INTO
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IFT CONVENTION
October 14-16, 2016
ift-aft.org
Marriott St. Louis Grand
Dear IFT Local President:
It’s hard to believe we’re preparing for the fall already, but it’s just
around the corner. I hope you’re looking forward to the 2016 IFT
Convention – “shIFT into ACTION!” We’re very excited to build
upon our work to educate and engage members and highlight your
local successes in a way that leaves delegates as energized as they
were after “Power Forward!” in 2013.
Included in this special convention call booklet is all the information
you will need for your local to participate in the 2016 IFT Convention.
In this packet you will find:
• general information about the 2016 IFT Convention;
• delegate electoral procedure;
• sample convention resolution and constitutional amendment;
• luncheon ticket order form;
• 100% membership award form;
• hotel reservation information;
• Landrum-Griffin election checklist;
• Election Certification Report, including preliminary delegate representation; and
• checklist of important deadlines.
More information will be available online as well. As always, we’ll
be sharing materials via email and our website (www.ift-aft.org), so
please stay tuned.
Please review all of this information, and if you have any questions,
contact Debbie Brazzale, Meeting Specialist, in the IFT Westmont
office at 800/942-9242 or 630/468-4080, ext. 4013.
In unity,
Marcia Campbell
Secretary-Treasurer
INTO
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
12 – 3p 2 – 4p 4 – 8p 5 – 5:45p 5 – 5:45p 6 – 7p 6 – 7:15p 7:15 – 8p 8:15 – 9p 8:30 – 9p 9 – 11p IFT Executive Board Lunch/Meeting
Credentials Challenges
Registration/Member Benefits Exhibits
Sergeants-At-Arms Training
Candidate and Ranking Delegate Meeting
New Delegate Orientation
Select IFT Constituency/Special Committee Meetings
Workshops
Workshops
Credential Discrepancy Meeting
Delegate and Guest Reception
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
7 – 8:15a
8 – 10a
8:30a – 12p
12:15 – 1:45p
2 – 5p
Immediately Following
General Session 5:30 – 7p
Select Local Breakfasts
Registration/Member Benefits Exhibits
General Session
Luncheon
General Session (continued)
Officer Election
COPE Platinum Club Reception (by invitation only)
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
6:45 – 7:15a
Select Local Breakfasts
7:30 – 8:15a
Workshops
8:30 – 9:15a
Workshops
9:30a – 1p
General Session
1pAdjournment
Immediately Following
Meeting of the 2016-2019 IFT Executive Board
General Session
WORKSHOPS
Bridging the Gap
Why We Fight for Economic
Justice for All
Building by Building
An Introduction to IFT’s NEW
Worksite Leader Program
Less Process, More Progress
Advice from Young Workers
on Organized Labor
One-on-One
The Path to a Stronger, Deeper Union
Strategic Partners
Engaging Community in Your Union
Talking Issues, Not Campaigns
A Guide to Effective Political
Conversations
DELEGATE REPRESENTATION
Delegate representation is based on the IFT Constitution; Article VIII, Section 4, and in By-Laws; Article IV,
Section 4. Enclosed with this convention call is the first page of the delegate representation section of the
Election Certification Report. This shows the preliminary delegate representation for your local or area council
calculated on per capita payments received as of March 31, 2016. The official delegate representation will be
calculated in early July and an official election certification report, along with processing instructions, will be
mailed at that time.
Note: In order for us to calculate your local’s full delegate representation in early July, it is necessary that your
per capita dues be current through June 30, 2016 by July 1, 2016.
ELECTION CERTIFICATION REPORT
In accordance with the IFT Constitution; Article VIII, Section 3:
“All delegates’ credentials must be submitted to the Credentials Committee fourteen (14) days prior to the
beginning date of the convention. Names of alternates, and their ranking, shall be appended to the list of
delegates from each local. Each delegate and alternate shall serve in that capacity until the election of the
successor delegates and alternates from that local, after which point the newly-elected delegates and alternates
shall become the delegates and alternates of that local for purposes of conducting the business of the IFT.”
A certification of your local’s or area council’s election of delegates and alternates to the IFT Convention
must be sent to IFT prior to each convention. The official Election Certification Report form sent in July
will include your local’s or area council’s delegates and alternates as reported from the 2013 IFT Convention.
The official Election Certification Report must be returned to the IFT Credentials Committee, Illinois Federation
of Teachers, 500 Oakmont Lane, Westmont, IL 60559, no later than October 1, 2016, fourteen (14) days prior to
the convention. To assure that your report is received, it is strongly recommended that the form be sent via registered
or certified mail or any other reliable means, including electronic transmission, that provides proof of receipt.
DELEGATE ELECTORAL PROCEDURE
The Illinois Federation of Teachers, as an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, is subject to the
provisions of the Landrum-Griffin Act. Enclosed is a Landrum-Griffin election checklist which should be completed
and submitted to the IFT prior to convention with your completed election certification report.
How many delegates?
