Preparations for the 2012 NPMHU National Convention are in high gear, as delegates arrive in Portland, Oregon for the opening of the Convention on Monday, August 6, 2012.

         Over the past three days, the Committees that have been appointed to make recommendations to the Convention delegates have been hard at work finalizing their reports and making final preparations.  The Credentials Committee and the Constitution Committee met on Thursday, and the Rules Committee, the Political and Legislative Committee, and the Resolutions Committee met throughout the day on Friday.

Elections Committee

(l-r) Randy Krueger, Local 333, June Harris, Local 306, Zeke Moreno, Local 331

The Elections Committee – which is charged with running the election to choose the Judges of Election for any election that may be required for National Officers – met on Saturday, August 4.  Additional meetings are scheduled over the weekend, or early on Monday, on an as-needed basis.

Credentials Committee

Seated (l-r):  Bob Blum, Local 300, Lisa Greer, Local 310, Bob Broxton, Local 301
Standing (l-r): Tim Grilz, Local 327, Madelyn Puricelli, Local 320, Chairperson, John Hegarty, National President, Anthony Coleman, Local 302, Ronnie Sanders, Local 317, Ed Flagg, Local 321, Joe Boston, Local 306

Chaired by Madelyn Puricelli of Local 320, the Credentials Committee also worked through the weekend to help register delegates and sort through the complex logistical details required for ensuring that only properly elected delegates participate in the week’s proceedings.  At its initial meetings in Washington, DC, the Committee reviewed the results of all Local Union delegate elections and addressed each of the protests that were filed about those elections.  Since then, the Committee has had to monitor various changes in the delegate list, as elected delegates withdraw and alternate delegates get substituted.  The same process, on a smaller scale, operates immediately before and during the Convention itself.

Constitution Committee

Seated (l-r): Kevin Fletcher, Local 305, Pervous “Andy” Badilishamwalimu, Local 310, John Hegarty, National President, Neil Ryan, Local 301
Standing (l-r): Jeff Larsen, Local 323, Sam D’Ambrosio, Local 322, National Executive Board, Chairperson, Don Sneesby, Local 316, Rita Tripp, Local 307, Woody Hendrickson, Local 332, Beverly Henderson, Local 297, David Wilkin, Local 309, Julio Figueroa, Local 313

The Constitution Committee, chaired by Eastern Regional Vice President Sam D’Ambrosio, also has been working to fine tune its recommendations and to ensure that the intent of each amendment is fully explained to the delegates who will cast final votes on each amendment.  A host of proposed amendments to both the National Constitution and the Uniform Local Union Constitution will be debated by the delegates this week, with a two-thirds vote required to adopt any amendment. 

Rules Committee

Seated (l-r): Linda Lewis, Local 311, John Hegarty, National President, Paul Hogrogian, Local 300, National Executive Board, Chairperson, Juanita Contreras, Local 302, Jason Adachi, Local 299, Bruce Miller, National Executive Board
Standing (l-r): Earnest Wallace, Local 325, Anthony Davis, Local 314, J.R. Macon, Local 329, Jim Rosso, Local 319, Michael McIntyre, Local 322, Dan Riemann, Local 324

Northeastern Regional Vice President Paul Hogrogian led the Rules Committee, which finalized its recommendations for more than thirty rules that will govern the Convention proceedings.  On Monday, the first day of the Convention, the Committee will recommend all of these rules for adoption by the delegates.  In addition, Parliamentarian Gaut Ragsdale will be in attendance to ensure that the Convention abides by the governing parliamentary procedures.

Political and Legislative Committee

Seated (l-r):  John Hegarty, National President, Cindy Hoehl-Rinker, Local 321, Arthur Perry, Local 334, John Savala, Local 297, Bob Losi, National Legislative and Political Director
Standing (l-r):  Todd Larson, Local 328, Roger Blacklow, Senior Legislative Advisor, Larry Gibson, Local 311, John Szewczyk, Local 322, David Jarvis, Local 315, Rudy Santos, Local 320, National Executive Board, Chairperson, Clyde Patterson, Local 304, Robert Griffith, Local 330

Also meeting last week was the Political and Legislative Committee, chaired by Rudy Santos, Western Regional Vice President.  After a short presentation by Bob Losi, the NPMHU Political and Legislative Director, the Committee discussed arrangements for a number of elected officials who have graciously agreed to address the delegates at this year’s Convention.  The Committee also worked hard to finalize its proposals for consideration by the delegates.

Resolutions Committee

 Seated (l-r) Tom Mullahey, Local 300, Jeff Peppers, Local 306, National Executive Board, Chairperson, John Hegarty, National President, Joyce Weber, Local 318
Standing (l-r): Nick Mosezar, Local 318, Don Gonzales, Local 321, Debbie Retter, Local 316, John Gibson, Local 308, Eddie Cowan, Local 303, Ernie Grijalva, Local 302, Jim Haggarty, Local 307, Steve Taylor, Local 312

Finally, the Resolutions Committee, chaired by Central Regional Vice President Jefferson Peppers, made a final review of the resolutions it will propose for discussion and possible adoption the delegates. 

Each day during the Convention, a summary of the day’s events will be posted on the NPMHU website, so be sure to return often if you want to monitor the proceedings.