Summer Organizing Institute

Elevate Your Organizing at the Summer Organizing Institute!

Transform your organizing approach by learning winning strategies from locals across Virginia through engaging workshops, including VEA history, campaign fundamentals, storytelling techniques, and rapid response networks. You’ll also get hands-on experience with optional canvassing and outreach activities. Space is limited—secure your spot today!

Location: Richmond Marriott Downtown, 500 E Broad St, Richmond, VA 23219

Dates: July 15-17, 2025

This event is open to all members! Participants may come as a team from their local union or as an individual.

Topics to be covered include:

An interactive activity for participants to explore the history of VEA.
What is at stake with the 2025 elections and year-round campaigns for winning local and state power.
An activity to foster solidarity among all local unions working together as VEA.
How to use personal stories to bridge divides and build power.
Discussion of school board elections, endorsements, and PACs.
How to organize in an emergency and utilize rapid response networks.
A presentation of the ESP Bill of Rights Campaigns for Allies.
Hear from your union siblings around the state about the actions in their locals using collective union power through issue organizing, bargaining, and political campaigns.
Activity to help your local set membership goals.
NEW THIS YEAR: An opportunity to participate in a political canvassing experience with options of door knocking, phone banking, writing postcards, and other possible opportunities to be engaged and learn how this can apply in local unions for local elections to support pro-public education and pro-union candidates for elected seats on school boards, board of supervisors, city councils, etc.

Summer Organizing Institute

Elevate Your Organizing at the Summer Organizing Institute!

Topics to be covered include:

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