Branch Recruitment Guide Branch Recruitment Guide

branch Recruitment guide branch Recruitment Guide

The NSW Labor Party has a proud tradition of strong local branches. This Branch Recruitment Guide aims to share some ideas for making branch membership a more rewarding experience.

I would like to thank all Branch Officials for their hard work and dedication. What you do in a voluntary role for the ALP is appreciated by the Party Officers and the Parliamentary leadership. Without you we could not sustain such a successful Party into the future.

This Guide contains a few suggestions on how you might go about recruiting new members to our Party.

If you would like to share an idea that has worked for your Branch, please contact Membership and Communications Officer Kaila Murnain on (02) 9207 2000 or [email protected]

Matt Thistlethwaite General Secretary

PS. Have you recently visited the Party Website www.nswalp.com? Resources for Branch Officials include publications, forms and recruitment material.

Branch Recruitment Guide 2009 3 Branch Recruitment Strategy

Recruiting new members is essential to keeping most recruitment Brochure branches active. From time to time, all branches The NSW Labor Recruitment Brochure is available should reflect on recruitment strategy. on the NSW Labor Website www.nswalp.com. This full colour document includes basic information Branch Officials should direct and oversee any about the benefits of NSW Labor Membership. recruitment activities. However, sharing the responsibility for recruitment involves members recruitment Flyer in preparing your Branch for the future. The Recruitment Flyer is available from the Members’ Area of the Party Website NSW Labor Recruitment Material www.nswalp.com. This black and white flyer can be photocopied for distribution. membership Application Form A NSW Labor Membership Application Form is included as an attachment to this publication. This form is also available from the Members’ Area of the Party Website www.nswalp.com.

Branch Recruitment Guide 2009 4 Distributing Recruitment Material

Letterboxing The Recruitment Flyer is a great resource for letterboxing. This low cost flier directs interested parties in your local area to contact Party Office for more details about membership. You should focus on areas that are likely to support Labor ie. student accommodation. You can use Polling Booth results to determine which parts of your local area are more likely to vote Labor. Alternately, if your Branch is organising a community forum you may like to use this to target your letterboxing. For example, if your Branch is organising a forum on public housing, letterbox areas with a high number of Department of Housing residences. Alternately, you may like to consider doorknocking with a petition for people to sign on an important Doorknocking issue – supporters can be personally approached and Doorknocking can be a good recruitment exercise. invited to join the Party. Remember to choose an issue However, Party Office recommends caution in that is likely to identify Labor supporters. recruitment doorknocking. Doorknock in pairs during the middle of the day Libraries and Public Places for safety. Volunteers should also wear some form Most local areas have a few well-known places where of identification to avoid resident concerns about community information is available. Some examples household security. are libraries, cafes, churches, community centres, It is important that doorknockers adopt an appropriate supermarkets and book shops. manner. Members of the public should not feel Appoint a Branch member to distribute Branch pressured to join to the Party. Recruitment Flyers at these locations. This member Do not under any circumstances receive may also be able to monitor what material is available membership fee payments while doorknocking. in regards to other community groups for future Simply leave interested people with a Recruitment collaboration. Brochure or Membership Application Form. Street Stalls Holding a street stall at a local shopping centre is another effective way to distribute NSW Labor recruitment material. Choose a shopping centre Tanya Gadiel MP seeks your support that is mainly frequented by locals. Keep our boat afloat – Fight for the Ferry

Dear Resident, Combine your recruitment activities with campaigning The Special Commission of Inquiry into S Ferries recommends the scrapping of the ydney RiverCat Service from Rydalmere to Parram Parramatta Advertiser, 19 December 2007 If implemented, this would have a disastrous for a local Labor Candidate or Representative. atta. effect on our local area and mean: Reduced business viability; Loss of an alternative means of transport; and Fewer tourists visiting Parramatta and suppor A conversation with a local MP or Councillor can our local businesses. ting That’s why I’m working with Parramatta City Coun and the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce to: cil Retain our ferry service; and often attract passers-by. Make the service more reliable and user frien Please sign the petition below to keep our b dly. oat afloat.

