Organizing and Mobilizing your Volunteer Base 3 Years as a union organizer for Registered Nurses in South Florida. (Jackson Memorial Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital and St. Marys)_ 3 Years as a Union Representative for Professors and Professional Staff at the City University of New York (CUNY). Labor educator with Wellstone Action Attorney, Minnesota State Bar. Currently, Lead Organizer with SEIU Local 26. Organizing vs. Mobilizing MOBILIZING Rallies : mass mobilizations, public demonstrations Phone Banks Lobbying Non partisan get-out-the-vote efforts All activities where you turn out your membership (your volunteers) Canvassing (door knocking) ORGANIZING Not a short-term task. One-on-one conversations Extract or solicit information helps you decide whether or not you have enough common/shared goals to move forward together. Think of it as networking. Developing long term relationships Issues Interests Values Issues: What does person this care about at school? At work? In the Larger world? Interests: Why? Why is that particular issue important to this person? Values: Guiding principles. Issues Interests Values capacity commitment capacity commitment remember math? case study: case study: SEIU/C.N.A. California Safe Needle Stick Legislation organization a mission broader than our campaign Lead organizer responsible for leading the campaign (strategist) Staff organizer Implement strategy; ID leaders (mem-org); recruit Member organizer Keep their co- workers informed; activate when necessary Dues Payers (co-workers) attend events, make phone calls, etc Community supporters contribute, receive newsletter, vote, etc = cmty supporter = co-wrkers = mem - org = staff org = lead org. commitment capacity MAKE AN APPROPRIATE ASK Volunteer recruitment rap: 1. Problem 2. Solution 3. Opportunity 4. Ask 5. Ask #2 RETAINING VOLUNTEERS 1. Organized 2. Real purpose to task 3. Training 4. Inclusion 5. Have fun 6. Inside information 7. Show results