guidebook how to run a union meeting

8/6/2019 Guidebook How to Run a Union Meeting

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How To Run a

union meeting


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Democrac in action. Ts s the undtn thebr mvementrm hdng n eetn t pssngresutns t pprvng budgets. A we-run un nmeetng tht eenty nd demrty des wth thebusness t hnd n mnner tht prtets the rghts eh member s ru eement n ensurng tht bth thesprt nd the prte demry n the unn mvementre gurnteed. Tt s why the AF hs reprnted thshndbk,How To Run a Union Meeting, whh wspubshed by the AFL-CIO.

Ts useu pmphet s desgned r nyne wh wntst hve wrkng knwedge demrt meetngpredures. It s ntns Roberts Rules of OrderRues t Gne hrt s we s hepu suggestns rrerdng seretres nd tresurers.

A unn nnt represent ts members uness theyprtpte n ts pertnrm the wrkpe nd the unn t the stte edertn nd the ntn AF. Its t the eve where members rst re kept nrmedbut mprtnt ssues tht et ther jbs, where theyeet ther representtves, where they dsuss nd

vte n py, where they ntert wth ther pepe n thebr mvement, nd where they re nspred t bemetve unn members. We hpe ths gude w hep yu run

yur meetngs n the best pssbe wy, bth t mpshyur busness nd t nrese members nterest nd

prtptnn ther wrds, t strengthen ur unn.

Rnd WengrtenPresdent

Rnd Wengrten, Presdent

Antn Crtese, Seretry-resurer

Lrrett Jhnsn, Exeutve Ve Presdent

Cpyrght Amern Federtn ehers,afl-cio (AF) 2008.

Permssn s hereby grnted t AF stte nd tes t

reprdue nd dstrbute pes ths wrk r nnprt edutn

purpses, prvded tht pes re dstrbuted t r bew st, nd

tht the uthr, sure nd pyrght nte re nuded n eh

py. Any dstrbutn suh mters by thrd prtes wh re

utsde the AF r ts tes s prhbted wthut rst reevng

the express wrtten permssn the AF.


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Contents

Checklist or Union Meetings 1

An Index to Motions 3

Rules at a Glance 5

Wh Parliamentar Law? 9Where the Rules Came From 9Knowing the Rules 10

Nominations and Elections 11

What Makes a Good Chairperson? 13What Does the Chair Have To Know? 13What Does the Chair Do? 13

The Recording Secretar 17

The Local Treasurer 19

Committees and Their Reports 21Types o Committees 21Committees at Work 22

Preparing and Presenting Committee Reports 22Acting on Committee Reports 23Minority Reports 23Building Eective Committees 23

Basic Rules o OrderHow Motions Get Action 25Make the Motion 25State the Question 26Discuss the Motion 26The Chair May Speak 26Amend or Substitute a Motion 27Amend an Amendment or Substitute Motion 27Vote 28Vote by Show o Hands 28Vote by Ballot 29

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HOW TO RUN A UNION MEETING 1

Checklist for Union Meetings 1How Action Takes Place 31Make the Motion First 31Get a Second 31Make an Amendment 32Take One Thing at a Time 32Vote on the Amendment 33

Motions To Help Keep Order 35Point o Order 35Appeal rom the Decision o the Chair 36Point o Inormation 36Parliamentary Inquiry 37Question o Privilege 37

Motions or Unusual Actions 39Motion To Object To Consideration o a Question 39Permission To Withdraw a Motion 39Motion To Table a Motion 39Limit or Extend Debate 40Move a Previous Question 40

Miscellaneous Motions 43New Look at a Previous Decision 43Change the Agenda 44End o the Meeting 44

Motions with Peculiar Characteristics 47

What Makes a Good Meeting? 49What Ofcers Can Do To Improve Union Meetings 49What Members Can Do To Improve Union Meetings 51

Planning Meetings 53Unanimous Consent 54

Tips on How ToReach Union Members 57

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yes n/a

Has an agenda been planned?

yes n/a

Have the ocers been contacted and themembership been properly notied o the meeting?

yes n/a

Are the minutes o the previous meeting

ready or presentation?yes n/a

Is the correspondence ready or presentation?

yes n/a

Are committes prepared to report?(Do they know when and how much timethey have been given to report?)

yes n/a

Has the appropriate committee preparedthe meeting hall?(Check ag, heat, lights, ventilation, chairs,rest rooms, etc.)

yes n/a

Is all special equipment ready to use?

(Flip charts and easels, projectors, TVs andVCRs, microphones, etc.)

yes n/a

Are program arrangements complete?(Have education videos or leaets arrived?)

yes n/a

Are materials ready or distribution?(Agenda, nancial reports, minutes o the last meeting,committee reports, newspapers, leaets or handbills.)

yes n/a

Have arrangements been made or guestor special speakers?(Do they know when and where the meeting is beingheld? Do they know what you expect them to do?)


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An Index to Motions 2 Adjourn 44

Amend 27

Amend an Amendment 27

Appeal rom Decision o Chair 36

Division o the House 28

Extend Debate 40

Limit Debate 40

Main Motion 25

Object to Consideration 39

Point o Inormation 36

Point o Order 35

Point o Parliamentary Inquiry 37

Previous Question 40Question o Privilege 37Reconsider 43Rescind 43Substitute Motion 27

Suspend Rules 44

able 39

Withdraw 39

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Rules at a Glance 3Te chart on the next page is a quickreerence guide or a chair who isconducting a meeting. It contains alist o the motions most oten used ata union meeting.

Te motions are listed in order opriority. Tus, with a ew exceptions,a motion on the list is in order eveni one below it is pending. When anymotion is made, those below it areout o order.

Tere are three groups o motionsother than main motions:

Privileged motions have a very highpriority. Tey have no relation to thepending question, but are so urgentthat they take priority over all othermotions.

Incidental motions or points oorder are motions that arise outo main motions or other pendingquestions and must be decidedbeore the pending question orbeore other business is taken up.

Subsidiar motions are motions todispose o, or change, a main motionor certain other motions.

Although no simplied chart canenumerate all the very ne points othe rules, this one can be helpul inmost situations.


