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leader this has to be a two way process – listening to people’s concerns and ideas to incorporate into
the organisational goals and that leadership can involve driving through unwelcome/difficult
changes within an organisation.
We debated the idea that if every member recruited one new member how it would double the
membership but questioned whether in reality that would be possible.
We understood that there is no perfect model for a trade union organisation as size; rule book and
industry amongst others play a part in our structures. We also need to ensure that our structure can
quickly adapt to change and evolves alongside the industry not dragging along behind it.
We developed some recommendations for this which included; embracing technology, utilise
resources we have and can access through our affiliations and other unions. Become proactive, not
waiting for forced changes to come in but look at what is likely to happen and prepare and plan for
those and future expectations.
The course looks at the role of management in depth, split into twelve modules with thirteen
assignments; it requires a commitment from the participants as it is at level 4 so research outside of
the course sessions in order to complete the assignments is needed as well as knowledge and access
of your own union’s policies. Having completed the course last year and passing I would strongly
recommend it to everyone. I really enjoyed looking at my own organisation through a different
perspective and identifying what aspects of traditional corporate business structure can be applied
to make our own organisations more efficient, whilst highlighting the similarities between our own
movement structures and corporate business ones. The best part of the course was the discussion
with others in attendance, looking at how different unions work, sharing best practice and ideas and
helping each other through the course.
If anyone wants any more information about the course please feel free to contact me!
Sarah Woolley
Bakers Food and Allied Workers’ Union.