Women’s Committee Program Ideas
Successful AFSCME women’s committees around the country have sponsored a wide variety of programs and activities, including the following:
- Conferences of one or two days with speakers and workshops.
- Education programs set up separately or in conjunction with other union events or meetings.
- Women’s breakfasts at conventions.
- Activities focused on women which support the union priorities (e.g., fighting privatization or organizing).
- Presentations in schools about unions.
- Annual awards dinners recognizing outstanding contributions to women’s rights.
- Monthly or quarterly newsletters with updates on local, state and national women’s issues and events.
- Columns on women’s issues in general union publications or newsletters.
- Potluck suppers with speakers or films or for project planning.
- Women’s health fairs.
- Fundraising activities such as raffles, special events or sales (buttons, T-shirts, etc.).
- New member information packets containing council and International brochures, a copy of the contract and material on the women’s committee.
- Union office displays on women’s rights and women’s history; displays can also be done in conjunction with local libraries or women’s centers.
- Activities around special events such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), Breast Cancer Awareness Month (also October), or Women’s History Month (March).
- Research, analysis and advocacy on specific issues (e.g., sexual harassment, child care, pay equity).
- Joint projects with the Political Action Committee such as:
- Lobbying and advocacy on state or federal legislation of interest to women—pay equity, family and medical leave, more funding for after-school care and child care programs, etc.;
- Voter registration or political issue education programs targeted at women; and
- Petition drives on issues (such as support for state pay equity legislation).
- Lobbying and advocacy on state or federal legislation of interest to women—pay equity, family and medical leave, more funding for after-school care and child care programs, etc.;
The AFSCME Women’s Rights Department can provide further information or assistance with any of these ideas, or help committees develop new programs.