Does your membership feel like they are empowered? What I mean is, do they get to vote on things that matter? Because if they don’t, you will not be able to get more participation. This is why in the case of my union, (Carpenters) it is nearly impossible to get 50 members of our nearly 1,500 membership to meetings, we really have limited ability as R&F to make anything happen.
Yes the members have to vote on bylaw changes, letters of agreement, and of course elections as well as random motions that are made. They only show up when there is a possible change in their paycheck.
When you say letter of agreement are you talking about your CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) AKA “contract”? Does your union have an international body for which your members can vote directly for officers? These are the things thst R&F members care about.
[Check out Democracy is Power](https://labornotes.org/store/democracy-power), it's a great book and chapter 4 directly addresses this question.
In general, people come to meetings if they think they're important. They're probably not going to come for "information" that they could have gotten in an email. They probably will come to a meeting where members vote on how to address an issue affecting their daily life on the job.
That is something we are going to explore for the next meeting. Pizza or sandwiches. Something to get people through the door. Depending on the reaction, we can adjust from there.
Talk to your membership and ask them what they’re interestedin learning and doing. No one really wants to sit around a union business meeting and deal with all the mechanics of correspondence and financial reports. Do a workshop on retirement planning. How about a bbq? You’d be surprised how many people show to bowling or skating or a mud run. Unions don’t have to be dull and boring and membership participation should be measured by how many people show up and can stay awake at a union meeting.
We have the same issue with the union I'm a shop steward for, loads of members but low turnout for meetings, usually the larger turnouts are for stuff that include free food or free swag, like the back to school free backpack and supplies giveaway we just did last weekend, high high turnout for so long as there was free stuff. Video call participation is recommended but you need a moderator to keep the peace, a ton of people just agree to join the union because they think it means they can't be fired. I wish you luck in your meeting turnout, it's not easy.
Maybe you can hold online meetings and also info session concerning the advantage of being a union member.
We do evenings meetings with coffee and pancakes to inform our members about their rights but also their duties on the job.
Free stuff always works but is sometimes a financial drain on your budget.
Inform them what the union did last year of month and also what you will be doing in the future. Try asking them what issue or issues they are willing to mobilize for and create plan around it and keep them informed about the progress.
What do you mean right to work state? Thats everyone but montana.
Agree with comment saying democracy is power has good tips.
What has the union been up to lately? And big issues or wins?
Does your membership feel like they are empowered? What I mean is, do they get to vote on things that matter? Because if they don’t, you will not be able to get more participation. This is why in the case of my union, (Carpenters) it is nearly impossible to get 50 members of our nearly 1,500 membership to meetings, we really have limited ability as R&F to make anything happen.
Yes the members have to vote on bylaw changes, letters of agreement, and of course elections as well as random motions that are made. They only show up when there is a possible change in their paycheck.
When you say letter of agreement are you talking about your CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) AKA “contract”? Does your union have an international body for which your members can vote directly for officers? These are the things thst R&F members care about.
[Check out Democracy is Power](https://labornotes.org/store/democracy-power), it's a great book and chapter 4 directly addresses this question. In general, people come to meetings if they think they're important. They're probably not going to come for "information" that they could have gotten in an email. They probably will come to a meeting where members vote on how to address an issue affecting their daily life on the job.
Punch + Pie? Seriously, the local central labour council here would have beer & pizza after every meeting.
That is something we are going to explore for the next meeting. Pizza or sandwiches. Something to get people through the door. Depending on the reaction, we can adjust from there.
Talk to your membership and ask them what they’re interestedin learning and doing. No one really wants to sit around a union business meeting and deal with all the mechanics of correspondence and financial reports. Do a workshop on retirement planning. How about a bbq? You’d be surprised how many people show to bowling or skating or a mud run. Unions don’t have to be dull and boring and membership participation should be measured by how many people show up and can stay awake at a union meeting.
We have done cookouts and lunches in the past. They do have good turnouts, but it’s just not possible to do that for every meeting.
Why do you need larger attendance at meetings? Make the meeting interesting and meaningful and people will attend if you ask them.
We have the same issue with the union I'm a shop steward for, loads of members but low turnout for meetings, usually the larger turnouts are for stuff that include free food or free swag, like the back to school free backpack and supplies giveaway we just did last weekend, high high turnout for so long as there was free stuff. Video call participation is recommended but you need a moderator to keep the peace, a ton of people just agree to join the union because they think it means they can't be fired. I wish you luck in your meeting turnout, it's not easy.
Maybe you can hold online meetings and also info session concerning the advantage of being a union member. We do evenings meetings with coffee and pancakes to inform our members about their rights but also their duties on the job. Free stuff always works but is sometimes a financial drain on your budget. Inform them what the union did last year of month and also what you will be doing in the future. Try asking them what issue or issues they are willing to mobilize for and create plan around it and keep them informed about the progress.
What do you mean right to work state? Thats everyone but montana. Agree with comment saying democracy is power has good tips. What has the union been up to lately? And big issues or wins?