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  7. Branch Leaders: October/November 2024

Branch Leaders: A strategic approach to branch building, 30 September, 1 & 2 October, 2024, & 28,29 November 2024 (two residential blocks), Quorn, Loughborough

This residential course is designed for those who take on a branch leadership role. The course will concentrate on techniques and strategies for developing a sustainable branch that encourages active member involvement. It will look at how you negotiate/consult with management, develop collective agreements, and communication with members.

Specialist courses

Applications for this course will close on 23rd September 2024

Region:National course - Residential
Course meeting dates:

Block 1:  30 September, 1 & 2 October 2024

Block 2:  28 & 29 November 2024

You must be able to attend both blocks 1 & 2. Please further ensure you have secured time off from your employer to attend.

Course meeting times

9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. plus one short online meeting between blocks

Course time commitment:3 day and 2 day residential block
Location:

GFTU Quorn grange hotel https://gftu.org.uk/quorn-grange-hotel/

Please note: Although this course will be run on a residential basis please state in the form below which nights you will need. There is limited capacity for the evening prior to the course so this will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Course content:

    This residential course is designed for those who take on a branch leadership role. 

    The course will concentrate on techniques and strategies for developing a sustainable branch that encourages active member involvement. 

    It will focus on: 

    • Bargaining with employers 

    • developing collective agreements 

    • communicating with members and 

    • growing your active membership base. 

    The course will give you the opportunity to; 

    • assess your current position, 

    • reflect on your own leadership, 

    • hear from specialists in a trade union setting, and 

    • put together a detailed plan for sustainable branch growth

    You will look at the intrinsic links between bargaining and organising, along with developing strategies for involving members at every level.  

    The course will be taught over two residential blocks with a mandatory branch-based project between each block. 

    Attendees will benefit from staff and peer support for the duration of the course and beyond.  

    Attendance at UCU Rep 1 or H&S 1, Equality reps or ULR 1 & 2,  is a pre-requisite for this course. Your application will not be considered if we do not have a record of your attendance on any of these courses.  

    Course numbers will be limited so please apply early if you want to attend. 

    Please note: If the course is significantly oversubscribed we will ask all applicants to submit a summary outlining how you believe the course aims will help you develop your branch and personal skills. 

    Course aims 

    This course will cover the following: 

    • Mentoring, coaching and supporting/developing/training of reps to ensure they can fully undertake their duties. 

    • Leadership in a trade union setting 

    • Strategic thinking, including campaigns, risk, messaging, media etc.  

    • Developing a branch narrative, vision, and language 

    • How the local, regional, national, economic, cultural, and political landscape affect how the branch functions 

    • How to promote a UCU vision to both the branch team/members and others of influence.  

    • Widening your influence within UCU and your local community 

    • Explore and develop the idea of stakeholder management in a trade union setting.  

    • What needs to change?  

    • Planning and executing a plan for branch growth, capacity, and majority building.  

    • Negotiating, organising and member involvement 

    • Working with management around collective agreements  

    • Organising and representing around casework 

    • Mobilising and organising why both are important. 

    • Member involvement - what does that mean for negotiating with the employer and organising. 

    • Developing a claim with member involvement 

    • Submitting a claim and negotiating with the employer on behalf of members 

    UCU courses are funded via members' contributions and public funding.

    Please see FAQs for information about travel, room bookings etc. UCU training FAQS

    Information Facility time

    Time off for training is a right and one which should be exercised as part of normal industrial relations. For more info please see  Facilities and time off for UCU reps.

    When you apply for a course we will assume you are making a commitment to attend the course as advertised, and have secured time off from your employer. Please contact your branch/devolved nation/regional office if you are having problems securing time off.

    Important Before you complete this form, please be aware:

    This is a residential course with attendance on UCU Rep 1 or H&S 1 a pre-requisite. Your application will not be considered if we do not have a record of your attendance on either UCU Rep 1, equality reps, ULR 1&2 or UCU H&S 1. 

    The cost of travel to and from the course venue along with full board will be covered by UCU.

    Although this course is residential, please let us know on the form below what dates you will require overnight accomodation. We have some capacity for people travling a distance for the night prior to each block, however this will be allocated on a first come first served basis as room bookings are limited.