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Download the Housing Authority Sponsorships PDF

This spring, Mass Union and MassNAHRO are once again teaming up to encourage Housing Authorities to send resident leaders to our Convention and Lobby Day. Thank you again to our Fall Convention supporters – the Fall River, Salem, Needham, Attleboro, Cambridge, Easthampton, Northampton, and Watertown Housing Authorities!

On May 19, resident leaders will gather at the Marriott in Marlborough for the Spring Conference for a day of networking and learning. The very next day, our empowered advocates will travel to the Massachusetts State House for Mass Union’s very first Lobby Day, where we will hear remarks from high-ranking officials (names TBA!) as well as representatives from MassNAHRO. At Lobby Day, we are excited to advocate for increased capital and operating funding for Housing Authorities – issues important to us all.

As you know, the regulations remind us that “cooperative working relationships enhance housing programs and benefit both LHAs and residents.” Educated tenants are an asset to any Housing Authority! Many LTOs currently receive only $500/year in Participation Funds, making Conference attendance out of reach. Mass Union works hard to reduce Convention costs but your help is needed to expand this opportunity for more residents. To show our appreciation for your commitment to resident education, Mass Union and MassNAHRO will recognize Housing Authorities who send tenants to our Convention in our publications. Please see the table below for recognition levels.

Housing Authorities may also buy ads in our Program Book for $50, $80, or $125. See more info here.

Residents can register for the event by April 24 here. Thank you in advance for your commitment to resident participation!

Resident Patron Send 10+ Residents HA logo on event signage and swag Back Cover or Inside Front Cover ad in program book (while space lasts) Recognition on Mass Union’s website, event emails and social media Recognition in MassNAHRO’s publications

Resident Sustainer Send 5+ Residents HA logo on event signage and swag Full page ad in program book Recognition on Mass Union’s website, event emails, and social media Recognition in MassNAHRO’s publications

Resident Sponsor Send 2+ ResidentsHA logo on event signage and swag Half page ad in program book Recognition on Mass Union’s website, event emails, and social media Recognition in MassNAHRO’s publications

Questions? Contact Sarah Byrnes, Mass Union Executive Director

sarah@massunion.org  617- 825-9750

Thank you, we are grateful for your support!

Director (4 Seats available) Nominees: Gene Collins, Portia Gray-Goffigan, Kathleen Hunt, Lori Manzo, Rosa Marchese, Cassandra Page, and Sally Sennott

GENE COLLINS

Hello,

I am Gene Collins; I have been working with tenants to address tenant issues for the last eight years. I have a degree in Business Administration and 20+ years of experience as a manager and team member. I am a past city planning board member and served as a member of the city Board of Health prior. I have served on many boards before and hope to be an effective team member.

I would like to be a director to help the union grow membership, work with tenants from across the state to improve quality of life and be effective change agents.

 

PORTIA GRAY-GOFFIGAN

Portia Gray-Goffigan has been a resident  of the Attleboro Housing Authority for 29 years. In 2005, with the training and support of Mass Union for Public Housing Tenants, and Attorney Annette Duke of Mass Law Reform; Portia and fellow residents created the current LTO for the family and scattered sites units of the AHA. Portia still actively serves as President. Advocating for the rights of others has always been a great passion in Portia’s life. She served 6 years on the Attleboro Council on Human Rights. Portia is college educated, a published author, a mother of four and grandmother of six.

 

KATHLEEN HUNT

My name is Kathleen Hunt, and I am probably best remembered from our last election as the person who initially won a seat on the Mass Union Board only to lose by one in the recount vote.  On that day, I did a lot of standing up and sitting down during the nomination process so I am hoping I will be more successful in this upcoming election.

