The general duties of lodge officers of the I.A.M.A.W. are prescribed in the I.A.M.A.W. Constitution. Additional details are spelled out in the local and district lodge by-laws. This section provides practical suggestions to lodge leaders on how they can effectively carry out their important responsibilities.

Members elect lodge officers. The officers, therefore, are responsible to the members for the conduct of the lodge with which they have been entrusted.

One way for officers to achieve good administration of their local is through cooperation among themselves as an officers' group, and between the officers' group and the members. At the same time, as officers of a basic unit of the I.A.M.A.W. -- the local lodge -- they are responsible to the entire I.A.M.A.W.

TEAMWORK: THE KEY TO A STRONG AND SUCCESSFUL UNION
 

This means that a lodge Executive Board should meet regularly a few days in advance of the regular membership meeting to review the correspondence, to plan the meeting agenda, and to review the lodge finances. The Executive Board makes recommendations to the membership which will carry out the responsibilities and programs of the lodge.

As chief executive officer of the lodge, the President is both the lodge leader and "quarterback: of the "team" of elected officers. The President provides leadership to the lodge, not as a dictator, but through and with the cooperation of the entire Executive Board.

The team must include the stewards, who are the lodge representatives in the plant. As such, they are in closer daily contact with more members than the officers.  Officers must work through the stewards for increased membership participation in meetings, on committee and in local lodge activities.

OFFICERS' MEETINGS - THE ROAD TO TEAMWORK
 

Officers' meetings are set up to do the following:

• To keep officers informed of activities being carried on by others and by committees.
• To discuss problems facing the lodge and consider plans to meet them.
• To discuss and plan the agenda for the coming meeting.

OFFICERS MUST DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE LODGE PROGRAM
 

If the lodge is going to run effectively, the officers' team must give constant attention to the following tasks:

• Planning Meetings.  Meetings should be businesslike and interesting.  Meetings should not be allowed to deteriorate into a lengthy gripe session.

• Making Committees Active.  Committees should be selected carefully in order that the local lodge may have adequate programs in education, public relations and other areas.

• Handling Finances.  A union cannot be strong unless it is financially healthy.  Members' rights must be protected, and officers' responsibilities must be properly discharged.

• Making the most of the Stewards' System.  In an effective union, the stewards must handle the grievances properly.  The stewards must serve as an effective communications link between officers and members.

• Working With Other Labour Groups.  Active Participation in local and regional labour councils broadens the union's influence and provides additional sources of information.

All these activities add up to a big job. The officers cannot do it alone, but they are responsible for coordination and guidance. Good leadership on the part of the officers means a better lodge which will accomplish more in advancing the welfare of the members. The greater the degree of cooperation in a local lodge, the greater its strength at the bargaining table.

Furthermore, the local lodge will be better prepared to participate intelligently in the affairs of the International Union.

Duties of the President and Vice President
 

In an I.A.M.A.W. local lodge, the President has three main responsibilities:

• To furnish leadership for the lodge and help organize the officers, committee Chairpersons and Executive Board so they work democratically as a team to lead the lodge.

• To enforce the Constitution and the laws of the I.A.M.A.W. applicable to local lodges.

• To chair local lodge meetings in a democratic and orderly fashion.

The Constitution of the I.A.M.A.W. lists these duties:

President

• Chairs local lodge meetings.  The president must see to it that meetings are carried on in an orderly and democratic fashion.  In case of a tie vote, the President casts the deciding vote.

• Signs checks, along with the Treasurer or Secretary-Treasurer.  The President must make sure that checks are properly drawn and that the bills being paid have been approved.  Also signs all vouchers, along with the Recording Secretary.

• Appoints committees not otherwise provided for. The President appoints all committees except when the I.A.M.A.W. Constitution, local by-laws, or appropriate membership action provides for another method

• Enforces the by-laws and Constitution of the I.A.M.A.W. and the lodge. Must see that the lodge lives up to its by-laws and to the I.A.M.A.W. Constitution just as the President of the United States must uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution.