The IFT provides each local with a statement of delegate representation based on per capita paid for the months
of September through June immediately preceding the convention. It is not necessary to nominate and elect the
total number of delegates allotted, provided the local passes a rule establishing the number of delegates to be
elected prior to the nomination period.
Example: Local entitled to ten (10) delegates, but wishes to elect four (4) delegates.
Local passes rule prior to the nomination period stating that only (4) delegates
receiving the greatest plurality will be elected.
(DELEGATE ELECTORAL PROCEDURE continued)
INTO
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Article VIII, Section 4 in the IFT Constitution provides the formula to be used to determine a local’s delegate
representation.
“The formula for determining delegate representation to conventions of the Illinois Federation
of Teachers shall be as follows: one delegate to the convention may be elected by each affiliated
local having a membership of twenty-five (25) or less. For each seventy-five (75) members or
major fraction thereof, one (1) additional delegate may be elected.”
38 or less............................................ 1 delegate
39 – 113.............................................. 2 delegates
114 –188............................................. 3 delegates
189 – 263........................................... 4 delegates
Your delegate formula was determined by the following per capita schedule according to Article IV, Section 4,
By-Laws of the IFT.
“Delegate representation to the Illinois Federation of Teachers’ convention shall be determined
in accordance with Article VIII, Section 4 of this constitution on the basis of the average per
capita payments to the Illinois Federation of Teachers for the September 1 through June 30
period immediately preceding the convention. The president shall notify the executive board
and the president of each Illinois Federation of Teachers local of the average per capita payment of the September 1 to June 30 period immediately preceding the convention by July 15 of the
convention year.”
IFT will notify you of any changes in delegate representation between the official delegate representation
calculation and the October 1 deadline.
Special election
Locals may conduct an election for AFT, IFT, and Illinois AFL-CIO delegates at a common time and/or in
conjunction with the election of local officers. The local constitution should provide for the common election
of delegates. The election must be conducted in compliance with the requirements of the Landrum-Griffin Act
and the AFT Constitution.
For assistance regarding election of delegates and alternates,
contact Dave Richmond at 217/352-4854
or via e-mail at [email protected].
?
Can a local officer be a delegate?
The president or other elected union officer may serve as a delegate without a special election provided that:
1)
2)
He/she was elected to office by secret ballot according to provisions of the
Landrum-Griffin Act; and
The local constitution or by-laws state that one of the duties of office is to be a
delegate to the IFT Convention.
Expense reimbursement
Locals are not required to cover delegate expenses. Many locals divide expense allocations equally among the
delegates, but the U.S. Department of Labor has ruled that expenses need not be distributed equally among the
delegates. What a local must do is adopt the rules for expense allocations prior to the nomination of delegate
candidates. The rules must be reasonable and able to be uniformly enforced. It is not at the discretion of the local
or local officer to select which delegates receive expense reimbursement.
IFT CONVENTION
October 14-16, 2016 • Marriott St. Louis Grand
Example: If four (4) delegates are to be elected, the rule could provide that the two (2)
delegates receiving the highest number of votes will receive expenses; the
remaining two would not receive expenses; or the rule could provide that
no expenses will be paid for delegates.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Any constitutional amendment to be submitted to the IFT Convention must be received at the
IFT Westmont office no later than August 31, 2016, according to the By-Laws; Article VII, Section 1:
Section 1: These By-Laws may be amended by any of the following procedures:
a)
By a majority vote of the registered delegates at the state convention of the
Illinois Federation of Teachers;
b)
c)
By a referendum of the locals, majority vote in the referendum to prevail. The proposed
amendments must be submitted in writing to member locals not less than one (1) month
before vote is taken;
d)
All amendments are to be submitted either by a local or area council in good standing or
by the executive board.
All amendments must be submitted to the executive board forty-five (45) days prior to the
beginning date of the state convention and presented to the locals thirty (30) days prior to
the opening date of the state convention; and
Constitutional amendments may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected] and must be e-mailed no
later than August 31, 2016. In addition to the e-mail submission, an original copy must be mailed to the
IFT Westmont office.
RESOLUTIONS
All resolutions to be presented to the IFT Convention must be received at the IFT Westmont office no later
than August 19, 2016. This will ensure adequate preparation time for presentation to the convention. Type
and submit resolutions following the sample format included in this booklet.
Resolutions may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected] and must be received no later than August
19, 2016. In addition to the e-mail submission, an original copy must be mailed to the IFT Westmont office.
100% MEMBERSHIP
The 100% Membership Award application should be submitted if your local/council has 100% membership.
(This is to be verified with the local president’s signature on the form.) The form must be received in the
Westmont office no later than September 8, 2016.
LUNCHEON TICKETS
Enclosed is a form to be completed for reserving your luncheon tickets. The cost is $50 per person, per ticket.
Payment and the completed form must be received in the IFT Westmont office by September 16, 2016.
Tickets will be mailed out on or about October 1, 2016.
INTO
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HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
The Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel is your gateway to sophisticated comfort in the heart of the city.
