Our Strength Lies in Our Diversity
I believe the strength of an organization lies in its ability to communicate and bring together people from diverse backgrounds and various geographical areas. The success and the heights we continue to achieve under the leadership of International President John Costa have been phenomenal. The support of our International Executive officers and our General Executive Board has given our International Union the power to hold strong during these turbulent times.
A Year of Powerful Gatherings
It began in April with our very first International Pride Caucus in New Orleans, followed by the Illinois Joint Conference in Springfield, Illinois, and then the Midwest Conference Board in Riverside, Iowa. In May, the ATU Black Caucus convened for its annual meeting in Hanover, Maryland. June brought the Northwest Conference and the California Conference Board together for a joint meeting in Spokane, Washington, uniting our brothers and sisters from the western states and western Canada. The New England Joint Conference took place in Hyannis, Massachusetts, followed by the Women’s Caucus in New Orleans and the newly formed Northeast Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The CAN-AM conference in Orlando, FL, concluded this vibrant series of gatherings.
Building Strength Through Shared Experience
These conferences serve to bring together our members through education and the sharing of information on our fights to advance the interests of our members and our industry. Through these conferences, we build strength and solidarity by sharing the knowledge of our successes and struggles. Our Union is complex due to the variations in our makeup and geography throughout the U.S. and Canada. Being in person, talking to each other, exchanging ideas, and getting to know each other is an invaluable asset to our Union.
Our Future
I look forward to our 61st International Convention in New York City in August, where our International officers and delegates will meet to determine our future and have another opportunity to educate ourselves and share information.
See you soon.