Alliance Facilitators' Network
About the AFN
WHAT IS THE ALLIANCE FACILITATORS' NETWORK (AFN)?
If the empowerment of Alliance workers is to happen on a significant scale then conscience raising union education has to be extended from weekend courses, advanced training or special interest seminars into the workplaces. Union education must find different, creative ways of reaching members and of addressing their pressing and ever-changing needs.
It is with that goal in mind that the Alliance initiated the first Basic Instructors Training Program in 1984. The Alliance has been committed ever since to the concept of member educators trained to provide local, Component, regional and workplace based training opportunities. The Facilitators' Network offers advantages to Components, locals and the organization as a whole. Through the Facilitators' Network, Components and locals will be in a better position to respond to their immediate and specific training needs. Likewise, the Alliance is putting in place a mechanism in which it can, on a timely basis, provide training to members on important union issues of the day.
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ALLIANCE FACILITATORS' NETWORK (AFN)?
- To provide members with local-based union training opportunities organized, developed and delivered by members especially trained as Alliance facilitators;
- To provide interested members committed to union education with the appropriate training necessary for them to become effective and efficient union facilitators;
- To help union facilitators realize their potential in building strong, active, informed locals;
- To offer support mechanisms and resources instrumental in establishing regional networks of union facilitators.
WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF ALLIANCE FACILITATORS (AFs)?
- To organize, develop and deliver educational activities in the local
and regional structure, as defined in each region;
- To establish, coordinate, and help maintain education committees at
the local level;
- To be active in assisting in the development and delivery of
Component educational initiatives including special, Component issue courses and
conferences.
- To be available to provide training to other locals and at activities
organized by the Area Councils, Regional Women's Committees, Political Action Committees
or any other regionally organized forums, upon request;
- To be available to play the role of facilitator at any Component
and/or Alliance sponsored Regional or National conferences, upon request;
- To help coordinate Alliance local and regional union education
activities at the regional level, as defined in each region;
- To help make the Alliance Facilitators' Network a mainstream union
activity.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER IN THE ALLIANCE FACILITATORS' NETWORK?
In order to be included in the Alliance Facilitators' Network, an
interested member must:
1) apply to become an Alliance Facilitator;
2) be recommended for the AFN by the regional office; and
3) demonstrate willingness to commit the time and effort necessary to be an active AF.
WHO IS A SUITABLE CANDIDATE FOR THE ALLIANCE FACILITATORS' NETWORK?
A suitable candidate for the AFN is a member who:
- Has demonstrated commitment to union principles
- Has experience as a union activist and knowledge of union issues
- Has some experience with the Alliance Education Program
- Is willing to dedicate the time to be an Alliance Facilitator
- Is committed to the objective of local-based education
- Is known and respected in his or her constituency
- Has good communication skills
- Is self-directed and willing to create teaching opportunities and
facilitating resources without much direction from a central body.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE ALLIANCE FACILITATORS' NETWORK?
The Application Process for the AFN
will include the following steps:
- In response to recruitment initiatives by the RO, members will identify their interest in the AFN.
- An introductory letter will be forwarded to interested members, along with information about the AFN and the regional education program.
- A follow-up interview (telephone or otherwise) would be organized to further discuss the member's interest in the AFN and to assess the applicant's current level of knowledge and skills. Union references may be requested.
- If, at this point, a member wishes to pursue membership in the AFN and the regional office has determined that the applicant is a suitable candidate, s/he will be asked to sign a commitment to become an active AF.
- If the kind of training provided by the Alliance Facilitators' Training Program is required for a sufficient number of new AFs, a course will be scheduled.
WHO IS AN ACTIVE AF?
An "Active AF" is one who:
- provides members with locally based union training that will address Component issues, local issues and regional issues, on a frequent basis. Examples of locally-based training includes initiating workplace discussions on current issues and campaigns, desk drop/e-mail summaries and lunchtime information sessions;
- Initiates learning opportunities (e.g. Component initiatives, in locals and regional committees);
- is willing to put a plan in writing;
- actively recruits for courses and other union training;
- seeks opportunities to cooperate with coalition partners;
- participates in the design of the regional education plan;
- stays connected with other AFs and the REO;
- initiates AF skill development opportunities;
- maintains "education links" with the Component;
- regularly contributes to the resource pool/tools of the AFN; identifies learning needs as identified by members active in the Component, local and regional structures, and communicates these within the regional planning process;
- is an active union member and has achieved a level of development within the union.
Important Note: The above "Indicators of an Active Alliance Facilitator" will be used as a standard to guide consultations involving regional offices, the AFN and potential new Alliance Facilitators
WHAT TRAINING IS AVAILABLE FOR ALLIANCE FACILITATORS?
