The CT Tenants' Union (fiscally sponsored project of ABWF, Inc.)

### Context Profile for The CT Tenants' Union

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
The CT Tenants' Union (CTTU) is dedicated to advocating for housing justice in Connecticut. Their mission emphasizes the importance of safe, stable, affordable, and democratic housing for all residents. CTTU operates as a member-driven organization, ensuring that its staff and operations are accountable to its membership base. The organization seeks to empower tenants and create a movement that prioritizes the needs and voices of the working class in housing matters.

#### 2. Type of Activities
CTTU engages in various activities, including:
- **Membership Drives**: Encouraging individuals to join the union to strengthen their collective voice.
- **Fundraising Campaigns**: Initiatives to secure financial support through member dues, which are crucial for the organization’s sustainability and autonomy.
- **Community Programs**: Organizing events and campaigns that promote tenant rights and housing justice.
- **Advocacy**: Working to influence policy and legislation related to housing issues in Connecticut.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
The tone of voice used by CTTU is:
- **Inspiring and Empowering**: The language encourages collective action and emphasizes the importance of member contributions.
- **Friendly and Approachable**: Communications are designed to be welcoming, fostering a sense of community among members.
- **Professional yet Urgent**: While maintaining professionalism, there is a sense of urgency in addressing housing issues, highlighting the immediate need for action and support.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
The organization does not prominently use emojis in their communications. The tone remains formal and serious, reflecting the gravity of the issues they address. Any informal elements are minimal and likely reserved for social media or less formal communications.

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Information**: CTTU is a fiscally sponsored project of ABWF, Inc., indicating a collaborative approach to nonprofit management.
- **Membership Dues**: Standard membership is set at $10/month ($120/year), with a reduced rate of $5/month ($60/year) for those on fixed incomes.
- **Impact Metrics**: While specific metrics are not detailed on the website, the organization emphasizes the importance of member contributions and collective action for achieving housing justice.
- **Volunteer Information**: CTTU relies on the active participation of its members for campaigns and community engagement, indicating a strong volunteer component.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Clarity and Directness**: Use straightforward language that communicates the mission and activities clearly.
- **Inclusive Language**: Address members and potential members in a way that fosters a sense of belonging and community.
- **Call to Action**: Encourage engagement and participation, whether through membership, volunteering, or donations.
- **Consistent Messaging**: Maintain a focus on housing justice and the empowerment of tenants throughout all communications.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for crafting personalized and impactful content for The CT Tenants' Union, ensuring alignment with their mission, tone, and activities.

Membership Dues (regular) - Full Year

Membership Dues (fixed income) - Full Year

<span fr-original-style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Book Antiqua',serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;, serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">As a member-driven organization, CTTU’s staff and operations are exclusively accountable to our membership base. In order to ensure that that remains the case in practice as much as in principle while we continue to rapidly grow, we need to shift towards a self-sustaining funding structure.<span fr-original-style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Book Antiqua',serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;, serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">     <span fr-original-style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Book Antiqua',serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;, serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Philanthropic grant-making foundations offer some applicable funds, including those we’ve secured so far. But, they often come with strictures around how and for what that money can be spent, along with administration and reporting requirements that can conflict with our mandate and mission. In addition, grant-based funding is sporadic and finite, meaning that it requires continual outreach, application, oversight and execution (a full-time development role).  <span fr-original-style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Book Antiqua',serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;, serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Most importantly, funds procured via philanthropic or governmental organizations limits our autonomy, restricts our ability to plan for the long-term, and requires extensive capacity to ensure successful procurement.<span fr-original-style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Book Antiqua',serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;, serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit"> <span fr-original-style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Book Antiqua',serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;, serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">Hence, the need for member dues. As a movement committed to creating a better world, in which the goals of our members for safe, stable, affordable, democratic housing will be realized, our success is deeply dependent on the extraordinary contributions of those members. Whether those contributions take the form of people’s time spent driving campaigns, their development of their chapter structures, or their financial support, CTTU can only persist and grow as an autonomous, truly transformative organization of and for the working class if we are funded and driven by our working class membership. <span fr-original-style="font-size:11pt;font-family:'Book Antiqua',serif;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;, serif;color:rgb(0, 0, 0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;box-sizing:inherit">This form doubles as our official membership enrollment, so congratulations! Once you fill this out you are officially a member of the Connecticut Tenants Union, and an integral part of building a movement for housing justice across our state.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip " fr-original-style style="background-color:rgb(248, 248, 255);border:1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255);border-radius:4px;color:rgb(42, 42, 196);display:inline-block;margin:0px;padding:1px 8px;font-size:11px;line-height:16px;overflow-wrap:anywhere;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit">First name , On behalf of everyone at The Connecticut Tenants Union, I want thank you for becoming a member of our movement. As a member in good standing, you are now part of a dedicated community of individuals committed to the fight for housing justice, community control, and dignity in our homes. We look forward to keeping you updated on our progress and involving you in our upcoming activities and events. Your participation is invaluable to us, and we are excited to have you on board. Thank you once again for your membership, and for believing in this urgent mission. In solidarity, Peter FousekSecretary-Treasurer, CT Tenants Union845-594-1503<a href="mailto:psfousek@gmail.com" style="color:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit">psfousek@gmail.com</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:inherit;text-decoration:inherit;user-select:auto;box-sizing:inherit" target="_blank">cttenantsunion.org</a>

As a member-driven organization, CTTU’s staff and operations are exclusively accountable to our membership base. In order to ensure that that remains the case in practice as much as in principle while we continue to rapidly grow, we need to shift towards a self-sustaining funding structure.     Philanthropic grant-making foundations offer some applicable funds, including those we’ve secured so far. But, they often come with strictures around how and for what that money can be spent, along with administration and reporting requirements that can conflict with our mandate and mission. In addition, grant-based funding is sporadic and finite, meaning that it requires continual outreach, application, oversight and execution (a full-time development role).  Most importantly, funds procured via philanthropic or governmental organizations limits our autonomy, restricts our ability to plan for the long-term, and requires extensive capacity to ensure successful procurement. Hence, the need for member dues. As a movement committed to creating a better world, in which the goals of our members for safe, stable, affordable, democratic housing will be realized, our success is deeply dependent on the extraordinary contributions of those members. Whether those contributions take the form of people’s time spent driving campaigns, their development of their chapter structures, or their financial support, CTTU can only persist and grow as an autonomous, truly transformative organization of and for the working class if we are funded and driven by our working class membership. This form doubles as our official membership enrollment, so congratulations! Once you fill this out you are officially a member of the Connecticut Tenants Union, and an integral part of building a movement for housing justice across our state.

The CT Tenants' Union (fiscally sponsored project of ABWF, Inc.)

The CT Tenants Union Dues 2024-25

Membership Dues (regular) - Full Year

$120

Membership Dues (fixed income) - Full Year

$60