Discussion attracts large audience

Council 2’s weekend agenda for the State Executive Board meeting, held in Yakima October 27-28, included a round table discussion and workshop on “Preventing Violence – How Union’s Can Help.” The Women’s Action Committee was pleased to have Cathy Collette, of the Afscme Women’s Rights Department, chair the forum.

Additional chairs were added to the table to accommodate the larger than expected attendance. This was the first presentation of this workshop for Council 2 members. Cathy indicated her network of resources on this subject continues to grow with each presentation.

The round table discussion was not your average run-of-the-mill workshop. It was a forum in which participants exchanged ideas and discussed past experiences as to what works and what doesn’t.

In addition to the discussions, a number of publications were distributed to assist in dealing with this rising problem for our members.

Cathy commented to the group that she continually expands the presentation with current study data and information. The presentation is ever-evolving due to the increased violence our members deal with in their daily lives.

Those in attendance conveyed very positive comments about the workshop. The Women’s Committee hopes to make another presentation available to the membership during the State Convention in 2001.

— T. Kae Roan, Staff Representative, Pasco Office