Campaign Letter to Members (which cost me approx. $.50 per member!)

As a relatively new member you may be surprised to see my name on the ballot at all and you may question my motivation for seeking office.

I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and for years I hoped to move to Portland.  Part of the reason it took so long to make that jump was because I had a great job as a Production Technician for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library.  I worked as a stagehand for the district for several years helping to start a non-profit organization for which I became president.  This non-profit partnered with the library district to develop an ongoing free film festival for the community and received funding through the Nevada Arts Council through my grant writing skills. 

In a leap of faith I moved with all my belongings to Portland realizing that the job market would prove to be difficult.  I recall that first year sitting in the Park Blocks outside the Schnitz wondering how I could get a job inside that building.

I eventually got a job at the Oregon Convention Center (OCC).  The transition from dream job to a slightly above minimum wage job was rough.  I did a great deal of thinking about what I should be looking for from work instead of merely seeing it as a necessary evil.  Along with financial concerns I also had respect issues with the OCC.  Added to this was my motivation to work for an organization that has a positive impact on the community and society at large.  I began to wonder if maybe I had gone into the wrong field as I did not get much satisfaction from my work at the OCC and just where would I find such satisfaction in Portland or anywhere?   

It wasn’t until I started taking calls through the Local that I found a renewed pride in my work that was absent since my time at the library.  Aside from the obvious benefits the union provides I have long wanted to support the deeper values that union supports.

If you want the union to be better you have to stand up and work hard to make the union better.  The union is based on people so it’s not perfect.  The truth is the union is what you make of it.  I am passionate in my commitment to make the union better for members by maintaining open communication and transparency in terms of policy and by accepting responsibility for the future direction of the union. 

I have long had my doubts about the machinations of the system at large.  Being a union member helps me to sleep at night knowing that I am involved in an organization with a mission to better the lives of workers, even those workers who are not members.  I am willing to share my experience and knowledge in regards to benefits we are all entitled to within this system.  In addition to this we need an informed leadership who can keep us aware of our options in this time of sweeping change in terms of health insurance.  As a recipient of the reimbursement program I can bring a fresh perspective to a problem I expect will only get more complicated. 

I thank you for your time.  It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with all of you.  I hope only the best for our union in the next three years.

Fraternally

Chad Simmons

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or advice. 

Chad Simmons

253 N. Broadway #304

Portland, Oregon 97227

Email: chadarad@hotmail.com

Phone: 503-901-8845

For more information please go to:

http://chadforvp.blogspot.com/