Michele brings an incredible work ethic, a heart for the marginalized, and a determination to address inequities in the workplace. She has a proven track record of deep involvement on your behalf.
Sylvia Gray
Union Work means….
We do the messy work of coming together, despite our differences, to protect and enhance our working conditions. For educators, this is often focused on how we can support our students.
At PCC, we are fighting for our Collective Voice to not only be heard, but to be counted. We need real Shared Governance to make PCC better for our students and to protect our own mental health from the onslaught management brings (yet another consultants, contrived budget crisis, self studies, etc). We also need wages and benefits to allow us to live balanced lives.
We are collectively The Union. Not the President, not the elected officers. These roles provide structure, but without members and their passion and willingness to engage, we would not be a Union.
Union work means listening with compassion. One of the things I used to hate about myself is that I often can understand various, even conflicting, perspectives. For a long time, I felt this meant I had no opinions of my own. I realize now that it is a strength, and even if I don’t agree, I can often see where the other person is coming from. This can ease tensions and it helps me bring in alternate perspectives if they are missing in discussions.
Union work also means community. As an introvert, I often want to find a cave to hide in. But, contrary to most other meetings, union meetings tend to energize me. I think this is because of the people coming together in solidarity to find our Collective Voice and then using it to Stand Our Ground.
“The Labor Movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” -Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice and co-founder of the Women’s Rights Project of the ACLU.
Accomplishments
The following are some of the things I’m most proud of during my time as an elected officer. I am a deeply collaborative person by nature, so all of these things involved others:
Finance Committee: Expanding the Budget Committee (which met only during spring term) to the Finance Committee that meets monthly and has multiple people evaluating and discussing FFAP’s financial status.
Compliance Documents: Updating the “compliance documents.” These are documents around fraud, conflict of interest, whistleblower. I thought this would take at most a month. It ended up being around a year and we had it vetted by a lawyer. The documents were shared with AFT-Oregon to give to others in the state.
Solidarity Officer: At a training session I attended, a presenter mentioned how some unions connect to their communities, especially 20-30 years ago. This strengthened the power of the union and was good for the community. After advocating for it for around 5 years, I was able to help create a new elected position: Solidarity Officer. This position builds relationships with other unions and community organizations as well as oversees our Mutual Aid.
Mutual Aid: Our sister union Federation of Classified Employees (FCE) has had a “members helping members” fund and once I learned of it, I thought we should have one too. This was another one that took years to advocate for, but we have it now!
Organizing: Years ago, elected officers started discussing what it meant to be “strike ready.” We realized we were nowhere near ready. I was part of a group that created the infrastructure needed to organize members. This is critical; otherwise, we (1) don’t keep the rights we have and (2) won’t be ready to manage a strike that requires organizing a majority of members.
Strike Readiness: When it became clear in the 2023 negotiations that management was not budging, we realized strike might be a possibility. Oh, it was so much work – but exciting too because even though everything was moving so fast, we were going to be ready. I created the strike fund policy and synthesized information so that members would have financial support. Hopefully the reopener negotiation we are about to start doesn’t stall out, but if it does, with member’s Collective Voice We Will Be Ready!
Grievance Won!: Wednesday during inservice week of this academic year, there was an uproar in my department (math) about the new D2L Navigation Bar that couldn’t be changed. The new structure just didn’t work well for our online classes. This was one of the first times that we combined a grievance with an organizing action. It was my first grievance to write and argue – and I expected it to go through all three grievance steps and probably to arbitration. To my surprise, faculty were given back control of the Navigation Bar after step 1 (a grievance has 3 steps before arbitration). The combination of organizing and grievance was powerful!
If elected again….
When I was elected as Executive VP two years ago, I wanted to bring more to the role. Take on projects that would support and grow our local – and help other elected officers if there was a need. I’ve done both and plan on continuing to do so.
