Once you're a member, there are countless ways you can participate in our tenant-powered movement! However, there are some agreed-upon ways that members collaborate: neighbourhood chapters and working groups.
Neighbourhood Chapters
Neighbourhood Chapters consist of VTU members and tenants organizing to build connection and solidarity amongst neighbours at a local level. They host regular meetings, events, and primarily function to organize tenants in rental buildings. Chapters coordinate with the broader Vancouver Tenants Union by selecting a representative to sit on the VTU's Steering Committee.
If you do not live in the formal boundaries of a Neighbourhood Chapter, you are welcome to reach out to and join the one closest to you! Maybe in the future, you'll form your own! Want the details on how to form one and keep it active? That's Part 6 of our Constitution & Bylaws.
Currently Active Local Chapters
- East Side: [email protected]
- Fairview: [email protected]
- Mt. Pleasant: [email protected]
- West End: [email protected]
Working Groups
Working Groups are like clubs or committees where people focusing on a specific aspect of our mission can collaborate!
Any member can join a Working Group and help out, so we've got a list of them below. You can also form a new one! The nitty-gritty is in Part 5 of our Constitution & Bylaws.
Education & Outreach
The purpose of this working group is to educate and agitate members, especially those looking to learn more about renters' rights and how to organize with our neighbours.
We do things like:
- Strategize and create educational materials to support VTU members
- Create and lead workshops on organizing and tenant rights
This is also the working group that houses outreach efforts, including volunteers who check VTU's email inboxes.
Note: This working group was formerly called Membership Organizing and Tenant Solidarity (MOATS)
Want to learn more? Contact them at: [email protected]
Communications + Design
The VTU Communications + Design Working Group is responsible for both internal (membership), and external (social media, press) communications. Working closely with other VTU Working Groups, members help develop and implement outreach strategy for events, campaigns and more.
First-time volunteers might help with:
- Designing a poster or graphic
- Capturing an event with photo or video
- Covering an event and writing a piece for our blog/newsletter
Other volunteer opportunities include:
- Managing social media accounts
- Writing press releases
- Composing member email newsletters & website updates
- Developing communications and campaigns strategy
- Translating VTU materials to other languages
Want to learn more? Contact them at: [email protected]
Data Tools
The Data Tools Working Group uses data as a resource for tenants in their struggle against the increasing precariousness of the housing situation in Vancouver. We organize on Discord.
First-time volunteers might help with:
- Researching/amalgamating data online
- Coding (beginners and experts alike are welcome)
- Other web/digital projects in the VTU
Want to learn more? Contact them at: [email protected]
Multi-Media Arm
This is a creative working group where VTU members can use their talent and artistic side to express their views and opinions on the housing crisis in BC and to find solutions to the housing situation of tenants in BC. The working group uses various platforms for tenants to utilize their talent and bring awareness to specific tenant issues.
Some members of the MMA working group are already working on:
- Creating an app where tenants can enter the issues they are encountering and be directed to the relevant sections of the Tenancy Act, past decisions/case laws, pro bono lawyers, clinics they can reach out to, etc.
- Documenting tenants' efforts in organizing their building and other buildings, as well as documenting their struggle with maintenance issues, RTB hearings, and dealing with the government bureaucracy, delays and unfairness.
- Creating a podcast where tenants can tell their stories the way they lived it and brainstorm on the current system and how we can improve it.
Want to learn more? Contact them at: [E-MAIL TBD]