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Workshop Materials
The IAFF extends its deep appreciation to all presenters who made the 2010 conference a success. Some speakers have made their presentation materials available to IAFF members who attended the conference.
Workshop topics covered:
Conflict Resolution
Basic Ingredients for Durable Settlements: High Levels of Procedural, Substantive and Psychological Satisfactions (4 hours – Sessions 5-6)
When we exchange promises, formally (through a contract or MOU) or informally, we expect all terms and conditions to be met. Unfortunately in interpersonal, as well as intra-and inter-organizational interactions, an unwelcome variable hovers over such agreements: “conflict aftermath,” i.e., everything does not work out as expected — indeed as promised. Thus, throughout each collective bargaining experience negotiators from all sides must be aware of the causes of “conflict aftermath” and be mindful of the essential ingredients that comprise fair, practical and lasting agreements. (Download Workshop Material)
Communication — Are You Listening?
(2 hours – Session 2)
Communication is a combination of active listening and getting others to listen to you. This workshop will help you develop the skills and understanding of how to really communicate to the most difficult people with fun practical exercises. (Download Workshop Material)
Making Lemonade Out of Lemons — Conflict vs. Arguments (2 hours – Session 1)
Whenever two or three are gathered in any community, there will inevitably be some form of dissention, difficulty or difference of opinion. Conflicts just happen. When the inevitable conflict surfaces, we need to deal with it so that it does not drain our energy, infect our whole life and sabotage our effectiveness. This workshop will introduce a method to help maintain healthy conflict that builds trust. (Download Workshop Material)
Mediation — Can You Mediate? (2 hours – Session 5)
Can you mediate? After this workshop, you will have an overview of the techniques needed to use in mediating everyday issues. A good mediator includes in their arsenal of tools active listening, creating problem-solving options and an understanding of the working styles of the parties involved. This workshop will expose you to mediation exercises that integrate theory and practice. (Download Workshop Material)
Success Through Cooperation — The Kansas City Story (2 hours — Session 4)
In Kansas City, a rocky relationship between labor and management has blossomed into a cooperative and mutually beneficial partnership. This workshop will present a historical perspective on labor-management and diversity issues focusing on the transformation, essential elements and early challenges and mistakes in developing a labor-management initiative. The Kansas City story emphasizes how beneficial a cooperative decision-making process can be during difficult economic times, and the importance of inclusion and “buy-in” from all affected groups.
(Download Workshop Material)
Cross-Generational Dynamics
Generational Conflict and Opportunities (2 hours – Session 2)
The fire service has always experienced generational conflicts, but circumstances today pose new challenges. Rapid advances in technology, different attitudes about privacy and social networking online, economic conditions that force older fire fighters to postpone retirement and thus stagnate advancement for younger workers — these are just some of the challenges that will be discussed. Small group activities and discussion will lead to creative approaches in handling generational conflict at every level.
Download Workshop Materials:
Understanding Generational Differences in the Workplace (2 hours – Session 3)
Today, there are four generations working side by side in the workplace. Each generation brings with it its own values and behaviors shaped by events and individuals that influenced them in their formative years. At times, these values and behaviors are in conflict with someone from a different generation at the workplace. This workshop will examine the four generations and the reasons why conflict exists among them. It also will provide a better understanding of the types of behavior and communications styles that work well when dealing with someone from a different generation. (Download Workshop Material)
Diversity
Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Fire Service: Promotional Task Force Report
(2 hours – Session 1)
A joint IAFC/IAFF Promotions Task Force was commissioned in 2007 to examine how promotional practices affect the integration of women and minorities in the fire service. Two years later, the task force has issued its final report. This session will provide an overview of the process, the prevailing themes — institutional, cultural, recruitment, hiring and promotional processes — that need to be addressed and the 29 recommended actions that can be implemented to achieve wider inclusiveness in the fire service. (Download Workshop Material)
Diversity Is Not Black and White (4 hours – Sessions 3-4)
Attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes about people who are different from us sometimes can be counterproductive. The way we perceive others is based on our own culture and values. Having an awareness of human differences that may affect our relationships is what will make our organizations more productive. The goal of this workshop is to improve each participant’s ability to work successfully with anyone, regardless of background, job status or any other difference, by developing respectful workplace self-management skills. (Download Workshop Material)
Diversity Leadership: Understanding Power and Privilege (4 hours – Sessions 1-2)
This dynamic, interactive workshop will provide participants with a broad understanding of diversity, with particular emphasis on power and privilege. Through introspection, discussion, visual media and participatory activities, workshop participants will examine their own backgrounds vis-a-vis diversity, share experiences, and discuss strategies in an effort to internalize diversity as a critical and core personal and professional value.
