Committees meet to strengthen SMART, benefit members

Members of the SMART Women’s, BE4ALL and RISE Committees met on Sunday, August 3, ahead of the 2025 SMART Lead­ership Conference — bringing members together from across North America to dis­cuss the committees’ individual and collective efforts to strengthen our union.

Spanning a variety of goals and focus areas, from recruitment and retention to internal organizing, members of the three committees spent the day building solidarity, networking, reviewing the activities of each individual committee and offering feedback to ensure each committee’s work is as effective as possible.

“We’re not scared,” said Local 85 (Atlanta) President and BE4ALL Committee member Jan Chappell. “We want everybody to be in the trade.”

The Women’s Committee and BE4ALL (Belonging and Excellence for All) Committee reported on their internal subcommittees’ work. Women’s Committee subcom­mittees included those focused on parental support and helping local union women’s committees, while BE4ALL members presented on the committee’s culture change work, partnerships with local nonprofit and community groups to help recruit and retain members, the Rapid Response Protocol and beyond.

The RISE (Representation, Integrity, Support, Empowerment) Committee, meanwhile, reported on its nascent RISE Spaces program, a resume-development webinar and an ongoing RISE cookbook effort.

General President Michael Coleman and General Secretary-Treasurer John Daniel also stopped by the meeting, speaking to members about the International’s commitment to strengthening our union through the three committees’ work.

“I want to thank all of you for all the work that you’re doing, and I know it’s not easy,” said General President Coleman. “I can’t say how much I appreciate what you’ve done for your groups, and for our organization.”

He continued: “I’m committed, John’s committed and this organization is committed to doing better. … I’m proud of you, and I just want you to know that you have 110% of our support in what you do.”

General Secretary-Treasurer Daniel added: “Everything General President Coleman said, he’s not just saying that because we’re in this room. My role is to implement General President Coleman’s strategies and his clear-eyed vision: North is North. Make sure we support ALL members.”

General President Coleman and General Secretary- Treasurer Daniel also fielded questions from attendees about topics including the July BE4ALL Town Hall in Cleveland, how SMART can support locals with recruitment, retention and data, dealing with political devel­opments that negatively impact members, and beyond.