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6 AFT HOW TO RUN A UNION MEETING 7

Time or Next Meeting(when privileged)

No Yes Yes Majority No No None Amend

Adjourn No No Yes Majority No No None None

Recess No Yes Yes Majority No No None None

Question o Privilege(Treat as Main Motion)

Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes Yes None All

Point o Order No No No None unless appealed;then Majority

Yes No Any motion or act Lay on Table; CloseDebate: Reconsider

Appeal Yes No Yes Majority Yes Yes Any decisiono the chair

Reconsider

Objection toConsideration oQuestion

No No No Two-thirds Yes Yes Main Motion; anyQuestion o Privilege

None

Withdrawal o Motion No No No Majority No Yes Any Motion None

Suspension o Rules No No Yes Two-thirds No No Any Motionwhere needed

None

La on the Table No No Yes Majority No No Main Motion: Appeal:Question o Privilege;

Reconsider

Reconsider

Previous Question(close debate)

No No Yes Two-thirds orMajority

No Yes Any debatable motion Reconsider

Limit or ExtendLimits o Debate

No Yes Yes Two-thirds orMajority

No Yes Any debatable motion Any debatable motion

Postpone to aDefnite Time

Yes Yes Yes Majority No Yes Main Motion;Question o Privilege

Amend; Reconsider;Limit or Close Debate

Reer or Commit Yes Yes Yes Majority No Yes Main Motion;Question o Privilege

Amend; Reconsider;Limit or Close Debate

Amend Yes Yes Yes Majority No Yes Main Motion: LimitDebate; Reer; Postpone;Fix Time o Next Meeting

Amend; Reconsider;Close Debate

Postpone Indefnitel Yes No Yes Majority No Yes Main Motion;Question o Privilege

Reconsider;Limit or Close Debate

Main Motion Yes Yes Yes Majority No Yes None All

Motion to Reconsider* Yes, i motion towhich it applies

is debatable

No Yes Majority Yes No Any motion exceptAdjourn; Suspend Rules,

Lay on Table

Limit Debate; Lay on Table;Postpone Indefnitely

Motion to Rescind Yes Yes Yes Two-thirds o memberspresent; Majority whenNotice to Rescind given

at previous meeting

No Yes Main Motion: Appeal:Question o Privilege

All

*These are treated as Main Motions.

Motion Debatable AmendableRequiresa Second

VoteRequired

In Order WhenAnother Speaking Can Be Reconsidered

Motions toWhich it Applies

Motions thatApply to It


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Why Parliamentary Law? 4It has been said many times thatdemocracy begins in the unionmeeting.

o a member, the measurement odemocracy in the union oten is justthatwhat goes on at the unionmeeting. Do I know how to get upand say what I think? Is the meetingdominated by a small bunch olong-winded characters? Do we getthings done at the meeting? Is it justa clique thats running things? Tesequestions oten are the yardsticks amember uses to measure the union.o ensure democracy and preventmembers rom milling around inconusion when they come together,a set o rules or meetings has beendeveloped over the years.

Where The Rules Came FromBecause these rules were originallybased on the experiences othe British Parliament, they areknown as parliamentary law, orparliamentary procedure.

Tomas Jeerson wrote the rstmanual o procedure or Congress.Te book most oten used todayadapts the rules o Congress oraction by deliberative bodies:Roberts Rules o Order.

Most unions have modied Robertsrules to suit their own purposes.Others have provided their rulesor conducting meetings in theirconstitution or bylaws.

In his manual, Jeerson said it is notso important what the rule is, butthat there be a rule to guide us.

It is not so importantwhatthe rule is,but that there be a ruletoguideus.


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Knowing the RulesRules or meetings enable the worko the union to get done eectivelyand eciently while protectingthe rights o all members. Just aslearning to play a game properlyrequires a knowledge o the rules,playing a proper role in the unionrequires a working knowledge o therules or union meetings.

When only the chair knows therules, the work o the meetingsuers. When most o the body hasa working knowledge o the rules,the members actually control themeeting, and the chair simplydirects it.

However, a member does not needto memorize the rules in order toparticipate in a union meeting. Noone can know everything aboutparliamentary procedure. At times,even the best parliamentarian hasto rely on good judgment and thecommon sense o the group. Teserules are not carved in stone; start

with the basic principles behind therules, and when in doubt, look up arule or ask questions.

Te basic principles behind the rulescan be stated as ollows:

Only one subject should comebeore the meeting at a time.

Each proposal coming beorethe meeting shall be debatedreely with meaningul discussion.

Te will o the majority is sought,but a minority or minorities maypresent a case.

Each member has rights andresponsibilities equal to those oevery other member.

Te desires o the membershipshould move debate along so

the welare o the organizationis served.

Nominations and Elections 5Most AF locals have rules intheir constitutions that prescribethe qualications o members tostand or oce or as delegates toconventions. Tese rules should beollowed careully. Te Landrum-Grin Act prescribes minimumstandards or union nominationsand elections that must be ollowedor an election to be valid. o be surethey ollow the proper procedures,local unions should check with theirnational union.

Whether you are a public or privatesector union, please reer to theU.S. Department o Labor guide,Conducting Local Unions OfcerElectionsA Guide or ElectionOfcials atwww.dol.gov/eas/regs/compliance/olms/localelec. Inaddition, you may want to contact

your regional director or the AFlegal department.


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The Recording Secretary 7Secretaries usually perorm threetasks: taking minutes o the meeting,preparing them or presentationand handling correspondence. Tesecretary also can be an importantaid to the chair during the meetingby helping to ollow the agenda andreading back the exact wording omotions when needed.

Endless reading o long, dullcorrespondence has deadened manya meeting. With a little practice,the secretary can learn to look overcorrespondence beore the meetingand summarize, rather than read,the less important letter.

Te minutes should include allthe votes taken at a meeting andshort summaries o all the reportssubmitted. Tey should be brie

but accurate in wording. Te wordsmust describe the action clearly, butshould not include the discussionnor reect the personal opinion othe secretary or any other ocer.Tey should be an impartial,accurate record o the action takenat the meeting.

No one expects a local unionsecretary to take shorthand or usespeed writing; the experiencedsecretary takes rough notes o theaction at the meeting and thensummarizes and claries the notesor the record.

Tere is no set way o keepingminutes, but minutes o a regularlocal union meeting might appearas ollows:

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FEBRUARy 2, 2000

Te meetng L 2 ws ed t rder by PresdentShmdt t 8:15 p.m. A ers were present. [I ny ers

were mssng, they shud be sted here.] Te mnutes thest meetng were dstrbuted nd epted.


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Te treasurer is, o course,responsible or keeping accuraterecords o the locals nances andling the requisite orms with thegovernment. Tese records arerequired by the respective nationaland international unions, and alsoare required by the AFL-CIO orcentral labor bodies. Te proceduresto ollow oten are dierent ordierent unions. New nancialsecretaries can get help rom theparent bodies in making sure theyare ollowing proper proceduresand records.

Guarding the unds o a localis undamental to good tradeunionism. Te nancial ocer andlocals trustees are key.

Committeesand Their Reports 9It is impossible or a local to carry onall its work at the regular meetings.Preliminary planning and work musttake place beore each membershipmeeting. Problems may need actionbetween meetings. Other concernsdont deserve the attention o the

whole meeting. Eective committeesensure the work gets done outside omeetings.

