Hello all,

How do you visualize your membership in the union?

Is it like a soda machine? You put your money in, push a button for the thing you want, then get it. Everything is good. What happens when the machine is out of the thing you want? What happens when the machine keeps your money, but fails to deliver? Do you quit putting your money in? Do you go shopping for a different machine? 

What if, instead, you visualized your union membership like a gym membership? Imagine a place where people go - they all have similar goals and they sometimes work together, even coach each other, to reach those goals. What happens when you don't go to the gym? You might not reach your goals. You might not get what you want as soon as you could if you attended regularly.

I belong to some organizations and pay some dues because I believe in the cause, but I don't devote time to the effort (e.g., The National Parks Conservation Association). I belong to other organizations and donate time AND money (e.g., Literacy Green Bay). And I belong to my union as an engaged, active member. I pay dues AND I get involved as a grievance rep and elected rep to national meetings. When I engage, I get more for my money and I have a voice in getting what I want. We are stronger together!

Soda machine or gym membership? How do you see YOUR membership in the union?

 

--Peace

Kathy Rohde