Tanya Gadiel MP You can also use a petition or campaign activity to State Member for Parramatta Daily Telegraph, 3 November 2007 Sign the Petition · Keep our boat afloat To Members of the NSW Parliament, Macquarie Street, Sydney initiate discussion. Remember that you may need This petition of citizens of NSW draws to your at the recommendation made by the Special Commis tention Inquiry into Sydney Ferries that the RiverCat It will mean reduced business viability, los Rydalmere to Parramatta be scrapped. sion of Service from means of transport, and fewer tourists visiting Pa Council or Centre approval before holding a stall. s of an alternative We consider this recommendation unaccep and supporting our local businesses. rramatta table. We therefore urge MPs to reject this recommend expand the service to make it more reliable and Name (Please print) ation, and Signature frequent. 1 Address

Email Address 2 Branch Recruitment Guide 2009 Email Address 5 3

Email Address

Please return to Tanya Gadiel MP, 90 George Or by fax to 9891 5618. For more petitions Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150. please phone Tanya Gadiel’s office on 9891 4722 Feb 2008 . Advertising

Reaching members of the community who are likely to consider Party membership requires a well-considered strategy. Consider how to target members of the community who are already engaged in community activities or have political interest.

Branches may like to brainstorm organisations and locations that are likely to be a good contact point for potential members. You could start by discussing branch members’ community involvement for ideas.

Local Papers Community Newsletters Make your presence known Directories Many community organisations in the local community by Information and Neighbourhood have newsletters that include advertising in local papers. Centres and Local Councils opportunities for advertisement. Include local Branch Contact often have a local Community Advertising in these publications Details to allow interested people Groups Directory which is an opportunity to make to obtain meeting details. Many you can be listed in. your activities known to community newspapers feature a other community activists. free community notices section. If you are organising a community forum, campaign, or event, you may be able to obtain some editorial coverage. Many branches also organise “Letter to the Editor” campaigns in local papers.

Branch Recruitment Guide 2009 6 reach out

Branch Social Unions Many members have friends or family who support the Many trade unions have a formal relationship with the Labor Party. Recruitment can sometimes be as simple Party. Find out which affiliated unions have offices or as asking members to invite these supporters along to organisers in your local area. You may also have a a social event. local Trades and Labor Council. Consider inviting unions to attend branch events. Community Afternoon Tea / BBQ This is particularly appropriate when events address A community Afternoon Tea/ BBQ can be an industrial relations issues. opportunity for members of the community to meet local Labor MPs to discuss local issues. This may Community Groups allow Branch members to identify potential members. Building relationships with other community groups is another way to grow your membership. Collaboration Community Forums with community groups can assist in directing branch Organise a Community Forum on an important local discussion and campaigns. or Labor issue. Choose topics and speakers that will attract Labor supporters. Campaigns Community Forums allow branches to network with Campaigns are a great time to recruit new members. unions and local community groups. For example, you Be prepared to talk to campaign volunteers about the can invite relevant unions to a forum on healthcare or benefits of Party membership. local charities and churches to a forum on poverty. Running a local campaign on a community issue The Branch can also promote the event through press is also a strong method for identifying activists. releases, advertising in local newspapers, word-of- Demonstrating that Party membership can assist in mouth and letterboxing. Holding a Community Forum achieving activist goals is a powerful recruitment tool. is also a chance to re-engage inactive members listed with your Branch. Remember to use the Forum itself to attempt to recruit attendees to your Branch. Distribute recruitment brochures at the event and make sure you collect contact details for those present. Branch Recruitment Guide 2009 7 nsw labor rules

