Mass Union’s Fall 2025 Convention will be Bigger and Better Than Ever!
Join us for two and a half days of programming, including keynotes, workshops, important updates, trainings, and our Board Election! REGISTER HERE.
Featured Speakers
SUMMARY
Friday, October 3: Registration and breakfast open at 8:00am. Programming begins at 10:00am and wraps up at 4:00pm. Breakfast and lunch provided.
Saturday, October 4: Registration and breakfast open at 8:00am. Programming begins at 9:30am and wraps up at 4:00pm. Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided. Dinner will include a DJ and cash bar! Bring your dancing shoes. 😊
Sunday, October 5: Breakfast and registration open at 8:00am. Mass Union’s official Annual Meeting and Board Election will run from 10am – 12pm. Breakfast provided.
Hotel rooms are available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. See the registration form for details and pricing.
DETAILS
Friday
10:00 – 12:00 Welcome & Opening Plenary: Building Power Together
Welcome to the Convention! Our opening plenary will feature Mass Union board, staff and Network Leaders sharing best practices for running high-impact LTOs. Mass Union hears stories every day about the challenges you face in your communities. Together, we will discuss how to build tenant organizations that are rooted in their purpose, that build new leaders, and that expect conflict and manage it wisely. We’ll talk about the million-dollar issue: getting along! This plenary will provide some core concepts that you can build on throughout the rest of the convention. This session will include a stretch break.
Moderator: Dave Underhill, Chairman, Mass Union. Presenters: Sarah Byrnes, Sheila Cuevas, Carlos Julia, Judy O’Kulsky, Charlene Shelton, and Lashaunda Watson, Mass Union.
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch
Lunch will include the Mesa Redonda, a chance for Spanish speakers to connect with each other and Mass Union Network Leaders, board and staff.
La Mesa Redonda será un foro para compartir experiencias y ayudarnos mutuamente a superar las dificultades en nuestras comunidades y organizaciones locales de inquilinos. Se habla español en la mesa redonda.
Facilitators: Sonia Andujar, Treasurer, Mass Union; Carlos Julia, Network Leader, Mass Union; Zafiro Patiño, Organizing and Network Manager, Mass Union; Jessica Quinoñez, Board Member, Mass Union; Rodolfo Saldarriaga Haullpa, Deputy Director, Mass Union.
1:00 – 2:30 Workshops
Fundraising Tips and Inspiration for your LTO
Many Local Tenant Organizations are excellent at raising money beyond their Tenant Participation Funds. Join this workshop to learn great tips, tricks and inspiration for doing the same! We’ll hear from LTOs in different types of communities who have used a variety of strategies to raise money to build social cohesion and power among tenants.
Moderator: Zafiro Patiño, Organizing and Network Manager, Mass Union. Panelists: Danielle Connolly, Mass Union Assistant Treasurer and President, Stoneham Housing Resident Union; Cheryl Duren, President, Sullivan Towers Tenants Association, Brockton; Keither Lennards, President, Caffrey Towers Tenants Association, Brockton; and Jessica Quinoñez, Mass Union Board Member and President, Jennie Lane Apartments Organization, Springfield.
Immigrant Rights in Public Housing and Beyond
Join this workshop for an update on actions being taken by HUD and the Administration regarding immigrants in federal public housing. We’ll discuss some proposed regulatory changes and how Mass Union is fighting back to protect immigrants. We’ll also hear from Susan Church, an expert in immigrant rights, about what to do if ICE approaches members of your community. Susan will cover topics such as (1) understanding when ICE may be required to show a warrant, (2) overview of the rules regarding when ICE is required to show a badge, and (3) what rules surround when ICE can legally stop a car. In addition, it will cover what community organizations and non-lawyers can do to help immigrants prepare for potential ICE detention or assist families in wake of an ICE detention.
