| Step 1 | JOIN TUF. As part of the tenants union, we’ll help you through this process. Even more important, as a larger organization we will build the power necessary to challenge and transform the capitalist housing market. |
| Step 2 | PLAN AND PREPARE. Gather outreach materials. Assess your situation and ask yourself if anyone in your building might be willing to help you. |
| Step 3 | CONNECT AND BUILD. Talk to neighbors in your building, and get their contact information. Ask lots of questions about their situation, it’s likely they have issues but it might take some talking to bring them out. Be conscious of the languages people speak! Ask neighbors or TUF for translators. |
| Step 4 | BUILD A COMMUNICATION METHOD. Set up a system for tenants to stay in communication such as a WhatsApp group. Use the line of communication to promote a tenants meeting to discuss building issues and as a way to get to know each other. |
| Step 5 | HOLD YOUR FIRST MEETING. Pick a time and place. Find a time when most interested people can join; you might want to rotate times to accommodate schedules, but don’t worry if not everyone can make it. Designate roles. Facilitator, notetaker, someone to make an agenda; use this as a way to get people involved and invested in the process. Make a turn-out plan & agenda! |
| Step 6 | TAKE ACTION! The TA should do whatever it sees fit to better the homes, lives, and financial situations of its members. Try some escalating pressure: send a collective demands letter, visit the landlord’s office or house, etc. Connect with other buildings whether they already have formed TAs or need help in starting one. Connecting with other TAs in your neighborhood or city can be helpful in fighting for one general goal! |