In addition, the more people activelyserving on committees, the strongerthe locala member taking partin a particular activity becomesmore interested and invested inthe union as a whole. Furthermore,

with well-unctioning committees,a local can accomplish more. Teexperience o many locals alsoshows that good committee reportsand discussion on these reportscan make the dierence between alively, interesting meeting and a dull,boring one.

Tpes o CommitteesEvery local needs a number ocommittees. Tere are two types ocommittees: standing and special.

A standing committee is onethat continues rom year to year,although the committee membersmay change. Many unions providein their constitutions or bylawsor certain standing committees.Te most important standingcommittees are the executivecommittee or executive board andthe shop stewards or delegates (orshop committee). Te executivecommittee is responsible or localunion decisions made betweenmeetings. It helps to plan the localmeetings and other union activities.Specic duties usually are listedin the local unions bylaws orinternational unions constitution.Other standing committees overseesuch permanent activities as

legislation and political events,saety and health, communityservices, etc. A special committeeis appointed by the president orelected by the membership or aspecic assignment; when that

job is done, the committee ceasesto exist. Te local might establisha special committee to receivea guest or to plan a Labor Day


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gender, constituency, etc.)

3. Meet. Some committees areelected, some are appointed bythe local union chie executiveocer and some are volunteercommittees. I there is no chair, thelocal president can appoint onetemporarily to call the rst meetingo the committee; at this time, thecommittee can select its own chair.Te committee must meet right awayto set a date, time and place or therst meeting.

4. Decide on goals.At the rstmeeting, get acquainted. Discussthe overall task o the committee.Come to some agreement about

what the committee should do rst.Dont tackle too big a job; better tosucceed on a smaller task rst andhave a good eeling about what youaccomplish.

5. Get everone involved. Sharethe work. Te chair must ollow up tobe sure assigned tasks get done.

6. Keep records. Appoint or get avolunteer to be the secretary o thecommittee. Be sure that a recordis kept o every meeting, what wasdecided and who agreed to do

what. It helps you check on work inprogress and serves as a permanentrecord o the activities o thecommittee and how it unctioned.

7. Report. Committees shouldreport to the union membershipon their work. Each committee

will want and need support or itswork, cooperation, unding andacceptance o recommendationsit makes. Te union is entitled to a

written report, which becomes parto the locals written record.

8. Give credit where credit is due.Acknowledge committee members

contributions to whatever projectthey work on.

9. Get membership action. Beprepared to answer questions romthe membership and share thisresponsibility among committeemembers.

Remember that committees: must have real jobs to do; should tackle only one task

at a time; should share the work; should ollow up with each

committee member; and ensure satisaction with

a job well done.

Basic Rules of OrderHow Motions Get Action 10Te motion is the basis o allaction at a membership meeting. Amembership decision to take actionon a problem is cast as a motion. Itis the keystone o all rules o order.

Without a motion, no report can bedealt with, no new business can beintroduced, no discussion closed, nomeeting adjourned. Yet in spite oits importance, a motion is a simplething. Complications arise romthe way discussions are handled,the kinds o motions oered andthe possibility o amendments andamendments to amendments.

Make the MotionA member desiring to present amotion rises and addresses thechair as Mr. Chairman or MadamChair. Anyone in the meeting canrise to talk, but no one has theright to talk until recognized bythe chair and given the oor.

Ordinarily, the chair recognizes therst member to rise. When two ormore rise at the same time, the chairmust exercise judgment in makinga choice. When a member has beengiven the oor, the rest o the groupshould sit and listen. Te chairrecognizes a member by nodding orpointing to the member, or by callingout his or her name or positionin the hall : Sister Smith, or Tebrother in the ourth row center.

When Sister Smith is recognizedby the chair, she oers a motion:

Mr. Chairman, I move that Local2212.... She sits down. Anothermember rises to be recognizedand seconds the motion. He doesthis simply by saying: I secondthe motion, Mr. Chairman.

In many union meetings, all thatis required or a motion to beseconded is or a member to call


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out Second in a loud voice whileremaining seated. No motion can beconsidered until it receives a second.

Any proposal that cannot get asecond is not worthy o discussion.In some instances, a memberdesiring to make a motion willask the privilege o explainingthe purpose o his motion beoremaking it. I there is no objectionrom the body, the chair mayallow the member to do this.

State the QuestionWhen the motion has been madeand seconded, the chair shouldrepeat it loudly and clearly, so thatall members will know what actionhas been proposed. I the motionis poorly worded or conusing, thechair should reword the motion,politely, so that its meaning will beclear. I the chair thinks the motionis out o order, this should bepointed out as soon as it is made.

Instead o repeating or rewordingthe motion or the membership, thechair may ask the secretary to read it.

Discuss the MotionWhen the chair has restatedthe motion, or has had it read,discussion is in order : A motion hasbeen made and seconded that Local2212....Is there any discussion?

Te person proposing the motionusually is given the rst opportunityto speak. Te best arguments tosupport the motion are expectedrom the person who makesthe motion. Ater this openingstatement, members speak oror against the motion as theyare recognized by the chair.

It is a good practice or the chair toalternate speakers or and againsta motion. No one should speaktwice on a motion so long as thereare others desiring to speak. Amember who seldom participatesshould be given preerence overthe one who speaks requently.

The Chair Ma SpeakTe chair may speak on a motionprovided he or she leaves the chair.No speech should be made rom thechair. Te chair should not dominatethe meeting; the members then mayhesitate to state their opinions. It isbest that the chair speak only whenthe ull meaning o the motion has

not been brought out by discussion,or when the matter is so veryimportant to the well-being o thelocal that everyone should know

where the chair stands.

In such a situation, the chair shouldstep down to talk to a motion, andanother ocer should take thegavel. Te chairs remarks will bebetter received rom the oor thanrom the chair.

Amend or Substitute a MotionI debate becomes extensive, orthe debate indicates the motion isunclear, the members probably will

want to change the motion a little.Tats when an amendment is usedor a substitute motion is in order.Either may be oered at any timeater a motion has been secondedand beore the vote is taken.

Te person wishing to move oran amendment to a motion getsthe oor in the same manner asone speaking on the motion. Teamendment must be secondedbeore it can be considered.

Te amendment must be statedclearly and dene the section othe motion aected. For example,someone may move that theexecutive board investigate thepossibility o the local sponsoringa Little League ball team. Anothermember may want to change thisby saying I propose an amendmentchanging the words the executive

board to a special committee.Ordinarily, amendments are madeto change a motion or include morespecic inormation.

No amendment can be oered thatis directly contrary to the motion.For example, an amendment notto investigate the possibility osponsoring the team would be outo order. Te amendment also mustbe closely related to the subject othe motion. It cannot be used tointroduce a new subject.