(Download Workshop Material)
Diversity Training That Works (2 hours – Session 3)
Diversity and inclusion are being discussed in all areas of life: society, government and the workplace. There is a need to make it practical and applicable to various workplaces to see the value. The world of fire fighting offers both unique challenges and opportunities. This interactive presentation will discuss the ways in which diversity and inclusion can enhance teamwork, on the job performance and community relationships by highlighting a diversity education initiative successfully implemented by the Chicago Fire Department.
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What’s Class Got to Do With It? (2 hours – Session 6)
This workshop explores an American taboo – class. Along with race and gender, issues of class threaten union solidarity and public support for our unions. Differences in our class of origin shape our views of the world and impair our working relationships within our union and our communities. Learn how the dynamics of class, assumptions we make, and language we use impede inclusion and cause conflict. By understanding differences of class, we can build a stronger union and improve community relations. (Download Workshop Material)
Harassment/Racism/Sexism
Challenging Racism and Sexism in the Fire Service (4 hours – Session 3-4)
Racism and sexism have predictable consequences. Fire fighters of color (women and men) and white female fire fighters feel isolated, demeaned, unsupported and white or male fire fighters feel confused, threatened with one critical result: no fire fighter performs her or his best. This interactive workshop examines the roots and realities of racism/sexism, white or male privilege and internalized oppression. How do sexism and racism show up in recruiting, training, at the station, on scene, in customer service? What actions can we take?
Download Workshop Materials:
Getting Along is Part of the Job: Practical Strategies for Eliminating Harassment Once and For All
(4 hours – Session 3-4)
Understanding the law is only the first step to eliminating workplace harassment. This workshop takes the discussion to the next level in defining a work environment that is not only harassment-free but truly inclusive, supportive and welcoming to those who are different. This session will discuss not only how to make a workplace more inclusive and professional, but why doing so is critical to your ability to work together as a team, make critical decisions and serve your community.
Download Workshop Materials:
Violence and Harassment in the Workplace: A Canadian Approach (2 hours – Session 1)
Events of violence and harassment in the workplace have led to the adoption of Workplace Violence and Harassment clauses by most Canadian provinces into their Occupational Health and Safety Acts (OHSA). Currently, harassment is covered under provincial Human Rights Codes. This workshop will address the ramifications of adding harassment to OHSA and provide an open forum to discuss other current human relations issues in the Canadian fire service.
Health/Safety/Wellness
CPAT: One Piece of the Health and Safety Puzzle (2 hours – Session 5)
It has now been over 10 years since the release of the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Program. Over 880 jurisdictions have successfully implemented this valuable program. In our ongoing effort to ensure that the CPAT is being used properly and only as intended, a formal licensing and data collection policy specifies the way in which this program can legally be used. This workshop will provide data to demonstrate the successes in this program, especially as a fair evaluation system for the selection of fire fighters to ensure that all fire fighter candidates possess the physical ability to complete critical tasks effectively and safely as well as providing for increased fire department diversity.