The newly renovated meeting spaces & guest rooms make this downtown St. Louis hotel a premier destination
for business and leisure travelers alike. Their casual lounge and restaurant are the ideal spots to socialize
while sipping a cocktail and fueling up on healthy and hearty meals. The 8th Street Pantry, meanwhile, offers
nutritious snacks and grab-and-go items. During downtime, the state-of-the-art fitness center is the place to
break a sweat with free weights and Life Fitness cardio equipment. Washington Avenue, the Gateway Arch,
St. Louis Convention Center, Union Station and Busch Stadium are all nearby, providing a perfect hotel
experience in downtown St. Louis, MO.
Sleeping room accommodations have been arranged with the Marriott St. Louis Grand at the following rates:
• Single (King Bed)
$159.00
• Double (2-Double Beds) $169.00
plus 17.929% tax per night.
The cut-off date for making room reservations is before 6pm, Friday, September 23, 2016.
After that time our convention rates will be based upon availability.
Note: to avoid duplicate reservations, a maximum of two (2) reservations per name will be accepted.
Room reservations can be made online by using the following link:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=14566575
You can also phone in your reservation by calling 800-397-1282 or 877-303-0104.
Identify yourself as part of the “IFT” group.
The Marriott St. Louis Grand offers self-parking for overnight guests at an IFT negotiated rate of $14 per day.
Valet parking is $28 per day and is not discounted.
Additional hotel information can be obtained on the hotel website at
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/stlmg-marriott-st-louis-grand/
IFT CONVENTION
October 14-16, 2016 • Marriott St. Louis Grand
SAMPLE RESOLUTION
2016 Illinois Federation of Teachers Convention
RESOLUTION NO. (will be assigned)
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE NEEDED
1
WHEREAS, employees requesting maternity/paternity leave have been penalized by loss 2 of salary and other benefits; and
3
4
WHEREAS, this loss of salary and benefits has contributed to the erosion of the economic
5 base of the family and reflected the lack of societal responsibility for children; and
6
7
WHEREAS, parental bonding, nurturing, and child development may be impaired when
8 the primary caregiver is required to return to work too soon; and
9
10
WHEREAS, an employee who becomes the primary care-giving parent should be able to
11 choose to take a parental leave without loss of pay or benefits for up to one year;
12 therefore be it
13
14
RESOLVED, that the Illinois Federation of Teachers urges the proposal and passage
15
of legislation that would provide paid maternity/paternity leave plus benefits for 16 one year in order to secure the economic base of the family unit; and be it further
16
18
RESOLVED, that the Illinois Federation of Teachers recognizes that paid parental
19
leave would add a vital benefit for prospective and current employees and
20 recommend that local negotiation teams work for paid maternity/paternity
21
leave for members of the bargaining unit; and be it finally
22
23
RESOLVED, that this resolution be submitted to the AFT, CFL, IFL, and AFL-CIO 24 for their adoption also.
Submitted by (local name), Local (local number)
Contact Name:____________________________________
Contact Phone Number:_____________________________
INTO
educate. organize. win.
IFT CONVENTION
October 14-16, 2016 • Marriott St. Louis Grand
1
Section 3. Locals may establish the following special classes
2
of membership:
3
4
a) Employees who are eligible for membership whose salary is less
5
than the basic teacher’s salary or employees whose salary is less
6than $8,000 $15,000, which ever salary is higher. Such locals pay
7
per capita tax for such members at one-half the regular rate.
8
9
b) Teachers, laid-off employees, employees on unpaid leave, and
10
those employees earning under $5,000 $10,000. Laid-off employees
11
shall be eligible for three (3) years at this reduced rate. Such locals
12
pay per capita tax for such members at one-quarter the regular rate.
PRESENT LANGUAGE
Proposed amendment to the Constitutional By-Laws
(Page 14 of the Constitution)
AMEND ARTICLE IV - DUES - SECTION 3A
2016 Illinois Federation of Teachers Convention
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
b) Teachers, laid-off employees, employees on unpaid leave, and
those employees earning under $10,000. Laid-off employees shall
be eligible for three (3) years at this reduced rate. Such locals pay
per capita tax for such members at one-quarter the regular rate.
a) Employees who are eligible for membership whose salary is less
than the basic teacher’s salary or employees whose salary is less
than $15,000, which ever is higher. Such locals pay per
capita tax for such members at one-half the regular rate.
Section 3. Locals may establish the following special classes of
membership:
PROPOSED LANGUAGE
Submitted by: (Local Name, Local Number)
SAMPLE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
educate. organize. win.
INTO
educate. organize. win.
INTO
educate. organize. win.
CHECKLIST
Per capita dues/agency fees cut-off for delegate represenation calculation June 30
Proposed resolutions due to IFT Westmont office
August 19
Proposed constitutional amendments due to IFT Westmont office
August 31
100% Membership Award applications due to IFT Westmont office
September 8
Luncheon ticket orders due to IFT Westmont office
September 16
Housing Reservations due to Marriott St. Louis Grand September 23
Election Certification Report (credentials) October 1
due to IFT Credentials Committee at IFT Westmont office
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