2015 SIB Conference

Day after day, from morning to night, more than 440 United Brotherhood of Carpenters members – most of whom are the Sisters in the Brotherhood – made the most of their time at the 2015 UBC Sisters in the Brotherhood Conference. Sisters and brothers from two countries and nearly every Council in the UBC gathered to learn, share, network, and communicate their hopes, ideas, questions, and suggestions in response to the Conference’s theme of “Bridging the Way.”

General session guest speakers and panelists informed and energized participants, including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Canadian Building Trades’ Robert Blakely, successful female contractors from the U.S. and Canada, and motivational speaker Dr. Rita Murray. UBC officers – from Executive Secretary-Treasurers and other Council Leaders to General Officers – attended the Conference in support of the SIB program and contributed their ideas for “Bridging the Way” to more opportunities for female UBC members.

A variety of workshops helped conference participants focus on personal and professional skill development. District and trade-specific caucuses and small group meetings helped build relationships and enable greater communication. Evening receptions provided nearly unlimited networking opportunities and cemented both new and old friendships.

The 2015 UBC Sisters in the Brotherhood Conference hosted more participants than any previous SIB conference, and according to the International SIB Committee, this Conference’s success is a great symbol of the potential and future plans of the UBC’s SIB program.