Here are the things that come to mind when I think of the next two years:
CTE (Career Technical Education) Support: From other PCC work, I’ve learned about our CTE programs and I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the devotion and dedication these faculty have for their programs and students. Unfortunately, they are too often unsupported by the college. It is hard for CTE faculty to run for an elected position because of all the additional work they carry. So, this year, I decided to go to them and started attending CTE FDC meetings to learn more about CTE needs. There could be places where the contract is being violated (and addressed) or there could be discussion of how to meet needs.
Transition Year for FFAP Staff: We are fortunate to be able to employ staff members. This past year, a workgroup updated our staffing model. This next year will be a major transition year for our staff and one of my main focuses. The current president, Ben Cushing, and I attended a training called How To Manage with Union Values.
Advocate for Appropriate Balance Between Transparency and Confidentiality: In policy discussions, there is a topic elected officers are still working through: finding the balance between transparency and confidentiality. This mainly affects 2 committees: Grievance Committee and a small committee tasked with HR functions for our staff members. This committee is called the Executive Committee or Xcom for short. Information is shared from both to the larger entire council, but not fully. I don’t believe that being elected into a position means that the person right to know everything- some sensitive information is position dependent:
For grievance officer reports, I strongly believe member information needs to be kept private as it is now (no names and no specific information) because grievances and investigatory meetings have very sensitive information.
For Xcom, I strongly believe our staff should have the right to privacy – any “HR conversation” that happens in that small committee, staff’s personnel files, etc should not be shared in minutes to all elected officers. Also, any elected officer who has a supervisory or “HR” role should have immediate and ongoing management training. I will continue to advocate that we should manage our staff with union values.
Bargaining Summer School: Probably 8 years ago, I attended a negotiation training session where the facilitator shared that at his local they spend the summers they are not bargaining preparing for bargaining. They do this by inviting in members to write contract language – and then come up with arguments for and against the new language. They even role play. This would be a way for YOU to see if you might like to be on the bargaining team or just help the bargaining team come up with arguments and counter arguments.
More Infrastructure Development: I’m probably one of the few people who really enjoy creating policies and structure – or at least it sometimes seems that way. FFAP’s internal structure has morphed and allowed us to be the union we are today – more able to organize and bring our Collective Voice than ever before. But, the work is not yet done. Covid set us back and since covid, it has felt like one management crisis after another. I would like to continue in this role to support the needed policy development and infrastructure building.
Supporting All Bargaining Classes: As faculty, I am able to take release for this position. At this point in time, this is a gift. I fear these next two years will be hard ones with what is happening federally on top of the known struggles at PCC: years of workload creep for FT, appropriate release for FDCs and SAC chairs, disinvestment and closing of programs, administration who don’t know the basics of the programs they are to serve (self-studies where responses were inaccurate and administration refused to hear corrections), whatever the Trupp study will say for AP jobs, PT faculty ongoing need for career ladder and increased job security, obscene caseload for advisors, bad decisions of managers that harm students, or shared governance for us all.
Experience
The Executive Vice President (EVP) position is by definition a support and leadership role. The person must stand ready to fill-in for the president or other committee members as needed – or fill-in other gaps. I was pretty nervous about the EVP role when I was first elected two years ago – I expected it to be a steep learning curve. But I found that the work was a natural extension of my work as Treasurer (2013-2023).
I learned so much from Frank as Treasurer and also as EVP. It was wonderful to work with him in the EVP role – he knows so much. I started a document called “things to remember,” but it was really impossible to capture it all! This past year, I have really enjoyed working with our current president, Ben Cushing. I believe Ben and I balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I was excited to learn that he nominated me for EVP and I gladly accepted the nomination.
In my union work (and PCC work), I aim to be reliable and dependable. Own up to my mistakes (and learn from them and correct them if that is possible).
One of my favorite things about union conferences is that we often stand up and cheer for the wait staff. I’d love to live in a world where everyone was treated with respect and appreciated no matter what they did or who they were (and had a living wage). I do my best to bring this sentiment into all my interactions.
