WHEREAS:

Delegates to past AFSCME Conventions have affirmed the commitment to organizing the unorganized as the only means to preserve and expand our ability to improve our living standards; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME's most valuable organizing asset is the membership, who have already gained organizing experience through the formation and development of their own local unions; and

WHEREAS:

Many members are anxious to participate in organizing drives, and with training, are a crucial addition to a campaign; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME has responded to the 1994 Convention resolution by testing a pilot organizing curriculum to train rank-and-file members to participate in organizing campaigns.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME institute the Volunteer Organizer Program for use in organizing campaigns to provide AFSCME members with the opportunity to meet unorganized workers and to share their vision of the union; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the Volunteer Organizer Program recruit and train member organizers in a systematic way, as part of a campaign plan, that leads to winning the right to represent the many thousands of workers who have expressed an interest and desire to belong to the union.

SUBMITTED BY:

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD