Inspiring women at the STUC Women’s Weekend School
For Women's History Month, Liz writes about her experiences acting as a tutor at the Scottish TUC's annual Women’s Weekend School, helping women activists learn about and prepare for participating at conferences.
I have been surrounded by inspirational women my whole life, and like to think I have inspired others within the trade union movement.
I represent PCS on the STUC women’s committee and have had many opportunities to work with and encourage women.
We run an annual Women’s Weekend School*, helping women activists hone their conference skills and write and speak to motions, holding a mock conference on the second day.
Delegates are split into four groups. Committee members facilitate workshops, sharing our experiences and knowledge. We use fun games and quizzes to teach the delegates the terminology. We discuss motions, explaining how to structure them to make them competent. The delegates choose a topic and write a motion. Conference paperwork is prepared.
Each group is given an attitude to each motion, and select speakers to move, second, support and oppose motions. Anyone else wishing to speak on any motion is encouraged to do so, but there is no pressure.
When I first facilitated at the Weekend School, we had a delegate who didn’t want to speak at all. Let’s call her Vanessa. Vanessa had only ever spoken publicly once, and was mocked for it, knocking her confidence. I assured her she didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to.
I shared my own experiences of going from being confident, acting in local plays as a kid, to becoming shy due to bullies and controlling exes. I never thought I could speak publicly but was asked to move a motion at PCS conference. I was terrified, but calmed by other delegates who reassured me that I spoke well. I explained to Vanessa that I still get nervous about speaking publicly, particularly when people try to intimidate me, but I learned not to let them get to me.
The next morning Vanessa told us that she had thought about it overnight and decided she would give speaking a go as she felt safe with us. I helped her prepare.
All delegates spoke really well at the mock conference. I was proud of everyone, but mostly of Vanessa who had overcome her fears and anxieties.
Whenever I see delegates from the school speaking at STUC conferences, I feel a sense of pride that they have taken and used the skills that we have given them.
I like to think that I have inspired others, but I know that I am inspired by these women, many of whom are the future of our movement.
*The Weekend School is held in August/September each year with calling notices sent to affiliate unions a month or so ahead of this, when PCS Scotland will contact branches asking for expressions of interest.