Once an amendment has beenmoved and seconded, discussionthen ollows on the amendment. In

voting, the vote is taken rst on theamendment and then on the mainmotion. Te chair says: All those inavor o the amendment that strikesout the words ... and substitutes the

words ... please indicate by the usualsign. I the amendment is deeated,another amendment may be oered.

A substitute motion can replacethe original motion and includechanges or suggestions broughtout in discussion or oered byamendments. It keeps the actionsimple and straightorward.Discussion and voting take placeon the substitute motion. It too canbe amended, just as i it were anoriginal motion.

Amend an Amendmentor Substitute MotionJust as it is possible to change amotion, so it also is possible tochange an amendment. A member

may not be satised with theamendment and may attempt toimprove it by moving an amendmentto the amendment. In the exampleabove, some members may eel thatthe committee should be elected, andso would move an amendment tothe amendment providing that thecommittee be elected.

Tat is as ar as the members can go,or there can be no amendment toan amendment to the amendment.

When you have reached the point

The motion is thebasis o all action ata membership meeting.


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the chair do the counting. Te actualcount should be made unless theresult is so obvious as to be withoutquestion.

Vote b BallotOn very important questions, suchas elections, taking a strike vote orpurchasing property, voting shouldbe by ballot. Tis makes each votea matter o record and preservessecrecy. Various bylaws may requirethat certain votes be by secret ballot.In other instances, a vote by ballotmay be agreed to by general consentor by a motion rom the oor. Such amotion is not debatable and requiresa simple majority.

On very importantquestions,voting should be by ballot.

where an amendment is beingoered to an amendment, asubstitute motion may be preerable.

An amendment to an amendmentis made in the same way as anamendment or a motion. It requiresa second. When it is made, thediscussion then must take place onthe amendment to the amendment.Te chair sometimes can ask themaker o the motion and the second

whether they would be willing toaccept the amendment as part o theoriginal motion. I they agree and noother member objects, this can bedone, saving time and energy.

Otherwise, the amendment to theamendment, the amendment andthe motion must be debated and

voted upon step by step in that order.And the chair must carry througheach step until the main motion hasbeen voted on. A avorable vote onan amendment or an amendmentto the amendment does not carrythe main motion with it. Members

may avor an amendment as theleast objectionable choice and stilloppose the idea embodied in themain motion.

Although there can be an amendmentto an amendment, there cannotbe two separate amendments to amotion beore the meeting at thesame time.

VoteWhen it appears that no oneelse wants to discuss the motion

or propose amendments, thechair asks, Are you ready or thequestion? I no one desires tospeak, the vote is taken. But the chairmust use care not to cut o debate.

When the membership is ready tovote, the chair (or secretary) readsthe motion again. For a simple voice

vote, the chair then says, All those inavor o this motion, say aye. Toseopposed, no. I the response isavorable, the chair then says, Teayes have it and it is so ordered.

Te chair should always be sureto call or the nays as well as theayes, even though there seems tobe a unanimous vote in avor.

Vote b Show o HandsWhen there is any doubt on the parto the chair or the membership as to

which side has prevailed, a vote byshow o hands or a standing vote isin order. Te chair may ask or suchaction.

Using a show o hands as thecommon measure will give aclearcut division o the membershipon all issues.

A member may call or a vote by ashow o hands by simply calling outthe word division rom his seat.Te chair must grant this requestat all times. I the group is a largeone, the chair may appoint, or haveavailable, a committee o tellers who

will count hands or or against themove. Otherwise, the secretary and


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11How Action Takes PlaceWe have discussed motions,amendments, discussion and

voting. o illustrate all this, letssee a local membership takeaction on a problem that has beenbrought beore the meeting.

We are under new business inthe agenda. Te chair asks: Isthere any new business? A sisterin the third row is given the oor.

Mr. Chairman, it seems to me,we have sent several delegates tounion leadership training schoolsduring the past several years,but I dont recall participating inany program led by those newleaders. I think i we are goingto spend money to send...

Make the Motion FirstTe chair interrupts the sister bysaying: Te chair appreciates yourinterest in leadership training.I you have any suggestions tomake in the use o trained leaders,please put them in the orm o amotion. Unless there is a motionon the oor, you cannot speak.

Okay, Mr. Chairman, says thesister. I move that the presidentappoint an education committeerom among the persons who haveattended leadership training schoolsso that we can begin to realize...

Get a SecondAgain the chair interrupts. Isthere a second to this motion thatI appoint an education committeerom among those who attendedleadership school? Several

voices speak up to second themotion. All right, sister, now you

may speak on your motion.

Well, as I was saying, its a wasteto send people o to leadershiptraining schools and then let themget lost without any opportunity toserve on an education committee.

All o us need more inormationto cope with the problems we areacing as citizens in our union


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and our nation. And I guess Icould use a class on rules orunion meetings by the way Imconducting mysel here tonight.

Make an AmendmentMr. Chairman, Sister Brown seeksthe oor and is recognized. Mr.Chairman, I agree with the sisterrom department 6 that we shouldhave an education committee,but I dont think we should limiteducation committee membershipto those who have attendedleadership training schools. Imove we amend the motion so thepresident can appoint any interestedperson to the education committee.

Te chair restates the proposedamendment and asks i thereis a second. Tere is, and

the chair asks i there is anydiscussion on the amendment.

Take One Thing at a TimeMr. Chairman!

Yes, Brother Hernandez.

Mr. Chairman, there are a lot oactivities that we ought to start.I hear lots o good things aboutcredit unions, and Im sure a loto ellows would join one....

Just a minute, Brother Hernandez,are you rising to talk on theamendment to the motion aboutsetting up a local union educationcommittee? I not, you are out oorder, and Ill have to ask you to take

your seat. Sister Martin, did youwant to speak on the amendment?

Yes, Mr. Chairman, but I noticedthat no one has said anythingabout the size o the committee,so I would like to oer anamendment that this committeeshould have seven members.

Please, Sister Martin, only oneamendment at a time. Youramendment is out o order. We arenow discussing an amendmentthat would permit the selectiono any interested person to theeducation committee and notlimit it just to people who haveattended union schools. Youramendment will be in order ater

we have acted on this one.

Te chair continues. Is thereany urther discussion? BrotherHenderson is recognized.

Mr. Chairman, I think that the actthat a person attends a union schoolindicates that he has an interestin education. How better can wemeasure a persons interest?

Sister Humphrey?

Yes, Mr. Chairman, I agree withSister Brown that we should open

the committee to interested people.Just because a person goes to aunion school doesnt make himor her interested in the work o aneducation committee; they maybe better as stewardsor, likeCharlie over here, interested inlegislation. Lets put people on thecommittee who are interested indoing the job, and then they canget special training i they need it.

