Where do we begin?
For those PEF divisions just beginning to explore the many uses of mobilization, a great place to begin is with the “Tools for Activists” document titled “Understanding the Organizing and Servicing Models of Unionism” and “How do you Implement Mobilization” These documents will help divisions understand the main goals of PEF’s mobilization initiative.
How Do We Begin this Process?
Many times, PEF’s leaders and activists understand very well the benefits of using mobilization to strengthen their divisions and the organization, but are truly unsure as to where to begin the process. For these divisions, the goal is to get the members reinvested in their union and interested in moving their divisions into the mobilization arena.
The “Tools” to use to help with these goals are the “Checklist for Involving Members”, and “Recruiting Union Volunteers”.
Recruiting Mobilzers!!
OK, OK, we’ve got people interested but what do we do with them now. One of the first steps is getting a communication network set up within the divisions to educate and activate the membership. What the divisions need are Member Mobilizers. These are members who volunteer to disseminate information to the membership from the statewide and local leaders and also collect information from the membership for the local and statewide leaders. To help with the process, we’ve included the “Member Mobilizer Sign Up Form”. We suggest that divisions have 1 member mobilizer assigned to communicate with 10 other members of the division.
Assessment…Assessment…Assessment!!!
Maybe one of the most useful tools for divisions at this point is the “Division Assessment Form”. This is an all encompassing assessment of the division. From time to time, it may be helpful to take the assessment to plan the future goals of the division.
Charting Anyone?
Now the division has gotten members to volunteer to be member mobilizers and the division assessment has been done to determine what direction and goals the division has. It’s time to get it all down on paper. Take a look at the document titled “How to Chart the Membership”.
What Do We Do With This Network?
The division assessment will help the leadership identify issues that are present. Some of these issues will need to be dealt with by filing a grievance, some will be sent to the Labor Management Table or even the Health and Safety Committee. A good percentage of these issues will also be good candidates for creating a mobilization campaign. In order to help choose issues appropriate for mobilizing around, use the form titled “Identifying Local Mobilization Issues”.
Creating the Campaign
The top issues have been chosen; the membership is organized and prepared to implement a campaign. The following documents will help the leadership guide the division through the creation and implementation of the campaign: “Possible Actions and Tactics”, “Sample Action Plans”, “Sample Action Plan”, “Weekly Division Work Plan”, and the “Sample Weekly Division Work Plan”