I have been a resident of Topsfield living in Senior Housing for the past 12 years and President of our Tenant Association for the past 8.  While each of us has a unique story on why we live in public housing, most if not all have experienced some financial change, illness and the challenges of aging. Moving into Senior Housing, I imagined wine gatherings, movie theater bus rides, chair yoga and social interaction. What I encountered were isolated, angry residents afraid of the Executive Director, who gossiped about their neighbors or who acted like the mean girls of high school. I made a conscious decision to form a tenant association to empower residents, to stand up as a group against bullying, and find the positives in our remaining years.  It has taken 8 years to finally have a Housing Authority Board that is pro-tenant, to have the Tenant Organization listed on the Board of Director’s Agenda, and to have residents attend a social function to actually have fun.  This accomplishment was based on building our community through constant interaction, transparency and making each resident reach out to a new resident, his/her neighbor and be recognized for acts of kindness. Prior to my retirement, I had another life as a Professor, a United Way Board Member and other credentials I hope you won’t hold against me. I am very analytical, hardworking and have a dry sense of humor.

 

ROSA MARCHESE

My name is Rosa Marchese,

I was born in Corato Bari, Italy, where I lived with my family until the age of six. We moved to Venezuela, South America. I married and had three sons.

In 1983 we moved to the United States and a few years later we opened our Italian Bakery and my three children became US citizens.

In 2008 my husband passed away and I had to close our bakery and go to work for other people.

In 2019 I moved into Belchertown Housing and became a United States citizen. I was also elected Secretary of our newly formed LTO.

I am an empath that speaks English, Italian and Spanish. I have had three years of working with residents in public housing and tying to educated our Board of Commissioners and Executive Director about our LTO.

I feel my skills would be an asset to the Mass Union Board.

Thank you for your consideration.

 

CASSANDRA PAGE

Greetings all,

My name is Cassandra Page.

I am a long time resident of the Belmont Housing Authority.

I served on the BHA board as both the treasure & assistant treasure.

Since I was a teen I’ve dedicated my time doing volunteer work in many capacities. From soup kitchens to coaching sports, I enjoy helping  people of all ages.

In 2019 I started my journey helping other low income residents. I reached out to Mass Union for help getting the Belmont Tenant Association started. I played a crucial role in organizing the TA so they could be a recognized LTO.

I have organized several holiday drives for residents at the family & elderly developments.

I look forward to continuing my public housing service work serving residents and hope to join the Mass union board of directors.

Respectfully,

Cassandra Page

SALLY SENNOTT

1. I have lived at Waverley Oaks Senior Community, Belmont, MA for 5 years and this is my 3^rd year as the Vice President of the Belmont Tenant Association. I also serve as the Treasurer.
2. I have a college degree from Duke University, Durham, NC.
3. I am MTA retired and had a dual career in business and education.
4. I know how to facilitate a meeting.
5. I speak well.
6. I write well.
7. I listen well.
8. I have a laptop and internet connection.
9. I’ve been attending BHA regular and special meetings for 3 years and have been articulating tenant needs all of this time.
10. I am a team player and believe in the shared pursuit of goals.
11. I have attended the last two Fall Conventions of Mass Union.I’m a board member of the non-profit Belmont Against Racism and I believe in justice, equity, compassion and affordable housing.
12.  I was appointed to the Belmont Housing Authority Board effective April 3, 2024.

Candidates for Chair: Don Hamilton and Dave Underhill

Don Hamilton

My name is Donald Hamilton, I am running for the office of CHAIR of Mass Union. I am President of Bishop Eid Tenants Association, I am the Vice-chair of the Board of The Fall River Tenants Association, I am Secretary on the Board of Mass Union. I have been active in all 3 positions. As President of Bishop Eid, I helped organized, write, and receive a Grant for $100K. The Grant gave us Outside Lighting and Security Cameras. As member of the Fall River Tenants Association, I have recently help with the election process in 1 Building with more elections to follow. As a member of Mass Union, I have helped in an election in the Boston Area, I have run 2 different workshops at our conventions, appeared in Quincy to give support for a training session. I have appeared in and gave testimony in 2 in person meetings with EOHLC (DHCD). When asked to help I took the lead. I am a man of my word I do what I say. TENANTS, TENANTS, TENANTS my first loyalty, my second loyalty is to the Board of Mass Union. I will do what is best for the Tenants and what is best for Mass Union. I respectfully ask for your vote and for your support.

