ALPA 101: Fiduciary Responsibilities

ALPA’s annual Secretary-Treasurers’ Conference kicked off today with presentations designed to help ALPA’s financial and administrative gatekeepers honor their fiduciary responsibilities. Over the next two and a half days, secretary-treasurers from 14 pilot groups will learn about the many resources ALPA makes available and practices to make their jobs more efficient and manageable.

This important training, coming quickly on the heels of ALPA’s Leadership Training Conference held in February, is just another way that sets ALPA apart in its mission to fully equip elected pilot representatives as they begin their important roles within the union.

Moderating the event is Capt. Randy Helling, ALPA’s vice president–finance/treasurer, who talked to the group this morning about their duties and responsibilities as secretary-treasurers and discussed dues dollars and how they are allocated to fund the Association. He also reviewed ALPA’s financial performance across the last decade.

ALPA vice president-administration/secretary Capt. Bill Couette reviewed what’s required to conduct a meeting. ALPA’s General Counsel and Legal Director Jonathan Cohen explained the Association’s risk-management approach and reviewed several recent litigation cases. Managing Attorney Clay Warner encouraged secretary-treasurers to establish clear written financial policies for their MECs, to consistently apply those policies, and to exercise transparency.

Do you know who your secretary-treasurer is? Check out the ALPA App, which can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or Google Play market.

Also, look for additional coverage of the ALPA Secretary-Treasurers’ Conference in the April 2014 issue of Air Line Pilot magazine.