For the past four years, Local 1001 Membership Secretary, Ken Kalamaha has worked on recruiting MAPE members at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) where he works as a compliance monitor for Special Education. Last May, MDE’s membership was just over 67 percent. It is now well over 74 percent and the worksite needs only three more fair shares to join up to hit their first goal of 75 percent membership.

When Ken talks with new employees and fair shares, he emphasizes the Access discount program that has helped him to save substantial dollars on vacations, as well as more day-to-day goods and services. Ken uses a variety of recruiting techniques, which are complemented by his years of work as a salesperson. Ken, a self-avowed extreme extrovert, emphasizes the fact that the difference between full and fair share dues works out to be less than two cents for each hour of work performed for the employer. He believes in the importance of “being part of something bigger,” and that union membership is one way to demonstrate pride in one’s work. Ken wants members to walk away with something tangible such as a MAPE ceramic coffee mug. Ken tries to find connections and looks for commonalities in people when he’s recruiting, and his light-hearted and humorous demeanor puts folks at ease.

Not only does Ken’s work help his worksite have a strong MAPE presence, but his recruiting efforts have also had the effect of contributing to a boost from under 65 percent last year this time for Local 1001 to its membership of 69 percent, as of February 2006. This is a huge accomplishment in a local that consists of more than 500 people!