S-T Talk November 2023

S-T Talk

CWA DUES:

Remember that December is a short month for Headquarters, so the 2nd settlement will be about a week after the first one - then nothing until Jan 15, 2024. Please plan your cash flow and spending accordingly.

CWA COPE/COMPLIANCE:

COPE Contributor Report

The COPE Contributor Report for August 2023 Payroll Deduction Month is now available in the 'Reports' section of EBiz.

Federal Law requires CWA to report the Name, Address, Employer, and Occupation of COPE contributors. As you review your monthly COPE reports, we ask that you help identify and complete any missing information in EBiz.

If you need assistance, email the COPE/Compliance Department at cwacope@cwa-union.org or call 202-434-1491.

Local LM Filing Deadline (For Fiscal Year Ending September 30TH):

Time is of the essence: Locals with a Fiscal Year Ending date of September 30, 2023, have an LM filing with the Department of Labor due electronically by December 29, 2023. If your Local’s bylaws have been amended, don’t forget to upload a copy to the Department of Labor, and please verify your Local’s bond coverage amount to ensure reporting accuracy.

 

APTIFY:

Launching November 27, 2023 - CWA Digital Membership Cards!

Introducing CWA Digital Membership Cards – it's your CWA membership, but now in your pocket, on your phone, and accessible anytime, anywhere. Here's how it works:

Digital Membership Card Links

We will generate a unique digital membership card link for all members with ACTIVE statuses. By clicking on this link, members will be able to download and save their digital membership card to their digital wallets on their phones. Click here to view the Android version and click here to view the iPhone version

Aptify Integration

To make this process seamless, we added a new field in Aptify which will hold the unique digital membership card link for each member. A report will be available in Aptify with the links to all membership cards in your local.

Action Network for Distribution

Locals that use Action Network will be able to download a report from Aptify, then upload that information, including the unique membership card link for each member, into Action Network. We will make a template available in Action Network that will allow you to send the personalized membership card link to each member who has an email address on your Aptify list. We will provide detailed instructions and a video training session.

Option for HQ to Distribute Digital Card Links Directly

Locals who would prefer for HQ to email the links to individual members directly can opt in by filling out this form.

Monthly Membership Updates

To guarantee that our digital membership cards stay current, we’re implementing a monthly update for ACTIVE member statuses. As long as the member status in Aptify remains ACTIVE, the digital membership card will stay active too. However, if a member’s status changes during any month, and the person is no longer eligible for CWA membership, their digital membership card link will be deactivated.

Membership Cards Readiness Guide

Please take a moment to review the guide, which will walk you through the steps to review and verify your members’ names, mailing addresses, email addresses, contact information, and member statuses to ensure accuracy (attached).

We are excited about this digital upgrade and believe it will streamline the membership card process, making it more accessible and convenient for our members.

If you would like assistance making bulk membership data updates in Aptify, email AptifySupport@cwa-union.org and our team can help you through the process.

 

2024 CWA Annual Training Schedule: Aptify/Dues, XL, BU Refresher and Grievance Management Module

As we step into the new year, we're thrilled to present an exciting array of training opportunities to empower you and elevate your skills. Our 2024 training calendar is designed to cater to a diverse range of learners, join us for any of the following sessions.

Aptify and Dues process

In-depth and detailed training to help new users learn how to use Aptify and understand the dues process. (Duration ~3 hours)

Bottom-up dues process Refresher

This training is geared toward users who are already familiar with Aptify, but would like to review the bottom-up process to solidify their skills. This training only applies to locals who have a bottom-up dues structure. (Duration ~ 1.5 hours)

Microsoft Excel training

Everyone is welcome to join and learn all of our tips and tricks to navigate through your Aptify data. We will share the most useful MS Excel functions to optimize the data extracted from Aptify reports. (Duration ~ 1.5 hours)

*NEW* Aptify Grievance Management module

The new Aptify Grievance Management module is designed to streamline the process of filing and managing grievances within our organization. Aptify is our Cloud-based membership management software, which means you can have convenient web-based access without the need to manage physical paperwork.

With this module, local, district, and sector users can easily configure collective bargaining agreements’ grievance procedures, employer and member data, upload supporting documentation, and manage important deadlines to manage member grievances and track everything to get to a resolution. (Duration ~ 2 hours)

To sign up for one of our training sessions, please complete and submit this form. If you have any questions, email us at AptifySupport@cwa-union.org.

Update Local and Officers Roster in Aptify

With some local elections underway, it is time to ensure that our Local Officer Rosters in Aptify are accurate and up to date. Your participation and commitment to maintaining accurate records are crucial for a smooth and successful election process. Reviewing and updating your local's address, contact, and website information in Aptify will help us ensure that the local directory on our CWA website is up-to-date.

The Updating Local and Officer Roster in Aptify guide is a user-friendly resource that will walk you through the process, making it a breeze to maintain and update local officer records (attached).

You can also navigate to the Aptify Learning Lab, accessible through your computer, tablet, or mobile device by login into your Aptify account – click HERE.

The Verifying Local Information Currently in Aptify Guide can be used to help update your Local Union’s information (attached).

If you need assistance, email our Aptify Support team at AptifySupport@cwa-union.org.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

FREE LinkedIn Learning Online

Complimentary LinkedIn Learning online video collection - CWA recognizes the importance of keeping your skills current with continued training in tools like Excel, AutoCAD, Word, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, Photography Dreamweaver. For additional information and to request access to LinkedIn Learning, please click HERE.

 

Protect Your Local's Email and Website Domain Name

Your domain name can be critical to the function of your local. A domain name is your online address - for instance, cwa-union.org is CWA's domain name. Some CWA locals have lost access to their email systems or websites when their domain name expired. Once a domain name expires, another person or organization can buy it and redirect traffic to their email accounts and website.

Often this happens because the person who originally registered the domain name and was getting the renewal notices left the local.

We recommend that the email account associated with your Local's domain registration and website hosting be an email address that the S/T or other local staff have access to and that at least one other officer or staff person has an administrative account with the domain registrar.

We also recommend that your Local's Secretary-Treasurer keep a secure record of the login information (username and password) and expiration date for your Local's domain name registrations with other important, confidential information that is passed on when there is a change in the Local's elected leadership.

Contact CWA Website Support if you have any questions.

In Unity,|


Ameenah Salaam
Secretary-Treasurer