wdp volunteer orientation

Welcome toVOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONTuesday, May 03, 2016 | Workers Defense Project

What Will I Learn Today ?

1. WDP OVERVIEWWDP History, Why Construction?Local Victories, Texas Victories

2. PROGRAM AREASAET, ELS, RAP, Voter Engagement

3. VOLUNTEER IMPACTWe Need You! Ongoing Opportunities

by Program, One Time Opportunities

4. NEXT STEPSRequired Forms, Screening/Matching,Meet Your Supervisor, First Day Checklist, First Month Check-In

1. WDP OVERVIEW

▪ WDP History▪ Why Construction?▪ Local Victories▪ Texas Victories

WDP History (2002-Present)

2006Formally became an independent organization

2010Acquired 5604 Manor Road

2012Opened our Dallas office

2002Started out of Casa Marianella to address wage theft

Why Construction?

DangerousWorking ConditionsMore construction workers die in

Texas than any other state.

DangerousWorking Conditions

1 in 5 reported suffering a workplace injury that required

medical attention.

DangerousWorking Conditions

60% reported having never received safety training

Unjust WagesMore than half of surveyed

construction workers receive poverty level wages

50% NO OVERTIME71% NO BENEFITS78% LACK HEALTH INSURANCE22% DENIED PAYMENT

OSHA History (1970-Present)

1978OSHA creates New Directions Grant Program

1997New Directions renamed to Susan Harwood Training Grant Program

2012Worker Centers like WDP, IWJ, NDLON, etc. receive Harwood grants

1970Congress passes the OSH Act and creates OSHA

Austin now requires all employees on city sites to receive the OSHA 10 hour safety training

Austin now requires paid rest breaks for the city’s 50,000 construction workers

Austin now requires prevailing wage, workers compensation, and safety training on all projects that receive incentive funds from the city.

Local Victories

Texas Victories

● Texas employers may no longer avoid criminal theft of services charges by making a minimal payment to their employees.

● Texas employers may no longer avoid fines when caught misclassifying employees on state contracts - protecting not only construction workers - but all workers employed by state contractors.

● The Texas construction industry is now subject to a 60% increase in safety inspections, saving countless lives across the state.

Questions & Comments

2. PROGRAM AREAS

▪ Adult Education & Training▪ Employment & Legal

Services▪ Research & Policy▪ Voter Engagement

Adult Education & Training

Membership Development

ESL Courses

Computer Classes

OSHA-10 and OSHA-30 Safety Training

Leadership Institute

Employment & Legal Services

Workers Rights Education for workers

Workers Rights Education for employers

Wage Recovery

Injury Assistance

Discrimination Case Assistance

Research & Policy

Policy and Strategic Industry Research

Grassroots Organizing and Leader Development

Community and Media Outreach on Labor issues

Collaboration w / others committed to Fair Labor standards

Voter Engagement

The Workers Defense Action Fund 501(c)4 seeks to build a long- lasting infrastructure that will engage working Texans in the electoral and legislative campaigns that affect their lives.

WDAF engages historically underrepresented voters through:

Education in Voter ID law and Voter Registration process

Education in finding and contacting their representatives

Block Walking and Phone Banking

Questions & Comments

3. VOLUNTEER IMPACT

▪ We Need You! ▪ Ongoing Opportunities

by Program ▪ One Time Opportunities

To date, WDP has achieved the following, through direct service, grassroots organizing and advocacy - done by people just like you!

200Graduated over 200 immigrant workers

from Leadership Institute

6Signed 6 landmark agreements with Austin developers

1,143,000Recovered

$1,143,000 in back wages through legal

and direct action

60,000Won paid rest breaks for Austin’s 60,000

construction workers.

AET needs volunteers to help empower those who have experienced injustice to lead social justice movements, by serving as:

Member Outreach Volunteers

ESL Instructors and Tutors

Computer Class Assistants

English Partners

Adult Education & Training

RAP needs volunteers to engage members in organizing campaigns that encourage their leadership development, by serving as:

Tuesday Night Organizers

Researchers

Database and Info Maintenance Assistants

Research & Policy

Development needs volunteers to assist WDP with individual and foundational fundraising, by serving as:

Grant Writers and Editors

Event Coordinators

Donor Appreciation Assistants

Daytime Sponsor Outreach Assistants

Development

Communications needs volunteers to reach members, donors, and more volunteers (in print and online) by serving as:

Social Media Gurus

Graphic Designers

Phone Bankers

Translators

Communications

One Time Opportunities

NOV 19-21Pilgrimage for Immigrant Families: Volunteers will call members and friends of WDP to invite them to the Pilgrimage. During the event, they will assist with logistics, childcare and photography.

NOV 18English Partners Night: Volunteers will join students in our ESL classes to practice basic conversation in English.

DEC 12Fiesta Navidad: Volunteers will beautify WDP campus in preparation for the most festive member-event of the year! During the event, they will assist with logistics, childcare, and photography.

NOV 07Eastside Community Harvest Fest: Volunteers will support AET staff in member outreach at this resource fair geared toward families.

Questions & Comments

4. NEXT STEPS

▪ Required Forms ▪ Screening/Matching▪ Meet Your Supervisor▪ First Day Checklist▪ First Month Check-In

Step 1

Required FormsRegistration Form - Be as specific about your skills and interests as possible. Confidentiality Agreement

Step 2

Screening/MatchingThe Volunteer Coordinator will review your Registration form and determine the Program of best fit.

Step 3

Meet Your SupervisorOnce matched, Program staff or Director will contact you directly, to schedule your first day!

Step 4

First Day ChecklistDO bring your photo i.d., personal computer or notebook.DON’T bring a suit n’ tie.

Step 5

First Month Check-InAfter your first month of service, the Volunteer Coordinator will write to see how you’re doing.

Welcome toVOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONTuesday, November 03, 2015 | Workers Defense Project