www.afge.

org/MidWestRegion
www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

AFGE Brothers and Sisters,

As the National Vice-Presidents of the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Districts of the American Federation
of Government Employees (AFGE), we welcome you to Downtown Indianapolis and the Midwest
Regional Training.
This critical education event for leaders and union activists will be held on July 11 July 15, 2016, at
the Crowne Plaza in Indianapolis, IN. The travel dates for this event will be July 11th and July 15th, the
training dates will be July 12 14, 2016. Registration and complete conference information is available
online at www.afge.org/midwestregion.
Many exciting courses are scheduled to be offered at this Regional Training, including:
New Beginnings Performance Management System
YOUNG Organizing Unionist Training

Title 38


Litigation (formerly called Arbitration)
Health & Safety/Workers' Compensation

Collective Bargaining I - Legal Framework (CB1)

Financial Officers
Representation (formerly called Stewards)
New Leaders
Representational Communications

AFGE members who register before June 10, 2016 can take advantage of the early registration fee
of $225.00. Members who register after June 10, 2016 will pay a regular rate of $250.00. Registration
cutoff date is July 1, 2016. There will be no onsite registration.
Reservations can be made by calling Crowne Plaza Hotel at 1-877-227-6963 and stating that you are
with the AFGE group. The room rate for AFGE members is $107.00 per night (not including taxes).
So, please register today and call your District Office if you have any questions.
Yours in Solidarity,

www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

July 11-15, 2016 Midwest Regional Training

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
AGENDA
Monday, July 11

Function/Class

2:00 pm 7:00 pm

Registration

Tuesday, July 12
7:00 am 8:00 am

8:00 am 9:00 am

Breakfast
Registration (cont.)
Opening Session

9:00 am 12:00 pm

Classes

Representation

Collective Bargaining & Legal Framework

Financial Officers

New Leaders

Litigation

Title 38

Workers' Compensation / Health & Safety

New Beginnings Performance Management System

YOUNG Organizing Unionist Training

Representational Communications

12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00 pm 5:00 pm

Classes continue.

Wednesday, July 13

8:00 am 9:00 am

Breakfast

9:00 am 12:00 pm

Classes continue.

12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00 pm 5:00 pm

Classes continue.

Thursday, July 14
8:00 am 9:00 am

Breakfast

9:00 am 12:00 pm

Classes continue.

12:00 pm 1:00 pm

Lunch (on your own)

1:00 pm 5:00 pm

Classes continue.

Friday, July 15

Travel

www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING I - LEGAL FRAMEWORK (CB1)
Field Services and Education Department (FSED) - This course will assist AFGE members and leaders in
developing a working knowledge of their collective bargaining rights under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 71. Course topics
will include identifying collective bargaining roles and responsibilities under Title 5, defining key terms and
concepts, and evaluating common legal strategies for bargaining in the federal sector.

FINANCIAL OFFICERS TRAINING

Office of the National Secretary-Treasurer (NST) - Failing to comply with the constantly changing requirements of
the Department of Labor (DOL) and/or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will have catastrophic consequences
on your Local, Council, and/or on you personally. By law, both the president and treasurer are considered
financial officers-- both have personal liability. Both are responsible. You thought that was the bad news?
Heres the news no one wants to hear: the liability doesnt end when your term ends. If youre responsible at
the time of non-compliance, youre responsible whether youre an officer or not. Believe me, you dont want
to be on the receiving end of a letter assessing penalties of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five
years.
By the end of day one of this training, youll be relieved knowing exactly what duties and responsibilities youre
expected to uphold. For the remainder of the time, youll work with our team of trainers. Youll work using a
hands-on, step-by-step approach recording cash receipts, cash disbursements, reconciling accounts, and billing
for retired and direct pay members. Youll learn to use the customized reports that will simplify the completion
of your required IRS form 990 or DOLs LM and those developed for membership meetings. Finally, Id like to
congratulate you on becoming a financial officer. Youre now handling the most regulated money in the world-make sure you do it right. Note: Participants will use financial software program as part of the training. A basic
understanding of how to use a computer (i.e. using a mouse, disc drive, etc.) is recommended.

NEW LEADERS
Field Services and Education Department (FSED) - The New Leaders course is designed to equip new leaders
with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively lead their Local. Topics include a review of the legal and
fiduciary responsibilities of local officers, Hatch Act requirements, and labor/management forums.

REPRESENTATION

District National Representatives - New and experienced union representatives will benefit by taking this
course as it focuses on the primary duties and responsibilities of an AFGE shop steward. Concentrating on the
stewards role in solving workplace problems, this class will explore the legal framework for the AFGE stewards
job and will include an examination of the Federal Labor Management Relations Statute.

HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKERS COMPENSATION

Field Services and Education Department - The OWCP portion of the class will teach participants how to
represent bargaining unit members with workers compensation claims and include an overview of the
rules and regulations, the claims process, and the responsibilities of employees, supervisors and union
representatives. The Health and Safety portion is intended to promote worker and local union participation
in creating a safer and healthier work environment. This class focuses on member involvement as the key to
improving workplace health and safety. Participants will become familiar with OSHA regulations.

www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
LITIGATION (formally known as Arbitration)
General Counsel Office (GCO) - This class will focus on identifying and preparing winning arbitration cases and
learning the basic skills for presenting a hearing before an arbitrator.

