Category: Uncategorized

8:00 AM – 9:45 AM                                  Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM                                   Convention Registration

10:00 AM –12:00 PM                               Morning Plenary

• • Reports from the Membership, Finance, Personnel and Policy Committees
  • Discussion about Mass Union’s Values, Vision and Mission
  • Advocacy Tips 101 – Lobby Day Prep

This session will include a 10-minute break around 11AM

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM                                  LUNCH

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM                                   WORKSHOP OPTIONS I

What the Heck is HOTMA?
Spanish translation available | Traducción al español disponible

HOTMA, a federal housing program, stands for the Housing Opportunities & Modernization Act. In 2024, the program underwent significant changes that may affect how federal tenants’ rent and income are calculated. Join this workshop to learn more about HOTMA, including opportunities to influence how your housing agency responds.

Moderator: Annette Duke, Attorney, Mass Law Reform Institute; Presenter: Mac McCreight, Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services

Race, Class and Belonging
Spanish translation available | Traducción al español disponible

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: Sonia Andujar, Mass Union Treasurer; Presenters: Maria Fernandes-Dominique, Trainer and Facilitator; Tiana Lawrence, Trainer and Facilitator

Advocacy 101
Note that this workshop is being offered during both time slots.

During this session, you’ll learn about the process of passing bills and budgets at the Massachusetts State House, and learn how to be empowered to advocate for fully funded public housing through conversations with your elected officials and their staff.

Moderator: Carol Roberts, Mass Union Board Member; Presenters: Ben Echevarria, Mass Union Director of Organizing; Elaine Almquist, Founder & Principal, Almquist & Associates

Tenant Participation and the Blueprint for Change  

According to EOHLC, 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). We’ll include tips for using the “Dot Exercise” to prioritize issues in a way that strengthens the LTO’s group cohesion.

Moderator: Maryanne Potrzuski, Mass Union Secretary; Presenters: Sue Kirby, Mass Union Network Leader; Carlos Julia, Mass Union Network Leader

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM                     BREAK

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM                    WORKSHOP OPTIONS II

Mass Union’s Values, Vision and Mission
Spanish translation available | Traducción al español disponible

Based on the results of our organizational assessment, Mass Union is working to clarify our values, vision and mission statements. Values such as grassroots power and radical inclusion ground and unite us. Our vision is the more perfect world we are trying to create. And our mission statement will clarify how we, Mass Union, are doing our part to create that world. We want to hear your thoughts on these three important topics! Join us as we shape these core statements for Mass Union.

Moderator: Dave Underhill, Mass Union Chair; Presenter: Sarah Byrnes, Mass Union Executive Director

Local Tenant Organization (LTO) Participation in Your Community

Number 5 on Mass Union’s policy agenda is improving LTO participation. Help us understand how LTO participation happens in your community – the good, the bad, and the ugly! This information will help us work with the state on a new PHN designed to strengthen and clarify tenant participation regulations. Join the discussion to hear from others and share your story.

Facilitators: Don Hamilton, Mass Union Vice Chair; Ben Echevarria, Mass Union Director of Organizing

Advocacy 101
Note that this workshop is being offered during both time slots
Spanish translation available | Traducción al español disponible

During this session, you’ll learn about the process of passing bills and budgets at the Massachusetts State House, and learn how to be empowered to advocate for fully funded public housing through conversations with your elected officials and their staff.

Moderator: Jessica Quinoñez; Presenters: Annette Duke, Attorney, Mass Law Reform Institute; Elaine Almquist, Founder & Principal, Almquist & Associates

Practices for Cultivating Self and Community Care

Join Maria Fernandes-Dominique of Culture Builders Coop, LLC for an interactive conversation to explore the concepts of self and collective care. We’ll work to identify and expand the wellness practices in our toolkit and create opportunities to build intentional practices into our daily lives.

Moderator: Danielle Connolly, Mass Union Assistant Treasurer; Presenter: Maria Fernandes-Dominique, Trainer and Facilitator

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM                   Mass Union Board Election

4:45 PM – 5:00 PM                   Closing & Raffle

May 19, 2024
Courtyard Marriott, 75 Felton Street. Marlborough, MA
Read more here

The cost is $125 per public housing resident or $175 per non-resident. Please submit your payment online here or send us a check. Our mailing address is: 784 Washington St, Suite 504, Dorchester, MA 02124. We also accept checks at the Marriott day-of!

Hotel accommodations can be made directly with Marlborough Courtyard Marriott.

We’d also like to thank all our Housing Authority and supporting sponsors who have paid to send multiple members of their community to our Convention and Lobby Day!

