A View from the AFT Convention By first time delegate
The 79th AFT Convention was held this summer in Boston with more than 4,000 delegates in attendance. As a first time delegate, I figured that my best tactic for getting the most out of this experience (and not embarrassing myself) would be to read all of the printed materials sent to me before the convention, ask a lot of questions and follow along with the more seasoned delegates from our local. Just when I had it all figured out the convention was over, but the many great memories will linger. From this experience, I learned that delegate voting is an extremely important responsibility. As a delegate, I was voting as a representative of 185 of our members. The resolutions that we voted upon would guide the work of the AFT and govern our union for the next two years. During the convention there was debate and vote on resolutions related to education, healthcare, organizing and collective bargaining, political action, international relations and others. For the first time, the full text of these resolutions and live amendments were projected onto big screens from the convention floor. This made for easy comprehension of the minute-to-minute changes. Highlights of the convention included keynote speaker Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) who vowed to continue the battle for excellent schools and an improved healthcare system. International guests and activists in attendance from over 15 countries joined the delegates as the senator addressed the gathering. Evening events, which included an outing to the Boston Public Library and the IFT Spirit Day Dinner Cruise, gave delegates a taste of Beantown. “Count Me In,” the convention theme, was an appeal to delegates as well as all AFT members to get more involved in our union. As we transitioned from division meetings to committee meetings and from caucuses to general sessions, the catchphrase continued, “Count Me In!” As I sat wearily on the plane on the way home, I reflected on the experience and for the first time I truly understood first hand that we are the power of this union and that so much depends on our member involvement. So, can we “Count You In?” |
Kathy Setlak, president IFT Field Staff |
© Copyright AFT, Local 943 - 2006. All rights reserved.
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