(Download Workshop Material)
Making It Work: Addressing Work/Family Issues (2 hours – Session 1)
When it comes to daily life — children, spouse, parents, job, house, car and everything else — challenges arise and responsibilities overlap. This workshop provides IAFF leaders with the tools to assist members in working out the issues between work and family through a collective bargaining agreement, advocacy or labor-management relations. Real scenarios on maternity leave, parental care, pregnancy, childcare and other issues are explored.
Work/Life Balance: Taking Charge through Self-Leadership (2 hours – Session 2)
Welcome to the current business reality — doing more with LESS! In tight economic times, things at work change rapidly, and it is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Without a doubt there are several factors that are out of our control that cause our motivation to diminish. This workshop will introduce Todd Duncan’s principles of Self-Leadership that lead to setting personal and professional goals, taking control of your life and staying “on top of your game.” (Download Workshop Material)
Wellness-Fitness Initiative — Implementation (2 hours – Session 6)
The Fire Service Joint Labor-Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) addresses the needs of the total individual in a program to build and maintain fit uniformed personnel. Fitness — physical, mental and emotional — requires an effective wellness program available to recruits, incumbents and retirees. This program offers a step-by-step approach to implement the WFI. Any fire department can use this process to evaluate a current wellness-fitness program or to design and implement a new program that meets the criteria identified in this initiative. Sample strategies and worksheets will be included to assist you with implementing the WFI in your organization. (Download Workshop Material)
Human Relations
Eliminating the Enemy Within Through the Fire Department Equal Opportunity Officer I and II Programs (4 hours – Session 3-4)
The workshop is designed for Human Relations Executive Board and local Human Relations Committee members who, upon completion, will have a clearer understanding of the human relations laws, regulations and executive orders that offer preventive and proactive approaches to human relations issues, as well as an introduction to basic mediation and awareness skills. Participants will also revisit the historic IAFF Labor Recruitment Program of the 1970s funded through the U.S. Department of Labor.
(Download Workshop Material)
Human Relations at the IAFF (2 hours – Offered Twice – Sessions 3 & 5)
The fire service is composed of professionals that represent numerous populations differentiated by age, race, ethnicity, gender, language, religion and sexual orientation, among others. First responders serve equally diverse communities. While our human relations efforts tend to focus on the diversity within the fire service, it is imperative to remember that by drawing on the strengths of our differences we can better serve those in our communities that do not fall into the majority. This session will provide an introduction to the path the IAFF has taken to build a record of human relations innovations that have improved not only the quality of the workplace for its members, but in turn, the service we provide to our communities.
Local Human Relations Committees: Getting Started
(2 hours — Offered Twice — Sessions 1 & 4)
The IAFF recommends that every affiliate establish a Human Relations Committee. It can assist locals in resolving conflict, sorting through the opportunities and challenges that diversity presents and developing a proactive strategy for change. In this session, you will explore strategies for developing your own committee. You will learn how to assess membership needs, develop long-term strategic plans, report your progress and devise strategies to fund your activities.
Local Human Relations Committees: Next Steps (2 hours – Session 2)
Once you have developed your committee, you are ready for action. In this workshop, you will learn how to assess membership needs, develop and carry out long-term strategic plans, report progress to key stakeholders and devise strategies to fund your committee’s activities. In addition, you will explore strategies for forming a cohesive team among committee members and learn how to keep them productive and energized.
Leadership
Another Workshop on “Leadership?” Ugh! — Value-Added Leadership
(2 hours – Session 6)
In the wrong context, leadership is a misguided (sometimes dangerous) and confusing mind game about what leaders should achieve. In the proper context, it is a carefully planned and thoughtout application of how to get results in a variety of organizational settings. This workshop will explore where “Leadership” fits into the four Organizational “Pillars” and why it is important to understand organizational dynamics in order to achieve the leadership excellence and results that all of us desire.