Vice President

• Chairs meetings when the President is absent

• Helps keep order at meetings

• Becomes President if the President dies, resigns, or is removed

• In the absence of the President, assumes duties as prescribed in the Constitution

Duties of the Recording Secretary
 

• Keeping accurate minutes of lodge meetings;

• conducting lodge correspondence, and presenting all communications and bills to the lodge

• preparing "all orders" (vouchers) drawn on the Treasurer or Secretary-Treasurer for payment authorized by the lodge

Minutes are the permanent record

• of all lodge activities

• of all lodge business brought before the lodge meeting, and

• of action taken on the business

Good minutes must contain the following:

• Lodge number and union

• Date, time and place of meeting

• Name of President or meeting Chairperson

• Roll Call of officers

• Applications, initiations and withdrawals

• Action taken on minutes of last meeting

• Report of financial officers, including receipts, disbursements, and balance on hand

• Communications and actions taken

• Bills and action taken

• Brief reports of committees, delegates, officers, Business Representatives and others and action taken on each report

Important points in keeping minutes

• Each order of business should appear in the lodge minutes. When no action was taken, write "NONE"

• The wording of every motion and action taken must be set down in the minutes, whether or not the motion carried

• The Chairperson should clarify the wording and intent of each motion (in cooperation with the mover) and the Recording Secretary must write down the motion as stated by the chair.

Duties of Secretary-Treasurer
 

• Receives all funds and deposits them in a bank of sound financial standing

• Makes out and signs checks

• Keeps an account of all receipts and disbursements and makes a report at the membership meeting

• Keeps records of dues payments by each member and records of fee payments by each fee payer or objectors (if any)

• Sends per capita tax payment and a report on the members and fee payers or objectors (if any) to the I.A.M.A.W. General Secretary-Treasurer each month

• The Secretary-Treasurer should refer to the I.A.M.A.W. Financial Officers' Reference Manual for detailed information and guidance. (Available from the General Secretary-Treasurer)

Duties of the Sentinel-Conductor
 

• Checks to make sure that the people at the meeting are entitled to attend

• Escorts visitors and new candidates in and out of lodge meeting

• Guards the door of the lodge meeting and admits those entitled to attend

Duties of the Trustees
 

• In charge of all property belonging to the lodge. The Trustees have the responsibility of making sure that the property of the lodge is maintained intact in accordance with the best interest of the union

• Assist Auditing Committee in auditing the books and sign the reports

Duties of the Auditors
 

     An Auditing Committee of three people is elected by the local lodge. The auditor's term of office is for three years. The Auditing Committee has the responsibility to see that the books and financial records are in proper order, that all receipts are properly entered, and that there is proper authorization and vouchers for all money paid out by the lodge.

• Examine the books and accounts of the lodge. The I.A.M.A.W. Constitution states that audits must be conducted semiannually, at the close of June and December. The three auditors are assisted by the Trustees.

• Report on the audit each time to the membership and to the Grand Lodge.

Duties of the Communicator
 

     The Local President shall appoint a Communicator, who is accordance with the official directives, policies, and programs of the Grand Lodge will use the latest forms of information technology to communicate with the local membership about their work and family lives. Contact the I.A.M.A.W. Communications Department for information on setting up a Communicator program in your local lodge.

• Establish and maintain an e-mail address to receive communications, alerts and bulletins from I.A.M.A.W. Grand Lodge

• Download and distribute I.A.M.A.W. communications in the workplace and via group e-mail broadcast lists

• Promote the I.A.M.A.W. Microsite program as a no-cost option for any local or district lodge wishing to establish a basic website

• Accept additional communications responsibilities as directed by local or district lodge President

Duties of the Educator
 

     The Local President shall appoint an Educator to assist in carrying out the official directives, policies, and programs of the Grand Lodge and any other education and training programs approved by the Grand Lodge and related to educating and training the local membership on all issues affecting workers and their families. Contact the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center (W.W.W.) for information on setting up an Educator program in your local lodge.

