This exceeds the ambitious goal that Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa set to recruit and train 1,000 new member organizers.  In 2010, these members will be working on organizing campaign and industry-specific activities, while more members are encouraged to attend volunteer training at their locals and Joint Councils to get involved.

The members that participated in the boot camps reflect a diverse and growing union. Here’s a snapshot of the members who participated in the 2009 Teamster member organizer boot camps:

• 1,165 total member organizers;
• 20 percent were women;
• 14 percent were African-American;
• 10 percent were Hispanic;
• Participants included Teamsters from a variety of backgrounds, including Asian, Arabic, Pacific Islander, Native American and Haitian members;
• Age range: 23-70 years old;
• Average age: 45.4;
• Teamster experience: 6 months to 49 years;
• Average years as a Teamster: 16.4;
• 130 speak at least two languages, among them: Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Portuguese, Tagalog, Italian, German, Ukrainian, Hmong and Japanese; and
• Teamsters from 23 different industries, in jobs from air conditioning mechanic to yardman, correctional officer to X-ray technician, and dockworker to registered nurse, all participated.

Tell us your story! If you've participated in a boot camp and applied those skills to help other workers, let us know!