What the job entails

Nov 2, 2006 4:45 PM

The job of chapter leader entails a great many responsibilities. The most effective chapter leaders are great communicators, problem-solvers and organizers in their building. They receive support from district representatives and other UFT officials.

The responsibilities of a chapter leader include:

• Holding at least six regularly scheduled chapter meetings each year.
• Forming a chapter consultation committee that meets monthly with the principal and then reports the results to the chapter.
• Representing all chapter members in informal resolutions of problems with the administration and in grievances.
• Attending the Delegate Assembly, district and citywide chapter leader meetings and divisional meetings.
• Explaining the union’s positions to staff and telling them about union meetings, programs and activities.
• Serving as a resource for members about pensions, health coverage and other matters.
• Producing a chapter newsletter, maintaining the UFT bulletin board and disseminating UFT materials via members’ mailboxes.
• Working with parent groups.
• Ensuring that the contract is enforced and implemented at the school level and members’ rights and benefits are protected.
• Leading the chapter in discussion, development and implementation of educational policies in the school in accordance with union policy.
• Explaining the union’s political action activities to the members and collecting VOTE/COPE check-off cards.
• Attending training sessions.

Rights contractually guaranteed to a chapter leader include:

• Access to the school information they need to perform their duties.
• Official time off to represent members.
• Appropriate space and facilities to carry out their duties.