WORLD WORLDWIDE BELGIUM BRUSSELS (en) Bruxel, UCL - Organization Council that I would have liked to receive 10 years ago (ca, de, fr, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

 The author, who preferred to remain anonymous, worked as a field organizer for

the largest public service union in the United States, before becoming a teacher
in a large urban area. Today, he organizes with colleagues and students around
issues related to the accessibility of education and obtaining driving licenses
for undocumented migrants. ---- I started to think about a series of advice that
I would give myself, if I could speak to the young organizer that I was ten years
ago. I have learned so much over the past decade and I have also made many
mistakes. So here's what I wish I had heard ten years ago, based on my personal
experience, as well as my own mistakes. Of course, that advice still applies to
me today; I still did not become a perfect organizer.
It is important to organize around clear, realistic objectives that represent
progressive points that allow us to measure the progress and success of our
campaign. Awareness and festivities alone do not allow us to measure these
things. We must organize around tangible things that have a direct impact on the
quality of life and work of people.
Participating in protests is not the epicenter of union organizing. Sometimes it
can be good times, but don't let yourself believe that it counts as "doing
something" constructive and putting your energy into jumping from demo to demo.
Listen to the opinions and input of people around you. Listen to their ideas
first. Check where they are, what their problems and issues are instead of
guessing and anticipating them.
Avoid organizing only with people from the same subcultures and cultural scenes
from which we come. The result of such an organization will create an effect of
exclusion among people who do not come from the same backgrounds.
Do not get carried away with super ideological and dogmatic theories. The
majority of people don't care about the ideological bickering that took place in
1936 or your political differences with such and such. Although it is interesting
as a hobby and theory and history can feed ideas, the left is sometimes too
obsessed with ideology as an identity. Instead, demonstrate your methodology
through your organizational methods.
Respect the collective process by working through disagreements and planning
collectively.
Knock on doors, pick up the phone and make calls; contact people without always
going through social networks.
Be consistent, like a drum riff. Be on time and keep your word on your commitments.
Do not close the door to certain people following a clash or an ideological
dispute. Do not leave comrades behind or forget certain people. People are not an
inexhaustible resource.
Include and reach out to people who are not already in authority. Too often,
organizers instinctively go to people who already have a lot of social capital
and therefore more authority.
The power is in the shop, not the office. See the rows as they are on the floor
of the cows.
No need to ask permission.
Stay close to the workers.
Participate in building the organizational skills of students. Consider students
as adults and even comrades in struggle, knowing that you are their teacher. The
main thing is to build real relationships, make them laugh.
Don't be afraid to disagree, but don't be obnoxious.
Don't get caught up in all the organizational frills. Although posters, leaflets
and newsletters are great tools, you don't deserve dessert before you've eaten
your plate!
Organize the working class, not the left.

https://bxl.communisteslibertaires.org/2023/06/05/conseil-dorganisation-que-jaurais-aime-recevoir-il-y-a-10-ans/
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