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Growing Union Power Using Effective Membership Conversations

Published on Nov 19, 2015

Growing organizational power

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Growing union power

Using effective membership Conversations
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OBJECTIVES

  • Be able to articulate your personal story about being in the union.
  • Be able to identify the elements of effective conversations.
  • Be able to identify good listening skills.
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Power

Where does the union get its power?
Is there anyone here who feels that a union should not try to gain and maintain power in the workplace?

Union gets its power from the members.
The number of members can be important by itself, but the connection between members is the real fabric of the union's power. Without effective communications, running both from and to the membership, the union can become inoperable regardless of the number of members. It is the engine of power. Even a Ferrari won't take you anywhere without a working engine.
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ELEMENTS OF THE CONVERSATION

Who - What - When - Where - Why
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WHO?

Who's in the Conversation?
Be strategic about who you speak to.

It is important to be able to identify someone with whom you can develop, or already have developed trust with.

Someone who shares certain commonalities.

A non-member. However, not someone actively opposed.
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STRATEGIC TARGETING

RESOURCES ARE LIMITED
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SMARTER, NOT HARDER

  • Potential member
  • Commonalities
  • Relationships 
Potential member. Anyone who is not a member is a potential member. Note the use of the singular. How do you eat an elephant (unless you're vegetarian)? The local leadership will need accurate lists of potential members. Members in the field must assist in updating lists.

Commonalities. We bond with people we can readily relate to. What are some general characteristics that we can bond with others over?

The Brass Ring - they don't care what you know until...

A minute to think

It's about the relationship

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WHAT?

WHAT Should I SAY AND DO?
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DOS

  • Be yourself
  • Know your "buyer", be prepared, keep track
  • Be positive 😃
  • Respect their time
  • Listen actively

BE YOURSELF

EVERYONE ELSE IS ALREADY TAKEN
Be yourself. Be authentic. Be confident. Nobody likes or trusts someone who comes off as a phoney. Be honest. It's ok if you don't have all the answers. If the opportunity presents itself share openly about your own experience with the union and why it matters to you.

KNOW YOUR BUYER

BE PREPARED
People don't necessarily want a sales pitch, but you should do your homework. What do you know about them already? Do they have needs that you might know of?

BE POSITIVE

Smile. Reinforce positive remarks they make. Be complimentary. Let's practice.

RESPECT THEIR TIME

Mind the time and don't make them feel pressured
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Untitled Slide

Genuinely want to speak with them and find out what makes them tick. Ask open ended questions then give space for responses. Ask about how they feel. They will tell us what matters to them. So if we are listening we can move potential member to member, and move from apathy to action in organizing when we understand what truly matters to members.
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IT'S STORY TIME!

Story prompt:
Take turns telling the story of how you first became involved in the union. Have the reasons for being in the union evolved/changed? What keeps you active in your union now? Practice active listening and be prepared to retell the highlights of your partner's story. About 3 minutes for your stories then we'll share.
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WHEN?

WHEN SHOULD IT OCCUR AND HOW OFTEN?
Appropriate times at work

The relational conversations can happen anytime at work

Home visits

Don't force it, but make regular check ins or communication. The chances of having someone sign up on the spot with a single conversation are very very low.
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WHERE?

WHERE DO WE HOLD CONVERSATIONS?
Work, break rooms, common areas, don't interfere with work production

Home, home visits

Public areas, meetings at resturants or coffee shops


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WHY?

PURPOSEFUL COMMUNICATION
Have a purpose for meeting with someone. Otherwise it's not authentic, and will be unsuccessful.
Common purposes:
Check in
Catch up
Information gathering (thoughts on work issues)
Information dissemination (union info, work info)
Follow up
Introduction
Invitation
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DON'TS

  • Don't overlook the chance to pivot to an ask
  • Don't get discouraged
  • Don't waste your time
  • Don't be a one trick pony
It will be important to learn when it is the time to pivot to the ask (membership, leadership, volunteering, etc)

However, the average number of contacts needed for someone who becomes a member is seven. It takes time. It takes persistence.

Don't waste your time engaging in arguments or making lengthy attempts to persuade. There are better targets.

Don't make every conversation about the union. The conversation should always be authentic.

Questions?

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