South Sound Rising announces Spring Organizing School

Organizing School trainings equip working people with the skills and strategies needed to build worker power

TACOMA, WA (March 24, 2026) — South Sound Rising, a labor and community partnership dedicated to building power for the working class, is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Organizing School. The Organizing School is a free multi-module training program designed to equip workers and community members with the strategic tools needed to build worker power across the South Puget Sound region.

The program offers a comprehensive curriculum ranging from foundational organizing skills to advanced campaign strategies. With courses held in both Olympia and Tacoma, along with virtual roundtables, the school aims to bridge geographic and generational gaps in the modern labor movement.

“Our goal is to move beyond surface mobilization and toward the sort of deep organizing that wins,” said Colton Rose, Organizing Lead. “By using scenario-based learning and emphasizing practical application experience, we are empowering members to drive meaningful change in their own workplaces.”

A previous session of the South Sound Rising Organizing School. Photo: UFCW Local 367

Apply for the Spring 2026 Organizing School online today. The deadline for registration is March 30, 2026.

The Organizing School consists of 10 training sessions spanning from March 31 to June 9. Sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. and meet for about 90 minutes to two hours. Participants can apply for either the Olympia or Tacoma sessions.

From UFCW 367:

The Spring session is divided into two tracks: Level I — Foundations and Level II — Advanced Concepts, allowing participants to build their skills step by step.

Level I — Foundations
This track introduces the core principles of organizing and worker leadership and these sessions provide the fundamental skills needed to begin organizing in your workplace or community.

Session Topics:

March 31 – Traits and Tools of Successful Organizers

April 7 – Targeted Organizing

April 14 – Conversation Models & Leader ID

April 21 – Deep Organizing

April 30 – Lessons Learned from Jane McAlevey (Organizing Roundtable)

Level II — Advanced Concepts
After learning the basics, participants will explore deeper organizing strategies and campaign-building techniques and these sessions focus on the tools organizers use to build momentum, win campaigns, and grow worker power.

​Session Topics

May 14 – Organizing in a Digital Age

May 19 – Organizing Workers and Raising Standards with the Workers’ Bill of Rights

May 26 – Deep Canvassing & Narrative Storytelling

June 2 – Inside Organizing Strategies (Salting)

June 9 – Organizing Roundtable

Check the UFCW Local 367 website for more information about the South Sound Rising Organizing School.

The South Sound Rising Organizing School is open to union members, “union-curious” workers, and community organizers.

Apply for the Spring 2026 Organizing School online today. The deadline for registration is March 30, 2026.