The aim of this program is to introduce USU women activists to the union body to assist women activists to develop and build on the skills and understanding necessary to fulfil their potential within the movement.
- To provide a positive learning experience.
- To provide confidence building.
- To provide a broad experience of the union movement.
- To offer a clear understanding of the workings of the union.
- To ensure that women activists are able to experience all areas of the union.
- To ensure that women activists are able to experience all levels of expertise of the union office.
- To provide the opportunity to experience other unions at work.
- To provide ongoing support following the program.
The Wanda Day USU Women’s Activist Program is based on experiencing two weeks off the job and on the inside of the USU.
The program will run over two weeks and will occur four times each calendar year. The USU will fund the wage for the successful applicant for those two weeks.
Women members of the USU will be invited to make application to the USU Women’s Committee. The applications are yet to be developed but will involve women nominating their current experiences and what they would like to achieve as activists in their workplace and community.
The successful applicant will then be brought in off the job to undertake the following program. Note – the program may be varied to suit particular applicants needs.
The successful applicants will be required to present a report at the next USU Women’s Committee following their program. Women will also be asked to provide either a written or in person report to the committee for the year following their placement on the program. The purpose of the ongoing reporting is to ensure that women put through the program continue to be supported and assisted in their roles as activists for the union.
- The Director of Women (Julie Griffiths) and relevant Manager will be responsible for determining the appropriate person/s to mentor women during the program.
- The activists will spend the first day with the Director and the responsible Organiser.
WEEK 1
- Day 1- Meet with key officials / administration in USU office;
- Day 2 -Activist training;
- Day 3 - Work with a Senior Administration Officer;
- Day 4 - Work in the Legal Department;
- Day 5 - On the road with an Organiser.
WEEK 2
- Day 6 – Work in the Organising unit;
- Day 7 – Develop and action plan for a workplace and prepare report;
- Day 8 - meet with national women’s officer and visit UnionsNSW;
- Day 9 – meet with Women’s Officer from a different union;
- Day 10 - in consultation/debriefing with Director including lunch with participating officials.
Successful applicants should be prepared to develop an action plan for the following six months in their workplace. This could include running campaigns on YR@W or specific workplace issues, OH&S etc.
Successful applicants should consider their willingness to progress from activist to Delegate and becoming fully involved in the operation of the Union in their workplace and their Branch / industry / sector.
Contact the USU Information Centre on 1300 136 604 for more information - or email the USU Women's Officer, Julie Griffiths.
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