Why do we organize? How do we link workplace, community and electoral campaigns? How do we connect internal and external organizing?  How does member-organizing fit into a comprehensive campaign? How should we use the social media?

All these questions and more will be addressed at “ORGANIZE! The Art and Science of Organizing,” and exciting conference on organizing for labor and community power in the 21st century on Saturday, May 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at City College of San Francisco's Ocean Campus in the Pierre Coste Room (Statler Wing). At the conference, Bill Fletcher, Jr. will describe recent successful organizing efforts and frame the discussion for the rest of the day. Union, workers’ center, community and school based organizers will talk about the challenges they face and the victories they’ve won. We’ll share best practices and discuss ways we can support each other in our work.

Conference presenters will discuss their experiences with union contract campaigns, organizing the unorganized, community-based workers’ centers and labor-community coalition building.  Participants will be invited to share their organizing experiences, including obstacles, successes and lessons learned.  We will feature an in-depth discussion of current domestic and immigrant workers’ rights campaigns, as well as the effort to Save City College.

Participants will earn a Certificate of Completion from Labor and Community Studies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and the Rockin’ Solidarity Labor Heritage Chorus will perform. The day will conclude with a rally to support Domestic and Immigrant Workers’ Rights and the Save City College campaign, with lively percussion provided by the musical group, the Troublemakers’ Union. The whole conference will be simultaneously translated in English and Spanish. Join us for what promises to be an informative and enjoyable day.

For more information, email wshields@ccsf.edu, or call 415-550-4459. Send us your name and email and we’ll forward the agenda and directions to the Ocean Campus.

When it comes to organizing for labor and community power:
¿Se puede? ¡Si, se puede!