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.