Thread by @ej_odwyer

Now that we have a @ucu ballot date, many branches are probably thinking about #gtvo #ucuRISING

At my previous branch (the wonderful @kingstonucu), we increased turnout from the 40s to around 60% on the last 2 ballots. How? Hopefully a useful🧵

Things you will need: access to Microsoft Word & Outlook, Qualtrics (an online survey facility, ask a social scientist in your branch), Google Sheets, UCU branch services (for your membership list).

First off, ensure your membership list is accurate. Imho there is no substitute for doing this manually, checking every member individually to confirm they still work at uni.

Sometimes this will feel like detective work. You will often need to google people. Out of office messages help. Obviously, big branches will need to split this task. Update membership team at central with any changes before ballot opens.

Now, you want to set up an automated process by which members can let you know whether they have voted. First, I suggest using Qualtrics to set up a very short survey where members let you know whether they have voted and if they need to request a new ballot.

Then, set up personal survey links in Qualtrics so that each member gets their own link to the survey, which is linked to their email address. Now, when members respond to this survey, you will know exactly who has and how they responded.

See here: tinyurl.com/mpmspcmu

Create a word doc for the email to members and use the mail merge function to embed these personal links into the doc. Write the email to members and (using Outlook) send this 1st reminder to vote perhaps 5 days after ballots arrive.

See here: tinyurl.com/2wjmu9v6

In the meantime, set up a number of Google Sheets, listing members across different faculties/schools etc. Assign different committee members/activists to each of these different sheets. If members don't respond to your mass email, these people can follow up with direct emails.

Someone also needs to keep a handle on those who responded to the survey to say their ballot paper hadn’t arrived. Email members directly to ask them what address they would like the replacement to arrive, and just order it for them – it is easier.

Keep marking members off the Google sheets as they either respond to the mass email/survey, or respond to direct emails from activists, to let you know that they have returned their ballot.

Then you can repeat the mass emails as necessary throughout the ballot period. Some people may get annoyed about the volume of communication, but the overwhelming majority gets why it's necessary and appreciates the reminders (or will steadfastly continue to ignore you).

And that's it really! It is a bit of work to set up, but it is totally possible to do this with a team of about 10 people.

Happy to share Qualtrics/email templates or provide any other help to branches who might need it. We are all in this together. Good luck and solidarity!

Important final note - this process is not some original discovery, but the operationalisation of the winning GTVO formula of @UCU_HWUBranch - I just translated a flowchart, basically.