Moderator: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union. Presenter: Susan Church, Chief Operating Officer and Legal Advisor, Office for Refugees and Immigrants, Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rent Setting in State and Federal Public Housing
This workshop will focus on the nuts and bolts of rent setting for public housing tenants in state and federal public housing. Topics will include how rent is calculated, what income counts and doesn’t count, what expenses you can deduct, and how to navigate the rent recertification process. The workshop will also include recommendations on what policies you can try to negotiate with your housing authority to improve rent policies.
Moderator: Annette Duke, Housing Attorney, Mass Law Reform Institute. Panelists: Susan Hegel, Attorney, Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services; Mac McCreight, Volunteer Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services.
PAR In Public Housing: Connecting You All
Participation Action Research (PAR) is a system to survey public housing tenants anonymously so they can speak freely without fear of retaliation to express their wants and needs to the Housing Authority.
Moderator: Dave Underhill, Chairman, Mass Union. Panelists: Caty Taborda, Conservation Law Foundation; Ernie Mayers, Treasurer, Brockton Housing Authority RAB and Treasurer, Belair Towers Tenant Association.
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 4:00 Regional Breakouts
Join a discussion with other tenants from your region of the Commonwealth. This will be a chance to hear updates, build relationships, and troubleshoot together about common problems. If you are unsure which breakout to attend, choose the group with your Network Leader, or ask the staff.
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- Northeastern Mass with Sheila Cuevas & Carlos Julia
- Southeastern Mass (Fall River, Brockton) with Sarah Byrnes
- Greater Boston (Somerville, Cambridge, Watertown, Quincy, Belmont) with Zafiro Patiño
- Boston with Lashaunda Watson
- Central Mass and Metrowest with Charlene Shelton
- Western Mass with Judy O’Kulsky
Note that dinner is on your own on Friday.
Saturday
9:30 – 10:00 Keynote Speakers
Mass Union is thrilled to welcome the following prestigious speakers. This session will be moderated by Mass Union’s Chairman Dave Underhill.
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- Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, by recorded video
- Senator William N. Brownsberger
- Fatima Razzaq, Acting Head of Public Housing, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)
10:15 – 11:30 Workshops
Understanding the Basics of State-Aided Public Housing
Join EOHLC to discuss the Commonwealth’s unique state aided portfolio of public housing units, and learn about how we provide oversight and funding to LHAs.
Moderator: Rodolfo Saldarriaga Huallpa, Deputy Director, Mass Union. Presenter: Fatima Razzaq, Acting Head of Public Housing, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC).
Remarkable Resident Board Members
This workshop will feature stories from five Remarkable Resident Board members from the Fall River, Wellesley, Easthampton, Northampton and Stoneham Housing Authorities. These are tenants who serve on the board of the Local Housing Authority (a.k.a. “Commissioners”). You’ll hear about how these residents are making important contributions to their Housing Authorities by bringing a strong tenant voice to the board, helping additional tenants win seats, and sticking up for values like respect, transparency, and inclusion. Learn more about how LHA boards work, and how to run in a town election – and win!
Moderator: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union. Panelists: Mary Church, Commissioner, Easthampton Housing Authority; Danielle Connolly, Mass Union Assistant Treasurer, President, Stoneham Housing Resident Union, and Commissioner, Stoneham Housing Authority; Renee Spencer, Mass Union Network Leader and Commissioner, Wellesley Housing Authority; Joella “Jada” Tarbutton-Springfield, Commissioner, Northampton Housing Authority; and Dave Underhill, Chairman, Mass Union, President, Fall River Joint Tenant Council, and Commissioner, Fall River Housing Authority.
Know Your Housing Rights
This workshop is designed to educate residents about specific legal protections and responsibilities in public housing. It will focus on eviction protections, including how to protect yourself when facing non-payment of rent. The workshop will also address leases, housing conditions, reasonable accommodations, and rents.
Presenters: Dan Daley, Senior Housing Attorney, MetroWest Legal Services; Annette Duke, Housing Attorney, Mass Law Reform Institute.
