38. Joe Sellers, General President of SMART, on Managing Diversity and Changing Culture

Can one act of kindness change a person’s life forever? Joe Sellers says YES.In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Joe Sellers, General President of SMART, the International Union of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. Joe introduces SMART, talks about his journey to becoming General President, and talks about what SMART is doing to usher in a new era of union construction and thrive as an international union. Joe discusses:What SMART does and how it represents a diverse set of professions and crafts.How SMART members are in all of our communities, making sure our HVAC systems are installed properly, driving buses and metro trains, and everything in between.His neighborhood in Philadelphia that celebrated kids joining the union and how he finally made it to the sheet metal apprenticeship program in his second year of trying.How we are about to see a huge construction boom in this country, as well as a renewed focus on rail.How SMART recruits all over the country through its training centers and contractors.The importance of mentorship within SMART.How SMART is working hard to change the culture of the union through policies, toolbox talks, and ongoing education.How one man changed his life forever when he offered him work at his company, after Joe suffered a terrible motorcycle accident and had been out of work for seven months.References:SMART WebsiteThe different crafts within SMARTSMART Women’s Committee