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EXECUTIVE GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORTChallenges and OpportunitiesIn this harsh economy, one thing is perfectlyclear - we are all affected by it.Each of us has a family member, friend,neighbor or co-worker who is dealing witha profound change in their livelihoodbecause of underemployment or evenunemployment.Opportunities are sure to return and we as an organizationmust be ready to seize them. How do weready ourselves? We start with thebasics - training. Since 2002, Ihave served as your executive generalvice-president as well as cochairof the Finishing TradesInstitute (FTI). The FTI is a part ofour organization that, thanks toyou, has made a remarkableexpansion in resources available toour membership.In a down economy where thereis a profound lack of work opportunitiesfor our membership, the keyto being prepared for the surge ofwork that I have no doubt willcome is to take advantage of trainingopportunities by certifying andqualifying our members. The FTIwill continue to provide the methodscourses, teaching techniquesand safety training that will qualify our instructorsacross North America to deliver advanced skills trainingin our many crafts. Moreover, FTI will continue tostrive in the delivery of instructor qualifying coursessuch as lead awareness, First Aid/CPR, OSHA 10and 30 in the U.S., and many others.We have taken every step necessary to ensure thatour instructors are not only the best prepared to deliverthe training courses you need in your local area, butheavily motivated to do so as well. The FinishingTrades Institute has put a lot of work into standardizingcurriculum and developing innovative courses and programsto qualify our members as the best workforceavailable. Thanks to the FTI, and the instructors whoK E N N E T H E . R I G M A I D E NEXECUTIVE GENERAL VICE PRESIDENTtrain and learn at the International Training Centerevery day, we will stay ahead of the curve in workplaceskills.Yet, being the best at what we do on the job site isn'tenough for what IUPAT leadership expects to provide itsmembership. I firmly believe that you must work just ashard at creating opportunities as you do in seizing theones presented to you. That's where the Painters andAllied Trades Labor Management Cooperation Initiative(LMCI) is making a difference in the members’ livesevery day.The LMCI has been a bit of a mystery to our membershipbecause most believe it to be an arm of theunion that is strictly for the benefitof our employers. Those whobelieve such a thing couldn't bemore wrong. See for yourself byreading the LMCI story in the lastissue of the Journal. You'll find thatLMCI played an integral part inmaking industrial painting trainingpossible in several areas of theUnited States on short notice. As aresult, we were able to respondquickly to an industry need. WhenLMCI’s work was done more of ourmembership was working.I have been a trustee and the cosecretaryof the LMCI for nearly tenyears, and I am proud to have beena part of bringing about dramaticprogress in what it offers ouremployers and membership in theform of grants, international meetings among industryleaders, member leadership training and last, but notleast, marketing. The LMCI is the voice of the IUPAT inleading trade publications, industry meetings andevents. It is promoting how good our members are atwhat they do and marketing the companies that hireus. That’s where we’re making opportunities for ourselves.We’re showing the construction world why theyshould hire the proud members of the IUPAT to get thejob done.However, as much as we do on a daily basis, westill cannot do everything alone. As a union memberyou are a part of something that encompasses muchContinued on page 306 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 0 • J O U R N A L