SEIU New Jersey State Council, SEIU

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SEIU New Jersey State Council
Working For A Stronger Voice

About becoming a Member Political Organizer (MPO)

Q. What Are the Duties of the MPO?

Member Political Organizers communicate at the work site, on the telephone, and in their communities to raise awareness about issues that affect workers and their families. They volunteer to:

Educate members and their families on health care issues
Register members and their families to vote
Lobby politicians on issues that affect workers
Help get out the vote during elections
Build community coalitions
Recruit volunteers

Q. How much time will I have to put in?

MPO's put in two to six hours a month.

Q. I don't know much about lobbying or political organizing. Can I still help?

You will receive all the training and information you need at MPO meetings, and you'll be working with more experienced MPOS who will be happy to answer your questions.

Q. How do I sign up to become an MPO?

Contact your local union representative.

Q. Why donate to the COPE fund when union dues are already taken out of my paycheck?

Union dues cover the cost of basic union activities including collective bargaining, organizing, filing grievances and overhead. Money collected through COPE goes exclusively to political action.

Q. How do I sign up for COPE?

You need to fill out and sign a voluntary deduction card, which can be obtained from your union representative or shop steward.