The Growing Divide: Inequality and the Roots of Economic Insecurity
Join United for a Fair Economy’s flagship participatory workshop that explores income and wealth shifts over the past 45+ years. We’ll examine the effects of inequality on everyday lives and discuss solutions through historical movements and modern strategies. What is economic inequality? What solutions have people demanded historically? How can I be part of economic justice movements today? In this bilingual, interactive workshop, participants will take part in activities to understand income and wealth inequality, what it has to do with our everyday lives, and how we can make change.
Moderator: Zafiro Patiño, Organizing and Network Manager, Mass Union. Presenter: Jeannette Huezo, Executive Director & Senior Popular Educator, United for a Fair Economy.
11:45 – 12:45 Lunch
12:30 Luncheon Speaking Program
During lunch, we will hear stories from three high-impact Local Tenant Organizations. This session will be moderated by Mass Union’s Organizing and Network Manager, Zafiro Patiño.
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- Yolanda Torres, President, Mildred C. Hailey Tenants Organization, Boston
- John Wyda, President, Walter Salvo Tenants Association, Northampton
- Denise Lauers, President, Mystic Tenants Association, Somerville
12:45 Group Photo!
1:15 – 2:30 Building Power Together, Part II
After lunch, we’ll hold a plenary discussion about building Mass Union’s power to influence decision-makers at the statehouse and beyond. Mass Union has an ambitious policy agenda, and we need everyone’s voice to make it a reality. Learn from tenant advocates Renee Spencer and Kathleen Hunt about how they have used pictures and stories to create change. We’ll talk about Mass Union’s policy agenda and strategy, including important lessons from our history, and how you can share your story to improve public housing for everyone.
Moderator: Rodolfo Saldarriaga Huallpa, Deputy Director, Mass Union. Panelists: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union; Annette Duke, Housing Attorney, Mass Law Reform Institute; Kathleen Hunt, Mass Union Board Member and President, Little Brook Village Tenant Association, Topsfield; Renee Spencer, Mass Union Network Leader and Resident Commissioner, Wellesley Housing Authority.
2:30 – 2:45 Break
2:45 – 4:00 Workshops
Digital Skills for LTO Engagement & Outreach
Learn practical digital tools to boost outreach and save time, as you build the collective voice of tenants and increase community power, such as mass texting, online collaboration, virtual meetings, and AI tools for LTO admin & resources. **It will be helpful but not required if before the session, attendees download the WhatsApp platform to their phones and create a free zoom account for virtual meetings at https://www.zoom.com.**
Moderator: Rodolfo Saldarriaga Huallpa, Deputy Director, Mass Union. Presenter: Cheryl Coss, Manager of Digital Equity, Outreach & Engagement, Mass Broadband Institute.
Increase Your LTO’s Impact: A Workshop with LTO Leaders
Join this workshop to learn more about building a high-impact LTO. Together we’ll discuss common challenges, such as board vacancies, conflict management, and much more. Based on stories and lessons you’ve learned at the convention and elsewhere, we’ll brainstorm solutions to the best path forward for your LTO and the Mass Union community.
Moderator: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director, Mass Union. Panelists: Denise Lauers, President, Mystic Tenants Association, Somerville; Zafiro Patiño, Organizing and Network Manager, Mass Union; Charlene Shelton, Network Leader, Mass Union, and President, Musketahquid Village Tenant Organization, Sudbury.
Radical Inclusion: Race, Class and Belonging
Public housing is beautifully diverse. Join this session to reflect and learn about the role race and class play in public housing and Local Tenant Organizations. We’ll focus on how to ensure that your tenant group is “radically inclusive” so that everyone feels like they belong, regardless of their race, language, religion, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, or any other factor.
Moderator: Marsha Chery, Community Engagement Fellow, Mass Union. Presenter: Tiana Lawrence, Trainer and Facilitator.
6:00 Dinner and Dancing
Sunday
10:00 – 12:00 Mass Union’s Annual Meeting, Listening Session and Board Election
At Mass Union’s formal Annual Meeting we will hear reports from Board Committees, discuss our policy agenda and how Mass Union is doing overall, elect new board members, and wrap up with our ever-popular raffles.
