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
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