WWW Hosts First Spanish Leadership I Program of 2014


IAM members from all over the U.S. and Puerto Rico take part in the first Spanish Leadership I Program of 2014 at the William W. Winpisinger (WWW) Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.

The first Spanish Leadership Program of 2014 brought Spanish-speaking members from all over the U.S. and Puerto Rico to the William W. Winpisinger (WWW) Education and Technology Center in Hollywood, MD.

The members took a weeklong Spanish Leadership I class, which is identical to the Leadership I Program delivered in English.

“I feel fortunate and honored to be part of this amazing educational experience,” said Martha Garcia, a Shop Steward at Local 1125 in San Diego, CA. “To be able to receive this sort of in-depth training in my native language is a testament to the commitment that the IAM has to all its members regardless of language.”

The Spanish Leadership I Program was taught by members of the Spanish Leadership Working Group, including Grand Lodge Special Representative Javier Almazan, retired Grand Lodge Representative Joel Ochoa, District 725 Organizer Calixto Tapia, Local 163 member and activist Geny Ulloa, former Winpisinger Center Educator Anne Weiberg, Local 2725 Business Representative Jose “Lole” Rodriguez, and Local 1125 member and activist Edmundo Osorio.

Like the English Leadership I Program, Spanish Leadership I builds a solid understanding of trade unionism and provides participants with the skills and tools they need to effectively represent and grow the membership. Classes include Labor History, Parliamentary Procedures and Organizational Administration, Human Rights, Government and Politics, Role of the Steward, and Why Organizing Matters.

“I never realized how much information there is to learn,” said Victor Hernandez of Local 811 in Houston. “The facilitators do such a great job in delivering the content with such enthusiasm keeping us interested at all times. It’s truly a complete program that the IAM has set up here at the Winpisinger Center.”

IAM Headquarters General Vice President Bob Martinez, Jr., said that the education members receive at the WWW Center continues to be second-to-none.

“Fundamentally, education is about opening doors to opportunities for leadership, service, and greater involvement and activism in the workplace, the Local Lodge, the District, and the wider labor movement,” said Martinez. “I am extremely proud of our Spanish-speaking members for their willingness to step-up and seize the opportunity for education. The IAM is a better and stronger union because of them and because education is available to all members.”

Four Spanish Leadership programs remain for 2014. For more information on attending a program, contact Ruth Lowery at rlowery@iamaw.org.

The remaining 2014 course schedule and enrollment forms are available below:

Spanish Leadership I – August 24 to 29
Spanish Leadership I – October 12 to 17
Spanish Leadership II – July 20 to 25
Spanish Advanced Leadership – September 14 to 19

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