Union policy is developed and adopted by member leaders elected throughout Oregon.

The highest governing body of SEIU Local 503 is our General Council. Any member can run for election to be one of the 380-plus delegates to this convention, held biennially in even-numbered years. At this convention we adopt our budget and discuss and adopt policies and goals that affect our union. Our Board of Directors governs the union between General Councils to monitor and carry out the policies that have been set. The Board of Directors meets every other month, and consists of the elected District Directors and five Statewide Officers; President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, Immediate Past President and Executive Director.

An Executive Committee, made up of the Statewide Officers and three Board members elected by the Board to serve on this committee, meets during the months when the full Board of Directors does not.