• Establish and maintain contact with the (W.W.W.) Center

• Provide periodic local training on issues identified by (W.W.W.) Center

• Work as directed by local and/or district officers to facilitate (W.W.W.) Center training agenda

• Familiarize members with available labour education resources

Duties of a Lodge Health & Safety Committee
 

     Safety is a vital concern of workers and their unions. Each year several times more work days are lost because of injuries on the job than are lost through strikes. The human misery caused by occupational injuries cannot be measured. The union protects the workers through enforcement of safety laws, contract safety provisions, and good safety practices.

• To promote safety education, safety consciousness and the establishment of safe conditions in the workplace

• To establish a procedure for stewards and workers to report all unsafe or potentially hazardous working conditions to the committee

• To recommend to the lodge an appropriate procedure for bringing immediately to management's attention any hazardous conditions and for receiving information on action taken or contemplated

• To arrange for safety training courses for lodge Health and Safety Committee members, stewards and workers

• To set up procedures for exchanging ideas, methods and information on accident and health hazards and corrective measures

• To report on safety problems at lodge meetings

• To provide for close relations with appropriate government agencies and other groups in order to obtain services and assistance to workers

The I.A.M.A.W.'s Retired Members' Program
 

• Provide retirees with useful, social, and recreational facilities and opportunities
• Help retired members secure housing, medical care, drugs, and other consumer goods at prices the can afford
• Foster fraternal ties of I.A.M.A.W. members in the years of retirement

Legislative Activities

     A union-sponsored program geared to the needs of retirees is not a matter of charity. Many of the goals we seek in health, housing, employment, education and even collective bargaining cannot be reached through collective bargaining alone. They must be achieved through political and legislative action.

     During critical election years retired members who are mobilized into active clubs can help your local to do some of the time consuming jobs in getting our friends elected in national, state and local politics. They can play a very useful role by telephoning to get voters out, transporting voters to the polls, passing out hand bills and assisting with many other tasks related to the election campaign. This is a valuable resource which should be used to the utmost as it is essential that we elect people who are interested in achieving the goals which will help working people.

Pre-Retirement Education

     Currently, the I.A.M.A.W. has negotiated group retirement and pension plans in almost all of its contracts. This indicates our concern about retirement. A contented life in retirement does not come about accidentally, so why not set up programs to prepare our members for retirement? We can help make their life more secure, interesting and pleasant.

     Programs for members approaching retirement could interact with legislative and community services committees for a cumulative effect. Legislation like Medicare demonstrated a tremendous concern for older citizens. We in labour need to give leadership to this group

Legislative Committee
 

• Regularly reports to membership current developments in legislation affecting the welfare of the membership. Besides matters of major national interest, this includes local ordinances directly bearing on Labour's rights - such as the right to picket or pass out organizing leaflets. It also includes matters of general citizenship concern such as zoning, park planning, education policies and recreation facilities. At the state level, it includes laws relating to wages, hours, garnishments, industrial safety, worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, labour relations, child labour, regulation of private employment agencies and the like

• Publicizes the voting records of representatives

• Organizes letter writing campaigns to keep representatives informed of grass roots organizations

• Maintains contact with representatives through personal visits to their officers

• Arranges special programs that include opportunities for members to hear and question candidates in the lodge hall

• Works with Education Committees in registration and get-out-the-vote drives

Importance of Legislative Committees

• Register your Legislative Committee with the Grand Lodge Canadian Office

Help On How To Do It

• Because of the importance of Legislative Committees, the I.A.M.A.W. has issued "Legislative Committees in the I.A.M.A.W." It is a "hot-to-do-it" manual for members interested in developing more active and useful legislative programs in the I.A.M.A.W. local lodges. Free copies are available on request. Write to Headquarters or the Canadian Office.