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BMWED 2025 Lodge Officer Learning Labs
NORTHEAST REGION - PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 8 - ENROLL BY MARCH 14, 2025!
NE REGION AGENDA (as of 2-14-25)
NE REGION VENUE (DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown)
NORTHWEST REGION - OMAHA, NE - MAY 7 THROUGH MAY 9
WEST REGION - SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 16 THROUGH 18
SOUTH REGION - ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 14 THROUGH 16
BMWED's Lodge Officer Learning Labs bring BMWED members and Local Lodge officers together from around our country. Instead of simply listening to presentations and speakers, our Learning Lab participants receive hands-on practice working beside fellow Lodge officers and members in scenario-based, small-group exercises that relate to our work together to build a stronger union!
Why should I take part in a BMWED Learning Lab?
The strength of our union relies on the confidence, knowledge, and ACTION of our members. This all starts at your Local Lodge level, where members have a chance to directly engage with issues or questions that matter to our craft and our union. At our Learning Labs, you will get a chance to practice the skills our Lodges need to hold meaningful, impactful meetings and get work done!
A key aspect of our Learning Labs is that our participants don't get "siloed" into a specific job or role. While we do offer some extra guidance for key responsibilities within the Local Lodge, each participant will get a chance to sharpen their skills at all the different tasks that make their Lodge meetings matter.
Are there any eligibility requirements to be in a Learning Lab?
While our BMWED Learning Labs are focused on providing hands-on training to our BMWED Lodge Officers, all BMWED members are eligible to attend if they have Good Standing within their Lodge and approval from their General Chairperson.
Lodge officers (Presidents, Vice Presidents, Local Chairpersons, and Lodge Secretaries) are especially encouraged to attend, as the training provided is specifically tailored for the roles these leaders perform in our union!
What happens at a Learning Lab?
As a participant in a Learning Lab, you are assigned to a Workgroup, a team of fellow BMWED members that work together to share skills, complete assignments, and tackle problems. In your Workgroup, you may have brand-new members, newly-elected Lodge Secretaries, or Lodge Presidents with 20 years of experience.
Over the course of a jam-packed, 3-day event, you and your Workgroup will take on a lot of different tasks, including:
Developing plans for Lodge-level action in simulated campaigns that achieve union-wide goals in organizing, safety, or advocacy.
Practice and guidance on completing necessary reports and financial audits at a Local Lodge level.
Creating educational presentations that you can offer members of your Lodge, adding value to your meetings and keeping your sisters and brothers better informed and engaged.
Taking part in roundtable discussions with officers at your System Division or Federation level, and with National Division officers and staff.
You can check out an example agenda, from our 2025 Northeast Region Learning Lab, below!
BMWED Northeast Region Learning Lab Agenda (current as of Feb. 14, 2025)
How do I sign up for a Learning Lab?
Your System Division or Federation General Chairperson is the approval authority for you to take part in a Learning Lab. If you want to go, you should request a slot by contacting your General Chairperson. Your General Chairperson may also designate members to attend and will contact you if you are selected to represent your Lodge.
Make sure to contact your General Chairperson as soon as you can if you have an interest in going to a Learning Lab! Seats are limited! You can also copy the Education Department in your request by emailing education@bmwe.org to help requests get processed more quickly.
Which Learning Lab is right for me?
While our Learning Labs are oriented to our 4 BMWED regions, the content of each is nearly identical. So, the best choice for your Learning Lab request will likely be the Lab that is closest to home for you.
Since part of our Learning Lab agenda includes "breakout" sessions with our System Division or Federation officers, you will also likely want to attend a Learning Lab where your System Division or Federation has several folks attending. This may limit some of your options, since we can't have all our General Chairpersons attend each event. First thing's first, though, reach out to your GC with your interest to attend!
How are wages and expenses covered during these Learning Labs?
Your Education Department covers the cost for a hotel room and provides meals during each training day during the Learning Lab, as well as up to $500 in reimbursement for your travel costs.
Your Local Lodge, System Division, or Federation will be responsible for wage reimbursement for the time you are away from your regularly scheduled position, as well as for any travel costs exceeding $500 and any meals during travel days. Your General Chairperson or other System Division or Federation officers can let you know more about your System's specific policies for wage reimbursement.
Regardless, any wage or expense reimbursements you receive will require you complete a Form ES-1 and add any necessary receipts or supporting documents (flight itineraries, IRS W-4 Form if needed, etc.). If you have any questions regarding reimbursements for attending a Learning Lab, contact your General Chairperson or your Education Department at education@bmwe.org.
Do I need to book my own room to attend the Learning Lab?
No! Once you're signed up, your Education Department will get your room booked, if you need it. Some participants also commute to the Learning Lab if they live close by.
Do I need to book my own flight to attend the Learning Lab?
You will have to arrange for your own transportation to the Learning Lab. However, your System Division or Federation may also have a policy to help you book necessary air travel, so check with your General Chairperson.
If you do book your own flights, do NOT use frequent flyer miles or points to pay for the flights, as these cannot be reimbursed!
If you drive to the Learning Lab, you will be advised on the details for parking your personal vehicle. You can also reach out to education@bmwe.org.
Can I expense meals during training days at the Learning Lab?
No. Meals during training days are provided. If you choose not to eat the provided meals you will not be reimbursed for any meals you purchase during training days. If you System Division or Federation has specific plans or policies around meals and reimbursements while at the Learning Lab, your General Chairperson will inform you on what to expect.
How should I prepare for the Learning Lab?
If you're a Lodge Secretary, you may be contacted by a member of our BMWED Field Auditing team with some guidance on how to prepare for your Learning Lab. If you're a Local Chairperson, your General Chairperson may also have some guidance or recommendations for you. Otherwise, you should take a look at the resources in our BMWED Library to see some of the tools and ideas we'll cover together. You should also definitely take a look at the Guides available at https://www.bmwe.org/LodgeOfficers.
What should I bring to the Learning Lab?
Materials and references for training will be provided, so don't worry about bringing a lot of stuff with you! However, some Lodge Secretaries may benefit from bringing some of their reports or records with them, especially during our modules focused on S-T business and reporting. Our BMWED Field Auditors may also reach out and request some Lodge Secretaries bring some items for one-one-one guidance and support.
If you have a Lodge-provided laptop, records, or other items you want to bring, feel free to do so!
Can I attend more than one Learning Lab?
The Lodge Officer Learning Labs are not intended to be repeated by individual members. If you attended a Lodge Officer Learning Lab in the past you will not be eligible for 2025 or future Learning Labs unless specifically authorized by your General Chairperson and approved by our BMWED President. However, you may be eligible for other in-person training opportunities, so please reach out to education@bmwe.org if you have questions or interest in further training.
Back to the BMWED Training Page