Dave Underhill

Many of you already know me, my name is David Underhill, and I would appreciate your vote in my quest to continue as the Chairman of the MASS Union of Public Housing Tenants. Inc. The following are a few of my credentials that make me the perfect person to continue as Chairman.

• Current Chairman of MASS Union Board (2023 – Present)
• Former Vice Chairman of MASS Union Board (2021 – 2023)
• Member of MASS Union Board (2015 -2021)
• Current chairman of the Fall River Housing Joint Tenants Council (2018 – present)
• Member of the Fall River Housing Joint Tenant Council (2015 – present)
• Instrumental in getting the Tenant Assistant program at the Fall River Housing Authority implemented.
• Current Commissioner and vice chairman of the Fall River Housing Authority Board of Commissioners (2015 – Present)
• Resident Researcher with the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative (2021 – Present)

Based on my credentials I ask that you consider casting your affiliate’s vote for me to continue as your chairman.  When reelected I will work hard to ensure that MASS Union’s voice is heard at all levels of Government within the Commonwealth.

Candidate for Vice Chair: Maryanne Potrzuski

To all the affiliates of Mass Union, my name is MARYANNE POTRZUSKI and I am on the board of Mass Union as a Director and temporary Secretary. I am also President of the Winthrop Terrace Tenant Organization as well as a Board of Commissioner/Chair for the Warren Housing Authority. As a tenant I have seen some of the confusion we face and have worked very hard to make this housing a safe place to live. One of my goals as Chair was to get as many tenants as possible on the board of commissioners and to date, we have 3 out of 5 with a potential of a 4^th coming soon! What better way to have a voice than with the ability to have a VOTE!! For this reason I am seeking the position of Vice Chair to continue to do this very important work and hope I can count on your vote at the Spring Convention! I hope I can count on your vote!

Candidate for Secretary: Carol Roberts

Hi, my name is Carol Roberts, I am running for the position of Secretary of Mass Union.

I am the President of Caffrey Towers Tenants Association, in Brockton, Massachusetts.  I have been in this position for over three years.  I have also been the treasurer.  I am now serving as the President of the Resident Advocacy Board for the tenants.  As a board member on Mass Union, I will do my job to the best of my ability.

Candidate for Treasurer: Sonia Andujar

My main interest as a Board member is to continue understanding and practicing our A,B,C’s that is the legal duties that will continue to move Mass Union forward:

1. 1. Duty of care – the wise use of all assets
2. Duty of loyalty-approve all activities that advance Mass Union mission
3. Duty of compliance- follows the By-laws and other applicable laws and regulations

I am a member of the Alliance of Cambridge Tenants (ACT) since 2008 . I have been a Board Member acting as Treasurer and now coordinate their City Wide Meetings where tenants come together to find solutions to their housing issues. We work closely with the Cambridge Housing Authority. I am asking for your vote to continue as acting Treasurer and thank you for your consideration.

Candidate for Assistant Treasurer: Danielle Connolly

My name is Danielle Connolly and I am a Mass Union director and hold the interim Assistant Treasurer position on the board. I am also Vice President of the Stoneham Housing Residents Union. I am seeking the permanent Assistant Treasurer position for Mass Union come our Spring convention. I have been on the finance committee since being elected to the board and feel I would be a great contribution under Sonia to oversee Mass Union’s financial duties. I love being a part of an organization whose sole purpose is to be the voice of the tenants! I kindly ask for your vote in May to be your Assistant Treasurer of Mass Union. Thank you!

Keynote Speaker

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll

Distinguished Speakers

Secretary Ed Augustus | Senator Brendan Crighton | Representative Carole Fiola

Register here!

Lobby Day is a special day for tenants to meet with legislators face-to-face and tell them how important it is to protect and improve public housing. By showing up together at the State House, we show our elected leaders that we are fighting for our rights and we are paying attention to how they vote.

This spring, the Massachusetts legislature is debating a once-every-five-year “bond bill,” as well as the FY25 budget. The bond bill, known as the Affordable Homes Act, provides $1.6 billion for public housing repairs and capital needs. While more is needed, this is a great start in the right direction! We need to ensure that our representatives do not weaken this bill before it passes in the summer!

