You’ve been assigned to attend an organizer evaluation, put on by your union to assess your ability as a union organizer. Regardless of your skill and experience this is not going to be a walk-in-the-park.
Unions are implementing a tough new 25 point evaluation process to screen out unqualified applicants for union organizer positions. If you aren’t ready to hit the ground running in a high stakes strategic organizing campaign you won’t pass. How you perform here, could affect the rest of your organizing career.
These are the five things you must do to master the organizer evaluation.
1. Be prepared to write a strategic organizing plan.
One assignment requires writing a strategic plan for a fictitious company highlighted during the three-day event. The plan should include such things as; goals, timelines, bench marks, issues, leaders, meetings, employee list, volunteer organizing committee, house calls, target date for filing, hand bills, mailings, emails, itemized expenses, etc. It’s expected to be completed and turned in the next morning.
2. Take detailed notes before, during and after each role play.
Yes, that’s right. You’re going to be doing role play. It’s designed to get you out of your comfort zone to see if you can answer questions extemporaneously. Most organizers excel at this, so have fun!
Each role play is related to the same campaign. In other words whether you are communicating with a worker or addressing a volunteer organizing committee its likely part of the same campaign. The information will later be needed when writing your strategic organizing plan. It’s important to remember for example leader’s names, how many employees a company has, etc. Take notes throughout the process to refer to later.
3. Look sharp! Wear appropriate attire.
You won’t get a second chance to make a good first impression, so dress business casual. Guys; wear a sport coat, ladies; dress conservatively. Shorts, flip flops, hats or jeans with holes in them are not appropriate for an event of this type.
4. Listen for clues and urge the person to act.
Some participants have expressed disappointment with their assessment score in one category; Ability to Motivate Others to Act. For whatever reason they didn’t feel they received adequate credit for doing so during role play. Compensate for this by giving each person a specific call to action and asking for a commitment.
5. Get plenty of rest.
There’s a tendency for people to want to blow off some steam after a long day in a classroom, especially when traveling far from family and friends. Be careful not to stay out too late or drink in excess. Get plenty of rest. Eat healthy and be ready for the challenges ahead.
By following these five simple tips you will master the organizer evaluation. You will receive the highest possible score because you will be on top of your game, look sharp, be better informed and avoid common mistakes others have made.
Bob Oedy helps union organizers succeed in the construction industry by providing solutions to dramatically increase their level of performance and productivity without burning out. For free information on how you can recruit more members, sign contractors and gain jobs for your union go to => www.unionorganizer.com
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