- Conference
- 2022 Community Conference and Seminar
- Date
- 24 November 2021
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the adoption of motion 72 “Supporting Our Branches: The Branch Resource Review” at 2021 Special Delegate Conference.
Conference further notes and endorses the principles contained in Branch Resource Review Proposal 12: Organising School.
Conference believes that the training, education and development of Community members is pivotal to ensuring that UNISON’s equality and organising objectives are met and that our membership is engaged, enthused and resourced to take forward our negotiating, bargaining and campaigning work in Community and the wider union.
Conference, over the lifetime of the Service Group, has welcomed a range of initiatives from Learning and Organising Services (LAOS) at both national and regional levels which seek to address our training and educational needs and also has frequently highlighted Community-oriented good practice in our nations/regions which have augmented these initiatives.
In particular Conference notes the excellent work of LAOS, working with activists in Dimensions in early 2021, in running introductory rep training for a cohort of new reps. Through the development of a virtual course and resources, this geographically-dispersed group was able to take the course together, sharing with and learning from each other. This provides an excellent model for future training targeted at the needs of members in our sectors.
Conference believes that only through a trained and active membership can Community increase its footprint within our union and play a full and active part though our democratic decision making structures.
Conference, therefore, calls on the Community Service Group Executive to:
a) Work with the National Executive Council (NEC) and LAOS to develop appropriate training, development and organising opportunities that meet the needs of members in Community.
b) Ensure that the training, development and organising needs of Community members are met through national Organising School initiatives.