How it Works

Tenants will arrive at the state house around 9:30 on May 20 and the programming will begin at 10:00am. Lunch will be provided. (See information about transportation and interpretation here.) In the morning, we will hear from the distinguished leaders listed above, as well as our partners at MassNAHRO.

After the full group morning session, tenants will break into smaller groups and meet directly with either their elected representatives or members of the House and Senate leadership, or their staff. Our team will arrange these meetings with support from consultant Elaine Almquist, and you will be trained and provided with talking points before you meet with reps. No one will have to speak unless they are comfortable doing so! Each small group will have designated leaders to make this work well.

During the free time between your small group meetings, we will provide other optional activities such as informational sessions with our partners, chair yoga, and lunch. Buses will then depart the state house around 2:30.

Register here!

Lobby Day is free for tenants! For others, we suggest a $50 donation to cover the costs of lunch and transportation.

Fill out the form below to apply to become a Mass Union Network Leader! Accepted applicants will be enrolled in the Network Leader Training Program described here. Upon successful completion of the training program, you will become a Network Leader! Please note that this is a contract position, not a staff role.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Applications are not currently being accepted

Click here for Sponsorship Tiers

“We have to act, and we have to act now, to make it easier for everyone to find affordable places to live. We will build affordable homes at every income level and repair our long-neglected public housing.” – Governor Maura Healey, 2024 State of the Commonwealth Address

“We are proud to work with the Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants to protect and improve public housing communities across the Commonwealth. Mass Union’s tenant-led work is a meaningful voice for housing justice. We hope others will join us in supporting the Spring 2024 Conference and Lobby Day.” – Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Ed Augustus

Affordable housing is the #1 issue for Massachusetts’ families, communities, and economy. Safe secure public housing provides more than a place to live; it is the cornerstone that helps low-income families build educational and economic opportunity.

Skyrocketing rents across the state create an unaffordable burden for many. In fact, the most recent data identifies over 513,000 people facing this problem. For over half a century, public housing has provided affordable homes for thousands of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable seniors, families, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

The resident-members of the Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants, Mass Union, have successfully advocated for the preservation and improvement of public housing for over fifty years.

On May 19th, Mass Union’s resident-leaders will gather at the Marriott, Marlborough, for the Spring Conference. It’s a day of networking, sharing challenges and strategies for success, and learning. On May 20^th, the very next day, our empowered advocates will travel to the Massachusetts State House for Mass Union’s first Lobby Day.

We invite you to join MassSave, The Boston Foundation, Local Housing Authorities, and others who have supported Mass Union, with a sponsorship for the Spring Conference and Lobby Day.

 ABOUT THE SPRING CONFERENCE

“I was hesitant to attend Mass Union’s Fall Convention but I am so glad I went. I got lots of great information for our newly founded Local Tenant Organization, It really was an excellent experience. Thank you, Mass Union!” – Ellen Jacobson, Member

At the Spring Conference tenants will gather from across the Commonwealth at the Marriott Marlboro for a day of networking, learning and skill building. We work to enhance the power of grassroots leaders and to build an effective network to advocate for needed policy changes to improve housing.

ABOUT MASS UNION’S LOBBY DAY

The very next day, resident-members will board buses and head to the State House and immediately put their new skills to work at our very first Lobby Day. The members will meet with legislators to personally let them know of our recent victories, such as:

• • New proposed state regulations that will increase the amount Tenant Organizations receive from $6.00/unit/year to $25.00/unit/year. With this increase, tenant groups will have enhanced access to training, interpretation, staffing and other resources
  • Participation Rights for Tenants in Local Housing Authority Management Agreements, decisions that will impact them and may adversely impact their services.

Resident-leaders will personally educate their legislators about our current priorities, including:

• • • • Addressing the backlog of capital needs through the $1.6 billion allocated in Affordable Homes Act,
      • Protecting rights for those whose homes are undergoing redevelopment or facing Housing Authority mergers, and
      • Adequately funding the Operating Subsidy for public housing in FY25.

