The Inaugural Michigan Tenants Union Summit
Organizers from the Ann Arbor Tenants Union, the Detroit Tenants Union, and Rent is too Damn High are convening the first Michigan Tenants Union Summit!
The MI Tenants Union Summit will be held on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 from 9am–5pm in Detroit, MI. Specific details on logistics will be distributed to organizers that RSVP — confirm your spot below.
What is the Michigan Tenants Union Summit?
It is a gathering of all active tenant unions across Michigan.
What is the goal of the Summit?
The Summit aims to strengthen the ties between unions across the state, facilitate knowledge-sharing, and begin laying the groundwork for unified action state-wide. We will be sharing organizing skills (including how to structure a lasting union, how to door-knock, having one-on-ones, writing ordinances, building effective teams, etc), power-mapping our state's housing market, identifying a statewide strategy to combat landlord power and keep bad actors in check, and discuss the state ban on rent control and other state housing legislation with SEIU.
We are looking to bring experienced and new organizers together, as well as tenant union allies. Travel expenses can be covered; please reach out using the information below for details around reimbursement. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and if you sign up before September 20th you will also receive a free t-shirt during the event.
What will be discussed during the Summit?
The Summit is organized around strategizing led by the organizers that attend the conference, with training and presentations to facilitate and ground that strategizing. Our tentative agenda is as follows:
- 8:30am: Catered breakfast
- 9:30am: Opening remarks from event organizers
- 10:00am: Shareouts from across different groups
- 11:00am: Skill-building — Doorknocking/“AHA” conversations for leader identification
- 12:00pm: Catered lunch
- 1:00pm: Role playing exercise
- 1:30pm: Building strong teams and running effective meetings
- 2:30pm: Presentations from allied organizations
- 3:30pm: Statewide envisioning and a united front of organized tenants
- 5:00pm: Social event
Where can I direct questions regarding the Summit?
Please direct questions to annarbortenantsunion@gmail.com.