On July 10, 2019, a group of 27 leaders from regional, and national worker center and community organizing networks gathered at the Tommy Douglas Conference Center in Silver Spring, MD for the fifth annual Build the Bench Convening.  Hosted by the Center for Innovation in Worker Organization (CIWO), Build the Bench Convening brought together creative, passionate, and inspiring managing directors from across the country to support their growth as organizational and movement leaders through connection with CIWO and others in similar roles.

During the 3-day convening, participants connected with peers  to build a network of leaders tasked with balancing available resources and high level vision in a turbulent culture of urgency.  Participants shared ideas, strategies, challenges, and opportunities, learning from each other’s experiences and perspectives and reflecting on what they will take with them as they return to their organizations.

Build the Bench participating organizations:

  • 482 Forward
  • Alliance for Youth Action
  • Asian Pacific Environmental Network
  • Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
  • Center for Community Change
  • Center for Popular Democracy
  • Coworker.org
  • Faith in Action
  • Faith in Action
  • Food Chain Workers Alliance
  • Institute for Policy Studies
  • Jobs with Justice
  • Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
  • Los Angeles Black Worker Center
  • Make the Road New York
  • National Domestic Workers Alliance
  • Partnership for Working Families
  • People’s Action
  • Raise the Floor Alliance
  • Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) United
  • United for Respect
  • United We Dream