Teamsters for Tomorrow hold historic leadership summit at Local 117
The future of this Union
They came from all industries - grocery warehouses, steel shops, county offices, food production, State prisons - scores of young Teamsters, men and women under the age of 35, curious to learn more about their Union, eager to get involved. Some were visiting their Union hall for the first time; others had played an instrumental role in planning the event they were there to attend.
“Today you are making history,” said Teamsters Local 117 Secretary-Treasurer, Tracey A. Thompson, addressing the group as she kicked off the first-ever Teamsters for Tomorrow Leadership Summit held at the Teamsters Hall in Tukwila, WA on Saturday, November 7, 2009.
The purpose of the summit, Thompson noted, was to educate younger Teamsters about their Union, build solidarity and lay the foundation for the next generation of Teamster leaders.
One of the day’s early highlights was a video greeting from Teamsters General President Jimmy Hoffa. President Hoffa congratulated members for attending and spoke about the many ways young Teamsters can be involved in their Union.
Gary Hattal of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) led a workshop on bridging generational differences and financial planning expert, Leslie Scorgie, author of Rich by 30, discussed how members can take control of their finances and build their net worth. One of the most exciting sessions was led by a group of young Local 117 rank-and-file volunteers and staff who performed a skit that illustrated the ways members can defend their rights in the workplace.
The idea for Teamsters for Tomorrow originated with a group of delegates at an IBT Conference in 2007 who wanted to empower a diverse generation of young Teamster leaders through education, communication, and organizing. The group developed a mission statement and appointed regional leaders.
Teamsters Local 117 grabbed the Teamsters for Tomorrow concept and ran with it. Local 117 staff recruited a committee of volunteers who took the lead in setting the agenda and planning the seminal event. "It was a huge learning experience for me, just going to that first meeting,” said Rokeda Rogers, a Local 117 member who was involved in the planning. “There are people from all walks of life and so many industries who are part of this one Union. Anyone who has decided to join us has become a leader in their own right."
As the event wrapped up, members filled out activist cards and pledged to solicit donations in their shops for the next Teamsters for Tomorrow initiative – a holiday Toy Drive to benefit the families of Teamsters who have recently been laid off. People shared ideas about ways to get involved and left feeling energized and excited about leading their Union in to the future. “I would like to see Teamsters for Tomorrow showing up at job fairs and working in the high schools,” said Local 117 member, Kevin Fulmer. “We should focus, not just on current members, but on future members as well.”