Coming Up! Mass Union’s next
Open Zoom for Residents and Affiliates
Thursday, May 25, 10am – 12pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/s/8535148848
Phone: 301-715-8592, ID: 853 514 8848
Coming Up! Mass Union’s next
Open Zoom for Residents and Affiliates
Thursday, May 25, 10am – 12pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/s/8535148848
Phone: 301-715-8592, ID: 853 514 8848
181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 01752
For directions, call the hotel at (508) 460-0700
AGENDA
3:00 PM Hotel Check in Opens
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Convention Registration (Lobby)
Note that if you arrive on Saturday, bags can be stored in the Corporate room until hotel check-in opens at 3pm.
7:30 AM Restaurant Breakfast (if you stayed Friday night)
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM Continental Breakfast (Ballroom Foyer)
8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Convention Registration (Lobby)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Morning Plenary (Salon CD)
Speakers: Mass Union Board and Staff; Chris Devore and Fatima Razzaq, DHCD
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM LUNCH (Salon CD)
Guest Speaker: State Representative Carole Fiola by Recorded video
AWARDS
Dave Underhill, Bill King Award
Don Rivard, Special Commendation
Stephen P. Montgomery, Lincoln Durant Award
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM WORKSHOP OPTIONS
Becoming a Resident Researcher: Lessons from the Healthy Neighborhoods Study Salon E
This workshop will describe the power of doing your own research, using lessons from the Healthy Neighborhoods Study, one of the largest Participatory Action Research projects in the country.
Presenters: Dave Underhill: Vice-President of Mass Union, Vice-Chairman Board of Commissioners Fall River Housing Authority, Chairman of Fall River Housing Joint Tenant Council; Andrew Seeder: Research Scientist, Participatory Methods and Training
Local Tenant Organizations and Resident Participation Princess
According to DHCD, resident participation in decision-making at the Housing Authority is beneficial and should be encouraged. Join us for a review of your participation rights as well as tips for running a strong, impactful Local Tenant Organization (LTO).
Presenters: Sarah Byrnes, Executive Director of Mass Union; Maria Fernandes, Facilitator and Trainer
Building Our Voices & Power at the Statehouse Duchess
Join Mass Union and our partners MassNAHRO, CHAPA, Mass Law Reform, and the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) for an update on important policy changes, as well as key tips for how you can help create state-level change for public housing residents.
Presenters: Donald Hamilton, Secretary of Mass Union; Kelley Cronin, Executive Director of Acton Housing Authority, President of MassNAHRO; Annette Duke, Mass Law Reform Institute; Eric Shupin, CHAPA; Representatives from the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization
2:45 PM BREAK
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM WORKSHOP OPTIONS
Reasonable Accommodations Salon E
Join lawyers from South Coast Fair Housing for an overview of Reasonable Accommodations. Learn about your rights and the process for requesting an accommodation.
Presenters: Kristina da Fonseca, Executive Director, and Brittany Perdigao, Staff Attorney, SouthCoast Fair Housing
Special Session for LHA Resident Board Members (Commissioners) Princess
Are you a resident on the board of your Local Housing Authority? Join us to discuss your critical role with others in the same boat. We’ll review tips and ideas for common challenges. Bring your questions and ideas!
Presenter: Sarah Byrnes: Executive Director, Mass Union
Fundraising for Local Tenant Organizations Duchess
Join Mass Union Board Members and other residents to think about ways to fundraise for LTOs. This session will be entirely tenant-led! We’ll share creative ideas for generating funds and other donations and open it up to your ideas as well.
Presenters: Jessica Quinonez, Resident Commissioner in Springfield, President of the Jennie Lane Tenants Association, and Mass Union Board Member; Don Rivard, President of Charter Street Tenants Association in Salem and Mass Union Treasurer
4:15 – 5:00 PM Closing Plenary and Raffles (Salon CD)
6:30 PM – 11:00 PM JACK COOPER RETIREMENT GALA (Salon AB)
AWARD
Linda Montgomery, Jack Cooper Award
Note that hotel check-out is 11:00 AM. Please plan to check-out before the Election. Bags can be stored in the Corporate room until your departure.
