Your union members want to know how their rights are being fought for and protected. They also want to be heard. They want their concerns addressed, their voices respected, and their time valued. Yet, too often, union meetings and events have low turnout.
The issue might be that meetings are not organized as well as they should be, run too long, or are dominated by the same voices.
If you want more participation, making meetings efficient, purposeful, and worth attending will help dedicated members already wanting to engage. They just need a reason to show up. Here’s how you can make that happen.
Tips to keep meetings efficient:
Make Participation Meaningful
Members will engage if they feel their input matters. Too often, meetings feel like a formality—decisions are already made, and real discussion is limited.
Instead, ask for input before the meeting, either by email or text.
Give members a role in the meeting. Offering interested members an opportunity to volunteer and help organize and contribute to the meeting. Also be sure more outspoken members don't dominate open discussions. When members see their voices influence decisions, they’ll be more likely to show up and participate.
If leadership treats meetings as an afterthought, members will too. A last-minute email isn’t enough.
Use multiple ways to communicate—website, email, text, social media, and in-person reminders. Keep a consistent meeting schedule so members can plan ahead and make it clear why each meeting matters by highlighting key decisions or pressing issues.
When members see that meetings impact their workplace and benefits, they’ll be more inclined to attend.
People are more likely to show up when there’s something in it for them. While free pizza is nice, it’s not always enough.
Consider offering small incentives like raffles, guest speakers, or training sessions that help members develop skills. Hands-on activities like practicing contract negotiations are another example that could prove helpful to members in the future. Networking opportunities are also a great way for members to connect and share ideas.
Meetings should be valuable experiences, not just another obligation.
One of the biggest frustrations members have is feeling like nothing ever changes. If concerns are raised in a meeting and never addressed again, people stop showing up.
Send out meeting summaries so members know what was discussed and what actions will be taken. Provide updates on past concerns to show progress, and if leadership is working on an issue, keep members informed.
Transparency builds trust, and trust leads to higher engagement.
Not everyone can attend in person due to work schedules, family responsibilities, or travel. Offering a virtual option makes it easier for more members to join, and unions who have offered virtual options saw increases in attendance since offering that option.
Use a reliable online platform and ensure virtual attendees can participate fully. Record meetings so members who couldn’t attend can stay informed. A hybrid approach ensures more members stay involved, even if they can’t be there in person.
You can find virtual meeting software tips in this prior article of ours.
Not everyone can attend in person due to work schedules, family responsibilities, or travel. Offering a virtual option makes it easier for more members to join, and unions who have offered virtual options saw increases in attendance since offering that option.
Use a reliable online platform and ensure virtual attendees can participate fully. Record meetings so members who couldn’t attend can stay informed. A hybrid approach ensures more members stay involved, even if they can’t be there in person.
You can find virtual meeting software tips in this prior article of ours.
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