Release #: Vol. 84, No. 3
April 01, 2015

ALPA@Work: ALPA Secretary-Treasurers Conference Provides Tools, Resources

By John Perkinson, Staff Writer

Serving as secretary-treasurer for your pilot group comes with its share of duties and obligations. That’s why more than 20 of these pilot representatives descended on ALPA’s Herndon, Va., Conference Center March 10–12 for the Association’s 2015 Master Executive Council (MEC) Secretary-Treasurers Conference. Dovetailing with ALPA’s Leadership Training Conference, this annual event enables these pilot reps to meet with national officers and staff and to fine-tune their understanding of what it takes to practice good governance.

“The jobs you’ve stepped into are some of the most critical in the Association,” said Capt. Tim Canoll, ALPA’s president, who expressed his appreciation to the conference attendees for their service. Canoll spent time with the pilots outlining the “state of our skies,” examining the strategic initiatives and issues driving the union. He observed that as many as two-thirds of ALPA’s pilot groups could be in some phase of contract negotiations by later this year, noting that the Association will need to continue to manage its resources wisely.

Capt. Randy Helling, ALPA’s vice president–finance/treasurer and conference moderator, offered a series of instructional segments throughout the event. He addressed topics like dues allocation, the recapitalization of ALPA’s Major Contingency Fund, and policy changes that the Association’s governing bodies have implemented. Reminding the secretary-treasurers of the need to be fiscally transparent and to openly communicate with their members, he said, “The trust of our pilots is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially when it comes to their hard-earned dues money.”

In addition to their financial role, secretary-treasurers serve as the union’s administrative gatekeepers. Capt. Bill Couette, ALPA’s vice president–administration/secretary, discussed how his office can provide support in interpreting policy and addressing questions about past practices. “As we look at resolutions and how they are addressed in ALPA’s Constitution and By-Laws, we have to make sure that the smallest pilot group and the largest pilot group are always treated equally throughout the entire process,” he noted.

ALPA secretary-treasurers learned about budgeting practices, reporting requirements, litigation and risk management considerations, and expense policy. They received a detailed explanation from Lori Garver, ALPA’s general manager, about the role of the Association’s professional staff and how they work together to support ALPA’s members. The pilots also received a briefing from Beth Robinson, ALPA’s chief financial officer and finance director, on the Association’s plans for upgrading its IT infrastructure that supports ALPA’s financial and membership networks.

This three-day event is presented each year to give secretary-treasurers not only a comprehensive look at the tools and resources available, but also a broad view of the environment they work in and how it influences their responsibilities. Perhaps the most telling aspects of the conference are the segments the attending pilot reps indicate they value the most.

“The secretary-treasurer’s job is complex and can have a number of consequences,” said Capt. Sean Hansen (Alaska), secretary-treasurer for his pilot group’s MEC. Hansen filled the position just last year and was attending the conference for the first time. The B-737 pilot said that many of his duties to date have been tied to the treasurer’s role. He noted that he was glad to have the opportunity to learn more about the legal issues and the administrative responsibilities associated with his job.

Capt. Todd Gruber (PSA), who was recently elected MEC secretary-treasurer for his pilot group, noted that learning about required reporting and where to find the appropriate forms was of particular value to him. “Also just having access to the people—finally putting faces to the names of people I’ve talked to a lot has been huge,” he commented.

Traveling all the way from Edmonton, Alberta, F/O Douglas Fleck (First Air) has been his MEC’s secretary-treasurer for three years and attended the conference once before. “It was time to come back because I can always learn more,” he said. “Pilots ask me all of the time, ‘What does my money go to?’ and Randy’s presentation is particularly helpful in answering that question,” he noted, adding, “There’s something positive to be taken from everything discussed.”

Some ALPA MECs elect to separate the secretary and treasurer jobs. Attending his third conference, Capt. Darrell Cox (Mesa), his MEC’s treasurer, stressed that the most important lesson for him was how to effectively manage a budget. The CRJ900 pilot said it’s important for him to know what resources are available and the specific people he can turn to when he needs help.

This article is from the April 2015 issue of Air Line Pilot magazine, the Official Journal of the Air Line Pilots Association, International—a monthly publication for all ALPA members.

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