AFGE LUNCH

1
AFGE LUNCH LEARN STRATEGY

• Notes for Field Staff

2
Purpose

• Provide LL tools to intensify our efforts to
  organize and mobilize workers
• Present a user-friendly format for LLs that can
  be conducted by AFGE staff, officers and
  activists
• Return the personal touch in our union building
  efforts

3
The Attack on Government Workers demands that
AFGE intensify our organizing and mobilization
efforts
4
Never before have the consequences been so great

• Political Patronage
• No Union Rights
• Privatization
• No Protections
• Veterans Pink Slips
• Longer Hours Lower Pay

• Civil service ?
• Collective bargaining?
• Government jobs?
• Due process?
• Veterans preference?
• Overtime pay?

5
Lunch Learns are the mainstay of AFGE issue
organizing success requires good planning,
preparation, and follow-up
6
Remember, in every organizing or mobilization
event, 90 of its success is turn-out!Thats
why planning is key.
7
Planning the Event21 Days Out

• Lead organizer contacts Local --
• Discuss local issue and action
• Set up events schedule (all shifts)
• Scope out LL site
• Divide prep work with Local
• Report back on hot issues
• Make sure room is equipped with screen for a
  power point presentation

8
Developing a Message
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Preparing Materials

• Prepare materials for Lunch and Learn or Union
  Fair events
• Download Power Point template Customize a slide
  show for the Local
• Collate flyers, posters and supporting materials

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Preparing Materials (contd)

• Lunch Learn Materials Available from the Web
• Flash Cards
• Invitations
• Issue Flyer
• Report Back Sheet
• Sign-In Sheet

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Identify Local Volunteers

• Use volunteer action corps DB to identify
  volunteers from the host local
• Facilitate contact between volunteer and Local
  officer. Make sure contact information is
  up-to-date.
• Make sure Local assigns volunteer to assist with
  Lunch and Learn

12
On the Ground

• LL Team meets on Sunday (including Local
  volunteers)to
• Coordinate the weeks events
• Hand out completed materials
• Assign members specific tasks
• Confirm room assignment is it adequate for
  showing power point?

13
Inviting Workers to Attend

• Walk around with a Local officer or activist to
  personally invite B.U. members to the event Use
  the hot issue to get folks to the LL
• Early morning distribution
• Distribute flyers for all eventspair up staff
  with a local volunteer

14
Make it Personal

• Organizing and mobilizing is about building
  relationships
• One-on-one contacts are best - they make the
  union visible
• Remember YOU are the face of AFGE in the
  workplace

15
5 Contacts With the Same Message is Key to Success

• Early A.M. distribution piece
• Desk drops of Rep Wing and Capitol Report
• Personal invitation to LL
• LL Meeting or other event
• Follow-Up

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How to frame the message

• No Jargon
• Pass the Brother-in-Law Test
• Be For Something, not Against
• Storytelling Personalize the Story

17
Developing the Message

• Problem-What is issue really about?
• Solution-What do you stand for?
• Action- What do you want members to do?

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Stay on Message

• Helps you focus your issue and emphasize your key
  points
• Many messengers, unified message

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Conducting the Lunch Learn

• Walk-through day of LL with invitations
• Team leader clearly defines roles of LL team
• 1. Local President Hooks 2. Issues
  presenter Educates 3. Organizer Closes

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Conducting Lunch Learn

• Time the Meeting
• 5 minutes Meet and Greet
• 5 minutes Welcome
• 5-7 minutes Education
• 5 Minutes Close
• 5-7 Minutes Follow-Up

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The Hook

• Local President or other Leader opens the meeting
  with recap of local workplace issue

22
Educate

• Expert links this issue to the big picture use
  power point and/or education flyers
• Frames the message and ties it to an action

23
The Hook

• What is this issue really about?
• Who is affected?
• Who are the players?
• What pictures and images communicate this issue?

24
The Close

• Go to action piece in packets Link it to the
  message
• Distribute Volunteer Action Corps cards and
  recruit sign-ups make sure cards are complete
  and legible

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The Close (contd)

• Ask one of audience for an 1187 or the 277 in
  his/her pocket

26
The Close

• Point to the top of the form this is info for
  their benefits eligibility
• Point to the middle of the form _-- this is the
  privacy act that says this information must be
  kept confidential

27
The Close

• Point to authorization line This enables
  automatic dues deduction.
• Display 50 bill. Say To show our commitment
  to you, to show our dedication to YOUR best
  interests, here is a crisp 50 bill to take your
  favorite person to lunch.

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The Close

• Ask How many are already union members?
  Organizers and Local activists take note and
  descend upon non-members with cash, pens and
  personality
• Enjoy your lunch. We will be here for any
  questions.

29
Event Debrief and Follow-Up

• Friday debrief with LL teamAFGE staff,
  volunteers and Local Officer
• Collate sign-in sheets
• Prepare follow-up post cards for Lunch and Learn
  attendees thanking them for coming

30
Follow-Up Non-Members

• Look at sign-in sheets identify attendees who
  did not join
• Plan a follow-up LL (without staff) just for
  this group within 10 days
• Create a special invitation hand deliver these
  to the attendees who did not join

31
Follow-Up Volunteer Cards

• Look at volunteer cards ask Local officer or
  activist to supply missing data or clarification.
  
• Make copies to leave with the Local.
• Plan special lunch for volunteers to brief them
  on Locals needs and ID volunteers skills and
  interests.

32
Follow-Up Lead Organizer

• Contact Local officer and/or local activist
  within 10 days to check in and monitor follow-up
  plan.
• Keep track of Locals response.