The NSW Labor Party Rules provide clear A.20 a) If a branch receives five or more new requirements for branch membership. Each applications to join the branch at any Branch Credentials Committee must ensure one meeting (including branch members applicants are eligible to join. transferring) the branch must send the following information about each new The Party Rules are available by request from the member to the General Secretary within NSW Labor Party Office or from the Members’ seven days of the meeting: Area of the Party website www.nswalp.com. name, address, category of membership The following Rules are particularly relevant and union affiliation. If at a branch formation to recruitment: meeting, more than fifty people apply to join, the same information must be submitted Age within seven days of the meeting. Applicants must be aged 15 or over (Rule A4). (b) The Administrative Committee can refer these applications to the NSW Credentials Union Membership Committee for its consideration. The Party has a proud history of political (c) At an ordinary Branch meeting, if there representation for the trade union movement. are up to twenty applications, a six month This tradition is recognized in Rules A5-7: deferral will apply and if there are twenty applications or more, a twelve month A.5 A member of the Party who is regularly working deferral will apply. These deferrals will be for remuneration (including casual workers) and automatic unless the NSW Credentials who is eligible for membership of a registered Committee considers that it has been trade union shall be (at the time of joining the overwhelmingly demonstrated that the Party) and remain a financial member of the recruitment of the applicants was bona fide. relevant union which covers the major and At a branch formation meeting, where more substantial party of any work performed. than fifty people apply to join, the NSW A.6 It shall be sufficient compliance with Rule A5 Credentials Committee must consider that if the member is a financial member of the it has been overwhelmingly demonstrated union which has coverage of the majority of that the recruitment of the applicants was his/her regular work. bona fide. Their recommendation will be A.7 An employer can only join or remain in the Party reported to the Administrative Committee, if he/she makes a genuine efforts to encourage prior to a charter being granted. his/her employees to become and remain (d) The NSW Credentials Committee members of the relevant trade union covering must report back to the Administrative their work and if he/she observes applicable Committee within two months of having industrial laws, awards and agreements. such an application referred to it by the Anti-Stacking Measures Administrative Committee. (e) The purpose of this rule is to monitor NSW Labor has adopted strong measures to prevent recruitment into the Party so that action “branch-stacking”. When organising a branch can be taken if necessary. recruitment drive it is important to be aware of Rule A20:

Branch Recruitment Guide 2009 8 Retention

The Party Office produces a number of resources More Interesting to assist Branch Officials. These include: Branch Meetings NSW Labor’s More Branch Administration Kit Interesting Branch Meetings NSW Labor’s Branch Administration Kit includes a publication aims to share range of resources to help make running a branch some ideas for making easier and less time consuming. branch membership a more rewarding experience. Administration Kits are mailed to Branch Secretaries To request a copy of More Interesting Branch each February. To request an additional copy of the Meetings, please contact Kaila Murnain on Branch Administration Kit, (02) 9207 2000 or [email protected]. please contact Kaila Murnain on 902) 9207 2000 More Interesting Branch Meetings is also available or [email protected]. from the Members’ Area of the Party website www.nswalp.com. The Branch Administration Kit is also available from the Members’ Area of the Party Attachments: website www.nswalp.com. Membership Application Form

Branch Recruitment Guide 2009 9 4 steps to applying for membership If you need any help please phone 1. Fill out your details including your political background. 2. Tick the appropriate membership (02) 9207 2000 or fees box. 3. Complete the payment details. 4. Mail your completed form back to NSW Labor, 1800 503 035 PO Box K408, Haymarket, NSW 1240 or Fax to (02) 9264 2574.

1 Your personal details Mr Ms Mrs Miss Other

First Name: ...... Other Names: ......

Surname: ...... Date of Birth: ...... Male Female

Address (as enrolled): ...... Postcode: ......

Postal Address (if different): ...... Postcode: ......

Occupation: ...... Union (if eligible*): ......

Phone: [h] ...... [w] ...... Fax: [h] ...... [w] ......

