On March 27^th the Vancouver Islnd District Council held a sectoral forum, Building Solidarity - For Today and For the Future. Delegates attended from virtually every local on Vancouver Island, and focused their discussion on identification of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that characterize our union today.

It came as no surprise that "communications" was cited as a weakness in our union. However, in my experience, communications is always cited as a weakness when any organization (labour or otherwise) pauses to evaluate those things that appear to be working, and those things that do not.

In my view, communication is not the problem. Think about it. We know what information needs to be communicated. We agree that we need to share that information widely ~ and to do so in a timely manner. We have the tools necessary: telephones, fax machines, "snail mail" and electronic mail. It is the effective use of these tools that I see as the problem: we're not using them as effectively as they can (and should) be used. That's not a communications problem, but rather a leadership and coordination problem.

"Leadership" implies taking the initiative, either to get started on accomplishing tasks, or to get others started on accomplishing tasks that will help us realize specific goals or objectives. Until we define the extent of leadership and coordination necessary for effective use of the tools at our disposal for communication, we will not have effective communication.

Gail Miller, Local 3479 (North Island College)
Chair, VIDC Communications Committee