WhatsApp is one of the most used apps in the world, and with over 30 million users you most likely already have it. Through the app, you message, audio, and video call, share voice messages, photos, files and links to websites and online resources. But that’s not all – it can also be used as a powerful tool to organise and communicate within your branch.
Through WhatsApp, you can effectively build engagement within your branch, as well as with fellow reps, and Community officials. You can also use it to distribute useful information within your workplace, branch or working groups.
Having access to everyone from your branch in a WhatsApp group can be extremely handy, especially when you need to contact multiple people all at once. There are many ways you can use WhatsApp to organise and communicate with members in your branch, including:
Sharing workplace updates
One of the best ways to use WhatsApp is to share workplace updates – whether that is updates on policy or pay, welcoming new members, or updating your branch on who their reps are.
Updating members with Community news
WhatsApp offers a great opportunity to directly send Community news or updates to your branch on any activity taking place in their workplace, sector, or region.
Encouraging members to get involved in campaigns
Through the app, you have a direct channel to your branch to help Community in our campaigns, get your members involved and raise awareness of how you and your union are fighting to make real, lasting change.
Highlighting branch issues
Issues happen in any workplace, it’s inevitable – however you or your members may not have the time to raise them in-person or feel safe to discuss them at work. WhatsApp provides a great safe space for you and your members to highlight issues in your branch.
Working with your branch to create pathways to solutions
Like with highlighting branch issues, WhatsApp also offers a great opportunity for you and your members to work together to solve issues in your branch and workplace in confidence.
Gauging people for their opinions on branch matters
If there are issues in your workplace, or you’re looking to make changes within your branch, you can use WhatsApp to effectively gauge your branch on their opinions.
Finding out more about issues members are experiencing
One of the key roles as a union representative is to help members in your branch, and you can’t do that without finding out what issues they’re experiencing. WhatsApp offers a safe space for you and your branch to discuss issues in confidence.
Setting dates for meetings
While WhatsApp shouldn’t be used for meetings, it is a great tool to find out when members in your branch are free to meet.
Sharing useful links, surveys, and information
Through WhatsApp, you can share links to websites, surveys, pictures, and videos – this makes it a great tool to use to raise awareness of any updates from Community, campaigns, changes in law, policy and more.
Encouraging members to update their contact details
One of the biggest challenges that unions face is members not updating their details – meaning we’re unable to directly contact them with union news and updates. You can use WhatsApp to remind your branch to make sure their contact details are up to date, so they don’t miss out, especially before a ballot.
Remind members to read email updates
We’re all busy, and sometimes emails get missed – we get it, however Community regularly contact our members with important updates via email, so it is vital that every member checks Community emails for the latest news and updates.
Download our guide on using WhatsApp to organise and communicate with your branch today
To help you, we’ve developed a guide which includes best practice as well as tips and tricks on how to use WhatsApp to communicate with your members and organise in your branch.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024