Every campaign should be led by a visible leadership committee made up of people who are organizing the union. The people on the organizing committee:

• Help by being the “face and voice” of our union at work and in our community.
• Learn how to organize and become activists and leaders in our union.

Who should be on our organizing committee?

A general rule is 10–15% of the workforce. Think about a communications network and what each person would need to do to reach 10 others to get the word out.

• People who are respected in their workplace and communities.
• Individuals who together reflect the membership of the union we are building—age, gender, race, ethnicity, languages, shifts, work locations, departments, jobs, etc.

What does a GREAT organizing committee do?

• Meets regularly to share information, makes decisions together and makes a plan to win;
• Takes responsibility for talking one on one to co-workers;
• Answers questions about the union and recognition process;
• Gets cards and petitions signed;
• Gets co-workers involved in meetings and events;
• Helps map out the workplace and identify issues people care about;
• Builds a strong communications and activist network; and
• Helps protect against interference to our right to organize freely.

Now what?

Don’t just call a meeting. Seek out campaign leaders through one-on-one conversations where real discussions can take place. When it's time, know the tips for effective committee meetings.

RESOURCES

Recruit Leaders to the Organizing Committee
Sample Agenda for a One-on-One Organizing Conversation
Leaders That Last: Working with Committees
Sample Committee Meeting Agenda