Vote on the AmendmentIs there any urther discussion onthe amendment? Tere being none,

we shall vote on the amendmentthat any interested person can beselected or an education committee.

All in avor, say aye. Tose opposed,no. Te chair is in doubt. Lets havea show o hands. Will the secretarybe the teller? All in avor o theamendment, please raise your righthand. Tose opposed, like sign. Tesecretary takes the count and givesthe results to the chair. Tere is ashufe o eet and chairs in the hall.

Quiet please, the chair callsout. Te amendment carried46 to 42. Sister Martin, youramendment about the size o thecommittee is now in order.

Mr. Chairman, I move thatthe committee be made upo seven members. Tereare several Seconds.

Mr. Chairman! Te sisterin the third row who madethe original motion rises. Ill

accept this amendment aspart o my original motion.

Te chair asks, Mr. Secretary,who seconded this motion?Te member who secondedthe motions says, I did, and Illaccept the amendment, also.

I there is no objection, the originalmotion is now urther amendedto set the size o our educationcommittee at seven. Is there anyurther discussion? We will now voteon the motion as amended, that thepresident o Local 2212 appoint aneducation committee o seven romamong any interested members inthe local. All those in avor say aye.Opposed, no. Te ayes have it andthe motion is carried. Te chair willname the committee at the nextregular meeting. Meanwhile, I willappreciate hearing rom anyone

who is interested in serving onthis committee. I think we canall gain a great deal rom sucha committee, and I am looking

orward to working with it.

Is there any urther new business?

Every member has rights andresponsibilitiesequal to thoseo every other member.


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12Motions To Help Keep OrderAlthough we try to keep rulessimple in a union meeting, notevery member is likely to know allo the ne points. It is the duty othe chair to see that the rules areabided by and, equally important,that explanations o the rulesare made at dicult points.

Point o OrderEven the best chair may miss a

violation o rules or make a ruling themembers eel is wrong. A membermay call or a point o order isituations like these develop:

1. When a discussion seems tobe wandering away rom the point

o the motion or its amendments,a member may rise to a point oorder to orce the chair to bring thediscussion back to the subject.

2. When the blaws o the localor international union are beingbroken, a member may rise to callthe chairs attention to this violation.

3. When the chair permits amember to discuss a privilegedmotion, the discussionshould be halted, since sucha motion is undebatable.

Te member wishing to call thechairs attention to an oversightor misrule simply stands and callsout: Madam Chair, I rise to a pointo order. Te member may do thiseven though another person whohas the oor is being interrupted.

It is the duty o the chair tosee that the rules are abided by.


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Te chair must recognize thisrequest. Te chair asks: Brother,

what is your point o order?

Te brother states his point oorder and the chair then rules on it.Te chair may say this point o orderis well taken or that it is not welltaken. Sometimes, members willrepeatedly interrupt discussions bycalling or a point o order. In thecase o minor inractions o rules, itis best to let the discussion carry on

without interruptions rom the oor.

A point o order should not be used as: A convenient way to

interrupt a speaker. An excuse to make a speech. An excuse to criticize

the chair. An excuse to slow down

a meeting.

Appeal rom the Decisiono the Chair

When a member has been ruledout o order or when the point o

order is not accepted by the chair,the meeting usually proceeds withthe business at hand. However,

when a member eels that a graveinjustice has been done or that aruling o the chair is in violation oprocedure, the member may makean appeal rom the decision o thechair. Tis gives the membershipthe opportunity to decide.

Such an appeal must be madeimmediately ater the chair hasruled. It may be made by any

member present at the meeting,and it requires a second.

Te member announces: I appealthe decision o the chair. I thereis a second, the chair may turn themeeting over to a vice chair or otherdesignated person. Some unionsrequire the chair to step down.Te person making the appealtakes the oor and gives a reasonor appealing, and then the chairstates the reasons or the ruling.

Tis is usually the extent o thediscussion. However, an appealis debatable unless it reers todisorderly conduct, speaking othe question, the order o businessor a motion that is not debatable,or unless it arises during a vote.

No member may speak morethan once except the chair,

who has the right to concludesuch debate. Te question isput to a vote in this manner:All those in avor o... or, Shall the

ruling o the chair be sustained?Immediately upon the decision onthe appeal, the order o business isresumed. Te chair resumes controlo the meeting regardless o thedecisionsustained or overruled.

Point o InormationWhen a member thinks that moreinormation is needed about themeaning o a motion or its eect onthe local, the member may directan inquiry to the chair simply bysaying: Point o inormation.

Te chair should recognizethe questioner even thoughanother person on the oor isinterrupted. Te chair must be onguard against members who askrivolous questions or questionsthat convey opinions. Courtesyand common sense should rule.

Sometimes, the questioner desiresinormation rom another member.

When this happens, the chairshould ask the person holdingthe oor whether that person will

yield or the purpose. Te speakercannot be orced to yield. Moreover,even i the speaker yields, thequestioner must address the pointo inormation through the chair,and the answer must be made tothe chair. Members may not addressone another during the meeting.

Parliamentar InquirWhen the specic inormationthat a member is seeking hasreerence to parliamentary rules,this is a parliamentary inquir y.

A member may want to knowwhether a certain motion is inorder. Te chairs answer to such aquestion is not a decision that canbe appealed. Only a decision thatthe chair made ater the motion wasmade would be subject to appeal.

Question o PrivilegeA question o privilege is used by amember to call the attention o thechair to something that aects the

well-being o the membership inthe meeting. Te questioner may

ask to have the windows raisedor lowered. Te speaker may beasked to speak louder. Questionso privilege are decided by thechair and are subject to appeal.

I the question concerns the welareo one person in the group, it isa question o personal privilege.Tese special privileges are therights o all members, but theyshould not be used as a pretext todisrupt a meeting. Again, commonsense and decency must rule.

Te orm or such a motion isMadam Chair, I rise to a questiono privilege. Te chair says: State

your question. Can we open thewindows to clear the smoke? Techair can answer: Your privilegeis granted. Will the sergeant-at-arms open the windows?

Or, i the members propose amotion that cannot wait, theorm is Madam Chair, as aquestion o privilege, I move that

all nonmembers leave while wediscuss this business. Te chaircan grant the privilege. Te motionproposed then is handled like anyordinary motion. Ater the vote onthe motion, the meeting continues.


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13Motions For Unusual ActionsTese are motions intended tohelp in the handling o actionmotions. Tey cannot be debated.Some require greater than a simplemajority vote to carry support.

Motion To Object to theConsideration o a Question

When a motion is made that willlead to discussion o a matter that

will cause hard eelings or riction,a member may rise immediately toprevent discussion. Any membermay rise and say, Mr. Chairman,I object to consideration o thisquestion. Te chair will reply,Tere has been an objection to theconsideration o the question. Tosein avor o considering the questionsay, aye. Tose opposed, no.