7:30 AM Restaurant Breakfast (if you stayed Saturday night)
8:00 AM Continental Breakfast (Ballroom Foyer)
9:00 AM Mass Union Board Election (Salon CD)
12:00 -1:00 PM Lunch (Ballroom Foyer)
Updated Friday, April 21, 2023
On Wednesday, April 12th, the House Ways and Means Committee released its proposed FY2024 budget for the coming year. It included $102 million for the housing authority operating subsidy line item, a $10 million increase over last year. But more is needed to preserve public housing now and for the future.
Residents’ voices need to be heard.
As soon as possible, please ask your Representative to co-sponsor the following amendments:
Please contact your Representative as soon as possible. We have one week to get co-sponsors before the House starts to debate the budget during the week of April 24th.
To find your Representative go to:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
To access the actual language of the amendments you can go to: https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2024/HouseDebate
Friday, April 14, 2023, 9am-10am
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8535148848
Phone: 301-715-8592, ID: 853 514 8848
Mass Union Affiliates can apply for a scholarship to attend our Convention! Read all about it here.
Join us on Zoom on April 14 at 9am as we draw names in a raffle to distribute the scholarships. We have a very generous pool of scholarship funds and hope everyone who applies will be awarded one.
Thursday, April 20, 2023, 10am-11am
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8535148848
Phone: 301-715-8592, ID: 853 514 8848
Join Mass Union affiliates and other residents to learn about our upcoming Convention, Board Election, and important news for residents. Bring questions and comments!
Public housing tenant associations are invited to join Mass Union as affiliates! You do not need to be officially recognized by the Housing Authority but you do need to have held an election and have at least five active members.
Email info@massunion.org and let us know you would like to join Mass Union!! In the email, tell us:
Mass Union’s Annual Member Dues are $50 per year. Payment can be made by check or online.
Contact info@massunion.org or call us at 617.825.9750 for more information.
The Mass Union Board of Directors has approved $12,000 in scholarships for our affiliates! We are hoping for a big turn out and lots of new faces.
Scholarships will cover the full cost of the Convention from 8am on Saturday until 1pm on Sunday. This covers all meals and sessions, the Jack Cooper Retirement Gala on Saturday, and a shared room on Saturday night. Registration and Breakfast open at 8am on Saturday and the Morning Plenary begins at 10am.
To request a scholarship, email info@massunion.org by April 13 at 5pm. Tell us:
Mass Union affiliates and all Massachusetts public housing residents are encouraged to join us at our annual Spring Convention! Please contact us with any questions.
Registration is now closed.
Please click here to see the agenda.
Option | Cost Per Resident | Includes |
1. Convention Only
Registration Deadline: April 26 Non-Resident Cost: $200 |
$180 | Continental Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday
Lunch both days Jack Cooper Retirement Gala |
2. Convention + Saturday Stay
Registration Deadline: April 19 |
Single Occupancy: $350 | Restaurant Breakfast on Sunday
Lunch both days Jack Cooper Retirement Gala Saturday night hotel room |
Double Occupancy: $280 per person ($560 total) | ||
3. Convention + Friday and Saturday Stay
Registration Deadline: April 19 |
Single Occupancy: $500 | Restaurant Breakfast Saturday and
Sunday Lunch both days Jack Cooper Retirement Gala Friday and Saturday night hotel room |
Double Occupancy: $355 per person ($710 total) |
Hello from Mass Union! My name is Sarah Byrnes and I am delighted to be the new Executive Director here at Mass Union. I started on Wednesday March 1 and it has been an excellent first week! I want to thank the board and staff for their very warm welcome.
Many of you know me from my time at the Mel King Institute, where I worked for over six years running the Public Housing Training Program. Through that work I was fortunate to get to know many residents and their advocates.
I will be holding an Open Zoom Meeting for affiliates and residents on March 23 at 10am to introduce myself to the community. Please join me and other members of the MU team then! Contact Info@MassUnion.org for the Zoom link.
At the session, you will have a chance to get to know me and other residents, learn about Mass Union’s upcoming Convention, and provide your input about the direction of Mass Union.
Speaking of the Convention, please Save the Date!
Mass Union Spring Convention
May 5, 2023 – May 7, 2023
Best Western, Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road
Marlborough, MA
Registration information will be coming soon.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of the Mass Union community.