Becoming a United Way Campaign Associate changes your understanding of community and your role in creating change for others. Just ask Vancity’s Zahra Damjanovic. “I didn’t know how much the labour movement is instrumental in championing human rights causes, not just for their members, but for all people,” Zahra says. It wasn’t until Zahra became a Campaign Associate that she gained a better understanding of the importance of unions to our society. Now she’s full of passion and commitment. “Thanks to my experiences at United Way British Columbia, I am holding my fist high in the air with pride and solidarity.” Since her United Way experience, Zahra has become more active in her union, the BCGEU, as well as in her own workplace. Every year, unions support United Way by selecting or endorsing a member to join the Campaign Associate Program for 16 weeks from September to December. These Campaign Associates become champions for United Way working closely with United Way staff and volunteers in unions and workplaces. Union members who participate in the program return to their unions, workplaces and the labour movement with new skills, increased connection to the community and a passion for social change. “I learned more about matters of economic, human rights, and health and safety injustices and I saw how unions worked together collectively to genuinely fight for what is right. This fired me up,” Zahra says. She has gone on to become a shop steward and a delegate for the BCGEU’s upcoming Convention and Equity and Human Rights Conference. Stephen Baldin was a Labour Campaign Associate sponsored by CUPE 23 and the City of Burnaby who spent his time at United Way helping unions fundraise as part of the CLC Labour Participation Department at United Way British Columbia. “Getting to work with different sectors’ unions, for me was really one of the more interesting parts of my time with the United Way. I was able to learn how different unions operate and how we all share very similar challenges,” Stephen says. Stephen was able to make connections with like-minded Union Executives, staff and members within the movement that will benefit his local for years to come. Want to expand your horizons and learn more about your union and our community? Become a Labour Campaign Associate this fall. Contact Carlos Carvalho, Labour Staff Representative, CLC Labour Participation Department at United Way British Columbia at carlosc@uwbc.ca or via telephone at 604-294-8929 ext. 1307.
Topics : Uncategorized