From shaping public messages to building political power, this year’s Communications Training Academy and A. Michael Mullane Political Training Academy gave IAFF members the skills they need to strengthen their roles as union leaders.
Over the course of the week, 100 members from across the United States and Canada gathered at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, for the hands-on programs. Fifty members were selected for each.
At CTA, attendees sharpened their expertise in messaging, branding, media relations, and crisis communications. With instruction from IAFF Communications staff, Strategic Campaign specialists, and media experts, participants gained the tools to become subject matter experts and powerful advocates for their profession.
What’s really cool is to see the improvements in technologies that we use, and how the IAFF is really trying to deliver the newest things to ensure we’re meeting the needs of all of our members
Matthew Lowery, Strategic Campaigner
“What’s really cool is to see the improvements in technologies that we use, and how the IAFF is really trying to deliver the newest things to ensure we’re meeting the needs of all of our members,” said Matthew Lowery, a Strategic Campaigner and member of the inaugural CTA cohort in 2015.
Meanwhile, PTA prepared members to run for office or support campaigns and ballot initiatives. Participants learned from campaign professionals and IAFF staff about resource planning, fundraising, budgeting, voter targeting, direct mail, volunteer management, communications, and get-out-the-vote strategies. Attendees also received training on election laws to ensure campaign compliance at all levels of government.
Last year, I did the Political Training Academy – which wasn’t a minute too soon. Right after that, I was in Baton Rouge working on behalf of our Local and the New Orleans Civil Service Commission and those lessons came into play immediately.
Andrew Monteverde, Second Vice President of New Orleans Local 362
Andrew Monteverde, Second Vice President of New Orleans Local 362 has now completed both academies in recent years.
“Last year, I did the Political Training Academy – which wasn’t a minute too soon. Right after that, I was in Baton Rouge working on behalf of our Local and the New Orleans Civil Service Commission and those lessons came into play immediately.”
Monteverde was hopeful that he’d be able to supplement those skills learned at PTA to prepare himself to work with the press and develop effective media strategies and was satisfied with the results. The combination of learning from professionals and other classmates was invaluable to Monteverde. “There’s no replacement for the learning here and the networking opportunities that come with it.”
