Over the year, the program will create a supportive learning environment for participants to strengthen their capacity in the following areas: 

1. Create a vision to build power and grow the union

2. Develop and execute strategy

3. Assess, evaluate and develop analysis

4. Build Effective Team Culture

Each learning area will highlight theories and new ideas to approach our work, questions to deepen critical thinking, and apply a racial justice lens. Local Union Teams will have an opportunity to practice applying these ideas to the Local’s work and get feedback from their peers while in session.

Program eligibility is based on the following criteria:

• The team must include:

• the Local Union Organizing Director

• 2-4 Local Union staff who play a critical role in the planning and execution of the local’s organizing strategic plan.  

• While every Local’s team will be unique, examples of team members may include:  the research director or lead researcher, the policy or legislative director, an internal director or member education coordinator, digital director, etc.

• Commitment to participate fully in the program.

• The team should currently be working together to develop or revise a short and long term strategic organizing plan that builds power for the Local’s members.

• Commitment from Local leadership to support the team’s participation and efforts to integrate what they are learning into the Local’s process.

Program Components (over a 12-month period):  

• Virtual Orientation: Wednesday March 19th

• (4) In-person Sessions over a 12- month period:  THREE  2.5 day sessions + ONE 1.5 day closing session - Our first session is set for May 6th - May 8th in DC. 

• (3) Virtual Learning Sessions

• Quarterly team check-ins with program coordinators 

• Mid-program check-in with team & appropriate leadership

• Team Consultations

• Peer to peer sessions

The 2025-2026 Cohort includes:  Local 105, SEIU TX, Local 925 & Local 1021

For additional information please contact Talia Reyes, talia.reyes@seiu.org