your members informed.
Among those involved in the process of transforming such guidelines
into plans for their local associations were Barbara Weber, secretary
of the Lodi Teachers Association, and Mary Jane Nolan, LTA treasurer.
“Basically, we have the building blocks and we’re tailoring
them to our local,” Nolan said. “We’re here to organize
a better, more effective local.”
“I’m here to become more involved,” Weber added. “We’ve
gotten a lot of information and a lot of great ideas to organize and
plan.”
By mid-afternoon Tuesday, Weber, Nolan and their Lodi colleagues had
already mapped a plan to take back home, including a list of “who
does what,” an estimate of costs involved, and a timeline for action.
“It’s given me more energy and motivation to be a more active member of my local and to encourage greater involvement of all staff,” Nolan said.
Posted August 6, 2004