GIA Dialogue

Spring 2001
Volume 108 - No. 1

GIA Dialogue

Convention 2001

GIA delegates will chart a course for the next five years

It is time to begin preparing for our Grand International Auxiliary Seventh Quinquennial Convention.

Article IV, Section 1 of our GIA Constitution reads: "The meeting of the International Auxiliary shall be held in such a place and at such time as may be designated by the International Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers for holding their convention, and convene on such days as the International President may direct."

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has scheduled the 2001 Convention for September 24-28 in Miami, Fla., with headquarters at the Fontainebleu Hotel.

I believe we need to start now to seriously consider changes that may be necessary in our ritual, secret work, Constitution and Bylaws, and revenue, for the good of our Grand International Auxiliary. Keep in mind that action taken at this convention will dictate the manner in which we will operate for the next five years.

Each auxiliary in good standing at the close of the calendar year preceding the Seventh Quinquennial Grand International Convention will be entitled to send a delegate to the convention. To be deemed "in good standing," an auxiliary must have submitted their Annual Report and dues by December 31, 2000. Each auxiliary must elect a convention delegate and alternate delegate at their December 2000 meeting. If no member from the auxiliary is able to attend the convention, the GIA International President may assign a proxy or elected delegate to represent that auxiliary.

Members-at-large have conducted their election of delegates and alternate delegates at each of the 2000 regional meetings, preceding in the session of the International Auxiliary. Remember, all auxiliaries in good standing, as described above, will be represented at the convention.

All resolutions affecting the Constitution, By-Laws, ritual, or revenue must be sent to the office of the Grand International Auxiliary's International President at least 60 days prior to opening of a Regular Session of the International Auxiliary (September 24, 2001). Each resolution is to be typed, double-spaced, and submitted in triplicate. Furthermore, each resolution should be submitted separately, under its respective title of Ritual, Secret Work, Constitution and By-Laws, or Revenue, in order to facilitate distribution to the appropriate committee.

The positions of elected GIA officers shall be elected at each Regular Session of the International Auxiliary. The positions are: International President, International Vice President, International Secretary, International Treasurer, 1st International Vice President, International Canada Representative, 2nd International Vice President/National Legislative Representative, Assistant International Canada Representative, International Chaplain, International Guide, International Sentinel, Alternate International Secretary, and Alternate International Treasurer.

No International Officer except the International Secretary and International Treasurer shall be eligible to serve in the same elected office for more than one full term. Both International Secretary and International Treasurer shall be limited to two full terms, keeping one experienced officer in office at all times.

Nominations shall be held by ballot. In case one nominee receives two-thirds majority of votes cast, she may be declared by motion of the assembly. Elections shall be held by ballot, with a majority vote electing.

The Qualifications for International Elected office are:

1. Be a member of the International Auxiliary; and

2. Have been a member at least four years.

To be nominated for the office of International President, the members must, in addition, have served at least one term as an elected officer of the Executive Council (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, 1st Vice President, Canadian Representative).

Delegates will be allowed $150 per day traveling expenses according to scale of distance, in addition to time spent in session. Delegates on committees requested by the International Auxiliary to be in attendance prior to opening of the convention shall be paid the same rate per day.

The schedule of the GIA convention will follow that of the BLE Convention. Registration will be held on Sunday and we will plan to adjourn on September 28.

All delegates must remain for the entire session unless excused by the International President. The convention will be limited to one week and will follow the schedule of working hours presented by the International President of the GIA.

Let's make this a great convention and continue to grow, inform and achieve.

Meet your newest GIA officer

Becky Battenfield Schneider is Interim 2nd Vice President and National Legislative Representative for the GIA to BLE. She was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Mabel Grotzinger's succession to 1st Vice President. Becky is currently serving as Secretary-Treasurer and Legislative Representative for the Pride of 591, Auxiliary 591, El Paso, Texas. She also served as GIA Chairperson for the 62nd SWCM.

Becky comes from a railroad family. Her great, great-grandmother, grandfather, grandmother and two uncles worked for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, and her brother-in-law's father recently retired from BNSF in Amarillo, Texas. Born August 16, 1958 in Amarillo, she made the move to El Paso in 1979. With the exception of four years in Tucumcari, N.M., El Paso has been her home ever since. Her husband, Larry Schneider, is an engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad, East Line, with his run from El Paso to Vaughn, N.M. They have been married 10 years and have three children, Maricel, Larry, Jr., and their furry, four-legged one, Annabelle Lee. Becky was a legal secretary for 14 years and recently received Certification in Travel Counseling. She is currently employed as an outside sales agent for Sun Travel.

Her goal is to be able to fill the shoes left by her predecessor, Mabel Grotzinger. During this interim appointment, she and Sister Grotzinger will be working closely to maintain the relationships already established in Washington, D.C.

First on her agenda is to encourage passage of the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of 2001 and continue to support the Railway Safety Act.

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