Click here for Sponsorship Tiers.

Stand with us, demonstrate your commitment to safe, well-maintained public housing with your sponsorship! Read more here

Click here to add your Sponsorship
Click here to buy an Exhibitor Table or Program Book Ad

PRESENTING SPONSOR – $10,000.00

Keynote speaker

• Invitation to offer a Conference Welcome.
• Mass Union representative to present a lunch and learn at your location.
• Deliver your message in a dedicated email to 700 residents on our statewide mailing list.
• Conference vendor table and four lunches.
• Premium full-page Program Book ad on back cover or inside front cover.
• Prominent logo on event signage and swag.
• Prominent logo on Mass Union website, event emails and social media.
• Add your information to our centralized Lobby Day table.

PLATINUM SPONSOR – $5,000.00

Two opportunities available: sponsor either the Convention or the Lobby Day lunch!

• Invitation to offer remarks during lunch at either the Conference or Lobby Day.
• Conference vendor table and three lunches.
• Full-page Program Book ad.
• Prominent logo on event signage and swag.
• Prominent logo on Mass Union website, event emails, and social media.
• Add your information to our centralized Lobby Day table.

GOLD SPONSOR – $2,000.00 

Three opportunities available to sponsor buses that transport Conference participants to the state house for Lobby Day and return them at the day’s end!

• Logo on the bus.
• Conference vendor table and two lunches.
• Half-page Program Book ad.
• Logo on event signage and swag.
• Logo on Mass Union website, event emails, and social media.
• Add your information to our centralized Lobby Day table.

SILVER SPONSOR – $1,000.00

• Conference vendor table and two lunches.
• Half-page Program Book ad.
• Logo on event signage and swag.
• Logo on Mass Union website, event emails, and social media.
• Add your information to our centralized Lobby Day table.

LOBBY DAY ALLIES and COMMUNITY PARTNERS – $500.00

• Two tickets for Lobby Day, including breakfast and lunch.
• Listing in Program Book.
• Logo on event signage and swag.
• Logo on Mass Union website, event emails, and social media.
• Add your information to our centralized Lobby Day table.

CONVENTION EXHIBITOR TABLES – $500.00

• Conference vendor table and two lunches.
• Listing in Program Book.
• Add your information to our centralized Lobby Day table.

BUY AN AD IN OUR PROGRAM BOOK

Full page Ad: $125.00  / Half Page Ad: $80.00 / Quarter Page Ad: $50.00

Click here to add your Sponsorship
Click here to buy an Exhibitor Table or Program Book Ad

Or contact Sarah Byrnes, sarah@massunion.org, 617.825.9750
Checks can be payable to Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants
784 Washington Street, Suite 504, Dorchester, MA 02124

Mass Union builds power at the grassroots level through groups like the Morency Tenants Organization in Salem. Like many other LTOs, tenants in Salem have been building relationships with each other, identifying issues of shared concern, and bringing them to the attention of the LHA’s ED. This process became known as the Blueprint for Change and many improvements have been made as a result in Salem and beyond.

But residents in Salem hit a roadblock when their ED announced plans to enter into a “Management Agreement” with nearby Marblehead. Marblehead had lost its own ED and their board decided to hire the Salem Housing Authority to manage their LHA. This is known as a “Management Agreement.”

Tenant leaders in both Marblehead and Salem were concerned that this Management Agreement would diminish services and maintenance in both places. Tenants in other parts of the state have also been voicing concerns about Management Agreements. Meanwhile, others have reported good things about these arrangements. Sometimes Management Agreements work, and sometimes they don’t.

Mass Union heard the concerns of tenants asked EOHLC to clarify that tenants should be consulted before Housing Authorities enter into Management Agreements. We’re thrilled that they listened and released PHN 2024-2, “Requirement to consult residents when entering into Management Agreements” (see below). Now, LHAs cannot enter into Management Agreements without consulting the tenants first.

If your LHA is considering entering into a Management Agreement, please let us know. We can help you prepare to voice your opinion to the LHA staff and board. Whether you support or oppose the Management Agreement, Mass Union is here to help.

