Record COPE Giving Hits $2.7 Million

Contributions to CWA-COPE, the union's political education fund increased $400,000 in 2003 to $2.7 million, setting a new one-year record at a time when the union's political influence is critical.

"We also significantly increased the number of members who give to CWA-COPE," said CWA President Morton Bahr, "and we raised the necessary funds to operate the most extensive grassroots field political operation in our history."

CWA has trained volunteers for the Kerry-Edwards campaign in all the battleground states and has committed staff resources to the election drive.

Bahr praised the efforts of staff, locals and retiree clubs that contributed in 2003 COPE fund-raising efforts and encouraged them to take advantage of training and materials available from CWA headquarters. A list of 160 locals which had at least 10 percent of their members contribute at least $1 per week was distributed at the convention, and Bahr reminded the delegates that, "our CWA Retired Members' Clubs are ready, willing and able to assist your local with their vast experience in any state or local campaign."

Bahr said 15,000 members, through the CWA-COPE Club program, contributed a minimum of $52 in 2003. The numbers of contributors increased significantly in every other category of giving: 6,000 Gold Quorum members contributing at least $104 annually, up from 4,091 the previous year; 1,700 Platinum Quorum members, $260 annually, up from 1,505; and 1,400 President's Club members, $520 annually, up from 413 a year ago.

Annual COPE Awards
Bahr presented top fund-raising awards to:

• District 6 and Vice President Andy Milburn: District Achievement Awards for most COPE dollars, $511,375, and for highest percentage of membership participation, 12.6 percent; President's Distinguished Achievement Awards for Political Action for highest percentage of members, 5.52 percent, contributing at least $1 per week and for largest number of members giving $1 per week, 4,090; highest number of Platinum Quorum members, 470; most Triple Quorum members, 237; and a President's Club award for most members participating, 308.
  
  
• District 1 and Vice President Larry Mancino: District Achievement Award for largest number of members participating, 10,318.
  
  
• Local 1101 and President Joe Connolly: Special Local Awards for most COPE dollars, $86,764 and highest number of members signed up in COPE, 2,990, and a President's Distinguished Achievement Award for most members giving at least $1 per week, 1,217. Local Treasurer Terry Daly accepted the award.
  
  
• Local 1301 and President George Alcott: President's Distinguished Achievement Award for Political Action for highest percentage of members contributing at least $1 per week to COPE, 68.4 percent; and Triple Quorum Award for most members participating, 95. Executive Vice President Colin Pomroy accepted for Alcott.
  
  
• Local 4302 and President Sherrie Sallaz: President's Club Award for most members participating, 43.
  
  
• Local 6222 and President Claude Cummings: Platinum Quorum Award for most members participating, 95.
  
  
• Local 7072 and President Estella Madrid: Special Local Award for highest percentage of membership participation, 88 percent.