2026 Summer Leadership Academy

OEA's Summer Leadership Academy is a transformative leadership learning opportunity designed for newly elected local presidents, vice presidents, and bargaining or membership chairs seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge in leading their union. A key focus of the training will be on building bottom-up activism that helps members solve workplace problems through active engagement that builds a strong union in every worksite.  

Using presentations, case studies, panels and round-table discussions, the Academy will provide the opportunity to collaborate with your peers to increase the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as a local leader. Topics covered will include contract negotiations and maintenance, best practices for engaging and maintaining membership, communicating effectively, developing awareness of diversity in the membership, recognizing legal issues, honing leadership skills, running meetings, staying organized, managing time, accessing OEA resources and more. This series of sessions will allow local leaders with varied experience to come together to learn from one another in a relaxed environment. 

Agenda

Monday, July 27

11:30 am: Check in at OEA Headquarters

12:00 pm: Welcome and Lunch

1:00 pm-2:30 pm: Day One Breakout sessions 1, 2, 3 and 4

2:45 pm-4:15 pm: Breakout sessions repeat

4:30 pm-6:00 pm: Breakout sessions repeat

6:15 pm-7:15pm: Dinner (Onsite at OEA HQ)

7:15 pm: Optional Social Event (TBD)

Monday Breakout Sessions 

• Session 1: Successful Organizing Conversations 

  We will learn a structured conversation you can use to help move your coworkers towards a goal. We will practice talking to colleagues like human beings, so they aren’t left feeling their time was wasted with a gripe session. 

• Session 2: Getting Ready to Bargain (how to build a comprehensive contract campaign)

  How unions negotiate is a strategic choice. Seldom do union members experience the actual process of collective negotiations over issues that are crucial, urgent, and relevant to their own lives. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss how negotiations can be different from what has become the norm. We hope to start a robust conversation about collective bargaining: how it is practiced, how it can be improved, and how the practice and process of negotiations relate to power, union governance, and democracy.

• Session 3: Contract Enforcement & Grievances as Organizing Tools

  The gains we make at the bargaining table mean little without active contract enforcement.  This workshop equips grievance handlers with essential skills to understand, apply, and defend their collective bargaining agreement.  Learn how to identify violations, navigate grievance procedures effectively, and mobilize members to ensure the terms of your hard-won contract are upheld.

• Session 4: Member-Driven Communications

  Member-driven union communications prioritize two-way dialogues, peer-to-peer outreach, and active listening over top-down broadcasting. By utilizing localized rep structures, digital platforms, and continuous feedback, we can empower rank-and-file members to shape bargaining goals and mobilize for collective action.

Tuesday, July 28                                                                              

8:30 am: Welcome and Coffee at OEA

9:00 am-10:30 am: Day Two Breakout Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4

10:45 pm-12:15 pm: Breakout Sessions repeat

12:15-1:00 pm: Lunch (Foundation Information and Sign Up)

1:30 pm-2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions repeat.

2:45-4:15 pm: Keynote: Broke on Purpose — The Underfunding of Public Education in Oregon 

4:45-5:30 pm: Group Presentation: The Need for Revenue, OEA’s Plan to Win, and How You Can Support Our Coalition, Enrique Farrera, OEA President

5:30-6:30 pm:  Coordinated Bargaining in Oregon — What is it? What are the opportunities and challenges that present for us in Oregon? What is the current industry landscape?

6:45 pm-7:15 pm: Dinner (Onsite at OEA HQ)

Tuesday Breakout Sessions

• Session 1: Our Vision and Role as Leaders

  Understanding How the Pieces Fit Together, Our Roles, OEA Board Roles, Staff Roles, and How They Intersect 

• Session 2: Building Your Membership Recruitment Team

  How to Crush Your New Employee Orientations and OEA Tools to Support You

• Session 3: Treasurers' Training

  Get the information you need to perform the fundamental tasks of the local union treasurer. 

• Session 4: Bargaining for Health Care

  Understanding OEBB & Securing Strong Contracts

Wednesday, July 28                                                             

8:30 am: Welcome and Coffee at OEA

9:00 am-10:30 am: Day Three Breakout Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4 

10:45 pm-12:15 pm:    Breakout Sessions repeat

12:15-1:00 pm: Lunch

1:30 pm-2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions repeat

2:45-3:30 pm: Closing Remarks: The Year Ahead, Enrique Farrera, OEA President

3:30 pm: Training Concludes

Wednesday Breakout Sessions

• Session 1: Equity in Action

  A primer on OEA’s equity past and recent examples of successfully bargaining for equity in Our Schools

• Session 2: Issue-Based Campaigns from the Ground Up

  An issue campaign is a coordinated effort from co-workers to pressure their employer into making one or more changes at work. We will explore how we can use these campaigns to engage the membership and make positive changes for staff and students.

• Session 3: Leadership Development in Schools and on Campuses

  An organic leader is a co-worker who is trusted by other co-workers. Together we will learn to look for someone who is responsible, honest, compassionate, courageous, and a good listener. After you’ve identified a leader, they can form an organizing committee to support and educate others as they help workers make cohesive demands and a plan to win. 

• Session 4: Community Organizing

  Building Durable Coalitions Locally and Statewide to Deliver for Students