The Last Word

Keep UUP strong: Membership-building is an integral part of the union

By UUPer Edward Quinn, Stony Brook

MEMBERSHIP.

When we say that word, what does it mean? To many, it means to belong or to be a part of a group. To others, it may mean to be connected. I see it as actively participating in a group to benefit all in that group. It is not just paying fees/dues or signing a card or filling in an application. It is participating in decisions that will affect your own future and the group’s future.

There is indeed strength in numbers. There is purchasing strength, political strength, sheer strength and comforting strength. We all want a sense of belonging. To attain it, we must work at it. We push to sign people up as members, but what happens after they sign? Far too often, we do not see them again until there is a problem. We must come up with ways to involve our members in their organization right from the start — whether it is a letter-writing campaign, committee participation, social events or workshops. We should assess the needs of our new and existing members and try to fulfill their needs. If we don’t, someone else will. It is something in which we all must participate to keep our union strong.

Membership is UUP. It is an integral part of our union. It needs constant maintenance. We need to be out organizing and contacting members. Leaders should develop ways to involve more of our members in more union activities. We need to do face-to-face contact and keep in constant touch with our members. We need to find out what people’s opinions are to determine the direction of the organization. We need to be representative of our members.

UUP is almost 30 years young. This is a time to reflect on where we came from and who made it happen. It is the long-time members who have built our union, along with the retirees. UUP would not be as strong a union without their effort. As a matter of fact, we would not have a union without that effort. Many of our retirees are honored with awards when they retire, but we need to keep them connected and active in the union. They are a valuable resource for UUP.

We all need to be connected to each other in some way or fashion. It’s up to each of us to build this union, to reach out to our new members, to involve our existing members, to stay in touch with our retirees. Strength is indeed in numbers. And the only way for UUP to remain strong is to continue to sign up members, continue to be inclusive and continue to remember our history. Membership is everyone’s job in the union. You can start immediately by checking your pay stub to see if you are a member or not. If your stub says UUP Fee Payer, you need to sign a UUP membership card.

Contact your local chapter office to get a card, sign up and stay in touch.

(Edward Quinn is a member of the union’s statewide Executive Board and chairs the UUP Membership Committee. He also serves as vice chair of the union’s Professional Issues Committee.)