The National Staff Organization is calling all fighters, educators, and visionaries to the frontlines. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open for the 2026 Winter Advocacy Retreat (WAR), to be held January 15–17, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego, California.
This is not a conference. It’s a call to action. WAR is where staff unionists from across the country gather to sharpen skills, share knowledge, and forge the strategies that fuel our fight. Whether you’re a veteran of the grievance table or a communications powerhouse building your affiliate’s voice, this is your moment to teach, learn, and lead.
“In times of difficulty, we don’t step back—we step up,” said NSO President Brad Darjean. “NSO members are built for this. WAR is where we show each other how to own it, learn it, and lead it—together.”
The RFP process opens April 28, 2025 and closes June 27, 2025. Members are encouraged to submit proposals at www.nationalstaff.org/WAR. Sessions must center on staff union work—the real stuff that moves us forward: grievance handling, contract negotiations, organizing strategies, leadership development, DEI, crisis communications, and more.
“Our affiliates face powerful opposition. WAR is where we make sure they never face it alone,” said Justin Zartman, NSO Vice President of Defense. “This is about more than sessions and slides. It’s about training the next wave of warriors.”
Prospective trainers are invited to collaborate with other union siblings at the NSO Representative Assembly this June in New Orleans. WAR thrives on the energy of shared experience and the strength of solidarity—this is the place to build partnerships that inspire.
And don’t think you need a traditional topic to apply. If you’ve created a bold, new approach to union advocacy or found success with a tactic no one’s tried yet—we want it. WAR celebrates not just what’s been done, but what’s possible.
“We’ve never needed fearless union educators more than we do right now,” Darjean said. “Bring your skills. Bring your courage. Bring your story. Our members are ready—and this is where we get them ready to lead.”
The National Staff Organization represents union staff from around the country, uniting professionals who support and strengthen the labor movement in every sector where unions thrive.
Grounded in a commitment to leadership, advocacy, stability, and justice, NSO empowers its members to build strong contracts, protect union values, and champion the rights of workers nationwide. Learn more at www.nationalstaff.org and follow NSO on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.