TITLE 38
National Veterans Affair Council (NVAC) - Labor-management relations with Title 38 Veterans Health
Administration ("VHA") employees present unique issues that are not involved in standard Title 5 labor
matters. This course provides a working overview and practical guide to better understanding the complexities
of representing Title 38 VHA employees. It focuses on areas that union or other representatives of Title 38
VHA employees encounter throughout their representation of these employees and serves as a useful tool in
guiding you through the intricate and comprehensive issues that are faced in your representational roles.

YOUNG ORGANIZING UNIONIST TRAINING

Women's & Fair Practices Department (WFP) - AFGEs Young Organizing Unionist training is designed to
motivate and energize AFGEs young union members to be future leaders and activists for the labor movement.
This new training will give young activists and mentors an in-depth look at the importance of the modern
labor movement and AFGEs structure. As an added bonus, we have teamed up with the Communications
Department to provide training on how to most effectively use social media to attract and engage younger
members. Participants will learn how to be a Y.O.U.N.G coordinator, the duties, and responsibilities of being
a Y.O.U.N.G. coordinator, how to best reach other young workers in their locals, how to use platforms such as
Facebook and Twitter to engage younger workers, and how to build a union activist.

NEW BEGINNINGS PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DOD)

Field Services and Education Department (FSED) - This class covers what DoD employees need to know to be
successful within the framework of New Beginnings the new performance management system including:
responsibilities of employees and managers, rating levels, implications of ratings, and the role of Labor in
development of the system.

REPRESENTATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Communications Department - From desk drops to Instagram selfies, join the conversation on how union
members are connecting with audiences on-and-offline. This session, led by the AFGE Communications
Department, will cover communication strategy, tools, and best practices to educate and engage their
coworkers and others. The session will also delve into the must-have skills for creating and sharing compelling
stories that build knowledge and excitement about representational duties.
www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

Midwest Regional Training for Districts 6, 7, 8, and 9 July 11 - 15, 2016

REGISTRATION
Cost of registration is $225.00 before and including June 1, 2016.
Cost of registration is $250.00 after June 10, 2016.
Cutoff Date is July 1, 2016.
No onsite registration.
1

Online: Register online at www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

Mail: Attention Carolyn Williams, AFGE, 80 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Fax: 202.777.3070

Payment
May be made with a credit card (online only) or check / money order payable to AFGE
and mailed to Carolyn Williams at the address above. In the memo line, please write:
AFGE Midwest Regional Training.
Your payment must accompany the registration form in order for your registration to
be valid.
Refund Policy
Conference registrations cancelled before July 1, 2016 will be entitled to a full
refund. There will be no refund for cancellations made after July 11, 2016. Personal
emergencies, such as a death or serious illness, will be granted an exception on a case
by case basis as determined by the respective AFGE District office.
Hotel Accommodations
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis. Please
make your hotel reservations by calling 1-877-227-6963 and state that you are with
the AFGE group. The room rate for AFGE members is $107 per night (not including
taxes).
Any questions regarding registration should be directed to Carolyn Williams at
willic@afge.org or 202.639.6406.

www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

AFGE MIDWEST REGIONAL TRAINING DISTRICTS 6, 7, 8, AND 9

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis July 11 15, 2016 Indianapolis, IN

REGISTRATION FORM

(Please print all information)

First Name

(as it will appear on all your credentials)

Last Name

Local or Council (list either Local or Council, but not both, for your badge)

District

Home Address
City

State

Home/Cell Number

Zip Code

Personal E-Mail

Registration: Cost of Registration is $225.00 before and including June 10, 2016


Cost of Registration is $250.00, starting June 11th
Cutoff Date for registration is July 1, 2016
No Refunds after July 1, 2016

Registration options include:

1 Online: Register online at www.afge.org/MidWestRegion

2 Mail: Attention Carolyn Williams, AFGE, 80 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
3 Fax: 202.777.3070
Payment: May be made with a credit card (online only) or check/money order payable to AFGE and mailed to Carolyn
Williams at the address above. In the memo line, please write: AFGE Midwest Regional Training.
Your payment must accompany the registration form in order for your registration to be valid.
Refund Policy: Conference registrations cancelled before July 1, 2016 will be entitled to a full refund. There will be no refund for cancellations made after July 1, 2016. Personal emergencies, (such as a death or serious illness) will be granted
an exception on a case by case basis, as determined by the respective AFGE District office.
Any questions regarding registration should be directed to Carolyn Williams at willic@afge.org or 202.639.6406.
Please put an (X) beside your selection
Please put an X beside your selection (You may only choose one class for the duration of the training)

New Beginnings Performance Management System

Collective Bargaining I - Legal Framework (CB1)

YOUNG Organizing Unionist Training

Financial Officers

Title 38

Representation (formerly called Stewards)

Litigation (formerly known as Arbitration)

New Leaders

Health & Safety/Workers' Compensation

Representational Communications

*Please note: The above course offerings are subject to change.

www.afge.org/MidWestRegion