MAPE Elected Positions

Are you interested in running for a MAPE position, but not sure what it all entails? Below are descriptions for Delegates and Regional Negotiators. 

What is Delegate Assembly?

• Delegate Assembly (DA) is MAPE's highest governing body where important decisions are made on behalf of the union.
• Delegates gather at an annual meeting to discuss and vote on resolutions, that amend the governing documents, and approve the budget. 

What is a Delegate?

• Locals are allowed to send a specific number of Delegates to DA each year depending on how many members are in each Local.
• The Local President is an automatic Delegate.
• Board members and executive committee members are also automatically delegates as well. 

Why should I run for a Delegate position?

• You should run as a Delegate to make MAPE even better!
• If you want to impact how our union runs, what our priorities are and what we spend money on, then you should run to become a Delegate!
• The Delegate Assembly is where all the big decisions about how our union operates, that impacts all facets of our work.

How do I become a Delegate?

• Delegates are either elected or appointed.
• Delegates are elected during a spring special election each year.
• Anyone who runs and does not earn a seat can become an alternate. Alternates step in for Delegates who need to excuse themselves from the assembly for a short period of time or for the duration of DA. 
• If open seats remain after the election, Local Presidents can appoint members as Delegates or Alternates.

What are the responsibilities for Delegates?

As a Delegate, your votes represent your Local.

It is essential that you are well informed and able to keep your Local up-to-date on the important information that will be decided at Delegate Assembly.

Delegates must:

1. Accept their position and register for DA.
2. Attend a virtual Budget Forum to learn about the budget they will be voting on at DA.
3. Attend a virtual Resolution forum to learn about the resolutions they will be voting on at DA.
4. Review documents in the Portal in advance of DA. These documents include the agenda, standing rules, budget, resolutions and more.
5. Discuss the budget and resolutions with your Local in advance of DA.
6. Learn how to use Robert’s Rules at the Parliamentarian Training.
7. Report back to your Local about the votes you took at DA.

What is the time commitment for being a delegate?

Being a Delegate requires a time commitment.

Prior to the Delegate Assembly, plan on:

• attending four one-hour virtual forums/trainings.
• Review documents in the Portal
• Attend your Local meetings

Delegate Assembly is usually a day and a half.

Are there expenses associated with being a delegate?

• Lost time is available for members if DA lands on a work day.
• Travel expenses and hotel expenses are covered (if required).
• Reach out to your Local President for specific details.

Why should I get involved?

• MAPE is only as strong as the members who participate. 
• With your participation and consideration for the duties involved in being a delegate, you are making MAPE a stronger and more powerful union. 

Questions?

Are you interested or have more questions?

Reach out to your Local President.

Find their contact information at: https://mape.org/find-your-local

Do you have ideas to improve our union?

Do you want to make your work environment better?

Do you want to get better pay?

Do you want to make sure healthcare is affordable?

Then, we want you to run for your Regional Negotiator!

What is a Regional Negotiator?

Bylaws, Article VI, Section 10

Each region shall elect a member to represent the region on the statewide negotiations committee in a special election called by the statewide elections committee at the start of a new negotiations cycle, on a date set by the board of directors.

The elected members shall, to the extent possible, reflect various aspects and interests of the members of the unit.

Should a vacancy occur on the committee the local officers of the region shall select a replacement from the affected region’s membership. 

Responsibilities

• Attend Negotiation Statewide Team meetings at MAPE central.
• Bring forward ideas and proposals from your region.
• Build your region’s Contract Action Team.
• Provide regular updates to your region.
• Represent your region during bargaining with MMB.
• Turnout members from your region to participate in actions.

Time Commitment

Being elected a Regional Negotiator will require a big time commitment.

The Negotiation Team will begin meeting in late 2024 to prepare for the opening of bargaining in April 2025. 

Bargaining usually continues through June or July.

Other ways to get involved

If you choose not to run, or run and do not win, you can still be involved in Negotiations on a Contract Action Team!

Reach out to your Regional Negotiator.