Endorsements
Here are some of the things Michele’s colleagues have to say.
Frank Goulard Math faculty, former President of FFAP
I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to work with Michele over the last 18 years as a Math faculty and on our FFAP Executive Council. She was dedicated in both of her roles as Treasurer and Executive Vice President. Michele has been conscientious throughout all of her work and it shows in involvement and results, for the common good.
Sylvia Gray retired History Faculty, former EAC chair
I urge you to vote for Michele Marden for Executive Vice-President. Michele brings an incredible work ethic, a heart for the marginalized, and a determination to address inequities in the workplace. She has a proven track record of deep involvement on your behalf.
The nature of the Executive Vice-President position, in addition to being involved in all the daily work of the Executive council, is to be ready to step into any role of the Federation as needed, and that requires a breadth of knowledge that Michele has acquired over her years of service. Not only has she effectively served in this Vice-President role for the last two years, but she also has served on the Executive Council as Treasurer for 10 years. In particular, she has been deeply involved in the nitty-gritty work of reorganizing the vision and functioning of the Federation to serve you more effectively, providing much of the groundwork for making that vision a reality. She continues the work!
Please give Michele Marden your vote so that she can continue in this important role!
Julie Hastings ESOL faculty, FFAP secretary
I enthusiastically endorse the incumbent, Michele Marden, to continue as FFAP’s Executive Vice President. There is no one I would trust in the position more than Michele, who brings to the role an unparalleled depth of experience and a profound commitment to the mission and values of our union. As FFAP Secretary, I have had the privilege of working closely with Michele Marden over the past few years. She spends countless hours planning and attending FFAP Committee meetings, consulting with our lawyers, meeting with College administration, and communicating almost daily with FFAP Staff.
Shannon Baird BCT FT Faculty and CoFDC
I strongly endorse re-electing Michele Marden as Federation Executive Vice President. Michele has been a consistent voice in our ongoing struggle for fair contract and working conditions, most recently in directly addressing and ultimately correcting the D2L Navbar Fiasco. Thank you Michele! I know there is more work to be done, and Michele is busy on the job. Please help return Michele Marden to the EVP role so we can keep making progress on issues that matter to us in our daily working hours. She works hard, she’s smart and she’s tough.
Kathleen Janicki PCCFFAP Treasurer and PT Accounting Faculty
I wholeheartedly endorse Michele Marden for Executive Vice President. In my experience Michele is supportive, knowledgeable and collaborative. With over 12 years’ experience with FFAP, Michele has developed and honed her leadership skills. Michele always thinks about the other person’s perspective, working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure an outcome that is mutually beneficial and free from bias.
With the transition in the Presidency from Frank Goulard to Ben Cushing, Michele as EVP has willingly assumed more of the administrative function to free Ben to have more time to focus on Organizing.
Michele provides continuity supporting the growth of FFAP, attending the meetings of all committees and reporting to her colleagues the outcomes from those meetings, leading the Executive Committee and building the infrastructure as FFAP has shifted more focus to Organizing.
For 15 months, Michele worked tirelessly to build the capacity from a financial perspective for FFAP members to be strike ready. Michele liaised with AFT-National to put the short-term bridge loan process in place. Over the last four years, Michele has established the Mutual Aid Fund and the FFAP Strike Fund to support members in need.
Upon the suggestion of others, in the last 12 months Michele implemented sharing the minutes from the Executive Committee meetings to provide more transparency in the HR function of FFAP. Michele is collaborative, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and included in decision-making.
Michele Marden is the right choice for Executive Vice President please join me in voting for Michele Marden.
Greg Kaminski retired faculty with Online Learning
I first worked with Michele Marden as a colleague on the Sylvania TLC Steering Committee (now CTLE), also in my former role working with faculty through Online Learning. Michele is a thoughtful listener and a superb collaborator. She excels in her ability to see issues from a variety of perspectives, a true gift when making decisions and collaborating on the best path forward. Michele has done a wonderful job in her role as Executive Vice President, and I strongly endorse her for continuing in this role.
