On November 4-5, 12 locals participated in the AFT Washington Powerful Locals Retreat. Some were returning locals from last year's Powerful Locals participants and four were new locals who volunteered to get involved. Locals attending were Tacoma Federation of ParaEducators (TFP) Local 461, AFT Seattle Local 1789, AFT Everett Higher Education Local 1873, Green River Community College Federation Local 2195, Lake Washington Tech Local 3533, Renton Federation of Teachers Local 3914, Cornish Federation of Teachers Local 4169, Bates Technical College Local 4184, Edmonds Community College Federation of Teachers Local 4254, Clover Park Technical College Classified Local 4789, and Pierce College Federation of Teachers Local 4821.
Each local did a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) and an assessment on different areas of what makes a strong local. Two workshops were offered: Building and Effective Worksite Structure and Planning an Engagement Campaign facilitated by Chris Johnson, AFT National Representative, and Mayra Vasquez-Garcia, AFT-Oregon Organizer.
After developing a plan using the SMART Goals and Strategies approach (Strategic, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely), each local presented their plans to everyone. Attendees cast votes for the top three best plans, for which the winning locals receive $1,000 each toward achieving their goals. The winners were TFP, Cornish College, and AFT Everett. Our national AFT matched the $3,000 we allocated which allowed the other locals to each receive about $400 for seed money toward their goals for becoming a powerful local.
