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L to R - OPWU President Terry Grant, Indiana President Steve Scheottmer, John R. Smith,Kentucky President Gary Fox and National Business Agent Russ Bugary. |
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This is one of my favorite pictures from my union career. If memory serves me correctly it was taken back in 2000 at the national convention in Los Angeles, California. As Ohio president, I along with Kentucky President Gary Fox and Indiana President Steve Schoettmer challenged our delegations to raise $5000 for COPA (committee on political action) within a three-day timeframce. If successful, we agreed to have our heads shaven on the convention floor.
Gary, Steve and I never expected to lose our hair. We even got national business agent Russ Bugary to put up his ponytail as an additional incentive.
Guess what happened? Not only did the three delegations raise the money ( a total of more than $7500), they did it in record time. We lost our hair.
The reason I posted this picture is to show what motivated officers and members can do when challenged. Too often I think we do not engage our membership and just expect them to be apathetic.
Not all members want to be stewards or officers but might be willing to contribute in some other manner. You won't ever know if you do not ask.
Terry Grant, President OPWU AFL-CIO
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