OCSEA Vice President Rocky Jolly introduced the PEOPLE Challenge, where all nine OCSEA districts compete to increase their PEOPLE contributions, and their voices at the voting booth. 

"As union activists, we must make the connection of how important it is to elect candidates who support public employees. That’s why we have the PEOPLE program," said VP Jolly. PEOPLE is the union's political action committee fund and stands for Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality. "It’s our political voice through our pocketbooks. It’s how we support candidates and elected officials who will protect our jobs and collective bargaining rights," he continued.

This year, our brothers and sisters in the federal government have lost their jobs and have had their contracts ripped apart, and both brother Jolly and Pres. Mabe reminded attendees that we can’t let the same thing to happen here in Ohio. "It’s going to take all of us digging deeper in our pockets to protect our jobs," said Jolly.

The goal for this convention is to reach 100% membership in PEOPLE in all nine OCSEA districts. VP Jolly will be reporting the percentage of PEOPLE memberships throughout this convention. We hope we can celebrate 100% participation on Saturday morning. See the current district participation percentages below.

Become a PEOPLE MVP today and you will help protect our jobs and our rights in the workplace.As an added bonus, the OCSEA district that wins the competition will receive a $1,000 rebate as a prize. Attendees can sign up and become a PEOPLE member Thursday and Friday at the PEOPLE Booth in the hallway outside the general session. Receive a green hoodie by signing up at the $4 MVP level or increasing current contributions by $4. Make a $5 contribution and receive a green OCSEA water bottle from Yeti. And better yet, make a $9 commitment and get both the Yeti and the hoodie! Remember, every dollar donated to PEOPLE helps OCSEA support your issues at the Statehouse. This is totally voluntary; no union dues are used for PEOPLE.

Current PEOPLE Challenge standings by district:

                                    District 1 - 30% (start 30%)

                                    District 2 - 58% (start 55%)

                                    District 3 - 48% (start 45%)

                                    District 4 - 43% (start 30%)

                                    District 5 - 44% (start 44%)

                                    District 6 - 43% (start 41%)

                                    District 7 - 40% (start 33%)

                                    District 8 - 63% (start 61%)

                                    District 9 - 38% (start 29%)

updated Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, afternoon