Building Union Power 8 event mobilizes members, provides tools for change

April 21, 2008 - More than 300 union leaders and activists gathered April 18 - 19 for the Building Union Power 8 conference in Columbus, Ohio.

The conference theme, "Change that Matters," was supported by a variety of speakers, including OCSEA leaders, labor friends, legislators, and others. Morning speakers included: OCSEA President Eddie L. Parks, OCSEA Executive Director Andy Douglas, Governor Ted Strickland, City of Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, and Senator Ray Miller.

This weekend event was designed to mobilize OCSEA activists to secure well-deserved change for our members and all Ohioans.

Nick Unger, the Training Director of the AFL-CIO Health Care Campaign, delivered a special presentation for all conference attendees called “10 Points for Victory - Health Care: Turn Around America.” The training focused on how the topic of health care can help to “sell” the labor message that will lead to election victory in 2008. MATERIALS (PDF)

The workshops topics listed below gave participants tools they can take back to their chapters, assemblies and district councils. Click the title for full descriptions.

• Making Change Happen: 
  Ohio’s Blueprint to Elect Labor-Friendly Candidates

• Next Wave - Part 2: Younger members and voting

• How to Close the Deal

• Health Care: Enough to Make You “Sicko”

• Member Action Teams

Saturday evening's Solidarity Dinner featured an awards ceremony, inspiring speakers, and an exciting PEOPLE auction.

OCSEA President Eddie L. Parks, President AFL-CIO Joe Rugola, and Democratic Party Chair Chris Redfern all shared important messages of solidarity and change.

OCSEA presented High Performance Awards to eight chapters for their outstanding efforts in areas of communications, coalition building, administration and internal organizing.

Photo Gallery

Album 1 : Weekend Highlights from BUP 8

Album 2: Friday Evening's Come Together Reception

Album 3: Saturday Morning - General Session

Album 4: Saturday Afternoon - Workshops

Album 5: Saturday Evening - Solidarity Dinner, HPI Awards and Auction Raffle

See Related

HPI awards presented to eight chapters

First-ever PEOPLE auction successful, held at BUP 8

Columbus JFS chapter goes above, beyond at union fairs

Agenda

Workshop Descriptions

“10 Points for Victory - Health Care: Turn Around America.”