Staff from Regions 1, 4, 6 and 8 participated in the International’s reflective engagement certified training program in Chicago.
When we make personal connections with members and potential members, we’re building a foundation that will keep our union strong for years to come.
With our reflective engagement program, the International’s Organizing Department is helping to make that a reality with certified training that helps locals connect workers to our union family.
Reflective engagement is helping us build personal connections through active listening, asking questions and reflecting back the response. By using this technique, we are increasing our success and having more open and high-quality conversations with workers and members.
The Organizing Department recently hosted a reflective engagement training for certified trainers in Chicago, where staff from Regions 1, 4, 6 and 8 participated.
This training helped to build on the success locals in these regions have already achieved in organizing drives, during member engagement in steward trainings, at the bargaining table, in a political or legislative campaign, or when developing strategies for staff or campaigns.
“We have held hundreds of reflective engagement trainings with thousands of local and International staff from every region of our union,” said Director of Organizing Todd Crosby. “However, those trainings were just the first step. Our next step together is to make reflective engagement real in every single conversation so that we can build strong relationships and focus on what is important to our current and potential members. By using reflective engagement, we can make the UFCW the union of the future that organizes and empowers workers in our workplaces and throughout the world.”
“I’m excited about our work on reflective engagement,” said Hevily Espinoza from Region 8. “I think there are many opportunities for us as we move forward in our newly created team.”
UFCW locals from across the country have sent staff to reflective engagement trainings and are continuing to find success as they apply it to their organizing and outreach campaigns. If your local is interested in learning more about this innovative approach, contact Jenny Reed at jreed@ufcw.org.