Mobile: ...... email: ...... Have you previously been a member of any other political party or any affiliate or auxilliary of any other political party?

Yes No If yes, which: ...... If yes, please provide details (dates, positions held) (use an additional sheet if necessary)

...... Form M ember s hi p Have you ever opposed an ALP candidate during an election (ie. by standing as or assisting an opposition candidate)?

Yes No If yes, please provide details: ......

Have you previously been a member of the ALP?

Yes No If yes, when did you leave the ALP? ...... Reasons for leaving: ......

2 Joining membership fees For your application to be processed you must enclose both the one-off joining fee and your membership fee. Joining fee $10 concessionals* $20 all other members

Your income SAVE UP Affiliated union member** SAVE UP * If you have selected 1 YEAR 3 YEARS TO 10% 1 YEAR 3 years TO 10% Category C, you must indicate: $80,001 plus A1 $200 A1 $540 B1 $150 B1 $405 $63,001-80,000 A2 $150 A2 $405 B2 $120 B2 $325 students $48,001-63,000 A3 $90 A3 $245 B3 $70 B3 $190 home duties $35,001-48,000 A4 $65 A4 $175 B4 $50 B4 $135 retired ...... unemployed . $35,000 or less A5 $45 A5 $120 B5 $37 B5 $100 pensioners Concessional C $20 C $55 Branch: FEC: **Please see reverse for list of affiliated unions

3 payment form Please bill my credit card

Cardholders Name: ...... Yes. I want to join the Labor Party.

I hereby apply for membership of the Australian Labor Expiry Date: ...... Party, NSW Branch. If my application is successful, Card Type: Mastercard Visa Diners Amex I undertake to abide by the Pledge and Party Rules. If I am paying a reduced rate subscription I declare that Card No: I am entitled to that reduced rate...... Signature: Date: / / Signature: Date: / /

Joining fee ($10 concessional; $20 all others) $ Make renewing even easier Membership fees $ YES. Please renew my membership automatically. Plus here’s a donation to Labor’s Election $

I, ...... authorise the y Membership No: Fighting Fund. (Donations of up to $100 are tax deductible): Australian Labor Party (NSW Branch) to debit my credit card for the amount of my membership fees (for the amount above) and future Total: $ membership fees as prescribed from time to time under Party rules. Pay by personal cheque, money order or credit card (ABN 36 192 855 036) ......

I have enclosed a personal cheque/money order for Signature: Date: / / Off ice u s e on l SEC: $ ...... made out to the NSW Labor Party. Affiliated unions

If you are a member of one of the following unions you are entitled to an affiliated union membership.

Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) Australian Services Union (ASU), Services Branch Australasian Meat Industries Employees Union (AMIEU), NSW Branch, Newcastle Branch Australian Workers Union (AWU), Glassworkers Union, Greater NSW Branch, Newcastle Branch, Port Kembla Branch Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), Construction and General Division, Forestry and Furnishing Products Division, Mining and Energy Divisions Communications, Electrical, Plumbing Union (CEPU), Postal and Telecommunications Branch, Telecommunications and Services Branch, Plumbers Division Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) Electrical Trades Union (ETU) Finance Sector Union (FSU), State Bank Branch, Commonwealth Bank Officers’ Association, Banking NSW and ACT Health Services Union (HSU) Industrial Staff Union (ISU) Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU), Liquor and Hospitality Division, Miscellaneous Workers Division Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), Central NSW Branch, Northern and Southern Branch Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) National Union of Workers (NUW) Rail, Train and Bus Union (RTBU) Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), NSW Branch, Newcastle and Northern Branch Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union (TCFUA) Transport Workers Union (TWU) United Services Union (USU), NSW Local Government, Clerical, Administrative, Energy, Airline and Utilities Union Party Office Here to help

Address: NSW Labor, PO Box K408 Haymarket NSW 1240 Phone: (02) 9207 2000 Toll Free: 1800 503 035 Fax: (02) 9264 2574 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nswalp.com