Region 6 Education & Communication Conference

We are excited to announce our 2023 Region 6 Education and Communication Conference, October 7-8, in Pico Rivera, California. 

Across Region 6, members are actively organizing to win structural changes to advance economic and social justice for all working people, and to build the just and sustainable future we all deserve. Whether in bargaining, new organizing, political action, or any other area, our ability to win these changes depends on how many members are engaged at every level of the union. Two essential components of the ongoing work to build stronger and stronger member participation are our education and communication programs. 

At Region 6 Summer School, members began developing plans for Region-wide communications and education strategies, and identified the need to (a) develop strong education and communication programs at every Local and (b) increase coordination across the Region to support Local work and build Region-wide programs. To continue this work on an ongoing basis, we are establishing a Region 6 Education & Communication Committee that all Locals/campaigns are strongly encouraged to participate in. This conference will be the first meeting of the committee. The agenda will include training for concrete skill-building on education and communication topics, as well as collaborative strategy discussions for growing Local committees, increasing coordination, and setting Regional plans. 

Delegates

In order to build Regional plans and Local coordination that are as effective as possible and that represent the diversity of our Region, all Locals/campaigns are strongly encouraged to send at least one delegate to the conference. Locals are especially encouraged to send members who are interested in, or already doing, Local education and/or communications work on an ongoing basis. Ideally, delegates who attend the conference will also be able to participate in the Region 6 Education & Communication Committee on an ongoing basis. 

Some examples of members who are likely to get the most out of the conference: 

• Members of Local Education Committees, or members who would like to start their Local Education Committee
• Members of Local Communicatications Committees/Teams, or members who would like to start a Local Education Committee/Team 
• Local Union Communication Association (LUCA) reps, or members who would like to serve as LUCA reps 

Role of Education & Communication Committees

The purpose of the Region 6 Education & Communication Committee is to support coordination and planning between Locals/campaigns, to build skills in effective facilitation and communication that can be applied at the Local/campaign level, and to develop Regional strategies and plans for engaging higher and higher levels of participation. Additionally, for Locals who don’t have existing education and/or communications committees or LUCA reps, the Region 6 Education & Communication Committee is intended as a place for interested members to get support and information for starting their Local committees. 

Local committees can fill a number of important roles (in close coordination with Local leadership) for engaging stronger member participation: 

• Local Education Committees typically run skill-building trainings on topics such as grievance handling, bargaining, how to facilitate an effective meeting, preparing picket captains, etc. 
• Local Communications Committees/Teams and/or LUCA reps typically write newsletters and membership emails, build and maintain websites, maintain social media accounts, write op-eds and press releases, talk with media contacts, take photos, etc. 
• Together, Education and Communications Committees can develop strategic plans for supporting Local campaigns and organizing priorities, including by developing and sharing resources, pamphlets, graphics, toolkits, FAQs, etc.

Conference Travel & Logistics 

The conference will convene at 9:30am on Saturday, October 7 and end at 3pm on Sunday, October 8. Registration will take place from 8:30-9:30am on October 7. Delegates who are traveling from out of town are encouraged to arrange their travel to arrive in the late afternoon/evening on Friday, October 6, and depart after 6pm on the evening of Sunday October 8. 

The conference will meet at the UAW Region 6 Office in Pico Rivera, CA. Delegates from out of town should book their lodging at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles. No special rates apply. Expenses including lost time, travel, and per diem will be the responsibility of the Local Union. 

Registration is due Friday, September 22. Contact your Local for more information. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sam Sumpter at ssumpter@uaw.net.

In Solidarity,

Mike Miller
Director
UAW, Region 6