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

PATRON HOUSING AUTHORITIES

SUSTAINER HOUSING AUTHORITY

SPONSOR HOUSING AUTHORITIES

And thanks to the Housing Authorities helping a member of their communities attend our Convention:

Acton HA, Arlington HA, Attleboro HA, Chelmsford HA, Haverhill HA, Quincy HA, Stoneham HA, Topsfield HA, West Springfield HA.

May 20, 2024
Massachusetts State House
10am – 2:30pm
Read more here

Lobby Day is free for public housing tenants! Fill out the registration form below to join us in the fight for tenants’ rights.

For non-tenants, a suggested $50 donation is requested to help cover the costs of food. Please consider donating here.

We’d also like to thank all our Housing Authority and supporting sponsors who have paid to send multiple members of their community to our Convention and Lobby Day!

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

LOBBY DAY SPONSOR

PATRON HOUSING AUTHORITIES

SUSTAINER HOUSING AUTHORITIES

SPONSOR HOUSING AUTHORITIES

And thanks to the Housing Authorities helping a member of their communities attend our Convention:

Acton HA, Arlington HA, Attleboro HA, Chelmsford HA, Haverhill HA, Quincy HA, Stoneham HA, Topsfield HA, West Springfield HA.

Action Alert! The Massachusetts legislature is currently working on its FY25 budget, which will provide funds for state public housing and other important programs.

The budget includes $112 million for the public housing operating subsidy, which is $5 million more than last year but not enough to cover the need. Luckily, we have a chance to increase this amount through an amendment if we call or email our State Representatives!

Click here to find your state Representative’s name and contact information. You do not need to contact your state Senator, only your Rep. Call or email them before Wednesday April 24 with the message below. Don’t worry about being technical. And don’t be scared – you will speak to an aide, not the representative him or herself. Tell the person that you live in public housing and list the three amendment numbers below.

————————

MESSAGE TO YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

My name is ___ and I am a resident of public housing in ___. There are three important amendments to the budget that would improve quality of life in my community. Please co-sponsor these three amendments:

1. 1. 1. Amendment 563 – Increases the public housing operating subsidy from $112 million to $117 million.
      2. Amendment 1479 – Makes improvements to provide tenants with Access to Counsel when facing evictions.
      3. Amendment 562 – Increases funding for Resident Service Coordinators from $6.5 million to $8 million.

————————

Let us know if you need help, and how your call goes! Email Ben Echevarria with questions or updates at ben@massunion.org. Thank you for doing your part to improve quality of life in public housing. Your voice is crucial and every call matters!

Click here to sponsor the Mass Union Convention!

Gold

Silver

Click here to sponsor the Mass Union Convention!

Click here for the English version

Las becas cubrirán el costo total de la Convención, el Día del Lobby y una habitación de hotel COMPARTIDA el domingo por la noche. Para solicitar una beca, complete el formulario a continuación antes del 17 de abril a las 5 p. m.

Proceso de Becas

1. 1. ¡APLICAR! Envíanos la información antes del 17 de abril a las 5pm.
   2. ¡RIFA! Sortearemos nombres en una reunión de Zoom en vivo el 18 de abril al mediodía. ¡Únete a nosotros entonces para divertirte! No es necesario estar presente en la rifa Zoom para ganar una beca. Te avisaremos ese día.
   3. Si se postulan más de dos personas de un pueblo/ciudad, otorgaremos becas para los dos primeros nombres sorteados. Si quedan fondos adicionales, abriremos becas para personas adicionales.

Elegibilidad para becas

1. 1. Debe ser afiliado o haber solicitado afiliación antes del 17 de abril. Contáctenos para convertirse en afiliado.
   2. Si ha pagado para asistir a la Convención en el pasado, le instamos a que utilice los mismos fondos nuevamente. Explore también las dos nuevas opciones anteriores. Si puede acceder a fondos de su LTO, RAB o Autoridad de Vivienda, hágalo. Hay muchas personas que no pueden acceder a este tipo de fondos y esperamos ofrecerles becas. Esto permitirá que asistan tantos inquilinos como sea posible. Especialmente queremos dar la bienvenida a nuevos miembros y a personas de pequeñas autoridades de vivienda que normalmente no pueden permitirse el lujo de venir. ¡Gracias por su comprensión!
   3. ¡Si ganas una beca, debes participar en la Convención! Únase a talleres, debates y saque lo mejor de sí mismo. ☺ ¡Gracias!

** SOLICITUD DE BECAS YA ESTÁ CERRADA **

Si tiene problemas con el formulario, envíenos un correo electrónico con la siguiente información antes de las 5 p.m. del 17 de abril.

1. 1. El nombre de su grupo de inquilinos y su Autoridad de Vivienda.
   2. Su nombre, número de teléfono, correo electrónico y dirección postal.
   3. Escriba una oración sobre por qué desea asistir y por qué necesita fondos. ¡Todas las respuestas son aceptables! Apreciamos su honestidad.