Ralf Youtz Math Faculty (FT)
Michele Marden’s organizing and leadership are invaluable for FFAP. She restructured our dues so our least-well-paid members pay the least (without sacrificing financial stability). Here in Math, Michele provides direct support when we’ve organized in response to awful administrative decisions – making direct positive impacts on our working conditions. Her commitment to listening to and understanding FFAP members’ genuine needs and perspectives is unmatched – that commitment is ideal for our FFAP vice president! I hope y’all will join me in voting for Michele Marden!
Scot Leavitt, FT Math Faculty
I am proudly voting for Michele Marden to elect her for another term as Executive VP. Michele is an engaged leader and is constantly working to advance the needs of all our union members. Anytime I’ve seen issues arise in our department, Michele has made herself available to support faculty impacted by those issues. She takes the time to listen to what’s happening, to hear what the actual needs are, and then works towards bettering the situation. I’m excited to be able to cast my ballot for Michele.
Jessica Bernards Math Faculty
I am writing to enthusiastically endorse Michele Marden for another term as Portland Community College’s AFT Union Vice President. Throughout her current term, Michele has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her outstanding communication, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering support for faculty members. Her ability to follow through on commitments and address concerns has made a tangible difference in our working environment.
On a personal note, Michele’s dedication and support were instrumental during a particularly challenging time in my professional career. I can honestly say that without her guidance and advocacy, I might not still be teaching at PCC today. This speaks volumes about her commitment to individual faculty members and her effectiveness in her role.
Michele’s continued leadership as Vice President will ensure that our union remains strong, responsive, and effective in representing the interests of all PCC faculty. I wholeheartedly support her candidacy and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
Noah Dear Math Faculty
Michele’s experience, familiarity with state-wide regulations, and our contract knowledge has been a bulwark against the administration’s attempts at infringing on our employee rights. Moreover, she has been an excellent support for individual faculty when faced with questions about our rights, and facing conflict with administration.
Lezlie Bugg, IAA Math
I endorse Michele Marden as a candidate for Executive Vice President for the Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals.
Michele is straightforward and honest in her dealings with students and faculty alike. I have observed her compassionate interactions with both traditional and non-traditional students. She is always willing to go the extra mile.
As a current Federation of Classified Employees Executive Council member I have enjoyed the collegiate interactions with our sister union while working through difficult contract negotiations. The interactions with Michele have always been professional and positive.
Michele is an excellent Executive Vice President and will do an amazing job moving forward.
Phyllis Petteys Accessibility Specialist (AP), FFAP Lead Steward for APs
I would like to endorse Michele in her bid to continue to serve our union as Executive VP. As an Accessibility Specialist at PCC, I have met with Michele often over the years about how to support disabled students and increase accessibility in math classes. Michele is incredibly committed to teaching all her students, and continually questions whether she can adjust and do more. I have learned so much from her, as she often collaborates with our team to improve strategies for disabled students, whether they be in our classrooms, online modalities, or PCC students who are Adults in Custody at Coffee Creek.
Michele brings the same sense of purpose and caring to her union work.
I’ve been a union member since I came to PCC in 2013. Michele reached out to me several years ago to get to know me and my position at PCC and to let me know how the union can help. Her dedication to FFAP comes out in every interaction, and she tirelessly works to move the policies and structure of the union forward, jumping into projects that need attention. I joined the Executive Council a few months ago, and Michele has been there for me as I attempt to learn and contribute to our work. Thank you for all that you do.