Download Workshop Materials:
Building a More Effective Union: Finding Talent and Enthusiasm for Union Leadership
(2 hours – Session 5)
Are we doing enough to identify and use the talents of our union members? Do we ask the same people to do more and more, or do we have a plan to engage different members? How do we find our own enthusiasm for successful union work and maintain balance in our personal lives? Explore using the strengths and talents of their union members to envision and realize a strong and powerful union for the future. (Download Workshop Material)
Overview of Membership Services (2 hours – Session 5)
This overview provides essential information for affiliate leaders to be effective in their roles. This course is ideal for novice affiliate leaders or seasoned veterans who want to refresh their skills. Overview of Membership Services examines the various IAFF departments/divisions and the services provided to members, as well as an understanding of the essential information all leaders should know about their state or provincial organizations.
Dimensions of Leadership Series
Dimensions of Leadership (2 hours – Session 3)
This workshop is designed to assist participants in better understanding their leadership qualities. During the program, you will complete a Dimensions of Leadership Profile to discover your leadership characteristics. You will learn how to capitalize on your strengths and use them in bargaining, team building or command situations. In addition, you will learn how to encourage other potential leaders within your local to contribute when a combination of skills are needed to complement your own.
Advanced Leadership: Principles of Leadership (2 hours – Session 4)
This workshop builds on the Dimensions of Leadership workshop by addressing leadership theory and application in day-to-day practical situations. You will address the concepts of leadership principles, micromanagement, change, leadership perspective and labor-management synergy using examples from corporate America.
Advanced Leadership: Conflict Resolution (2 hours – Session 5)
The third in the series of leadership workshops, this workshop will teach you how to become more effective in resolving conflicts. In this workshop, you will complete a profile that will allow you to see how others may perceive you during a conflict or disagreement. You will then move through a series of steps that will take you from judging others to valuing those who have differing opinions. Dimensions of Leadership and Advanced Leadership: Principles of Leadership are prerequisites for this workshop.
Effective Leadership: Strength, Purpose, Results (2 hours – Session 6)
This workshop is the fourth in the Dimensions of Leadership series. Participants will build on leadership fundamentals learned in the previous three workshops. This workshop will address the various circumstances affiliate leaders are faced with and the dynamics of the leadership relationship as situations, environments or contexts change. Participants will also focus on the importance of communication between leader and follower, particularly in extreme situations.
Legal Issues
Equal Employment Opportunity (2 hours – Session 4)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1965 together prohibit discrimination by employers on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Learn the basics of these EEO statutes and their application to fire and EMS departments. Specific attention will be put to recent cases and statutory amendments.
(Download Workshop Material)
Duty of Fair Representation (2 hours – Session 2)
As an affiliate leader, you may be subject to a legal standard known as “duty of fair representation” that governs how you represent your members in contract negotiations, grievances and other labor matters. In this workshop, you will study relevant case law to learn what is required of you, how the courts have applied this standard to local unions, the consequences of violating the standard, and best practices to avoid DFR lawsuits.
Overview of Employment Law (2 hours – Session 6)
This workshop will provide you with an overview of the employment laws that affect fire fighters and emergency workers. You will learn how the courts define harassment and discrimination in the workplace and how to respond to members who believe their rights have been violated. This workshop will help you better serve the needs of your membership.
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered
Confronting Homophobia and Transphobia in the Fire Service — What Are We So Afraid Of?
(2 hours – Session 5)
Why are many fire fighters — who willingly enter burning buildings — afraid to even talk about homophobia? How do homophobia and transphobia show up in recruiting, at the station, on scene or in customer service? How does homophobia enforce sexism? Homophobia is used to discredit all women in the fire service and discourages compassion and gentleness from male responders. This workshop offers concepts and skills to challenge this form of bigotry.
(Download Workshop Material)
Dealing With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in the Workplace
(2 hours – Session 1)
Has someone recently come out on the job as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT)? Do you hear homophobic remarks and not know how to respond? Are you prepared to respond to calls from LGBT citizens and be a compassionate advocate? Participants will discuss the emerging issue of LGBT people in the U.S., explore the legal landscape for LGBT workers, discuss ways to deal with homophobia and transphobia in the firehouse and learn how to effectively advocate for all citizens.
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