Mass Union applauds the Healey Administration for funding crucial programs in the Governor’s FY25 budget, specifically:

• Increasing the operating subsidy to $112 million for public housing, a $5 million increase from last year. While more is needed, this is a very important step in the right direction.
• The operating subsidy will also fund an increase to Tenant Participation Funds, allowing tenants to have a stronger voice in the decision-making that impacts their lives.
• We also applaud the allocation of $50 million for capital repairs in public housing in the FY24 supplemental budget.
• And finally, we are thrilled to see the initiation of an Access to Counsel Program for tenants facing eviction, funded at $3.5 million.

We urge the legislature to adopt or increase these funding levels to protect the Massachusetts seniors, veterans, and families who rely on our precious state public housing.

In public housing, most decisions are made by the Housing Authority’s Executive Director (ED). The good news is that an officially recognized Local Tenant Organization has the right to meet with the ED every three months. Many meet monthly, and we recommend that you do so if possible. To get the most out of your meetings with the ED, many tenants use the following five steps called the “Blueprint for Change.”

Step 1: Identify the Widely and Deeply Felt Issues

To create change in your building, residents will need to be organized. The first step to getting organized is to build relationships and find out what other residents care about. Which issues keep them up at night? Are some of these issues widely felt?

To find out what people care about, you need to ask them. There are lots of ways to do this. You can use door-knocking, phone calls, one-to-one meetings, accidental run-ins, surveys, community meetings and more to find out which issues are widely and deeply felt in the community. We’ll talk a lot more about this in our final session.

Widely felt means that many people care about the issue.

Deeply felt means that people care a lot and might even be losing sleep about the issue.

Step 2: Meet with Residents and Conduct the Dot Exercise

Once you have talked to as many neighbors as possible, you can bring everyone together to do a “Dot Exercise.” This will allow neighbors to collectively prioritize which issues they want to work on. We will cover this and the following steps in more detail in Part II of the Mel King Institute training.

Here is a snapshot of how the Dot Exercise works:

1. At a meeting, genrrate a list of issues from residents, such as parking, sanitation, safety, schooling, etc. on a whiteboard or easel.
2. Once you have a full list, count the number of issues.
3. Divide the number by three. Give each resident this number of stickers. For example, if twelve issues are listed, each resident gets four
4. Residents can then place the stickers next to the issues they think are most important. They can place them all next to one issue, or spread them out.
5. Review the stickers to get a snapshot of which issues are most widely felt.

Step 3: Prep to Meet with the Executive Director (ED)

• Set a standard time for your meeting with the ED, for example every third Monday of the month.
• Set a standard time for the LTO Board to prepare for the meeting, for example the Friday before the meeting.
• At the prep meeting, review any commitments the ED has already made and be prepared to follow up.
• Prepare the list of goals (new or ongoing) and questions you will raise. This will be informed by Steps 1 and 2 above.
• Decide who will speak about what.

No one should attend the meeting with the ED unless they attend the prep session. No one should bring up an issue unless it has been approved by the group.

Step 4: Meet with the Executive Director

• Stick to your prepared agenda.
• Write down everything the ED says, especially what she or he promises to do in response to your goals. It is essential to keep track of whether the ED says yes, no, or maybe.
• Don’t feel pressure to solve the Housing Authority’s obstacles. Present your goals and keep presenting them until you win or change your goal. See the sidebar.

Step 5: Report Back through the Newsletter

As soon as possible after the meeting, write up the newsletter to report to the rest of the community about how things went.

• Share the issues that were discussed and what the ED said she or he would do about them.
• Make the newsletter as fun and accessible as possible. Use clip art or other graphics.
• This written record is extremely important for two reasons. First, it holds the Housing Authority accountable. Secondly, it provides transparency, so all residents know what is going on.

Results

• Tenants have resolved many issues as a result of this process.
• With each small or medium-sized victory, quality of life improves. Often, the atmosphere in the building becomes more “homey,” and the power of the tenant organization grows.
• As the tenants build more power, they will be able to tackle bigger and bigger problems.