Setting Priorities at the First MCS Union Meeting of 2008

SEIU members from the Memphis City Schools chapter gathered for their first meeting of the year at the Teamsters Hall to look back on the victories we've had in 2007 and where we're headed next.

After opening remarks by Local President Doug Collier and the Local's Senior Representative Benny Goolsby, we met the new Organizer assigned to Memphis, Matt Brown (who's also a Memphis native).  Matt talked about the work that's being done in the schools and on the St. Francis campaign.  He also made a call for volunteers to help out on the organizing drive at St. Francis that will ultimately help build Local 205's strength in Memphis and Shelby County.

Mark Naccarato, the union's Political & Communications Coordinator, made the case for getting involved in the 2008 School Board elections that will see over half of the Memphis School Board up for election.  Several volunteers stepped forward to help develop a questionnaire that we will send to all the candidates and they agreed to conduct candidate interviews later in the year.  Mark also formed a Communications Committee which will be in charge of putting together a chapter newsletter and putting together a network to get information out to members quickly.  If you are interested in joining the Political or Communications Committees, please contact Mark.

There was also a great deal of interest in helping Habitat for Humanity on a building project and show the union's committment to helping out those in need in our community.  Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved in that project.

Thanks to all who spoke at and attended our first "State of the Union" meeting for 2008.