Plan: Communications
Clear communication is crucial to our fight.
Frequent, clear, and concise communications are vital for ensuring an active union where all members are informed and empowered to participate. However, in the past year, our union communications have been inconsistent, inaccessible, cluttered, and/or downright confusing. We believe that this is contributing to an overall lower level of engagement in our union. Poor communication has rendered members unable to participate in union activities in any sufficient capacity.
There have been several important GEO events in the past year with a lower-than anticipated member turnout. Often, these events are solely advertised by email. Sometimes, only one email is sent, and members who miss the email or forget to add it to their calendars are unable to make it.
Additionally , the event calendar on the GEO website has not been operational or maintained for several months now. We cannot expect members to feel comfortable and confident showing up to union spaces if they aren’t sure what is happening and when.
We will reopen all channels to keep members informed.
We must ensure accessible communications. As such, if elected, we will ensure all communications to members are short and concise, with the most critical items clearly identifiable. Emails will be sent at pre-determined intervals (except for emergencies). All events will be announced in a timely fashion with frequent reminders. For members who want more details, we will make full use of our union website by posting longer event summaries. Hyperlinks in our emails will send interested members directly where they need to go. We will also make use of our text message plan, which we funded for the full year but have barely used at all.
On top of the website, emails, and text messages, we will revive GEO’s social media presence. This will open up additional avenues of information-sharing, such as audio/video updates on organizing progress or more light-hearted, humorous content. GEO’s socials are also a way for members to contact us more personally with questions about decisions, meetings, or actions.
Transparency is just as important as accessibility when it comes to union communications. If elected, we will be sure to share detailed and frequent minutes/notes from General Membership Meetings, Stewards Assemblies, and Steering Committee Meetings. We hope that members will be empowered to attend and contribute to these meetings, as they are the most powerful body in the union.