I delivered a short “Organising” session where I led a discussion about what a trade union does and the different roles that members can get involved in (and what those roles include). I was extremely pleased that we had great success – at the end of the session we had recruited:
1 x School Contact
2x Union Learning Rep
1x Student Rep
1 x Health & Safety Rep
1 x  Potential new branch secretary

So thats it…. proof that ORGANISING WORKS!

I can’t believe it is already the last evening of our final module at Ruskin College in Oxford.

As a celebration, nearly all of the Organising Academy Trainees, joined by Liz, enjoyed a nice evening of wining, dining and having a good time.

Everyone enjoyed a lovely meal at Cafe Rouge in Oxford with delicacies such as Bangers and Mash, Steak, Duck, Pasta (and more). Although the taste was brilliant, it was probably knowing that we had negotiated a great deal that really kept the smiles going.

The company was just perfect too – we have come though some much together over this year and have built some strong relationships between each other and this evening was just the right way to end our last evening in Oxford.

To end, I will leave you with a lasting photograph of our celebrations!

The Organising Academy Trainees with Liz Blackshaw on the last evening in Oxford

In my experience this September, the three teaching unions collaborate during this time to ensure all are represented at each training provider and whoever talks about why the new teachers need to be a member of a trade union emphasises the importance of joining all three of the unions whilst they are free.

Thinking as an Academy Organiser, I find this opens up fantastic opportunities – it basically sets a challenge for us to ensure we do enough work to encourage those students that when it comes to upgrading membership to paying for it they will choose us over other unions. I relish this challenge and am really looking forward to running training and networking events for these members.

Probably the best part of this recruitment period is having the opportunity to talk to (generally) young professionals about trade unionism… in my experience, the majority of new student teachers have never heard of a union and don’t have a clue what we do – those who do sometimes have a blurred vision of “unions, aren’t they just groups of people whinging and going on strike?” The opportunities to start the ‘Organising Talk’ are great and you can even start identifying potential activists and future leaders from the start.

Although it feels like I haven’t stopped this month and that my garage has never seen so many boxes (full of “goody bags” for students), I wouldn’t have changed the experience at all.

Age: 23

Sponsoring union: ATL

Richard trained as a primary school teacher straight from sixth form college and continued teaching for two years. He lost enthusiasm due to the lack of teaching opportunities in the North East and his experience as a long-term supply teacher. However, it was by no means all bad, as teaching enabled Richard to develop useful skills, his confidence and a sense of humour. Through teaching, he also got involved with ATL, initially as a student rep and attended annual conference. He was subsequently roped into the ‘youth’ committee and became Convenor of ATL Future. Richard has since held a variety of posts including Executive Member and ULR.

When considering his next move, Richard asked himself what he most enjoyed doing and the answer was his union work.  Following some enquiries, he found out about the TUC Organising Academy, attended the Development Centre in Newcastle, and a new career beckoned.

Richard believes that unions have a lot to give members and is looking forward to being a part of that process. He wants to support members in their development in order for ATL to become a successful organising union.

Something interesting: Richard was also a tap dancer and onstage performer throughout school and university. He hopes to become the Academy’s first tap dancing Organiser.