It has been said that volunteering is its own reward. Yesterday I had a great volunteer experience that was fun, educational, and gave me great hope for the future. More below the fold...
My background is in labor relations, with experience representing both Unions and management. I am currently in practice as a mediator and arbitrator. At a recent labor/management function, I volunteered for a project sponsered by United Teachers Los Angeles and the L. A. Unified School District. This project is being duplicated in a number of schools across the district.
Ten adult volunteers (mostly Union reps and a couple labor lawyers) coached teams of four or five students through a mock negotiating process. The premise was well thought out. The management teams were given a budget they had to stay within. The Union teams were given the demands of their membership. The issues included wages, health benefit premium co-pays, a new holiday, hiring procedures, and child care.
What impressed me the most was how all the students, almost without exception, quickly picked up on the process, the stratagies, and the pitfalls involved in contract negotiations. The students really got into it, crunching numbers, making concessions when necessary, and working toward the goal of a reaching a new contract. These were some bright, motivated students (I had two 9th graders and two 11th graders).
Public education often gets low marks, sometimes for good reason. But what I saw yesterday was dedicated teachers trying to make a difference, busy Union people taking time out of their schedules to lend a helping hand, and motivated students who learned a something about the labor movement. As a bonus, we all had fun doing it. I already signed up for next year, and I committed to getting at least one additional volunteer. So, a little ray of sunshine invaded my busy week, and volunteering is its own reward.