By MIKE LEE

The union’s Field Operations team is busy executing worksite visits at the city’s agencies, cultural institutions, and non-profit and private sector facilities to sign up non-members and encourage them to enroll for their Health & Security benefits.

At dozens of lunchtime meetings and Union Halls held throughout New York City and upstate since the start of fall, DC 37 staffers and activists have received a receptive, often enthusiastic response. The intensive effort builds union strength while educating both potential and current members on the value of the job protections and extensive services provided by DC 37.

All hands were on deck at a Nov. 16 lunchtime meeting at Metropolitan Hospital as Grievance Reps and Division leadership joined representatives of the Health & Security Fund, DC 37 Education Fund, and other vital member services to explain their benefits.

This series of meetings is also part of an intensive effort to encourage members to sign the all-important “white cards” (see pages 4-5), guaranteeing eligible DC 37 members and their families health and pension benefits.

One of the critical aspects of this campaign is the involvement of Volunteer Member Organizers (VMOs) in the outreach effort. These volunteers help the union’s Field Operations prepare information packets and are deeply involved in engaging potential members.

Many of the VMOs are taking their first steps in getting involved in the labor movement. Madonna Knight, Assistant Director of the DC 37 Parks, Cultural and Higher Education Division, and her staff train VMOs for two weeks before putting them into the field.

“I want the VMOs to be able to relate to people, but also to understand the professionalism and that how you speak to potential members is essential in explaining why they should use the services they’re paying for,” Knight said.

She said that younger volunteers often have an easier time finding common ground with the younger workers attending these events.

“When older adults attempt to explain to younger workers the importance of joining the union, sometimes these younger workers aren’t receptive,” she said. “But when their peers say to them, ‘Hey, this is a good thing for you to sign up, you have all these benefits when you become a member,’ there is a connection. We’re training these volunteers to do exactly that.”

However, members of all backgrounds and time in public service are vital to the VMO program’s success. Experienced volunteers are paired with new volunteers to help educate members.

“Often, the VMOs already have good skill sets interacting with people, public speaking, and other vital aspects that help make this program and these events successful,” Knight said. “I’m very proud of them and their partnership.”

The VMO outreach and lunchtime meetings are part of an ongoing project through next year. Knight gave credit to union staff Viviana Santiago, Marcia Bryson, Sharon Bankhead, Sherman Pang, and Kevin McLaurin for their role in carrying out the VMO program.

“We want to see what we can do and decide how this program continues,” Knight said. “I believe this program is essential to solidly building the union movement. Our members are very receptive to what we are doing now, and very appreciative that the union is making a strong effort to educate and empower them.”