Registration is open for the National Staff Organization’s 2027 Winter Advocacy Retreat, better known as WAR College, which will bring NSO members from across the country to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from January 14-16.
WAR College is NSO’s signature training event, offering three days of education, collaboration and opportunities for union staff to learn from one another. This year’s program includes 68 session offerings representing 46 distinct trainings, with 27 new or significantly revamped sessions.
“WAR College has always been about NSO members learning from other NSO members and taking that knowledge home to strengthen their affiliates,” NSO President Brad Darjean said. “That becomes even more important as the work of union staff continues to change. We want members leaving Las Vegas with practical tools, stronger relationships and a larger network of colleagues they can call on long after WAR College ends.”
Registration and hotel deadlines
WAR College registration will close November 13 and hotel reservations on December 12. Members can find the registration link under the Winter Advocacy Retreat section of the the NSO website.
A broad training program
This year’s program is designed to provide useful training for members at different stages of their careers and from a wide range of NSO affiliates.
Sessions will address bargaining, grievance handling, organizing and advocacy, NLRA issues, communications and technology, diversity, equity and inclusion, parliamentary procedure, self-care, mental health and work-life balance, among other areas.
“We took a hard look at the program and tried to build something that meets members where they are right now,” NSO Vice President of Program Kelley Clouser said. “There are strong foundational courses, but there is also a lot that is new. We have new trainers, new approaches and updated sessions that reflect the issues our members are actually dealing with on the job.”
Members attending sessions involving collective bargaining or grievance work should plan to bring a copy of their union contract. Members attending parliamentary procedure sessions should also bring their affiliate constitution and bylaws.
The program will again include Emerging Issues, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, as well as the return of Roll for Solidarity, WAR College’s Dungeons & Dragons experience. The Associate Staff Forum will also be incorporated directly into the WAR College agenda this year.
Breakfast with the President
WAR College will also feature a change to the traditional President’s Forum. Rather than a longer standalone session, members will be invited to Breakfast with the President on Friday morning, creating an opportunity for conversation with Darjean while preserving more of the schedule for training, networking and other programming.
Friday solidarity events
Friday will conclude with two all-member activities. WAR College attendees will gather for the annual group photo at 5:15 p.m., followed immediately by a solidarity reception from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Additional information about the photo location and event T-shirt plans will be shared with registered attendees before WAR College.
New opportunity for small affiliates
NSO will provide up to five (5) WAR College scholarships for first-time attendees from affiliates with fewer than 40 members. Each scholarship will cover airfare and four nights of lodging. Meals and other expenses will remain the responsibility of the attendee and/or their affiliate.
Applications for the scholarship are due October 12 and are available in the Information section of the NSO member portal. The scholarships will be administered by the NSO Organizing Committee, which will review applications and make recommendations to the NSO Executive Committee.
“For a small affiliate, sending someone across the country for several days of training can be a major financial decision,” Organizing Committee Co-Chair Quinn Chesir said. “We don’t want the size of an affiliate to determine whether a member gets access to NSO’s best training and the relationships that come with it. This scholarship is an opportunity to bring some new voices into WAR College and send them home better connected to the larger organization.”
Members interested in the scholarship should READ MORE HERE and then submit their applications by October 12 even if their affiliate is still discussing WAR College attendance.