Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
We had our Family Union Meeting on December 6, 2013 and it went very well. Do you know why we have Family Union Meetings? So your family will see how the union works and what it’s like to be part of a union. Okay, we also hope your spouse will ask if you’re involved in the union and if not why. Let’s not forget the kids. They also may ask if you’re involved in the union and if not why. The children of our members are so cute and polite it makes them the best part of the meeting for me. I love looking over the room and seeing so many new and old faces (figuratively speaking). In many ways it’s like a family get-together. Things go by so fast you didn’t have time to talk to anyone. We are very much like a family; some get along and some don’t, but none the less we take care of everyone. If you have suggestions for the next Family Meeting in December 2014 let us know, it’s ever changing to improve.
Mailings; please read the entire letter when you get it, we want you to have all the information we can get out. I sent identical letters for two members before Christmas, each of them read it differently. One said he was being cheated by the union; the other thanked us for helping him out. I read everything with my bias or belief as do all of you. If you have questions call the Hall, we have the answer. Our job is to support regardless of personal feelings and we do that very well.
Many years back I was taking Psychology classes and for some reason this popped into my mind and thought it was relevant to all of us; you decide:
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
1. Biological and Physiological needs – air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep.
2. Safety needs – protection of elements, security, order, law, limits, and stability.
3. Social Needs – belongingness, affection, love, from work group, family, friends, and romance.
4. Esteem needs – achievement, status, dominance, prestige, self-respect, respect of others.
5. Self-Actualization needs – realizing potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth.
Maslow refers to the need for personal growth that is present throughout a person’s life. “A person is always “becoming” and never remains static in these terms”.
There are too many changes in our trade to remain static. I believe the union provides most of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; we only need to build on them. Sure any job may provide biological needs, air, food, drink and shelter (you’re on your own for warmth, sex and sleep, ha ha).
Dates to remember:
February 14, 2014 Valentine’s Day
February 25, 2014 Union Meeting @ 6:00 pm, Dinner provided
February 27, 2014 JAC Meeting @ 9:00 am
February 28, 2014 Application deadline for State Test
March 28, 2014 State Test
Golden Rail Club
Kalamazoo: 2.5.14 First Wednesday @ 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s
Lansing: 2.19.14 Third Wednesday @ 9:00 am, Zeus Restaurant 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
Grand Rapids: 2.18.14 Third Tuesday @ 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids
NEIEP:
Thinking about a welding class @ Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek? Call, we want to set it up but it’s up to you. We need to know by mid-February.
In Unity There Is Strength,
Bill Kogelschatz
