Session at LabourTech 2010 in Windsor, Ontario: http://labourtech.ca

1. Social networking/media for ORGANIZERS pamkapoor.ca twitter.com/pamused linkedin.com/in/pamkapoor

3. objectives of this session THE MAIN THING is to know more and feel more empowered about using social networking/media when we leave than when we arrived; identify as content “producers” TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE WILL re-cap what we know about organizing, social networking/media, and open campaigning discuss challenges, potential practical applications of social media for unions share skills, experiences, ideas evaluate examples of what’s ‘out there’

4. content ahead evolution of ‘organizing’ social networking/media – who, what pros and cons practical applications of social media for union locals, labour movement principles and components of a social media campaign real-time review of real examples

5. 1. the evolution of organizing Q: what comes to mind when you recall organizing back in the day? A: church basements, phone trees, leafleting, carbon paper, cigs ...

6. discussion item what are some of the tactics and tools of a modern-day organizer? - - - - - - what/who is an organizer? - - - - - -

9. 2. social networking/media:who, what who? facebook has 400 million active users 78% of the labour force (USA) is on facebook internet users (USA) who visited a social networking site in the 2nd quarter of ’09 rose 16% over 2008 women still lead males in use of social networking most estimates say 70% of users are under 35

11. (at Dec 2009)

13. gather/share info, news, content (multimedia), contacts

14. develop friendships, networks

15. expand networkssocial media is the where and how of this most popular social networking sites, in order: facebook, myspace, linkedin, twitter

18. on social networking/media total game changer, not flash-in-the-pan even if you don’t understand it, don’t avoid it impact on organizing and campaigning has been undeniable (recent bump=obama factor) represents infinite potential for our work, but not a magic solution for maximum, sustainable results – need to integrate social media at org level http://slideshare.net/pamused/5-issues-and-10-steps

19. 3. pros and cons pros locate co-workers, potential members, allies facilitate mobilizing of target networks easy way to support and empower members no/low cost real-time monitoring of results cheap advertising cons security - data theft, privacy, predators, viruses, spam resources – expertise, capacity, commitment ever-evolving, hard to keep up Discussion: what else?

20. 5. practical applications of social media for union locals, labour movement

26. 216,000 members!

29. union organizing in the digital age the objective stays the same – persuade, unite, mobilize unions can make use of new media to employ same techniques more ways to put relevant information in front of employees during an organizing drive or advocacy campaign then = bulletin board, leaflets, mainstreeting, meetings, mailings now = websites, intranet, social media, viral emails still a need for vigilance on regs and compliance to ensure appropriate (i.e. legal) tactics are employed so the drive/campaign cannot be challenged need to be cautious in terms of privacy issues – some newer communications techniques may be deemed intrusive by employers resisting unionization or even unsupportive co-workers

30. 5. principles and components of a social media campaign strategy strategystrategy understand who you want to engage, and why listen and trust (members, supporters, public) open your organization (open campaigning) democratize access give people something to believe in and to do connect online with offline strategies http://slideshare.net/pamused/presentation-to-wusc-nov09

31. 6. real time review of real examples “Our Nurses Matter” – BCNU http://facebook.com/OurNursesMatter CUPE 3903 strike ads http://youtube.com/watch?v=3-ynDLmRIA4&feature=related “Tweet-in for Colombia” – CUPE/CoC http://cupe.ca/global-justice/tweet-in-colombia-stop-free-trade *your* work

32. sources “The Future of Organizations” – 2009, presentation to Web of Change by http://birocreative.com/ “Social media and labor campaigns” – 2009, Lawson, Perkins, Friend http://jungle.ca/labornotes/ “42% of Canadians are on Facebook” – 2009, Todd Lucier http://tourismkeys.ca/blog/2009/12/42-of-canadians-are-on-facebook/ “Organizing in an electronic age” – 2006, Sean McGee for Nelligan O’Brien Payne http://nelligan.ca/e/pdf/Organizing_in_an_Electronic_Age_(SLM).pdf “Monitor. Engage. Organize.” – 2009, Phillip Smith http://slideshare.net/phillipadsmith/monitor-engage-organize