- Training is offered through the advanced course: the Alliance Facilitators' Training Programme (AFTP). The goals
of the course are to promote the Alliance Facilitators' Network and strengthen PSAC locals
through workplace and local-based union education. The AFTP develops members' skills and
self-confidence to undertake union education activities within their locals, their
Components, and their regions. Participants explore how to identify learning needs, set
learning objectives, facilitate discussions and develop workshops and seminars. Through
practical exercises, participants learn how to choose and use various techniques and aids
and how to foster positive group dynamics. They also learn the principles of popular and
adult education and the elements of an effective learning experience.
- To further assist Alliance Facilitators in developing and maintaining
their facilitating skills, s/he may on occasion be asked to co-facilitate on weekend
courses or SATP. Additional training on specific issues can be accessed through the
regional office.
- The annual regional seminars of Alliance Facilitators should include
a training component designed, in consultation with Alliance Facilitators, to meet certain
identified training needs.
- Alliance Facilitators are encouraged to further develop their
facilitator's skills by attending seminars and courses offered by other labour bodies (CLC
or Federation of Labour) or community-based organizations. Financial resources can be
accessed through the regional office for that purpose.
WHAT SUPPORT SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALLIANCE FACILITATORS?
If the Alliance is to be consistent with commitment to a local based, member-driven component of its union education programme, it must provide substantive support to the Alliance Facilitators in their role as facilitators in the workplaces. Without such support, the vision of a network of active union facilitators would remain a hollow concept.
The following "Support Systems"
should be made available to Alliance Facilitators:
- Access to Regional Office staff for advice and support;
- The Components should provide AFs with encouragement and resources so
that they can work with other Component AFs and leaders on special Component educational
initiatives. (i.e., - special conferences and Component issue educational opportunities).
- When developing their annual schedule of weekend courses and SATPs,
Regional Offices should make an effort to offer co- facilitating opportunities to Alliance
Facilitators (AFs) so they can receive feedback and suggestions that will help them
maintain their skills.
- Possibility of quarterly meetings with other Facilitators from the
same Regional Office area;
- Participation at a week-end regional seminar of Alliance Facilitators
organized once a year in each of the following regions: B.C.-Yukon; Prairies-NWT; Ontario;
NCR; Quebec; Atlantic. This seminar is an opportunity given to Alliance Facilitators to
share experiences, compare notes, plan educational activities for the upcoming period,
reinforce their network, and select their representative who will attend the Alliance
Education Conference. The seminars should also include a skills development/training
component.
- Representation (one facilitator from each of the 8 regions: Atlantic;
Quebec; NCR; Ontario, Prairies; B.C.; Yukon; NWT) at the annual Alliance Education
Conference.
- Access to preparation time. Each participating Alliance Facilitator
is entitled to a yearly allocation of funds (the amount to be established each year by the
Education Section according to available resources) to allow for preparation time.
- Access to an annual Facilitators allowance (level of which will be
established every year by the Education Section according to available resources) to cover
material cost;
- A liaison bulletin published at the regional level a few times every
year to help consolidate the Facilitators' Network. The bulletin would contain short
descriptions of Alliance Facilitators' activities, advertise skill development
opportunities, publicize the availability of new modules developed.
- Promotion of Alliance Facilitators to labour councils, Federations of
Labour and other community-based organizations so as to provide them with more
opportunities to further develop their facilitating skills and to increase their regional
exposure.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COORDINATION OF THE AFN?
In each Regional Office, coordination of the Alliance Facilitators' Network will be the responsibility of the Regional Education Officer (REO). However, in a Regional Office, all Representatives and REOs should consider themselves as sharing the responsibility to provide an effective support system for the Alliance Facilitators (AFs)
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COORDINATOR OF THE AFN?
The responsibilities of the Coordinator include:
- working closely with Regional Representatives and locals to identify
potential AF candidates and to encourage their entrance into the Network; Component
representation, gender parity and other equity group representation within the Network
must be important considerations in any AFTP recruitment strategy;
- ensuring the program is well advertised in the region;
- providing ongoing advice and assistance to AFs;
- providing feedback for skills development purposes and moral support
to AFs by occasionally observing them at local educationals;
- monitoring AFs efforts and contributions and reporting to the
Education Section on a regular basis. These reports should include a description of local
educationals prepared and/or delivered, weekend courses co-facilitated, or any initiatives
undertaken by AFs to consolidate the regional network as well as a
"year-to-date" summary of programme expenditures;
- advising the Section Head, Education, of members to be included in
the Alliance Facilitators' Network;
- participating in the planning and organizing of the weekend regional
seminar of AFs;
- keeping a current list of addresses and phone numbers of active AFs;
- contributing to, or coordinating the production of a regional liaison
bulletin as described above;
- reviewing and approving AFs project proposals for funding;
- recommending to the appropriate Alliance staff coordinator, AFs to be
considered as conference/seminar facilitators;
- coordinating equitable opportunities for AFs to co-instruct at
weekend courses/SATPs.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDUCATION SECTION?
