[OCTOBER 2020] Every two years, the TSEU General Assembly brings together elected delegates from every part of Texas to adopt our union’s political/legislative and organizing programs and to make the decisions that will guide us for the next two years.
Like many aspects of our lives these days, social distancing measures because of the COVID-19 health crisis resulted in some changes to our usual General Assembly. Our weekend-long, in-person convention was replaced by three separate online meetings held on Saturday, September 12th,19th and 26th. More than 150 TSEU members participated in this year’s General Assembly. Setting aside time for one weekend can be difficult; finding time on three consecutive weekends shows a level of commitment that is greatly appreciated and admired – Thanks Delegates!
Setting the agenda, making goals, preparing upcoming mobilization
[September 12] The morning session of the first day of General Assembly gave sector caucuses a chance to meet and adopt legislative goals specific to their issues; a summary of those and TSEU’s overall legislative agenda are listed below. Caucus meetings also gave members a chance to review the 2021-22 Legislative and Organizing Programs and offer suggested changes.
During the evening session, TSEU Treasure Samm Almaguer gave the TSEU Treasures’ Report prior to hearing from our keynote speaker for the night, US Congressional candidate Wendy Davis. This was followed by a series of TSEU workshops and other trainings – including seminars on organizing, election work/COPE, digital training – and an informal happy hour.
[September 19] Our second weekend of General Assembly consisted of geographic caucus meetings. In these meetings, we planned upcoming mobilizations (including Lobby Day), looked at organizing goals and took commitments for election work.
During the evening session, current ERS Board member Illesa Daniels introduced our 2020 ERS Board of Trustees candidate, Neika Clark, and discussed the importance of our pension system. Neika also addressed attendees directly. CWA District 6 Vice President Claude Cummings (always a crowd favorite) then gave a brief speech after being introduced by TSEU President Judy Lugo. That evening’s session ended with a Town Hall event hosted by our COPE committee. Panelists were candidates for: HD 108, Joanna Cattanach; SD 19, Rep. Roland Gutierrez; HD 138, Akilah Bacy; and HD 52, Rep. James Talarico.
[September 26] On our final morning of General Assembly, we had the presentation of agency/university and geographic caucus goals. As is the custom with every General Assembly, we also had a remembrance and moment of silence for members that had passed away since we last met. Before adjourning, delegates watched a short film of our last Lobby Day in 2019 created by TSEU Board Member Anne Lewis (UT Austin). We discussed our next Lobby Day coming up on Wednesday, April 7, and made plans to mobilize thousands to attend. With that, General Assembly 2020 was called to a close. While we would have preferred to be in-person, for our first, entirely online General Assembly, we accomplished our union’s business; thanks again to all who attended!