Spring 2001
Volume 108 - No. 1
Spring 2001
Volume 108 - No. 1
BLE Focus
Convention Procedures and Committees
Specific procedures for handling resolutions have been devised by previous
conventions. First, all resolutions must be sent to the I.D. at least 90
days before the convention assembles. In this case, the deadline is June
26, 2001. Additionally, a division sending a resolution must vote on it,
either by referendum or at a meeting, and then send six copies to the I.D.
Resolutions can be for the purpose of adding new Brotherhood laws or policies, or amending existing laws or policies. All resolutions received at the I.D. are collated, organized and referred to a committee for recommendation.
Once the delegate list is in, six standing convention committees are appointed. The first five are mandated by the constitution and only delegates sit on these committees. They are the Credentials Committee, the Salaries Committee, the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, the Legislative Committee, and the Work/Ritual Committee. The sixth, the Arrangements Committee, is constituted to assist the officers, staff and delegates in performing the many duties incidental to the convention.
Each committee has unique and specific functions, which are discussed below in the order referred to in the BLE Constitution and Bylaws.
The Credentials Committee has the responsibility of examining and verifying the eligibility of each delegate to be seated at the convention. It not only will seek to positively identify each member presenting himself/herself as delegate, but also will verify that the division the delegate represents is current in its dues obligation to the I.D. For this reason, it would be a good idea for delegates to ascertain that their divisions have paid their dues remittance to the I.D. prior to leaving for Miami.
The Credentials Committee also is involved in verifying the identities of delegates preparing to receive their ballots in the election of I.D. officers. Delegates will, therefore, meet and interact with the Credentials Committee when they sign in for their delegate's packet and when they vote for I.D. officers.
The Salaries Committee is responsible for researching, formulating and drafting recommendations to the delegates on salaries. The committee will recommend a salary and per diem for the delegates based on such factors as cost of convention, changes in federal laws and regulations, overall financial health of the Brotherhood, and past convention proceedings. The committee also will recommend a salary structure for the I.D. officers based upon the above, plus the latest data on the national average of annual salaries of locomotive engineers.
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee meets for several weeks prior to the convention and examines the resolutions submitted by divisions and the International President to change BLE law or policy. The committee is free to adopt any of the resolutions as its own and recommend their passage, to recommend the rejection of any resolution(s), or to formulate its own recommendations. All recommendations will become part of a report, which is sent to the delegates for their review prior to the opening date of the convention.
The Constitution and Bylaws Committee will occupy the stage for the majority of the time that the convention is in session, making and seconding motions, explaining the committee's position, and deliberating on resolutions as every other delegate. After the convention is adjourned, the Constitution and Bylaws committee will meet for the purpose of compiling all newly adopted laws and policies into the Constitution and Bylaws.
The Legislative Committee is similar to the Constitution and Bylaws
Committee, in that it considers resolutions received from divisions and
the International President for any changes to the Legislative Boards section
of the Constitution and Bylaws. It will make its own recommendations concerning
those resolutions and will occupy the stage to make and second motions,
explain its position, and deliberate on the resolutions.
The Work/Ritual Committee makes recommendations concerning hours in session, lunch periods, and the scheduling of important events such as nominations and elections of officers.
While business is being conducted during a session, any delegate wishing to speak must get up from his/her seat and proceed to a microphone to be recognized. There will be several microphones placed on the convention floor, and the presiding officer will endeavor to recognize delegates in order.
Two additional mirophones will be placed for the purpose of calling for points of order and/or information. These microphones will be labeled as such, and delegates lined up at them will be recognized immediately, regardless of the number of delegates lined up at other microphones. At no time, however, will a delegate be allowed to make a motion or a second or discuss a motion from these microphones.
© 2001 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers