Leaders place a heavy reliance on the grievance procedure and the contract negotiations process. Leadership is often concentrated in one person or a small group of people and communication with the membership is quite limited. A strong emphasis on the Servicing Model approach usually produces a passive membership. On the other hand, the Organizing Model contains some very different characteristics which are summarized in the following checklist. The Organizing Model Leaders stimulate member involvement in problem solving and collective action.
Leaders seek creative solutions, outside the grievance and negotiations processes.
Leaders have a strong commitment to communication and education, and an active membership. Leaders develop and depend on members' skills and abilities. Leaders share information with the membership. Leadership is decentralized, through member involvement and the use of committees. Leaders are mainly proactive, independent of management's actions.