Kelsey Adams Math Faculty (PT)
I’m proud to support Michele Marden for Executive Vice President of our union. Michele is a devoted instructor and a deeply committed union member who consistently shows care not just for her students, but also for her colleagues. As a part-time faculty member, I’ve personally benefited from Michele’s knowledge and advocacy. Michele used her experience to make me aware of mileage reimbursement options for teaching at Coffee Creek, as well as advocating for me to receive compensation for the additional work that teaching there required. She brings experience, heart, and empathy to everything she does, and I know she’ll continue to be a thoughtful and effective leader in this role. Please join me in supporting Michele for Executive Vice President!
Alex Vuilleumier Writing Faculty, FFAP Oversight and Bylaws Officer
Michele is an amazing Executive Vice President. Her knowledge, experience, even-handedness, humility and kindness are exactly what is needed in such a difficult role, especially now. The EVP role requires an ability to parse the details of policy structures and manage paperwork while keeping in mind the big picture to serve the best interests of everyone, and Michele excels at this work.
Heiko Spoddeck, Math Faculty (FT)
I am endorsing Michele for the Executive Vice President position of our PCCFFAP union. First of all, Michele has done an incredible job in this very position for the last two years. She brings forth the unique combination of forward-looking vision and recognition for the current reality we find ourselves in and what is needed because of that. And yet she never loses sight of where we should be heading and helps to bring everyone along into the future. What has helped her in that is her skill to be able to listen to different opinions and see things from another person’s perspective. That has led her to advocate and support people that are often overlooked and not counted. Personally, that has helped me feel a lot more part of the union than I have before. Thank you, Michele! I’m voting to have you continue as our Executive Vice President for the next 2 years!
Christine Manning, Faculty in PE
YES, I strongly support Michele Marden being re-elected as FFAP Executive Vice President. As a former FFAP Executive Council Secretary I worked with Michele for many years. Michele is an excellent listener, taking the time to fully understand the issues or concerns affecting the membership, and then, tirelessly pursues resolutions.
Michele has the knowledge and experience that comes with years of experience in the union. She is an incredibly hard and caring worker for our union. I strongly recommend Michele Marden.
Dorothy Paton, Faculty in Interior Design
Michele, a proven collaborative leader, will navigate our organization with vision and skill to strengthen the vital role of, and benefits for, all members, as well as the employee body as a whole. In light of recent and potential changes at the college, continuity in this role is advantageous for advocacy for our concerns at every level of our Union’s communities.
Kris Fink Faculty, FFAP Grievance Officer for PT Faculty
When Michele Marden moved from the Treasurer position to the role of Vice President, I was anxious. She’d done such an amazing job as treasurer centering transparency in the budget process and providing clear, thoughtfully organized information to members and the Executive Council. However, these anxieties were soon relieved as Michele had, of course, left the treasurer position in excellent hands while she dove into the VP Position. In the last two years, Michele’s work as VP has been incredibly helpful to FFAP’s ability to serve our diverse members and their needs while also helping to establish clear protocols and procedures long missing from our union infrastructure. Michele is always willing to support members of the Executive Committee, and, by extension, rank-and-file members. Michele SHOWS UP and DOES THE WORK whether that’s being in meetings, filing grievances, confronting administration, or doing the hard work of engaging and creating democratic processes for union functions. Michele is detail-oriented, thoughtful, and caring. She fights for all job classes at PCC and is passionate about union work. She is extraordinarily well-suited for the VP position, and I would hate to lose her in this role.
Nellie Long, Distance Learning Admin
We have worked together in a wide range of capacities over the years. I have found Michele’s situated to communicate well and to engage in dialogue during disagreements or challenging issues. Respect for the process and the individual is consistently shown. This is important for a V.P. within the union. There are many disagreements however it always comes down to the individual person.
Tony Obradovich, Psychology Faculty
I have known Michele Marden for about 15 years, since she first led the Learning Assessment Council. I have also worked with Michele on the Union’s Finance Committee. I have found Michele to be unfailingly honest, diligent, thoughtful, judicious, and wise. She has been a stellar advocate for the needs of PCC’s part-time instructors and academic professionals, and she possesses a profound commitment to the work of our Union. I heartily endorse her to continue in her role as Executive Vice-President for PCCFFAP!