Tere is no discussion. It is putto a vote immediately. I two-thirds o the members voteagainst considering the question,then it cannot be brought upagain during that meeting.

Tis motion should be usedonly in exceptional cases.

Permission To Withdrawa MotionTe maker o a motion may decideto withdraw the motion and askpermission o the chair to withdrawthe motion. Te chair puts thequestion beore the members: Ithere is no objection, the motion

will be withdrawn. I there isan objection, the question o

withdrawal must be put to a vote.It requires no second. It cannotbe debated. It then takes a simplemajority to be withdrawn.

Motion To Table a MotionA motion to table postponesor delays action by a body. Amembership may seem unable toreach a conclusion, or it appearsmore study should be given to amotion beore debate continues.In such cases, a member makes amotion to table the motion. Sucha motion cannot be debated andrequires only a majority vote.


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Te maker o a motion to tablecannot do so while speakingon the motion being discussed,or i he or she has previouslyspoken on the motion and thereare others who wish to speak.

When a motion to table is seconded,the chair must immediately put thequestion o tabling to a vote. A motionto table cannot have a time limit. Amotion to table until the next meetingis a motion to postpone and amotion to postpone is debatable.

Although a motion to table otenis made to kill a motion withouthearing ull debate, a motion thathas been tabled can be removedrom the table. Tis action can berequested as soon as some otherbusiness has been transacted, butno later than the second meeting.

Tus, a member may rise to berecognized and move that thematter be removed rom the table.

Again, the matter is decided without

debate and by majority vote.

Killing an action by tabling a motioncan be overdone. Majority rule shouldbe able to close debate in the regularmanner and deeat the motion.

Limit or Extend DebateTe membership may limit debateby setting a time limit or eachspeaker on the same motion,by setting a time or calling thequestion to a vote, by prescribing thenumber o speeches pro and con,

or by allotting a specic amount otime or each side o a question.

Motions to limit discussion aremade in the usual manner andrequire a second. I the purposeo a motion to limit discussion isto establish general rules limitingtalk on all questions beore thelocal, it can be amended. Such amotion is debatable. I it appliesonly to a motion being discussedon the oor, it is not debatable.

Most unions permit a majorityvote to decide upon a limitation.Strict rules o parliamentary lawprescribe a two-thirds majority.

Many local union bylaws limit thetime a member may talk on a motion.Te usual limit is ve minutes. Tesame set o rules usually providesthat no one may speak twice on thesame motion i another member is

waiting to speak, although the chairmay preside without such a rule.

I the membership eels thediscussion should be extended aterit has been limited, this may be doneby a motion to extend debate. Tismotion must be seconded. It is notdebatable, and, again, most unionsaccept a majority vote or a decision.

Move a Previous QuestionA motion to call or the previousquestion is a method o stoppingall discussion on a motion andorcing a vote. In many locals,people who want to vote call out

Question rom their seats. Tisshould not stop someone who wantsto speak on a motion. As long assomeone rises to speak, the chairshould recognize the member.

A motion to call or the previousquestion starts in the usual way.Te orm is: I move the previousquestion, or: I move that we closedebate and vote on the question.

Te motion requires a second. Itis not debatable. A person cannotmake such a motion while speakingon the question or i the personalready has spoken and there stillare others who want the oor.Many unions accept a majority

vote or a decision. (Roberts Rulesrequires a two-thirds majority.)

Te chair should put this motionto a vote as soon as it is seconded.I the move or the previousquestion passes, then the chairshould repeat, or have read, themain motion with amendments,

i any, and call or a vote.


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14Miscellaneous MotionsNEW LOOK AT APREVIOUS DECISION

Motion To ReconsiderI a local has approved a motion onsome matter that new inormationor later events indicate should bereconsidered, this may be done

with a motion to reconsider.

A move to reconsider can be madeonly on the same day that the vote

was taken on the motion to bereconsidered or at the next meeting.Te motion to reconsider must bemade by someone who voted withthe majority in the rst vote. Anymember may second this motion.I the vote was by secret ballot, anymember may move to reconsider.

Not all motions can be reconsidered.Motions to adjourn, recess, layon the table, take rom the table,suspend the rules or a previousmove to reconsider cannot bereconsidered. Nor should amotion to reconsider be usedto reconsider an action thathas been partially acted uponor that cannot be reversed.

Because the motion to reconsider isthe correction o a mistake made bythe group, it is a privileged motion,and the maker o it may interrupta speaker and make the motion

while there is other business onthe oor. However, debate on themotion to reconsider does notstart until the work that was onthe oor has been completed.

Te member desiring to make amotion to reconsider says to thechair: I move that we reconsider the

vote on . .. (identiying the motion).I there is a second, the chair putsthe matter o reconsiderationbeore the group. Te move toreconsider is debatable and requiresa majority vote to pass. No questioncan be reconsidered twice.

When a motion to reconsider passes,the original motion in question isbrought beore the group as it wasbeore the vote was taken and debateon it continues. Te secretary shouldcareully read aloud the minutes othe meeting dealing with the originaldebate on the question. Persons

who exhausted their right to speakon the question during originaldebate cannot now speak, unlessgiven permission by the body.

Motion To RescindA motion to rescind nullies aprevious decision o the group.Such a motion is made in thenormal ashion and can be madeby any member. It requires atwo-thirds majority vote.


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Under some circumstances, amotion can be rescinded by amajority vote. Tus, a motion passedat one meeting can be rescindedat the next meeting by a majority

vote, i the members were notied atthe rst meeting that an attempt torescind would be made at the nextmeeting. A motion to reconsider canbe used instead, but some unionspreer to use a motion to rescind.

Like a motion to reconsider, themotion to rescind cannot beused to reverse an action thatcannot be reversedi moneyhas been spent or someonehas begun authorized travel.

Te passage o a motion to rescindreverses a previous action. A motionto reconsider simply reopens thematter or urther discussion anddecision by the group. Most cases

will require a motion to reconsider;this can be a matter o unionbylaws or local ground rules.

Please note that a motion to rescindmay be made by any memberat any meeting, but a motionto reconsider must be made bya member who voted with themajority and at the same meetingat which the original motion waspassed or at the next meeting.

CHANGE THE AGENDA

Motion To Suspend the RulesOccasionally, something maycome up that requires a change in

the order o business. Tere maybe a deadline on an importantquestion. Tere may be a questionthat requires more time ordebate, or a visiting speaker may

want to come and go as earlyas possible. For these or otheroccasions, the chair can requesta motion to suspend the rules.

