Niagara District CUPE Council School Information
Fall School 2025
Saturday, Sept 27th & Sunday, Sept 28th
Registration link: https://cupe.ca/mrm-union-education/event/9336
Default Stream – Local Executive Training 1
LET – Good Meetings – Sep 27, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm)
Have you ever sat through a meeting, either as a participant or a facilitator that you knew could be more focused, efficient, inclusive, or effective? We use Bourinot’s rules of parliamentary procedure to make important decisions in a way that is fair. But sometimes a different kind of conversation is needed to be inclusive and build our movement. In this workshop, executive members learn a how to find and lead the right process for the work that needs to get done. Parliamentary procedure is an important part of our democratic process in CUPE. Some conversations are better had using other approaches. How do you decide when parli-pro is needed and when another approach could help? Build your facilitation skills for supporting effective and inclusive discussions, learn and practice some processes that you can use in your day to day work.
LET – Conflict-Ready Executives – Sep 28, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm)
In this workshop, participants will explore: – The value of conflict for effective groups – How our beliefs about conflict shape how we respond – The kinds of conflict executives struggle with – Productive ways to resolve conflict on an executive
Stream 2 – Solidarity with Indigenous Workers & Essentials for Inclusive Unions
Pre-requisites: Introduction to Stewarding
LET – Essentials for Inclusive Unions – Sep 27, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm)
As activists in our unions, we often ask why members are not more involved. This workshop asks a different question: Who is involved and who isn’t and what might be some reasons why? How might our unconscious biases contribute to this? How can we represent members in a way that invites those on the margins to get involved and to see the union as place where they want to make a difference?
SLS – Solidarity with Indigenous workers – Sep 28, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm)
Learn about Canada’s history of colonialism, engage in some myth-busting, and explore ways you can build solidarity with Indigenous workers and support reconciliation in the workplace.
Stream 3 – Parliamentary Procedures
LET – Parliamentary Procedure – Sep 27, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm) & Sep 28, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm)
This workshop is about following rules of order when chairing union meetings. Learn about the role of the chair and the different elements (motions, amendments, points of order, etc.). Get a chance to put the learning into practice. NOTE: Please bring a copy of your local bylaws to the workshop.
Stream 4 – Introduction to Stewarding & Notetaking
Introduction to Stewarding – Sep 27, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm)
What does a CUPE steward do? If you are a new steward and want to learn how to help CUPE members solve workplace problems, this introductory workshop is for you! In this workshop, you will learn: investigating workplace problems; filing a grievance; meeting with management; dealing with workplace complaints. NOTE: Please bring a copy of your collective agreement to the workshop.
SLS – Notetaking – Sep 28, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm) Pre-requisite: Introduction to Stewarding
Why do I have to take notes? What kind of notes should I take? Are my notes private? Learn answers to important questions like these, and practice notetaking.
Stream 5 – Local Executive Training 2
LET – Financial Essentials – Sep 27, 2025 (9:00am-4:00pm)
This workshop is for all members in an elected position within the local union. Whether you are a trustee or a member of the executive, learning about the basics of the local union’s finances is a priority. In this workshop, you will learn about your duties regarding the finances of the union, budgeting and how to be transparent and accountable to members. NOTE: This workshop is a pre-requisite for Secretary-Treasurers and Trustees wishing to take LET – Financial Officers.
LET – Secretary-Treasurer Orientation (OLS) – Sep 28, 2025 (9:00am-12:00pm)
This online workshop will help newly-elected treasurers learn about the basics of the local union’s finances. You will learn about your duties regarding the finances of the union, keeping the books, and how to be transparent and accountable to members.
JOIN US!
Location: Brock University International Centre, 573B Glenridge Ave, St. Catharines, Ontario
Workshop cost: Affiliate: $90 or Non-affiliate: $115 (Lunch is provided). If you have dietary restrictions, please contact us for more information: infondcc9102@gmail.com
Payment information: Your registration is not final until payment is received. If payment is not received within 7 days, your seat will be released.
Please mail payment to:
Niagara District CUPE Council
2601 Hwy #20 East, Unit 1
Fonthill, ON. L0S 1E0