Shirlee Geiger Philosophy Faculty, former FFAP Grievance Officer
Michele Marden is one of the wonders of the world. Compassionate, detail-oriented, collaborative, great at facilitation, with a strong sense of fairness. She has deep integrity even with the going gets very, very tough. She does not seek the limelight, but I am sure you have benefited from some of the many union projects she championed over the years that improved the transparency and accountability of the Executive Council. She is brilliant, practical, and the hardest worker I have ever met in my life.
The other person running for executive VP, Michelle DuBarry, is also an incredible person. She has made many beautiful, smart, pragmatic contributions to our union — thanks to her we have better communication, her hard work in bargaining has brought AP issues to the fore (too often neglected in the past), and she can be counted on to stand firm for her values. She is currently in the middle of a term as Communications VP. If she is elected EVP, Michele Marden will leave union leadership, and the President will have to appoint someone new to fill the Communications role. Why not keep BOTH the incredible Michele AND Michelle working hard for us by voting to re-elect Michele Marden as EVP?
I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama in a union family. (This is a recent picture of my mom and aunt.) My mom was working overtime on the day of the 16th Street Baptist Street Church bombing and she heard it. She often shares this story and how she could not understand why some white people hated black people. My aunt was a grievance officer and animal activist (protested alongside Jane Goodall once to end use of chimpanzees in medical research). My parents and extended family had instilled in me a strong sense of social justice and to treat the creatures of the earth with kindness (I never intentionally squish a bug or spider).
After earning my bachelor’s and master’s in mathematics, I taught in various high schools, community colleges, and universities in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. In 2007, I moved to Portland and started teaching at PCC and Mt Hood part-time. I was one of the lucky ones and secured a full-time position in 2010 at PCC, Sylvania Campus.
At PCC, I’ve participated in various college work including chairing the Learning Assessment Council and co-coordinator for the Teaching Learning Center (now Center for Teaching and Learning). Most recently, I taught classes at Coffee Creek Women’s Prison (one of the best teaching experiences I have ever had).
Even though it was over 15 years ago, I have never forgotten the stress of being job insecure or the sudden change in how people treated me: In virtually the same situations, I found that my similar actions as a full time faculty were celebrated instead of being called out and shamed as a part-timer only months prior.
Witnessing the blatant disrespect of other part-time faculty is one of the reasons I was motivated to do more with our union. And, after joining, being an integral part of pushing for better working conditions for all the job classes is what keeps me motivated to continue.
Over the years, I have been instrumental in maintaining and building our local. As Treasurer, I led the work to restructure dues that resulted in more financial stability. And, I actively participated in developing policies and roles that are now helping us stand stronger together to fight for the issues that matter for students and ourselves.
Of course, one person does not make such changes alone – and the work is not done.
I entered the role of EVP with a clear understanding of our union’s structural challenges and potential. My goals as EVP were to be a bridge between committees and out to members, update our staffing, and bring in missing perspectives when needed.
As EVP:
When strike seemed imminent, synthesized information between FFAP’s committees and affiliates, credit unions, and other locals, so that we would be ready to provide strike loans for members.
Took on committee work when needed. Example: Organized and wrote my first grievance, successfully returning control of D2L’s Navigation Bar to faculty! Fill-in-gaps example: Started attending CTE FDC meetings to learn more about needs (possible contract support)
Co-developed new staffing roles. Bonus: My active work in virtually every committee has helped with the presidential transition this past year.
FFAP has known and unknown challenges ahead:
Transition to new staff roles and responsibilities
Steward Network still in its infancy
More policy and infrastructure development is needed
National uncertainty for higher education’s stability
With your vote, I would be honored to continue building our local, supporting our new president, taking on additional work as needed, and navigating the national landscape – all to support our Collective Voice.
Michele Marden for FFAP Executive VP 