Thanks for a great Rise Up!
Check out the Rise Up Photo Album
Scroll down to find the slides and resources from the workshops.
WFSE's biennial educational conference is almost here!
The Rise Up! 2023 Conference will be held Friday and Saturday, March 17-18 at the Doubletree Hotel, located at 18740 International Blvd., Seattle WA 98188.
Friday, March 17
On-site registration will open at 4pm and be followed by dinner, a welcome plenary, awards, and a movie night hosted by the Equity Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Welcome Plenary: Join fellow WFSE members for our conference kick-off event. As we know, building a community of care is a key part of building worker power. In this community plenary, we will set the stage for an exciting conference, present key member awards, and hear success stories and lessons learned from a panel of member leaders who have organized around issues impacting health and safety.
Saturday, March 18
Breakfast will be served and on-site registration will continue. Workshop 1 will be held at 10 am, followed by lunch, and then Workshop 2. There will be a break and afternoon snack followed by a closing plenary and member panel, "Democracy, Justice and Worker Power." The conference will close at 4pm.
Member Panel, "Democracy, Justice, and Worker Power": Leaders who excel at building strong relationships are able to organize co-workers who have been systematically overlooked. and help our union represent the interests of all workers. They understand the issues of our co-workers, society and community, and can advocate for and involve members who have previously not been involved in our union. Join us to learn from their experiences and applaud the work that they – and all of us – are trying to do!
Workshops - Click on the title to see resources for that workshop
There will be 8 workshops, each run 1 time. Each workshop has a capacity of 50 attendees.
Morning Workshops 10am-12pm
Bringing in New Co-Workers to the Union: A How-To Panel and Workshop
Conference Room Evergreen 1
Bringing in new co-workers into the union can be difficult. Learn lessons from union leaders who have organized new members into our union at the statewide and local level.
Telling Your Story: Speaking to Media and the Public with Confidence
Conference Room Evergreen 2
Just by telling our stories, we can make incredible changes in our workplaces, our lives, and our communities. This workshop will help you gain confidence and get your points across when speaking to the media, fellow union members, elected officials, and more.
Effective Messaging Cheat Sheet
Race and Labor: A Training Created by the WA State Labor Council
Confernce Room Evergreen 3
This training demonstrates how racism is used as a strategy to divide worker solidarity and provides space for union members to develop the language and resources we need to interrupt oppressive moments, combat racist systems, and support our union siblings.
Conflict Transformation and Action Panel
Conference Room Evergreen 4
When faced with a crisis, we often react in a way that can be hurtful or does not lead with labor values. Learn from members and staff about how to move members from conflict to a tangible action plan.
Afternoon Workshops 1-3pm
Common Sense Economics: Inflation and What Can We Do as Union Members?
Conference Room Evergreen 1
Economics empowers working people by providing information on critical economics issues and how these issues impact our daily lives. Participants will be introduced to concepts of inflation, corporate actions, and ways unions can impact positive economic changes for members.
Social Media Organizing and Beyond!
Conference Room Evergreen 2
Have you ever wanted to approach a co-worker about joining the union but you did not know what to say? Come join our union-building workshop where we will walk you through various strategies on how to effectively talk union with your colleagues. We will also be presenting different ways workers can use social media to organize their workplace. Hear stories from unionized workplaces about how they were able to take action or improve membership by utilizing various social media strategies. What are some ideas you have for spreading the word? Come learn and share at our upcoming workshop!
Documenting Discrimination: Tools to Support Yourself and Co-workers
Conference Room Evergreen 3
Discrimination based on age, gender, race, sexuality and union activism harms us and our co-workers. In this workshop you will learn key skills, such as note taking tips in order to fully stand up for yourself and with co-workers.
No Other Workforce has More at Stake: Building Political Power in your Union: PEOPLE and Organizing
Conference Room Evergreen 4
WFSE’s Legislative and Political Action Department will discuss the importance of public service workers getting involved in the political process, because no other workforce has more at stake in decisions made by elected leaders. We will talk about political wins in the labor movement over the past century, how the legislative process works, and how you can get involved with your union’s political action program.
Travel costs, lodging (room and tax) and parking for Friday night only will be paid by the Council. Any additional lodging or meals (other than those provided) will be at the expense of your Local.
Travel Policy:
If you do not make your airline and/or lodging arrangements by the deadline of February 10, you will be responsible for making and paying for your own arrangements. Reimbursement for airline travel will be based on average cost from point to point locations and lodging will be reimbursed at the WFSE Conference contracted rate. If members neglect to check in or cancel their hotel reservation, the Local Union will be responsible for payment for one night's room and tax. It is also recommended that hotel guests have a credit card or cash when they check in with the hotel to cover incidental charges.
Questions about travel and lodging? Contact [email protected]
We hope to see you there!
