Union President Ron Nance, who represents some 48 South Coast Education Service District part-time employees, completed a four-day Presidents' Academy at the Salem Conference Center October 25-28.
The inaugural 'academy' attracted 40 union presidents, representing thousands of workers from throughout the state of Oregon. Chapter 114 members include mostly Instructional Assistants who work in the Adaptive Life Skills program.
"What an opportunity," Nance said. "Workshops included Communications, Organizing, Bargaining and more."
The Oregon School Employees Association invited all 139 state presidents to participate in Presidents' Academy. OSEA and American Federation of Teachers staff provided workshop training.