Organizer
AR Handbook – 17
As an association, there are many
times when simple problem solving
does not do the job, and we have
to engage our members in a campaign
to make changes or keep what
we have fought for over the years.
The role of the AR is important to
organizing our members on these
important issues. You will need to
recruit people to help you.
Here are some common
questions when organizing
members:
1. How do I get people to do a
job?
Ask them in person and not by an
email. Few people will volunteer
their services. This does not mean
that they don’t want to be active,
however. People wait to be asked.
2. Who should ask them?
If possible, someone they know and
trust; someone whose influence they
respond to; a friend, a neighbor, a
colleague in the same department
or work site, a person with prestige
in the association. But if you cannot
arrange for someone else, do it
yourself. Remember that the act of
asking is itself important. After this
has been done, be sure that the new
recruit is welcomed by the leader of
the committee. The most effective
combination is, therefore, being
asked by someone he already knows
and being welcomed by whoever is
heading up the activity.
3. What do I tell them?
a. Make clear what job you are
asking them to do, and be sure
it has a definite beginning and
end. People do not want to sign
up for life, so do not get them to
over-commit themselves.
b. Ask people to do things they can
do well and are interested in, especially
in the beginning. People
are more willing to begin things
they know they can do, and have
an interest in. Later when they
are really a part of your group,
they will be more willing to try
new things.
c. Tell each person how his/her job
fits in with the big picture. People
want to understand things that
they are part of and work best
when they know that others are
really supporting and depending
on them.
d. Let each person know that his/
her help is needed. If the person
feels that you are just “looking
for people,” the person will also