Chapter Building and Action Strategies

Here is how at works at many (though not all) colleges and universities. If your faculty has no role in setting goals for salary and benefits, perhaps procedures on your campus should be changed. A standing committee of the faculty senate is charged with “negotiating” compensation with representatives of the administration. The members of the committee work assiduously in assembling and …

Chapter and conferences communicate via a variety of means—member newsletters, media releases, flyers, Web sites. Factors such as the intended audience, main message, and how fast the information needs to arrive dictate the choice of form. At the same time, keep in mind the probability that your newsletter, e-mail, or flyer will …

This memorandum reviews current law on chapter (non-collective bargaining) access to campus mail. In the end, college and university administrations are permitted to carry non-collective bargaining faculty organization mail. Below is an overview of U.S. Postal Service statutes and regulations affecting internal campus mail. This memorandum, prepared by the AAUP legal office, does not provide binding legal advice; should you …

1. Never forget who you are. Although we often join for reasons of immediate self-interest, we should continually remind others and ourselves that we are part of a special mission.  We are principled professionals who care.  We have an elegant  tradition dating back to John Dewey, who also …

Be proactive.  It’s imperative that we, as professionals, see beyond the crisis that often stimulate the formation of local chapters.  We can spearhead positive leadership in our colleges or universities. Be an academic leader.  Although we sometimes join AAUP chapters for reasons of immediate self-interest, we …

A list of ways to keep your local AAUP chapter alive and thriving, written by Debra Nails

Why Coalitions on Campus? Practical Tips for Coalition Building An Organizing Scenario, by Richard Moser

As in any chapter activity, the task of the membership drive is twofold: 1) to accomplish a concrete goal – for example, to increase chapter membership by a certain number, and 2) to build a stronger organization. To begin …

Everyone can lobby and should consider doing so. You are a constituent. Legislators need you as much or more than you need them. Your opinion counts but only if they know it. Lobbying activity can backfire and hurt your case if not appropriately done. Provide facts and reasons in a civil manner without being argumentative or insulting.