Your to-do list as WSLC Convention nears

(July 9, 2014) — The 2014 Constitutional Convention of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO will begin Tuesday, July 22 at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel and Convention Center and is expected to adjourn by Thursday afternoon. Hundreds of delegates and alternates representing WSLC-affiliated unions have already registered — and online registration is still available.

For those who plan to attend, here are some important reminders:

YOUNG LEADERS SUMMIT — Prior to the convention, the Young Leaders Summit, sponsored by Washington Young Emerging Labor Leaders (WA YELL) and 21 Progress, will be held July 20-21 at the North Central Washington Labor Council, 27 N. Chelan Ave. in Wenatchee. With the theme “A Fighting Chance,” this exciting two-day summit is designed to engage and foster the political development of emerging young leaders in Washington state. Click here for more info.

GOLF FUNDRAISER — Prior to the convention, the WSLC and the Foundation for Working Families will host the annual golf tournament fundraiser, which benefits union disaster relief funds and community service agencies in Washington state. The event will be Monday morning, July 21 at the Highlander Golf Club in East Wenatchee. Sign up today to participate or help sponsor the event or click here for more information.

WOMEN’S COMMITTEE SEEKS DONATIONS — The WSLC Women’s Committee holds a silent auction every year during the convention to raise money for scholarships for rank-and-file women to attend various labor-oriented institutes and schools throughout the summer months. This year, the scholarship fund sent four women to the 33rd Annual Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women being held this week at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. The Women’s Committee is seeking support from the council’s affiliated unions and allied organizations for this worthwhile effort. Donations of any goods or services that can be offered at this year’s Silent Auction are now being accepted. For further details or if you have questions, please email Kairie Pierce or call her at 360-570-5167.

SUBMIT YOUR RESOLUTIONS — In addition to the many distinguished guest speakers and educational workshops planned for the convention, delegates will consider the resolutions that are a key part not just of the WSLC Convention, but of the organization itself. It is through their debate and passage that WSLC positions and policies are established. This year’s convention is the WSLC’s Constitutional Convention, meaning that resolutions can be introduced to change the structure and bylaws of the organization. Any WSLC-affiliated union may submit resolutions. (See the resolutions approved in 2013 for examples of the diverse issues that are covered.) Affiliated unions are urged to submit these resolutions to Jan Hays via email or fax at 206-352-9415 as soon as possible.

The official 2012 WSLC Convention photo. Bring your union t-shirts for this year’s picture. (Click to enlarge.)

BRING YOUR UNION T-SHIRTS — Just like at the 2012 Convention in Wenatchee, the WSLC will again take a convention photo. Many unions have their members wear their union t-shirts for the shot, so don’t forget to bring yours. That photo is tentatively scheduled to be taken right before the lunch break at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22.