All SHARE members should receive a postcard at home announcing that the 2016 nominations are open for SHARE Representatives and SHARE Executive Board.

Our union is built on every member having a voice at the workplace. And the union's strength lies in the active participation of its members!

There are lots of ways to participate: coming to union meetings, giving your input, reading the blog, keeping in touch with coworkers, signing petitions, asking questions and getting involved in SHARE elections!

SHARE members can nominate themselves or nominate other SHARE members to become a SHARE Area Representative or a member of the SHARE Executive Board. Nominations are now open and all nominations must arrive at the SHARE office by noon Wednesday, October 19th, 2016.

SHARE Area Representatives (or Reps) are members who volunteer to help with communication – building community and making sure that every SHARE member knows someone who is active within the union. Reps are elected for one-year terms, but can serve multiple terms. Ideally, we would like Reps in all departments. To guarantee one union Rep for every 50 SHARE members, we are expanding the number of positions.

The open Rep positions are: 10 for the main campus, 8 for South Street, 5 for CCU and 3 for all offsite locations combined. Extra volunteers are always welcome. **NOTE: Current SHARE reps who wish to continue as Reps must also be nominated.

SHARE Executive Board Members (or E-Board Members) have responsibility for the whole union. E-Board Members participate in contract negotiations when they are happening, and make decisions about the direction of our union. E-Board meetings happen once a month for 2 hours (release time from work has been negotiated for E-board members to attend).

This year 4 Executive Board Members will be elected for 2-year terms: Vice President, Treasurer and two at-large Executive Board members.

To run for Rep or E-Board Member you must be nominated in writing, either by a co-worker or by yourself. You must also have been a dues-paying SHARE member for at least the last 6 months.

What to include in your nomination:

the name, department and phone number of the person you are nominating
the position for which you are nominating them
your name and phone number

You may send an email to share.elections@theshareunion.org or fax nominations to the SHARE office at 508-929-4040, but it is a good idea to call to confirm that your nomination arrived. The phone number at the SHARE office is 508-929-4020.

After the close of the nomination period, all nominees will be given the opportunity to decline the nomination. If they do not decline, their name goes on the ballot. If there are more candidates than positions, we will hold an election on Wednesday, October 28 2015; times and locations for voting will be mailed to all SHARE members.

If you want to talk about what it would be like to be a SHARE Rep or to be on the Executive Board, or if you have questions, please call Andrea at the SHARE office (508-929-4020 ex. 29) or talk to someone you know who is involved with SHARE.