The Social Mapping Implementation Task Force

The Social Mapping Implementation Task Force has begun its plans for implementation of the social mapping Phase II recommendations. Phase II of the project examined the education and election membership systems at OPSEU.

Background

Passed by the Executive Board in June 2011, the Implementation Task Force was created to develop detailed and well-supported plans for implementation of the recommendations emerging from the review of OPSEU membership systems.

The main focus of the Task Force was to determine the following:

• recommendations that should be given priority;

• the actions required for implementation that will ensure that the changes are durable and permanent;

• proposed timelines for implementation;

• development of key motions, resolutions or other documents to action required changes;

• a communication plan to ensure that measures are understood, accepted and acted upon;

• a comprehensive implementation plan.

Implementation Plans to Date

Since September 2011, the Implementation Task Force has created an overall framework for implementation and has proposed general timelines for implementation. As a part of this work, the Task Force also identified recommendations that could be implemented in the short-term. More than one third (19 of the 47) of the Phase II recommendations were identified for short-term implementation.  Of those many will be implemented by Convention 2012. The task force has also created several key motions, resolutions, and recommendations in consultation with Equity Committees and Caucuses and internal OPSEU departments to address the short-term implementation goals. Look for a final report of the short-term implementation plan in April, 2012.

For more information on the Implementation Task Force Committee Members

Social Mapping Phase III Recommendations

The Phase III report of selected membership systems is almost complete. Phase III of the social mapping project focused on review of three membership systems—communications, bargaining and organizing. Information about the key findings and recommendations from the report will be available in April 2012.

Phase II Report Complete

The final report from phase II of the Social Mapping Project is complete. Containing a list of 45 recommendations, the report is designed to help OPSEU build a stronger union that understands and responds to the membership in its full diversity.

Here are some of the key findings:

• Good equity policies on the books but few mechanisms in place to monitor enforcement.

• A lack of equity structures at the local level and in the regions reduces the ability to attract new members into union activism.

• Little focus on workplace-based equity issues.

• Difficult for members to participate in education and meetings where long distances were involved.

• OPSEU website is difficult to navigate; important messaging opportunities are lost.

• Activism in the locals is rewarded yet equity activism is not.

• Leadership does not reflect the general membership, particularly youth, racialized members and women.

Click here for a copy of the Executive Summary.

The Membership Committee will be making a timed presentation at Convention 2011 on the results of Phase II.  

The “Report on Selected Membership Systems” has been sent to the Executive Board.  The Board will review the recommendations and create an implementation plan.  Reports on the results of any planning and implementation will be published as soon as that information becomes available.   

Phase One, a demographic survey of our membership, was completed in early 2010. Click here for the Executive summary of the Membership Survey Report.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact the Equity Unit at equity@opseu.org.

Check the website for further updates and information.