For campus workers across Virginia, I encourage you to join your union. Together, we can defend democracy. Ucwva.org/join-us

1000 people doesn't just happen--this took incredible collaboration between UCWVA-UVA and @aaup.org, as well as Wahoos4UVA, UVA Undergrad Student Council, Professors emeriti of UVA, UndocUVA, and UVA chapters of the National Campus Jewish Alliance, Rise Up, Indivisible, and Jewish Voice for Peace.

I am in love with this work. I went to the dentist last week using the health insurance that my fellow workers helped me win. I feel a responsibility to pay that forward. I hope you'll come join us, and win something you desperately need at work. ucwva.org/join-us

5. Perhaps conversely: winning matters. Coming up with plans that lead to winning matters. People talk a lot about bringing joy and fun into organizing; I feel that there's an intrinsic joy in winning something you never knew you could have. It makes the next action easier.

4. The situations we find ourselves in are high stakes, and there is no perfect solution that keeps us out of conflict with our bosses, or that is perfectly safe. I have come around to the idea that we should have a bias toward action. Take lessons from mistakes and keep going.

3. Negotiating in good faith is key. I had to learn how to be very clear about what I wanted from people, and then ask them to share what they want, and see what work we can do together. Negotiating action steps that people will actually *do* is more important than moral purity.

2. Theory starts to matter more *after* you've done at least some of the above. Do you understand the "solved problems" in the world of organizing, so you aren't duplicating old work? As much as possible, if you're reading theory--TEST IT. If it doesn't work in practice, why not?

1. Material commitment is more important than having done all the reading. Will you come to a meeting? Will you stack chairs, pour people water? Will you carry a clipboard around and ask people to sign a petition? Will you vote, door knock, wear a button?

@harryszabo.bsky.social