You are:

Young members get organised

4 May 2010

Agreed by the national young membersÂ’ committee, the first ever young membersÂ’ organising strategy seeks to focus our work in a clearer way.

It’s a really healthy sign for our young members network and union that we have a growing membership of young people. Over 900 young members are signed up to receive our newsletter and we trained up over 60 young members’ across the country in carrying out the role of YM rep in 2009.

All this is encouraging but if we’re to sustain this level and seek to increase participation, especially amongst underrepresented groups, we have to ensure we have a strategy in place. We’re looking to implement a series of actions this year.

They include:
• A learning needs analysis for young member (YM) reps to ensure they have the necessary skills, confidence and support to build and recruit in the workplace;
• Development of an advanced training package for YM convenors, developing leadership skills in particular;
• Stronger focus on ensuring key aims and objectives of the young members’ charter are discussed widely and included within campaigning, bargaining and organising agendas;
• Agreeing regional targets for recruitment to the union and network through detailed mapping exercises;
• Building links with other young people from other unions, student organisations and campaigning organisations;
• Encouraging and supporting young members’ going into schools to promote trade unionism;
• Producing guidance for YM convenors, groups and branches on our structures and how they can set up their own.

The national young members committee when it meets on 23rd April 2010 will put plans in place on how to take these objectives forward. A full report will produced and circulated widely.