AFT-Oregon is pleased to invite nominations for local awards for 2025. This year those recognized for their extraordinary service to their local, the state federation, or the labor movement in general will also receive a monetary award of $250. The awards will be announced at the AFT-Oregon Convention on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Nominations must be postmarked or time stamped by midnight March 17, 2025.
Nominations may be submitted by individual members, locals’ Executive Councils, the AFT-Oregon Executive Council, advisory councils, and/or local and federation staff. Priority in consideration will be given to nominations from local leaders and members. Nominees must be a member in good standing for at least one year of a local affiliated with AFT-Oregon. Membership must be current at the time of nomination.
The list of awards with descriptions are below.
Organizer(s) of the Year
This award honors one or more local member(s) who have gone above and beyond in organizing their union and/or community. Activities that merit consideration include, but are not limited to:
- Taking a leading role in developing and/or carrying out an effective workplace or community campaign
- Increasing membership density and activation through membership drives, organizing conversations, etc.
- Excellence in developing and/or teaching workshops for membership, and leading steward or general member meetings.
This person understands the importance of building collective worker power, and of solidarity through direct action.
Excellence in Activism
This award honors one or more local member(s) who have put their heart and soul into improving the conditions of their fellow workers through social justice activism. This person has developed or taken a leading role in executing campaigns to fight inequity, discrimination, and/or harassment in their workplace or community, and/or has advanced our labor movement to be more inclusive, just, diverse, and/or accessible. This person builds coalitions, brings people in, and educates tirelessly in the spirit of solidarity.
Empowering Leader(s)
This award honors one or more local member(s) in a position of leadership within their local. This person has served as an effective mentor to empower, support, and train new or incoming union leaders. This award recognizes the vital need to keep building collective power among workers through effective leadership; to pass the torch with grace and lead by example; and to invest in our fellow unionists. This person exemplifies the values of democratic unionism in words and actions. Consideration of any local leader who has contributed substantially to the health of the local, either through long-term service or particularly impactful service, is encouraged.
New Leader(s) of the Year
This award honors one or more up-and-coming leader(s) who have stepped up to support their fellow members. No prior experience in leadership is required! Any recently elected or appointed union leader or member who exemplifies leadership in another capacity, merits consideration if they’re doing great work and the local wants to recognize their efforts and empower them to continue developing their voice as a leader.
Solidarity in Action Award
This award honors one or more organization(s) or community groups who have shown up for our locals. Fellow locals and other labor unions are also eligible for this award. The award winner(s) will have shown dedication and commitment to collective bargaining, direct action, organizing efforts, or long-term power building with an AFT-Oregon local(s).
Applications must be postmarked or time stamped by midnight March 17, 2025.
Please email nominations to Alex Vuilleumier at: alex.v@pccffap.org
Or mail to:
AFT-Oregon Scholarship Program
10228 SW Capitol Highway
Portland, OR 97219
For additional information, please contact Susan Watters at susanw@aft-oregon.org or 1-971-888-5665.