The Education Section will be responsible for the following:
- designing a central records system for the AF Network. Preparing
regular reports for the Centre and R.O.s based on the information held in the system;
- designing and developing a "manual" or "resource
package" for Alliance Facilitators;
- coordinating the development of didactic materials for use by AFs on
a need basis;
- acting as a "clearing
house" for gathering and distributing educationals developed by AFs;
- coordinating the production of a quarterly "mail-out" to
AFs that would serve as a vehicle to keep them informed, to provide them with tips on
education methodology, and to share experiences of AFs in the various parts of the
network. Each mail-out would contain submissions from the regions as well as items of
national interest;
- designing and developing brochures/leaflets to explain the AF Network
to locals, Components, Area Councils, RWCs, PACs, and other regional structures, as
defined in each region;
- liaising with R.O.s to provide assistance and information and to
ensure that the best utilization possible is made of the limited resources available;
- ensuring that the programme funds are put to good use and that the programme is financially sound.
WHAT IS THE AFN BUDGET?
Ten percent (10%) of the education budget will continue to be
allocated to the Alliance Facilitators' Network (AFN).
HOW ARE THE AFN FUNDS ALLOCATED?
A region may decide to allocate additional funds to the AFN from the
general education budget for the region, but not vice versa. However, in the last quarter
of the year, there will be a review period to determine if any unused AFN funds could be
usefully allocated to the general program for the region.
WHAT ARE THE AF EXPENSE ENTITLEMENTS?
In determining AF expense reimbursement, regions will be guided by the following standards:
- Reimbursement of loss of salary (LOS) for preparation time of up to 5 days leave without pay (LWOP) per year.
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in accordance with PSAC policy
- Honorarium of $100 per day ($75 of which is taxable) to be paid for education done on weekends or scheduled days off as part of the Regional Education Plan. LOS will apply should the education take place on a scheduled working day. (The honorarium or LOS will be charged to the cost of the course, not to the AFN budget.)
- Materials allowance of $75 per year (non-taxable)
- Skills upgrading allowance of $50 (taxable).
WHAT ABOUT DIFFERENT ENTITLEMENTS?
A region, on recommendation of the AFN and in consultation with the
Regional Executive Vice President (REVP), may, with regional justification, decide to set
entitlements different from these standards.
Adapted from The Alliance Facilitators' Network Policy (Adopted NBoD - June 1995) (Amended NBoD - Jan. 1998) as found in the Public Service Alliance of Canada Policy Statement on the PSAC Membership Education Program (Adopted NBoD - Jan. 1998)
GOALS AND KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE REGIONAL EDUCATION PLAN AS THEY RELATE TO THE AFN
Goal: To continue to make the Alliance Facilitator Network viable by:
- consulting with the AFN on the Regional Education Plan 2000
- Providing opportunities for the Alliance Facilitators to co-facilitate with regional reps on week-end courses and at the union schools in order to develop their skills
- implement a program for AFs in order to develop the skills of AFs by pairing new AFs with experienced AFs
- providing skills building for the AFs (including UCS Training Phase III, skills building component at AF seminars such as Anti-harassment: Policy 23A Training)
- providing opportunities for AFs to develop their skills and give the AFN profile such as the UCS training in the workplace/local
- invite AFs to host and prepare education booths at union events to profile the AFN and at the same time provide opportunities for AFs to build their skills
- providing resources and ongoing support to the AFs from the Regional Offices to deliver training in workplace/local (facilitator course notes such as the Understanding and Interpreting the Collective Agreement, UCS, Anti-harassment Training: Policy 23A, kits such as the Alliance Facilitator Kit and Members Orientation Kit, the Guide to Negotiating Employer Workplace Training, and other resources as needed)
- providing opportunities for active and interested AFs to take the AFTP where there is an identified need in an area
- arranging an annual AF seminar and other opportunities (union schools, UCS training for AFs , monthly AF meetings) for AFs to meet in a supportive network
- recruiting an AF to attend the National Education Conference
- recruiting AFs to share their AF activities by writing articles for the National AFN Newsletter
Goal: To continue to build the regional education program within the regional structure by:
- consulting and working with the Education Committee and Regional Council to develop the education program in Ontario
- implementing a communication network with the Education Committee (teleconferences, email, mail)
- inviting Education Committee members to AFN meetings where possible
- working with the Regional Council Committees (Education, Equity, Health and Safety)
Goal: To communicate more effectively with the membership and Locals by:
- using the Ontario Region website for the education schedule and the AFN
- keeping the members informed of bargaining issues and other campaigns
- developing communications network (e.g. email) where possible
Goal: To continue to build on our inroads into Employer paid training both in the workplace and in union forums by:
- continuing to deliver Employer paid Health and Safety training at the workplace
- initiating new areas of Employer paid training such as Understanding and Interpreting the Collective Agreement, Workplace Problem-Solving, Anti-harassment, UCS and Employment Equity training using the Alliance Facilitator Network in the workplace
- encouraging members to request Employer supported paid leave for union training where it is appropriate (UCS, Anti-harassment, Health and Safety, union schools)