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(3) Developing Branch Infrastructure

It takes infrastructure and organization to make an organization. Here are some of the basic needs that almost all groups have.

Bricks and Mortar

  • Get a PO Box. - For most groups, a Post Office Box is the permanent base of operations. You may someday open an office, but offices can move. A P.O. Box provides stability. Go to a convienient government Post Office and ask to rent a box for your union. Never use a private mail company because they often go out of business.

  • Have a contact Phone Number. - Branches often use the personal phone number of a stable member. This is often for economic reasons. But as soon as you can get a branch phone (so the branch is listed in the telephone directory). Again, stability is the key. As Mobile/Cellular phone costs go down, investigate this as an alternative.

Electronic Communication

  • E-mail address. - Get an e-mail account for your branch through a local internet provider, a free web-based provider (like hotmail, yahoo, etc) or from iww.org. If you don't understand how to go about this, ask other wobblies how to go about this.

  • Internal Branch E-mail list. - If many of the members of your branch have access to e-mail you can set up a list through the iww.org which allows you to e-mail everyone at the same time. This facilitates discussions between meetings. Contact the IWW.ORG Administrators at lists [at] iww.org.

  • Create a branch web page on IWW.ORG. - When you do, include branch activities, practical information on how the IWW organizes and contact info. This can lead to many contacts. Contact the IWW.ORG Administrators at tech [at] iww.org for help setting this up.

  • Get listed in your IWW newspaper and on iww.org as the IWW contact for your area. - This will help potential members find you.  In fact, you should consider listing yourself as a contact for your area or industry even if you haven't chartered a branch in your community or industry (it's not advisable to list yourself publically if you seek to form a job branch, unless you're ready to declare yourself openly to your employer--which may be advisable at some point, but generally not at first), because it will alert other new members in your community / industry who join later find you more quickly.

Social Media

  • Public Email List - You will want to be able to communicate to supporters in your community / industry who're sympathetic non-members.  Contact the IWW.ORG Administrators at lists [at] iww.org to help you set this up.

  • Facebook, Twiiter, UnionBook, and YouTube - You should set up group / fanpage / channels that mirror your main site on these social media networks (theer are others you may want to explore as well), because these offer greatly enhanced communication ability.  This is explained in Using Social Media to Build the IWW.

  • [email protected] - Have your members subscribe to the main IWW.ORG alerts email list, [email protected] to plug in to the greater IWW, receive IWW news, and participate in union-wide campaigns.

  • Primary IWW Social Media Networks - Have your members join the main IWW social media networks.  These are also explained in Using Social media to Build the IWW.

Your IWW Office & Union Hall (this may be virtual at first)

  • Create a Database. - Keep a list of members, including their names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail, dues payments, and any other information relevant to keeping in contact. It's up to your group how to organize such a database. It can be used to make mailing lists, mailing labels, phone trees, even e-mail lists. Such data can be kept on paper, or on three by five cards, but the most convienient method is using a computer database application.

  • Paper Work - You need to keep a well organized record of your bills and expenses, correspondence, organizing efforts, contacts, phone lists, members, reports, and the like. However, much paperwork can be avoided if you keep things simple and keep things organized. A good filing system can be key to keeping things in order, but it need not be complicated.  Keep your records in a neutral location (even a storage space where multiple members can gain access) if possible.

  • Establish a Branch Bank Account. - Make sure you have protections against theft such as co-signers for checks, etc. In the US you need an EIN number, call GHQ for help setting that up.

  • Meeting Space and Time - Choose a neutral, public location (bars, private residences, and/or counter-cultural activist spaces are not generally the best locations), and a convenient time to hold regular meetings.  In the short term, it is acceptable to meet in different locations and at different times, until you establish a site that is welcoming, inclusive, and convenient for the greatest number of members. After your branch is established, it is better to establish a permanent meeting time and location to provide stability.

  • Office Space - If you can afford the rent, choose a neutral, public location, or rent a storage space for collective property.  It is not ideal to run an office out of a private residence.

  • IWW Merchandise, Tabling Equipment, A/V Equipment, etc - These are all useful tools of the trade for building your branch, networking with supporters, educating your members, and generating activity.  Store these in a safe, neutral location.

Next page: Maintaining Interest and Branch Stability