Tis motion can be oered by amember rising and saying, MadamChair, since many o the memberspresent have to make the specialshit, I move that we suspend therules and consider the question oregistration now rather than wait ornew business. Tis motion requiresa second. It cannot be debated. Itneeds a two-thirds vote to pass.

END OF THE MEETING

Motion To AdjournA motion to adjourn is requiredto end a meeting. It is particularlyin order when there is no urtherbusiness to come beore themeeting, but it can be made atany time except during a voteor when someone has the oor.Te chair can indicate when itis best to oer such a motion.

Te mover rst must be recognizedby the chair. Te motion to adjournrequires a second. It is not debatable.It takes only a majority to carry.

When the motion is made beorethe planned end o the meeting, thechair has the right and obligation to

inorm the members when items onthe agenda still require action. Temover o the motion can be askedto withdraw the motion or present.

Tis does not mean that themembers should allow the meetingto continue simply or the sakeo the agenda or out o courtesyto the chair and the ocers.

I the motion to adjourn is accepted,any question stopped by suchaction may be brought up at thenext meeting as old business. I themotion is deeated, it cannot berenewed until the group has actedupon some other motion or report.


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Motions withPeculiar Characteristics 15

Things a Member Ma DoWhen Another Member Has the Floor

Rise to a point o order, point o inormation orquestion o privilege

Object to the consideration o the question Move to reconsider Appeal

Motions that Cannot Be Amended o adjourn

(i the motion is to adjourn at aparticular time, it can be amended)

o table, or to take rom the table o reconsider o call or the previous question o suspend the rules o object to the consideration o the question o postpone indenitely

Motions that Cannot Be Debated o x a time to adjourn, or to adjourn o object to the consideration o a question o table, or to take rom the table o call or the previous question o limit or extend debate

o withdraw a motion o suspendthe rules


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Motions that Do Not Require a Second o object to the consideration o a question o withdraw a motion o call or a division o the house Point o order

Motions that Require a Two-Thirds Vote o suspend the rules o sustain an objection to the

consideration o a question o rescind (except as noted in the text) o limit or extend debate

(in some unions) o close nominations

Motions Used To Dela Actionon the Original Motion

o postpone indenitely o postpone or a specic time period o reer to committee o lay on the table

16Te purpose o the union meetingis to advance the well-being o all

workers by making sure membersare involved in the decision-makingprocess.

A union meeting can help themembers develop their groupinterests or can be the means odeveloping new interests. It canhelp members establish common

views and ideas on issues that areimportant to all o them. Minimalattendance at union meetingsindicates the meetings are not servingthis purpose. It is not enough just togo through a routine.

A union meeting can becomean endless round o dry reports,individual grievances or a serieso department or shop squabbles.Listening to a grievance that only asteward can handle and a supervisorcan settle is not interesting or

entertaining. It is boring, andmembers lose interest in suchmeetings.

Nor should meetings attempt to beentertainment with the membersas spectators. Members have otherdemands on their time.

More people will come i you havewell-run, interesting union meetings.Ocers and members can make thishappen.

WHAT OFFICERS CAN DOTO IMPROVE UNION MEETINGS

1. Plan the meeting. Carve out atleast 10-15 minutes to develop anagenda or your meeting. Consider

ways to give important roles toworksite representatives or othermembers (such as asking them toreport on certain issues that are parto the agenda). Beore inviting anylocal labor ocials or other outsideguests, try to think o those who cancontribute insights or encouragementon one o the key issues your local isconronting.

2. Start promptl! Establish thepractice o starting on time. Givenotice that the next meeting will

What Makesa Good Meeting?

More people will attend i you havewell-run,interesting

union meetings.


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begin promptly at 7 (or 8) oclock.Ten speak to some o the ocersand members and get their promisesto be there at the appointed time.

When the meetings start on time,members will show up on time.

3. Streamline the meeting. Teroutine parts o the meeting canbe streamlined. Make sure reportso committees and ocers areprepared in advance, well-organizedand brie. Correspondence shouldbe handled eciently. Only inunusual circumstances shouldnew correspondence be read tothe membership. Some letters can behandled by the ocers at executivemeetings and detailed to appropriatecommittees or action or reply.

4. Keep the meeting movingalong. I youre the chair and themembership is shy about makingmotions, dont wait too longsimplysay: You have heard the report andthe suggestion that this local shouldestablish a special committee to

work with the mayors committee.Do I hear a motion? I you have aew people who want to talk on andon, learn how to tactully cut themshort. Sometimes even the chair mustremember not to talk too much.

5. Consult the membership. Maybethe local should change the timeor day o the meeting. Its a goodidea to let the members considerthis rom time to time. What was agood meeting night or time a yearago may be very bad now. Similarly,

ask the members occasionally whatthey want rom the meetings. Groupexperiences and interests change.Members need to be reminded thattheir participation in union meetingsis vital and that they are key to whatdecisions get made.

Even routine matters handled by theexecutive board should be broughtto the meeting in the orm o minuteso the executive board. Ten, imembers think the executive boardis deciding too many issues, they cansay so.

6. Strive to improve attendance.Issues are one way to raiseattendance at your membershipmeetings. Members care rst andoremost about the issues that aecttheir personal and proessional lives.One way to draw their interest isto insert a 15-minute hot topicinto each membership meeting.Someone briey introduces thespecic issue and then opens up theoor, allowing members to share

how the issue aects them and oerpotential solutions. (Te hot topicneed not be ollowed by a motion orocial action.)

Another way to enhance attendanceand participation is to ask worksiterepresentatives to personally invitenew members to a meeting. Terepresentative meets the newmember at the meeting site andthen can answer questions and helpexplain any conusing terms or issuesto the new member.

7. End on time! It is a good ruleto keep the meeting to 90 minutes.Distribute the minutes rather thanread them aloud. Many things canbe handled by committeesdetailsshould not clutter up a unionmeeting.

WHAT MEMBERS CAN DO TOIMPROVE UNION MEETINGS

Know something about the ruleso the meeting.

Debate the issue, not the personwho presents it.

Ask or inormation whenin doubt.

Enter the debate when a pointshould be made.

Address the chair and getrecognition beore talking.

alk briey and nottoo requently.

Assume a share o responsibilityor action decided upon bythe group.

Keep inormed about the union. Bring a new member. Bring the inormation back to

those who could not attend.

Participation is the key to democraticprocedure and a good union meeting.Tis doesnt mean that everyonemust have something to say onevery issue. Meetings prot romlisteners as well as speakers. I amember listens, weighs the acts andarguments and votes, that memberis making a contribution. And it isimportant that the listeners realizethey also are contributing to themeeting. Te chair should rememberthis and strive to keep speakers romrambling and a ew speakers romdominating the debate.

