National
Secretary Roles and Responsibilities
While below are the
main duties and role of the NAAE National Secretary, Executive Committee
members all cross over into each other’s from time to time when needed.
One of the unique aspects about PPQ and NAAE is that we are small; most
people know many other fellow workers throughout the country. NAAE
has never been as formal as other unions or particular about which union
member you come to for help. NAAE wants to help you if you need it
to the extent of our ability and expertise. Reach out to whomever
you are most comfortable, we’ll take it from there. That’s the way
NAAE and its EC operate.
The Secretary takes
minutes on the weekly Executive Committee conference calls and during all
face-to-face meetings. This is no easy task. Somehow, while
everyone is passionately discussing issues (PC for some very heated
discussions) the Secretary works to follow what’s going on, get the
appropriate details down on the computer, and extrapolate the key points
that we may need to refer back to later. If the new Secretary didn’t
start out a fast typer, you can bet that he/she will become one in short
order. A side skill that is honed is very good voice recognition for
those heated, fast-paced conference calls! The Secretary also
manages the membership database, keeping track of home addresses, local
affiliations, other contact information and tracking down those who have
moved. On that note, please remember that if you move or transfer to
another location, the only way we’ll know is if you tell us. Please let
the Secretary know!
Remember, it’s a
committee, so everyone weighs in, debates, and votes on issues, concerns
and advice regarding representation of our very diverse bargaining
unit. Just trying to keep up with the many national and local issues
going on and coming up is pretty much a position in itself.