A senior colleague in my department invited me to participate in the faculty union during orientation, and I’m so glad I did. UFF-FSU has been a great opportunity for networking with colleagues, both with and without the family. This has included free baseball tailgates, picnics, cultural events, Friday socials, and lunch-and-learns with elected leaders in education and public policy. When attending with colleagues or meeting folks across the university there, these events add a mentoring and socialization dimension, which is valuable given our tenure and promotion process as well as enriching the campus and local community experience. I have made use of some discounts through membership, which is appreciated. But perhaps most importantly, membership and participation in the union are critical for faculty to have a voice in collective bargaining, especially during times when our work and contributions may be insufficiently understood or undervalued. I appreciate the opportunity to listen to caucuses and the bargaining process, and I also appreciate the strides our union has made for faculty from all ranks at FSU and across Florida.