Advocate
AR Handbook – 27
The role of the AR as an advocate is
vital as membership representation
is one of the many reasons unions
exist. We must strive to make sure
that each member has access to
his/her contract, board policies,
grievance procedures, and relevant
statutes and legal decisions which
may affect their career.
On the following pages, we introduce
the many ways ARs are involved
in their local associations as
an advocate:
Problem Solver: Steps in
problem solving
1. Defining the problem
a. Obtaining clarity and
understanding
b. Being as specific as possible
c. Reaching agreement that
the problem being defined is
really the problem
2. Gathering information
a. Providing incidents or bases
that exemplify the problem
b. Discussing issues and
concerns that are related to
the problem
3. Diagnosing and analyzing
causes
a. Stating goal or objective for
change
b. Performing a force field
analysis
c. Selecting force(s) for
modification
4. Proposing solutions
a. Making list of as many
alternative solutions as
possible or
b. Brainstorming or
5. Discussing solutions
a. Evaluating the merits of
each alternative solution
b. Ranking alternative
solutions from best to
poorest
6. Deciding on a solution or a
series of solutions
a. Choosing a solution which
seems feasible, i.e., has
potential for success
b. Choosing a solution which
we can actually implement.
7. Planning action steps
a. Listing detailed steps for
implementing solution(s)
b. Planning specific steps that
we as individuals can take