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PRESIDENT’S NEWSLETTER<br />
Growing Our Activism<br />
At our recent Convention, the theme was Growth = Strength. Our focus was<br />
on growing the organization, increasing our strength and, thereby, providing<br />
as much security and prosperity to the membership as possible. While<br />
we tend to think of growth in terms of increasing the number of members<br />
we have, there are other kinds of important growth that help us consolidate<br />
power to be the strongest union we can be.<br />
@matthewloeb<br />
MATTHEW D. LOEB<br />
union committee getting engaged is the key. If you actively<br />
work toward a cause you are an activist. Choose something<br />
that interests you and do it. There are many opportunities for<br />
us to participate!<br />
We can grow and become stronger as a union by being<br />
on front street to do our part. We are organized and possess<br />
unique skills. We have a sense of solidarity and understand we<br />
can use that unity to effectively help others in a meaningful<br />
way. And, it’s the right thing to do. So step up and participate.<br />
You may just find it one of the most rewarding things you<br />
can so.<br />
One important area that needs our attention is activism.<br />
There are many types of activism. Political activism helps<br />
us when we elect politicians or support legislation favorable<br />
to workers. It can also help promote our skills and industry,<br />
and be integral in creating work. The right political connections<br />
can assist us in securing contracts. Community activism<br />
allows us to show those who live and work alongside us that<br />
we care about them, that we are there when someone or some<br />
cause needs us. It builds our power because we grow our base<br />
of allies that can be crucial when we need support. There are<br />
many opportunities to get involved in charities. From clothing<br />
and food drives locally to national organizations supporting<br />
those in need. There are always people needed when<br />
a disaster strikes. Mobilizing to help sustain and rebuild is<br />
something we can and should do. We can volunteer at religious<br />
establishments, serve meals to those in need during the<br />
holidays, support the elderly through attention and compan-<br />
Local 322 and<br />
newly-elected<br />
Charlotte City<br />
Council<br />
Member Braxton<br />
Winston with<br />
President Loeb<br />
at the AFL-CIO<br />
Convention.<br />
ionship and make ourselves available in times of crisis. And<br />
of course, there’s activism in your union. Whether it’s helping<br />
out at the annual picnic, raising money for an injured member,<br />
painting an elderly member’s home, driving retired sisters<br />
and brothers to the polls on election day or sitting on a local<br />
WWW.<strong>IATSE</strong>.NET<br />
FOURTH QUARTER 2017 5
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