In-person and virtual participants in this week’s Secretary-Treasurer workshop.
The BLET Education & Training Department recently conducted a comprehensive training class for Secretary-Treasurers recently at BLET National Division Headquarters in Independence, Ohio. It was offered in a hybrid format, with members attending in person and participating remotely via Zoom.
National President Mark Wallace and First Vice President Gary Best addressed class participants via Zoom. President Wallace provided a brief state of the union update before he and First Vice President Best engaged participants in an extended discussion regarding BLET’s ongoing efforts to oppose the UP-NS merger. Best, who has been assigned by President Wallace to lead BLET’s work on the proposed merger, provided additional insight into the union’s progress on the issue. Wallace and Best also spent considerable time answering questions from class participants.
Participants were asked to provide feedback through exit interviews at the conclusion of the classes.
Brian Young, Secretary-Treasurer of the Missouri State Legislative Board and the Union Pacific-Central Region GCA, said the quality of E&T workshops has improved over the years as technology has advanced. “The hybrid option is amazing if you can’t come to the class in person,” Young said. “If you’re from a smaller division, you can get on Zoom and learn the information without the expense of travel. And they can make it fit into their work schedule.”
BLET National Secretary-Treasurer David Estes, head of the Education & Training Department, thanked the National Division officers and staff who helped plan, organize, and conduct the two classes.
“These classes require a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, and their success is the result of a team effort,” Estes said. “I want to thank all of our National Division officers and staff who gave their time and expertise to make both classes a success, especially those who served as instructors and shared their knowledge and experience with our Local Division officers. Education and training remain one of our most important responsibilities, and I’m proud of the work our team continues to do.”