En español

Scholarships will cover the full cost of the Convention, Lobby Day, and a SHARED hotel room on Sunday night. To request a scholarship, fill out the form below by April 17 at 5pm.

Scholarship Process

1. 1. APPLY! See form below.
   2. RAFFLE! We will draw names on a live Zoom meeting on April 18 at noon. Join us then for the fun! You do not need to be present on the Zoom Raffle to win a scholarship. We will notify you that day.
   3. If more than two people from one town/city apply, we will provide scholarships for the first two names drawn. If additional funds remain, we will open scholarships up to additional people.

Scholarship Eligibility

1. 1. You must be an affiliate or have applied for affiliation by April 17. Contact us to become an affiliate.
   2. If you have paid to attend the Convention in the past, we urge you to please use the same funding again! Please also explore the two new options above. If you can access funds from your LTO, RAB or Housing Authority, please do. There are many people who cannot access these types of funds and we hope to offer scholarships to them. This will allow as many tenants as possible to attend. We especially want to welcome new members and people from small Housing Authorities who usually cannot afford to come. Thank you for your understanding!
   3. If you win a scholarship, you must participate in the Convention! Join workshops, discussions, and bring your best self. ☺ Thank you!

** SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED **

If you are having trouble with the form, please just email us the following information by 5pm on April 17.

1. 1. The name of your tenant group and your Housing Authority.
   2. Your name, phone number, email and mailing address.
   3. Please write one sentence about why you want to attend and why you need funds. All answers are acceptable! We appreciate your honesty.

About Mass Union

The Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants is a non-profit run by tenants for tenants. Our mission is to preserve and improve public housing across the state. We believe that those most impacted by a problem should play a leading role in solving it. We are a union of Local tenant Organizations and we are growing fast!

Primary Purpose of Position:

The Tenant Organizer is a contract position that will work closely with the Director of Organizing to build power for public housing tenants in our growing network. The initial contract will focus predominantly on organizing in Boston and last through October 2024. Pending funding, the role and geographic focus will be extended.

Description

• • With the Director of Organizing, work with public housing tenant leaders to form tenant organizations, conduct elections, and build collective power.
  • Supervise a small cohort of public housing resident leaders who provide peer-to-peer support for other residents.
  • Support tenant leadership development.
  • Develop a system for network check ins to help inform policy.
  • Learn and understand BHA policies for elections and grievance filing.
  • Track resident and Local Tenant Organizations engagements in Salesforce.
  • Speak at tenant meetings and other venues as needed.
  • Perform administrative functions to ensure contract and grant compliance.
  • Mobilize tenants to take active roles in the local, citywide, and state-wide campaigns and attend relevant campaign events such as press conferences, trainings, meetings, hearings, and demonstrations.
  • Develop and assist in outreach which can include going door to door, mass mailing, or specific area postings.

Qualifications

No specific organizing experience is needed but a bottom-up approach to organizing will be expected. Specific skills include:

• • Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
  • Enthusiasm and respect for racial, ethnic, and economic diversity; understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles
  • An understanding of and commitment to Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants’ mission
  • Strong writing, data management, administrative and computer skills required
  • An ability to make basic flyers and edit videos preferred
  • Bi-lingual specifically in Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, and Toisanese), Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian, Amharic, or Somali preferred but not required.

How To Apply

Send a thoughtful cover letter and resume to info@massunion.org.

Questions?

Call us at 617.825.9750, or email ben@massunion.org.

 

 

Incorporated in 1971, the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants is the oldest statewide public housing tenants’ organization in the nation. We are a non-profit run by tenants for tenants and our mission is to preserve and improve public housing across the state. We believe that those most impacted by a problem should play a leading role in solving it. We are a union of Local tenant Organizations and we are growing fast! We have a newly created role for a full-time Operations Manager who will help us to drive the organization forward by:

Overseeing and coordinating all general office operating activities including event planning, organizing, tracking, and utilizing technology to track all program/event details.

Serving as primary event manager for all conferences, trainings, and other events both in person and online.

Managing all affiliate records through Salesforce including dues payments, and enhancing and expanding use of Salesforce capabilities.

Providing direct support for residents and affiliates as directed, including RE grievances, technical assistance, and LTO support.

Functioning as the primary driver and manager of Mass Union’s social media presence. Developing and recommending social media presentations and vehicles used.

Performing and overseeing the expansion and enhancement of the organization’s website.

Our successful candidate has some college level experience and a minimum of five plus years of related experience with a focus on Microsoft, Salesforce and graphic arts applications, events planning, communications, website development and/or office management experience. Excellent written/verbal and detail orientation skills and prior experience in the non-profit world are preferred. Willingness to work full time in the office is required.

How to Apply

Send a thoughtful cover letter and resume to HR-MassUnion@insourceservices.com.