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December 1998 IBEW Journal

Second District

Burlington, Vermont, was the scene of the Second District Progress Meeting, held on October 6, 7 and 8 and chaired by Vice President Frank J. Carroll. International President J. J. Barry presented the keynote address

Other speakers included International Secretary-Treasurer Edwin D. Hill, Thomas J. McAteer, chairman of Railroad System Council #7, Michael Barry, Director of the Eastern Region of NECA and Ron Pickering, President of the Vermont State AFL-CIO. Whether the speakers discussed the new Amtrak rail system, mergers and alliances of contractors or political campaigns, the theme was the importance of unity and cooperation among all members so that the Brotherhood will grow and prosper for future generations.

Clair Scott, director of the Bylaws and Appeals Department discussed the functions of that department and reviewed materials about the daily management of a local union. Rick Diegel, director of the Political/Legislative Affairs Department spoke about IBEW COPE and the importance of voter registration and turnout in the elections.

Fifth District

Borrowing the theme from the first "Rocky" movie, Fifth District Vice President Mel Horton emphasized IBEWteamwork at the progress meeting, on August 14-16, 1998, in Biloxi, Mississippi. "Where there’s IBEW teamwork--there’s no gaps...together, as a team, we fill in the gaps; there’s absolutely nothing we cannot accomplish. When diversity of skills meets a unity of purpose, you have an unbeatable combination." Vice President Horton introduced the first speaker, International President J. J. Barry.

Other speakers were Mississippi State Congressman Bennie Thompson, President Curtis Murphy, Mississippi Electrical Workers, and business manager of Local 903, Gulfport; and IEC member Lance Blackstock. Delegates exchanged ideas at lively Construction, Industrial and Utility & Telecommunications Workshops. A session on IBEW-COPE culminated in the presentation by President Barry, of an award to Local 613, Atlanta, Georgia, members, which was accepted by Business Manager Lonnie Plott and President Roy Jones.  

Sixth District

The Sixth District Progress Meeting, held September 30-October 2, 1998, in St. Paul, Minnesota, had as its theme "The Dawn of a New Millennium: Embracing Change." Its workshops focused on moving the locals from servicing to organizing to education and to embracing inevitable change. Sixth District International Vice President Jerry O’Connor opened the general session and introduced International President J.J. Barry, who emphasized the conference theme. IBEW/COPE awards went to Local 873, Kokomo, Indiana, and Local 481, Indianapolis, Indiana, for outstanding contributions. Other speakers included Minnesota State Representative and candidate for Ramsey County Attorney, Jim Farrel; Midwest Region NECA Director Richard Parenti; and Chairman Ron Markon, Railroad System Council #16.

Prior to the general session, the Sixth District Women’s Conference took place. Under its theme, "Making Diversity Work in the IBEW," important topics, such as "The Roles of a Union Woman," "The Promise and Potential of Organizing Women: Past, Present Future," and "Women in Politics." were discussed.

Seventh District

The Seventh District Progress Meeting was held in Wichita, Kansas, commenced August 1. International Vice President Orville A. Tate, Jr. chaired the meeting, which was also attended by International Secretary-Treasurer Edwin D. Hill, IEC Chairman Clyde Bowden, IEC Sixth District member Bill J. Motley, IEC Fifth District member Lyle Keith Querry, Senior Executive Assistant to the International President Vincent A. O’Reilly and Region 5 NECA Director David Roberts.

Secretary-Treasurer Hill emphasized the importance of organizing and talked of the role of political action and technological advancement to the future of the IBEW.

A highlight of the meeting occurred when Stanley J. Ford, a member of Local 271, Wichita, Kansas, was presented with the IBEW Lifesaving Award in recognition of his bravery for saving the life of a 20-year-old man who was pinned under his burning pickup truck.

Ninth District

The 54^th Annual Progress Meeting and 6th Annual Women’s Conference, called "the largest Progress Meeting/Women’s Conference to date," convened July 29-30, 1998, in Portland, Oregon. Business Managers Gerald Bruce and William Miller, from host Locals 48 and 125, respectively, gave delegates an overview of the conference theme, "Leadership Development," which included such topics as "Effective Communication Skills, Mentoring, Coalition Building and Personal Skill Recognition.

International President Barry’s addressed the delegates followed by Secretary-Treasurer Hill. Local 48 received an award for it’s members’ contribution of $277,000 to IBEWCOPE. Other speakers were Oregon Governor John Kitzahaber, State Senator Brady Adams, NECA Western Region Executive Director Emerson Hamilton, IEC member Milton Foster, Executive Assistant to the International President Charles "Bud" Fisher, and Director of Human Services Department Royetta Sanford, whose presentation, "IBEW Women: Moving the Union Forward," was bright, energetic and informative.

Delegates participated in the various workshops - Broadcast-Telephone-Utilities; Government-Manufacturing-Railroad and Construction. . These thought-provoking sessions provided an interchange of ideas and practical solutions.

Eleventh District

The theme of the Eleventh District Progress Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 8-10, 1998 was organizing and training to win.

International President J.J. Barry, Business Manager Ronald Belcher, Local 347, des Moines, Preston Daniels, mayor, Des Moines, President Mark Smith, Iowa Federation Vice president Ray Edwards, elaborated on several keystone principles— organizing, education, and innovation.

International Secretary-Treasurer Edwin Hill discussed IBEW-COPE and the various other issues. The Eleventh District, a COPE award was presented to Local 766, Huron, South Dakota, Business Manager Dennis Knouse, by International Secretary Emeritus Jack Moore.

Three workshops were held--Construction, Utility and Manufacturing--led my Eleventh District International Representatives. Other workshop participants included officials from the Federal Mediation Conciliation Service (FMCS) from Kansas City, Minneapolis and Des Moines, as well as IBEW Safety Department Director Manuel Mederos.