Summer 2000
Volume 107 - No. 2
Summer 2000
Volume 107 - No. 2
Attitude is important in the decisions we make. Life is more than what
happens to us. It is also how we react.
I must confess that there is a small plaque about attitude in hanging in my office that has had a profound effect on my life. I would like to share this philosophy.
"Attitude"
By Charles Swindoll
"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important that facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... an organization... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it."
The Grand International Auxiliary, once a powerful organization with many auxiliaries in the United States and Canada, had been in a steady decline for years until 1996. Age of membership, fear of change and lack of growth are the principle reasons for the decline.
Since September 1996, we have begun to start new growth. The attitude in which we accept change can determine success or failure.
As we continue to grow our auxiliary, we are also very aware that we are now at a time in history where women are more readily recognized for their accomplishments. An example of this is participation of the GIA in lobbying Congress led by International Second Vice-President & National Legislative Representative Mabel Grotzinger. Recognition such as this was unheard of in our organization until 1996. As we work our way into what is still basically a man's world, we must focus on ways to strengthen our auxiliary programs while attracting potential new auxiliaries and members-at-large. The attitude we take when approaching prospective members is a determining factor as to the outcome of our approach.
In preparation for the Seventh Quinquennial Convention
GIA to BLE 2001, and in compliance with our By-laws, all regions (Western,
Southwestern, Eastern and Southeastern) have elected or will elect (this
summer and fall) their member-at-large delegates and alternate delegates
who will represent them in Miami next year. The alternate delegates will
become delegates should the elected delegates not be able to serve.
All auxiliaries will elect their delegates and alternate delegates in December 2000 in compliance with our By-laws.
All delegates should take their assignment seriously and come to the 2001 convention prepared to work on ways we can continue to grow and serve our membership. I also recommend that all delegates come with a positive attitude; a negative attitude serves no one very well.
It has taken our Grand International Auxiliary years to realize that
nothing remains constant except change. Now let us continue to accept change
and move forward with the right attitude.
Examine your attitude every day and see if you agree with Charles Swindoll. I firmly believe in his theory and find it has helped me tremendously in the position I now hold.
Let us continue to work together, with the right attitude, and we will
make a difference!
© 2000 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers