Dear Brothers and Sisters of Local 13:

I'm sorry that I cannot be with you all tonight at the meeting.  I had planned on it, and family obligations have now prevented me from attending.  Since Mat Terwilliger has enough to report on tonight on all things technological, I have been asked to report on the IATSE Young Workers Conference that Mat and I attended last month in Atlanta, GA. 

The International Young Workers Committee crammed our few days together with a lot of very valuable tools for us to use in our own Locals. We had workshops and info sessions on things like: Interest-Based Problem Solving Skills, the history of the IATSE--how we were once NATSE and how far we've come, getting our locals active and how others are doing it, and how to deal with the nay-sayers inside our community and even our locals. We met stagehands from all over the country, all kinds of crafts, Canada, and even the UK.  

President Loeb has said, "If we're not growing, we're dying," and that was a big focus at the Convention.  We Young Workers were encouraged by the International Reps and President Ray Brown host Local 479  to get involved in organizing in our Locals.  I am happy to report that the Local 13 Young Workers Committee is already planning on becoming more active in the organizing efforts in Local 13, as you may hear from the Business Rep.  We're fired up to widen the IATSE umbrella and  grow in numbers in membership, because with more members, together we can achieve more.

Getting active within your Local and your community was another major focus of our 2 days together.  There are so many Locals out there getting together and doing good things in their communities.  Mat and I came back with some great ideas about things we can do together as Brothers and Sisters that are fun that can also help us be a presence in the community.

The biggest thing I came back with is that as members, we are ALL Brothers and Sisters.  Whether young or old, new member or 40 year card-holder, film folks and stage crafts people, we are all in this together.  The Young Workers Committee was created by President Loeb to get entire Locals together, working together to make the future better for our Brothers and Sisters to come.  Look for what we'll be doing soon, and Please don't hesititate to get involved with us.  I'm sure a lot of you already know that I'm excited to get going on some great things!  

Thank you to the Brothers and Sisters of Local 13 who afforded Mat and I the opportunity to have this experience.  We will use the tools we've been given to make this Local and the IATSE proud.  

Fraternally,
Sister Stella Fasanello