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The Delegate: October 2

A publication of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association

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President Rinaldi Tasks Delegates to 'Move from Good to Great' DAY 1: VOTES ON DUES, CONVENTION FREQUENCY Aer a stirring National Anthem and labor song performed by the band the Street Dogs, NATCA President Paul Rinaldi took the stage Wednesday morning to welcome the delegates to the 15th Biennial Convention in Minneapolis. Speaking to a room full of first-time convention attendees and delegates, Rinaldi explained, "You are here to take the pulse and set the course for NATCA." "Brothers and Sisters, we are the best we have ever been! And I am so proud of this Union. We have learned from the past, and we are building for the future," Rinaldi said. "We have changed the way people think of us. Internal and external. We have taken on the forces of conventional wisdom. We have challenged the system, and the status quo. We are turning the ship of establishment thinking." Rinaldi cautioned that however strong the Union is, there is always need for improvement and no room for ambivalence. "Those who think we are good enough will prevent us from becoming great. Good is the enemy of great. I don't want to settle for good. I want this Union to be great." Greatness, Rinaldi remarked, takes on a whole new meaning considering the events that took place last Friday at Chicago Center (ZAU). He commented that this past Tuesday, Chicago O'Hare International Airport was the busiest airport in the National Airspace System (NAS), despite the fire in the Center that crippled the NAS and brought ZAU to ATC-0 just days before. It is important to remember, Rinaldi urged, that our Union's challenges extend beyond The 15th Biennial Convention business session began just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon with President Paul Rinaldi chairing. Grace Colby, Executive Support Specialist, Marguerite Graf, General Counsel, Elisa Muise, Constitution Committee Member, Jim Slaughter, Parliamentarian, and Trish Gilbert, Executive Vice President rounded out the dais. Before voting on resolutions, several co m m i t t e e c h a i r m e n m a d e t h e i r reports. Credentials Committee Chair Chris Boughn announced 368 delegates were present, and Ed Szczuka delivered the Finance Committee report. Rules Committee Chair Heath Wilson briefed the delegation on the Convention Rules before any discussion or voting began. Wilson also noted the absence of President Emeritus Barry Krasner and thanked him for all of his help. "You are dearly missed at this Convention," he said, echoing the thoughts of many of the delegates. Renae Hultgren gave the report of the Constitution Committee, urging FacReps to turn in their local constitutions. The Committee is about to begin auditing those constitutions and ensuring they are updated and in line with the National Constitution and any laws and regulations. Hultgren also noted the absence of Barry's wife and NATCA's Office Manager, Sallie Sullivan. "I appreciate all the help Sallie has given me at the National Office. Even when she was packing up her house in New York, she still responded to requests within an hour. We're missing you here, Sallie." Rinaldi then began official business by proceeding with a vote on the Convention Rules. An amendment to the Committee's > DIGITAL RESOURCES: CONVENTION E-BOOK & APP Access the NATCA Constitution, Robert's Rules of Order, and Proposed Amendments and Resolutions via the NATCA Convention e-Book. These documents can be viewed on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Users will be able to search, record notes, or jump to specific pages. To download the document, scan the QR code at left. Download information for the Convention app can be found on page 12. > UNTIMELY AMENDMENTS/RESOLUTIONS: GUIDELINES For inclusion in the aernoon's business, resolutions and untimely amendments must be submitted, in writing, by 11:30 a.m. of the day on which they can be heard. Submissions can be made via e-form on the NATCA Convention website, emailed to resolutions@natcadc.org (must contain name, facility, region, email, cell phone, text of resolution, date, & time), or in writing to the EVP using the printed submission form. Electronic submissions preferred; scan QR code at le to submit via email. The Delegate P U B L I S H E D DA I LY FO R N ATC A' S 1 5 t h B I E N N I A L CO N V E N T I O N T H U RS DAY • O CTO B E R 2 , 2 0 1 4 NATCA President Paul Rinaldi opens the 2014 NATCA Convention. continued on page 6 continued on page 3

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