Member2Member
The Education Fund has developed a Member to Member (M2M) program that is designed for members to help promote and recruit their co-workers to utilize the Fund as they develop vital leadership skills.
What is Member2Member
The Member2Member (M2M) program is a leadership program for people who want to make education for the workforce their mission, while increasing member ownership, fund utilization and greater program awareness. As a M2M, you can play an integral role in helping your coworkers take advantage of benefits available to them through the Ed Fund. M2Ms find out first about the newest educational benefits provided by the Ed Fund and how these benefits can help members further their careers.
Meet Our Member2Members
Shaq Nelson-Brumfield
Shaquandway (Shaq) Nelson-Brumfield has always pushed people to go back to school and better themselves. She’s convinced numerous colleagues at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center to finish up those last few credits in order to get their degree, with the help of the Education Fund. Shaq jokes that she had to chase down a few of her colleagues to get them to sign up for classes. She acknowledges that it can be difficult to work a full-time job and juggle family obligations with school, but it’s always worth it in the end. “You cannot get ahead without education,” says Shaq.
It was by chance that Shaq learned about the M2M program. She was already encouraging her colleagues to further their education through the Ed Fund. In addition to the leadership opportunity being an M2M provides, participants also get custom promo items and get to meet colleagues throughout their facility. Shaq has found her daughter “borrowing” her M2M bag and sweatshirt and now has to hide them. Laughing, she exclaims, “I earned those!”
Selene Castillo
Selene Castillo, a Phlebotomist at Dignity Health’s St. Mary’s Hospital, became an Education Fund Member2Member (M2M) to ensure everyone in her facility is aware of their Education Fund benefits. M2Ms share information about the Education Fund’s latest programs with colleagues in their facilities and let them know that the Ed Fund can help them pay for their education and advance in their careers.
Selene’s passion for education and helping others has made her a great fit for the M2M program. Becoming an M2M has helped Selene both personally and professionally. “I’ve gained the confidence to share my story [with] coworkers and my fellow peers. Secondly, I have developed a celeb-like reputation, and continue to excel to accomplish my goals, [as well as] helping others in achieving theirs. Lastly, which is my favorite, I’ve become more social, not just on my floor but in other departments.”
Faye Eastman
Co-workers at the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center call Fay Eastman, “The Ed Fund Lady.” In addition to using Education Fund resources to enrich her own work life, Fay talks up the Ed Fund with her co-workers every chance she gets in her role as a Member2Member. “I’m a big believer in education. I have big plans and the Ed Fund is there to help us all do what we want to do.”
And if she hears someone complain about their job, Eastman tells them they’re not stuck, the Ed Fund is there to help those looking to make a career change. “If someone thinks they might be happier doing something else, they just have to decide to do it,” she said. “The Ed Fund helps make it possible.”
Benefits
- Promote the Education Fund on paid time (minimum 1 shift per month.)
- Meet more of your coworkers.
- Get the latest info on new courses.
- Special M2M swag!
- Help coworkers advance their careers.
Activities
M2Ms accomplish their goals by working with Ed Fund staff to participate in various activities, including:
- Disseminate flyers in their facility
- Present updates at steward council meeting
- Coordinate department meetings and meet with a dept. manager
- Recruitment for Career Pathways
- Further recruitment of M2Ms
- Monthly M2M leadership call
M2Ms can also help let the Education Fund know if they’re hearing of a particular education need within their facility to make sure these needs are addressed.
How does it work?
Participants in the Member2Member program will work with the Education Fund staff members called Business Development Specialists to create priorities for their region or facility. M2M work can be done on “Lost Time” and M2Ms are given Wage Replacement opportunities for missing work, if unable to receive “Lost Time” from their employer. M2Ms can work before or after work and receive wage replacement, or work can be done voluntarily if M2M desires.
Interested? Find out more
If you’re interested in becoming a Member2Member, please fill out our M2M interest form, or use the button below.
You can also view or download a flyer about the M2M program. Thank you for your interest!