In act, a good listener can help here,too. I a speaker is getting o herpoint, a member can rise to a pointo order and tactully call the chairs

attention to this problem.

I the listener does not understandsomething, a question is in order.

A lot o other members probablygot lost at the same time, and thequestion will help them. A goodchair will create an atmosphere thatencourages members to participateconstructively at meetings.

Participation is the key todemocratic procedure and

a good union meeting.


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17Planning MeetingsTe only way to ensure an orderly,ecient meeting is to start with aprepared agenda.

Te agenda is the chairs guide ortiming the various items o businessso that the really important things arenot crowded out. Te chair shouldnot use the agenda as an excuse to bearbitrary. Te chair should be able toollow an agenda without dictating tothe membership.

In many unions its the presidentsduty, with the help o the executiveboard or executive committee,to plan the agenda or eachmembership meeting. Tey shouldmeet a week or a ew days beore themembership meeting and draw upthe agenda.

At such a meeting, thecommunications to the local (letters,axes, etc.) can be read and turnedover to the committee leaders orsummarized briey or presentationto the membership. o speed upa regular meeting, the executiveboard can have recommendationsor all letters demanding action, or

the committees can include thecommunications in their reports:members can be bored by therecording secretary reading a longseries o letters. Correspondence alsogives leaders o various committeestopics or their reports.

Te executive board should check

the minutes o the last meeting andinclude any unnished business intheir working plan. Tey should noteon their agenda which committeesare due to report.

A committee reports andrecommends, but the membershipstill makes the nal decisions. And

your union bylaws set up rules onwhat can and cannot be decided bythe executive board.

A prepared agendais the onlyway to ensure an orderly,

efcient union meeting.


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Many unions have their own ordero business as part o their bylaws orconstitution. I your union has nospecial order o business, you mightuse the ollowing:

Call the meeting to order. Roll call o ocers. Reading and approval o the

minutes o the previous meeting. Reports o ocers, committees

and delegates. Communications and bills. Unnished or old business. New business. Good and welare. Adjournment.

Te order o business is just anoutline to be lled in when theocers work out the agenda. Eachmeetings order o business shouldbe adjusted to meet the currentneeds o the local or to consider thesocial, economic or political issueso the day.

Unanimous ConsentTe chair should always rememberthat much o the meetings businesscan be accomplished by unanimousconsent. For example, when theminutes o the previous meetingare distributed, the chair will ask,Are there any corrections? Andthen, i none are made, I there isno objection, the minutes will standas presented. Tis same proceduremay be used or communications orreports. In all instances, the purposeis not to short-cut democraticprocedures, but to move the meetingto the main events.

When there are special items obusiness to come beore the meeting,the chair may suggest changes in theagenda or even the omission o someitems. Tis should not be a regularprocedure, however, and shouldnever be done without the consent othe meeting.

SAMPLE AGENDA1. Call to order. (7 p.m.)

Opening prayer and union songs.

2. Roll call o ocers. (7:05 p.m.)3. Minutes o Last Meeting. (7:10 p.m.)

4. Reports. (7:20 p.m.)a) Report o executive board by president.b) Report o nancial secretary.c) Chie stewards report.

5. Correspondence. (7:50 p.m.)a) Letter rom the international union oce.b) Strike appeal rom Local 1808 (deer action

until new business).

6. Old business. (8:00 p.m.)None.

7. New business. (8:05 p.m.)Vote on strike appeal (executive boardrecommends $50).

8. Good and welare. (8:15 p.m.)Quiz on grievance procedure prepared by educationcommittee and conducted by grievance chair.

9. Adjournment. (8:30 p.m.)


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18Tips on How ToReach Union MembersTere are many ways to reach unionmembers besides union meetings.Not everyone can or will come to aunion meeting no matter how hard

you try, though you can increaseattendance i union meetingsare more interesting and are runeciently. How to run an interesting,democratic and ecient meeting isthe subject o this section.

Additional ways o reaching unionmembers have been discussedamong international union and stateand local central body leaders, thatled to the ollowing suggestions:

WELCOME the new member Make new members eel they are

a signicant addition to the

union and that they will sharemany benets won throughcollective bargaining.

Use worksite representatives,leaets and other vehicles toeducate members on the unionsissues-based agenda. Makesure new members know thatthe benets they enjoy weresecured through the unionsbargaining or advocacy.

Plan an initiation or orientationsession.

Set up a mentoring program. Ask worksite representatives to

invite new members to a unionmeeting and accompany themto the meeting.

You can increase attendance i unionmeetings are more interesting.


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REACH OUT tothe oung memberUnion solidarity requires theinvolvement o both younger andmore experienced unionists inrunning the union. Recruit youngmembers with leadership potential toserve on committees and participatein training programs, summerschools and other activities. Tegeneration gap disappears whenthe democratic process works. Keepthe union open to all groups and

welcome their ideas.

Both new members and youngmembers may be reached by gettingto know what interests they havesuch as photography, art, huntingand ask them to use their talents andinterests to help the local union.

TRAIN worksite repsWorksite representatives (also knownas union stewards) are a membersdirect link with the union. When the

worksite rep cant answer questions,theres a serious break in theunions ability to unction. Contractenorcement, grievance procedure,inormation on political action and

workplace saety all depend on astrong, well-inormed, dedicated crew

o worksite reps. Hold periodic classesto train new reps and provide seniorreps with an opportunity to review thecontract and swap inormation.

GET our message to the publicUnion members and other citizensare inuenced by the distorted imageo unions created through the media.o counteract this unavorable image,local unions should have a publicrelations program to get out the realstory o the union, its employees,their contract and any problems.Publicize the positive ways thatunion leaders and members makea dierence in the workplace and intheir local communities. ell themsomething about an issue they dontknow. Letters to the editor, newsreleases, op-ed columns and aninormational booth at the county airare among the ways a local can get itsmessage out to a larger audience.

IMPROVE our union publicationsWhether you publish a newsletter ora newspaper, it will be read widely

only i you plan each issue careully.By planning and working in advance,

you can achieve an attractive,readable ormat and publishtimely, relevant stories. Stick to theacts; a good news story is long onnouns, verbs and acts and short onadjectives, adverbs and opinions. Useshort sentences and paragraphs. Also,take advantage o cartoons, picturesand eatures. Announce the unionmeetings; the paper can help getmembers to attend.

COMMUNICATE usingtechniques to stimulatenew interest and attentionSeveral sources are available on the

AF LeaderNet (http://leadernet.aft.org/index.cfm) to assist locals

with communications; includingour online survey tool, newslettertemplates and more. I you havenot signed up or LeaderNet access,contact us at [email protected] andprovide your name, e-mail, localname and title.

Ask new and young membersto use their talents tohelpthe local union.


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Item no 66-0172

guidebook how to run a union meeting

Documents