On the Thursday before the opening of the union’s 41st International Convention, more than 300 IBEW members representing their locals’ RENEW and NextGen committees heard from International President Kenneth W. Cooper about how the program is playing a key role in helping the IBEW grow toward his million-member goal.
“I don’t care if you’ve been in the IBEW 10 weeks or 10 years,” Cooper told the group, adding that RENEW/NextGen, for younger members, is the union’s fastest-growing affinity group. “If you pay your dues and you’re willing to put in the work, you can be a leader in this union.”
An initiative that grew out of the IBEW’s 38th Convention, Reach Out and Engage Next-Generation Electrical Workers — better known as RENEW — aims to help the union’s 35-and-younger members become active in their local unions. In Canada, the program is known as NextGen.
“What began as an idea has grown to 221 local committees across North America,” said Civic and Community Engagement Director Jennifer Gray, who oversees the program. “Leadership is not something that happens overnight. It’s built through experience, service and a willingness to step forward when called.”
Starting RENEW/NextGen was one of the IBEW’s smartest investments, “especially when it comes to making IBEW power felt at the ballot box,” said International Secretary-Treasurer Paul Noble. “You guys know your co-workers and communities,” he said. “It’s crucial that you talk to them about what’s at stake.”
International Executive Committee Chair Joseph Calabro added that longtime IBEW members have a responsibility to open doors for new members. “The strength of the IBEW has never been about where we are today,” he said. “It’s about who’s going to carry this Brotherhood forward tomorrow.”
The afternoon’s panel discussions were led by members of RENEW/NextGen’s international advisory committee, starting with a talk about building and sustaining strong committees for locals. Moderated by Las Vegas Local 357’s Ronnie Young, that panel’s members were Providence, R.I., Local 99’s Sidney Jablonski; Pittsburgh Local 29’s Jordan Layhew; Baton Rouge, La., Local 995’s Stephanie La Prairie; and Youngstown, Ohio, Local 64’s Chris Platten.
The second panel focused on how RENEW/NextGen leaders can help their fellow members understand the connection between the union’s political and legislative engagement and work opportunities. Moderator Dylan Gorman, business manager of Madison, Wis., Local 965, led the discussion with Utility Director Drew Stover; Construction and Maintenance Director Matt Paules; and Erica Fein, the Government Affairs Department’s legislative and policy director.
“Your local union leadership has to develop and maintain political relationships,” Paules said, “but you, the rank-and-file members, give them the ability and influence to do that.”
Wrapping up the afternoon meeting was a talk about mental health resources, beginning with remarks from Matthew Hutto of Houston Local 66, who spoke about treating his own mental health struggles like an apprenticeship.
“Some days I do well, some days I get my butt kicked, but every day, I aim to make progress,” he said. “We’re trained to watch each other’s backs on the job. We need to do the same thing when the workday ends.”
In her presentation, Lyndsee Cooper, the IBEW-NECA Family Medical Care Plan’s director for mental health awareness and advocacy, said the FMCP has added several mental health resources in recent years.
“We never know when someone around us might be struggling,” she said, “or when a single conversation could save a life.”
Also on the international RENEW/NextGen advisory committee are Vancouver, British Columbia, Local 213’s Manny Randhawa; Colorado Springs Local 113’s Justin McMahon; Little Rock, Ark., Local 295’s Jackie McGarvey; Kansas City, Mo., Local 124’s Billy Crain; and Los Angeles Local 11’s Alan Mora.
